Surgery Godfather

Chapter 234: Chapter 0219 – You need to return what you borrowed!

After a while, President Wang returned.

Huang Jiacai eagerly asked, “How did it go?”

Although he only knew Chen Zhi for a short ten minutes, Huang Jiacai was utterly certain that Chen Zhi was a rare talent.

Chen Zhi’s things were not junk, but advanced sports medicine instruments. The design concept was very innovative, successfully bypassing the patents of all major international factories.

If a certain amount of capital could be invested, formally produced samples and then improved upon, they could definitely compete on the same stage as the products of international giants. How could such a talent be allowed to slip away?

President Wang’s face was filled with regret and apology, “Jiacai, I’m sorry, it won’t do. President Wei said this person could have some mental issues, and many other employees have pointed this out too. Didn’t you notice something off about him when you spoke to him? We should ask him to leave as soon as possible to prevent any incidents in the company. Jiacai, were you put up to this, speaking up for him? If he is a respected friend, why didn’t you notify me in advance? You better not get involved in this mess, keeping such person around might lead to troubles we cannot afford.”

Huang Jiacai only communicated with Chen Zhi for about ten minutes. Indeed, Chen was a little different, but it wasn’t neuroticism. Instead, he was skilled at thinking but poor at expressing and had his imperfections like everyone else. What a pity to let such a talent slip away.

“President Wang, let me be honest with you. He is not any acquaintance of mine, I just met him. When I went out for a smoke just now, I saw him leaving with a bag full of equipment. I stopped him and looked at a few items, which were all original devices, highly advanced in design, and had managed to bypass several patents of major international factories. Look, this is his meniscus suture gun design. I have just studied it, and it is very creative. It can implement continuous suturing, which is a breakthrough innovation! Letting such a talent go would be a huge loss for the company. President Wang, please consider this seriously!”

Huang Jiacai showed Chen Zhi’s meniscus suture gun to President Wang. Wang glanced over it, “Are these items what you’re referring to? He had sought out President Wei, boasting that this item is a generation ahead of market products. President Wei had the R&D department evaluate it. The senior engineers there claimed any engineer could design this, that it has no technical depth and absolutely cannot achieve the functionality he boasted about.”

Huang Jiacai became a little anxious, “This piece could not even be called a semi-finished product because it lacks components. After hearing his detailed explanation, I am convinced that if the company is willing to invest in mass production, it can certainly achieve the functionalities he mentioned. The R&D department’s claim that anyone can design this has thoroughly underestimated the technical depth of this device.”

Huang Jiacai noticed some rumblings and pulled President Wang to the window, “Those senior engineers, if we didn’t let them see this semi-finished product and asked them to innovate from scratch, I bet my life they could not. The semi-finished product is just a primitive starting point. If the final model is made according to his thought process, it truly will be a generation ahead of current market products. When Ma Huateng’s QQ sought investment from Lei Jun’s Kingsoft, Kingsoft’s programmers said this thing is worthless, lacks technical depth, and you could hire some fresh graduates to do it for a few tens of thousands of yuan.”

“Jiacai, it’s not that I don’t want to help you but I can’t. Nudging Wei again may cause misunderstandings, making him think I’m opposing him. It’s already difficult enough for him to fire an engineer,” President Wang had his own difficulties due to the complexities of the relationships within the company.

President Wang was telling the truth. President Wei was the majority shareholder, and being persistent on this matter might lead him to overthink. The relationship between him and President Wei was very delicate.

He brought Huang Jiacai in originally to help the company expand into the South China market, but President Wei was not reassured. He remained suspicious and tasked President Jia, who was in charge of sales, to keep an eye on Huang Jiacai. President Wei was worried that President Wang was expanding his own influence.

“You’ve been working in sales, and might not be aware of what happens at headquarters; it’s a bit complicated. I hope you can understand my position,” President Wang said sincerely.

“President Wang, thank you,” Huang Jiacai knew it was pointless to continue the discussion.

The tour group had not left yet, and President Wang wanted to join them, “You should go listen too. They’re introducing the company’s new products that will soon be distributed to your end.”

“I’ll head over in a moment,” Huang Jiacai was feeling somewhat downhearted.

He left the lab again and went around to the fire stairs. Chen Zhi was still there.

“Chen Zhi!”

“Oh, Manager Huang, thank you.”

“I’m sorry. I spoke to someone on your behalf and it didn’t work out. What do you plan to do now?”

“It’s okay. Every cloud has a silver lining. I’m really grateful for your help.”

Chen Zhi stubbed out his already extinguished cigarette butt against his palm for several times, checked for an ash bin and finding none, checked again to make sure there were no lingering sparks, and tucked it into his pocket. He picked up his sack and was ready to leave.

“Wait!” Huang Jiacai called him back.

“Can you pay back your debt with 60 thousand yuan?” Huang Jiacai asked.

Even a single penny could topple a hero, let alone 60 thousand yuan.

Only those who never lacked money cannot comprehend the pain of being penniless.

For someone in Chen Zhi’s situation, he probably couldn’t even borrow a hundred yuan. Without a unique opportunity to obtain some money and repay his debt, the debt collectors would haunt him like demons, burdening him heavily and making his life a living hell.

“I can lend you 60 thousand yuan to clear your debts, how about that?” Huang Jiacai suggested.

Despite knowing Chen Zhi for only a brief half hour, Huang Jiacai had confidence in his judgement. The few devices in Chen Zhi’s hand had already proven his potential.

Chen Zhi stayed put, not putting down the sack in his hand,”Thank you, but we’ve only known each other for half an hour.”

Chen Zhi was now at the end of his rope, without a chance of even borrowing a hundred yuan.

Having just met Huang Jiacai for half an hour, and suddenly he was offering to lend him sixty thousand yuan. Whether it was true or false, the words cheered and warmed him.

“Really, the company is going to reward me with eighty thousand. I’m going to lend you sixty thousand, so that you can clear your debts. Debt is heavy, making people breathless. When you’re free from debts, you can relax and find work at your own pace, make the most of your strengths. True gold will always shine. I think you’re a very rare piece of gold. I trust you. This stuff you have isn’t rubbish, but a priceless treasure,” Huang Jiacai said sincerely.

Chen Zhi dropped the snakeskin bag he was holding, somewhat stunned. It turned out that Huang Jiacai was serious, not just paying lip service on parting, or casually mocking someone down on their luck.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll disappear without a trace after I leave, and then not return your sixty thousand?” Chen Zhi asked self-deprecatingly.

Huang Jiacai answered calmly: “Your worth in the future will certainly be more than sixty thousand. Believe in yourself, and in me. If you’re willing to be my friend, I can transfer you the money now. Remember it’s a loan, so it needs to be repaid! And interest will be added according to the bank’s rate.”

Chen Zhi was deeply touched and extended his hand: “Thank you, I don’t know what to say. It must be a dream. Last night I dialed every contact on my phone trying to borrow money, but didn’t get a penny. And now you say you’re going to lend me sixty thousand? If you really can, I will definitely repay you, and I’ll remember this favour.”

Grasping his hand firmly, Huang Jiacai replied, “Believe in yourself! And trust my judgement! We are friends now. I’ll transfer it to you now. There’s a daily limit on WeChat, so I’ll transfer forty thousand to you on WeChat, and do you have Alipay? I’ll transfer the other twenty thousand via Alipay. Or give me your bank account number, I can transfer the entire sixty thousand to you directly from my mobile banking app. I will always be in G City. My WeChat and phone number won’t change. If you need anything, including money, you can contact me at any time. I suggest you do not leave this industry, your product designs are very impressive. You should apply for patents to protect them.”

“Thank you! My WeChat and mobile number won’t change either, I’ll definitely repay you!”

By chance, he had encountered someone who rescued him from dire straits. Everything happened so suddenly that Chen Zhi was left a little at a loss. The weight of this favor was crushing. But right now, he needed the money. His debts were haunting him like demons, and it was only because of his strong nerves that he had not succumbed to the pressure.

Chen Zhi sent a bank account number via WeChat, and Huang Jiacai didn’t break his promise, he immediately transferred sixty thousand yuan to him.

Just right for a person who’s in dire need, to oneself it’s only sixty thousand yuan, to him, it might be a whole new life.

He didn’t want to see this talented engineer being swept away by misfortune, he sincerely didn’t want to see it.

“If you ever need anything, feel free to contact me!” Huang Jiacai said earnestly.

Chen Zhi’s eyes were slightly misty: “I should get going now, I will definitely repay you.”

He picked up his snakeskin bag, step by step down the staircase, occasionally looking back at Huang Jiacai.

“Go on, I’ll be fine!” Huang Jiacai waved him off.

Years ago when he first came to G City, he too carried a snakeskin bag. Just off the train, he found that all his money had been stolen.

At the time, Huang Jiacai didn’t know his wallet was gone. He had gone to a nearby restaurant and had a bowl of noodles, only to find out afterwards that his wallet was missing. He had nobody to turn to, and the ensuing panic was unbearable.

The restaurant owner thought he had been trying to dine and dash. No matter how Huang Jiacai explained, he was ignored. The man cursed him, kicked him and threatened to beat him to death.

Even six thousand yuan was out of reach, a bowl of noodles could be enough to cause despair.

Many bystanders pointed fingers, laughed at him. Then a customer, unable to bear the sight, stood up for him and paid the bill for him.

That man was President Wang. He asked Huang Jiacai about his situation, helped him rent a cheap apartment and introduced him to a company where he started a career in pharmaceutical sales.

Life isn’t easy for anyone. Everyone has their own story, whether they are successful or down on their luck, it’s just that others don’t know about it.

After Chen Zhi’s figure disappeared, Huang Jiacai returned to the lab in the R&D department. The visit was coming to an end, and salespeople from various regions were free to move around, some asking engineers questions, some fiddling with devices, others just chatting casually on the side. The medical equipment industry is highly competitive, and everyone wanted to find out about the market conditions in other regions.

“Jiacai, what’s wrong? Feeling unwell?” President Wang asked.

“Just a bit of stomach discomfort, nothing serious, an old ailment,” Huang Jiacai said evasively.

In fact, he was heartbroken about Chen Zhi’s departure, seeing such potential wasted.

Based on his judgement, this engineer was undoubtedly a rare talent. He hoped that there would be another chance to bring him back, and also hoped that the sixty thousand yuan he lent him could lend him a hand.

“Do you need to see a doctor? Would you like me to arrange a ride?” President Wang was very concerned about him.

“No need, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Go back to your work, leave me be.”

Huang Jiacai rejoined the group of visitors.