Ning met Han Tuo in the hospital courtyard after his specialist review. Han sat on a bench with his coat folded beside him and a paper from the physician in his hand. His breathing sounded easier than it had at the service gate, but he still coughed once when he stood.
“The physician moved me to a reduced exposure schedule,” he said. “And gave me an inhalation plan.”
“What did the foreman say?” Ning asked.
“He wants me back on night work. If I refuse, he’ll dock the week’s wages.”
Ning sat down beside him. “How much does the reduced schedule pay?”
“Enough if I keep the day shift. The foreman says there’s no day spot.”
Qinghe asked whether the ward had an advocate who could help with the work restriction. Han nodded. “There’s someone in the clinic office. I haven’t asked yet.”
“You don’t have to decide before you speak with them,” Ning said.
