Chapter 25 Why Are You Trying to Put Me Down to Build Yourself Up?

Only then did Qiao Luo understand why that woman had scoffed at her earlier; she had pegged her as a competitor.

Qiao Luo was speechless.

Since both of them had received letters of introduction, it meant the military hospital had plenty of openings. Unlike in later eras, there were no interviews or written exams to weed people out, so what on earth was this woman competing for?

Director Shao took Lin Miaomiao’s letter, glanced at it, nodded, and carefully tucked it away. He then turned to Qiao Luo. "And you, comrade?"

Qiao Luo handed over her own letter. "Hello, Director Shao. This is my letter of introduction."

Director Shao took her letter as well, immediately checking the name of the recommender.

Upon seeing that the recommender was only a deputy battalion commander from a military district completely unrelated to their own, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

It was truly ridiculous these days, the way people were shoving just anyone into their hospital.

Casually tossing Qiao Luo’s letter into a drawer, Director Shao looked from her to Lin Miaomiao and spoke in a slow, measured tone, "Our hospital’s staffing is quite tight right now..."

Lin Miaomiao immediately grew nervous and hurried to interject, "Director Shao, my brother-in-law said that although I didn't graduate from a medical college, I’ve worked at a hospital in my hometown and have relevant experience. My colleagues there always praised me for being diligent and thorough." She looked at the director and swallowed hard. "I will definitely work hard and take my job seriously."

Qiao Luo felt Lin Miaomiao was being excessively eager. The director had only made a general remark, and he had already accepted their letters—it wasn't as if he could refuse to assign them work.

Just as Qiao Luo was thinking this, Lin Miaomiao added, "As for this comrade... hmph, she looks young and hot-headed, and she seems rather flighty. Honestly, I don't think she’s suitable for a place that requires as much rigor as a hospital."

Qiao Luo was stunned.

*Seriously? Miss, if you want to show off, do it on your own merits. Why are you dragging me down? Did I offend you?*

Qiao Luo wanted to snap back, but she reminded herself that she hadn't even started yet, and since Liu Chengpeng had gone to the trouble of finding this job for her, causing a scene on her first day would be unwise.

*I’ll let it slide,* she thought. *Just for today.*

Director Shao gave a light cough. "I see. As it happens, we have an opening in the pharmacy. Comrade Lin Miaomiao, since you say you have experience and are diligent and thorough, you can take that position!"

Lin Miaomiao was overjoyed. She bowed to the director immediately. "Thank you, Director Shao!"

Director Shao seemed satisfied with her attitude. "Good. I hope you will shine in our hospital!"

He turned to Qiao Luo. "As for you, Comrade Qiao Luo... as I said, positions are tight. There is currently a vacancy in the inpatient department's logistics team. You’ll be working there!"

Lin Miaomiao, who had been worried that Qiao Luo might get a better assignment, felt relieved. She looked at Qiao Luo with undisguised schadenfreude.

Qiao Luo didn't mind. Working in logistics would give her contact with various patients, allowing her to gain more experience. She nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Director Shao."

Even so, Qiao Luo could perceive Director Shao’s malicious intent. In a hospital this large, it was impossible that there were no other positions. It was clear the man was trying to sabotage her.

Seeing that Qiao Luo accepted the assignment readily, the director felt she was sensible enough, so he nodded, wrote out their slips, and waved for them to leave.

As they walked out of the office, Lin Miaomiao rushed to close the door, bowing and scraping to the director. But the moment the door clicked shut, she straightened her posture and turned to Qiao Luo with a sneer. "Oh, Qiao Luo, is it? I thought you were someone important! Turns out you’re nothing special, or why would Director Shao assign you to logistics?"

"Logistics is all about serving others," she said, looking smug. "Not like my job in the pharmacy—easy and comfortable!"

Qiao Luo couldn't be bothered to engage with her and turned to leave. To her surprise, Lin Miaomiao followed her. "Hey, why are you so rude? I think you deserve to be in logistics! But let me warn you: someone like you, coming to work in a hospital, probably has ulterior motives. Don't think you’re going to hook any of the high-ranking officers here!"

Qiao Luo stopped and turned to look at Lin Miaomiao’s sharp, petty face. Her tone was cold. "Are you sick?"

Lin Miaomiao, still mid-rant, was taken aback by the sudden question. "What? No, I’m not!"

"If you aren't, then why are you yapping away here?" Qiao Luo gave her a look of utter disdain. "I didn't want to bother with you, but you keep getting worse. If you’re sick, go see a doctor; if you’re not, shut your mouth!"

Without waiting for the stunned Lin Miaomiao to react, she walked away.

Lin Miaomiao stood there frozen for a long time before she started stomping her feet in a rage. "You—you little vixen! You just wait! I’m going to find my brother-in-law!"

Hearing the commotion behind her, Qiao Luo simply rolled her eyes. This person had such low defense—she hadn't even said anything particularly harsh, yet the woman had already completely fallen apart.

Upon reaching the inpatient department and following the nurse's directions, Qiao Luo found Director Zhou of the logistics department.

Director Zhou was a man in his fifties with a somewhat fierce appearance. He looked Qiao Luo up and down before speaking in a slow, unhurried voice, "What do you want?"

Qiao Luo handed him the slip. "Hello, Director Zhou. I’m the new arrival. This is the note from Director Shao."

Director Zhou took it, glanced at it, and shoved it into his pocket. He scrutinized her again, his tone dripping with disdain. "So, you’re here for logistics? Follow me!"

Qiao Luo felt a sense of aversion toward the way the director looked at her, but she said nothing and followed him.

Director Zhou seemed popular in the hospital, as the medical staff they passed greeted him, and he responded with feigned warmth. However, when they reached a storage room, he turned to Qiao Luo with a look of impatience. "Find your own tools. Today, you’re responsible for cleaning the third and fourth floors. The corridors and the wards must all be spotless!"

Though she had expected as much, Qiao Luo still found it difficult to accept. "I’m cleaning two floors by myself?"

"What? You’re not willing?" A sneer crept into Director Zhou’s voice. "I knew you young women were lazy! Don't tell me you thought coming to our logistics department meant you could just slack off!"