This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

The place Wang Shuqiu chose was quite impressive, a bit upscale at first glance.

But it wasn’t the Western restaurant Du Heng had imagined, which was a bit unexpected for him.

Following the information Wang Shuqiu left, Du Heng and the others found their table with ease.

Upon seeing Wang Shuqiu, Du Heng introduced her to the others.

However, he didn’t really know how to introduce her. Calling her his girlfriend seemed a bit off since neither of them had ever said that. But saying she wasn’t his girlfriend also didn’t seem accurate, judging by their relationship.

Having no choice, Du Heng could only give a vague introduction.

But Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen didn’t spare Du Heng any embarrassment. As soon as he finished introducing her, they both greeted her in unison, ”Hello, Sister-in-law. Thank you for booking such a nice place and spending the money.”

Wang Shuqiu didn’t reject the title and instead acted graciously. ”Doctor Du said earlier this afternoon that he would treat you all to dinner, so we had to find a slightly better place. I don’t know how this place is; someone recommended it to me. As long as the meal is good, it’s fine.”

She gestured for them to sit. ”Come, let’s all sit. Take a look at the menu, see what you like, and order.”

”Thank you, Sister-in-law.”

Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen studied the menu, while Du Heng leaned over to Wang Shuqiu and said, ”Why did you book a private room? It’s a bit big for just the four of us.”

Wang Shuqiu glared at Du Heng. ”There was no space in the Hall, and you didn’t specify how many people, so I could only book a small private room.”

”I remember saying I would bring two people.”

”Does ’two people’ necessarily mean exactly two? Or is it an indefinite term?”

Du Heng quickly raised his hands in surrender. Arguing about this with a language Teacher? That would be insane, right?

But Wang Shuqiu’s reaction just now was a bit puzzling. She didn’t object to being called Sister-in-law, nor did she deny it. Has she tacitly agreed to our relationship? What exactly have I done to earn her favor, then?

Du Heng was a bit confused.

My looks aren’t bad; I could even be considered slightly handsome. However, compared to Wang Shuqiu’s standards, I seem to pale in comparison. As for our financial situations, Wang Shuqiu would have to be blind to think otherwise. Could a Teacher with a formal authorized job like her really be after my paycheck of just over 4,000 yuan?

If I can’t figure it out, I might as well not dwell on it. I’ll find out when the time comes.

As they were waiting for their food, Wang Shuqiu asked if the three men wanted some drinks.

Du Heng didn’t really want to drink. His only weakness was his low tolerance for alcohol. Even five years in University hadn’t improved it, and he was basically a lightweight.

Unexpectedly, Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen were quite interested and looked eager.

Since I’m treating everyone, I should let them eat and drink to their heart’s content, Du Heng thought. Can’t hold back. Otherwise, I’d be wasting my money and not leaving a good impression.

But since Du Heng didn’t know much about alcohol, he left the decision up to them.

Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen had initially wanted beer, but it didn’t seem fitting for the occasion, so they eventually opted for white wine. Surprisingly, Wang Shuqiu also wanted some, so they ordered a bottle of red wine for her as well.

Ma Zichen seemed to know a lot about alcohol. As soon as they finished discussing, he immediately stood up. ”I’ll go to the counter to see what kind of wine they have.” Without waiting for the others to call a waiter, he hurried off.

”Does this kid love to drink?” Du Heng asked Wu Buwei.

Wu Buwei rolled his eyes. ”Senior, my relationship with him is no different from yours. How am I supposed to know something that you don’t?”

”He’s being very enthusiastic,” Du Heng observed. ”I think this kid might really love to drink.”

”If he loves it, let him drink.”

”Drinking isn’t good.”

Wang Shuqiu didn’t like hearing that. ”How is drinking not good? Studies have shown that moderate drinking can soften blood vessels, accelerate blood flow, and is beneficial to one’s health.”

Du Heng glanced at Wang Shuqiu. ”Where did you hear this rumor? Who researched it? Who told you that drinking is good for health?”

”I said moderate drinking.”

”That has nothing to do with the amount. Alcohol is alcohol; whether you drink a lot or a little, it has no connection to health.”

Wang Shuqiu strongly disagreed and immediately countered, ”Then what about traditional Chinese medicine, where some medicine has to be taken with alcohol? How do you explain that?”

Du Heng sat up straight. ”Using alcohol to take medicine, that’s just as a medicinal guide; it doesn’t mean you should drink a lot of alcohol. Don’t misunderstand.”

Wang Shuqiu still wasn’t convinced. ”What about medicinal liquor then?”

Du Heng felt helpless. Wang Shuqiu’s ideas are just like those of ordinary people. I don’t know where this trend started, but it seems like everyone is making medicinal liquor. And now, it seems anything can be infused: snakes, toads, scorpions, centipedes – none of them escape this fate.

”First of all, I want to clarify that traditional Chinese medicine does not encourage medicinal liquor,” Du Heng said very seriously. I must be clear; I don’t want Wu Buwei to get the wrong idea. ”Making medicinal liquor is a very particular process. Just like prescribing and dispensing herbal medicines, the combination of Medicine Ingredients matters.

”Second, the medicinal liquor you see people making has nothing to do with traditional Chinese medicine. I don’t believe any TCM would tell people that using snakes in medicinal liquor can cure diseases. These are just folk beliefs and have nothing to do with medical science.”

Wang Shuqiu refused to accept Du Heng’s explanation and immediately retorted, ”Just because you say so? So many people make and drink medicinal liquor, and some have been doing it for over a decade! If it had no effect, would they keep drinking it?”

Du Heng was speechless but patiently replied, ”Continuing to drink it doesn’t mean it’s effective; they might just enjoy drinking. Also, some people make medicinal liquor by throwing in various ’tonic’ ingredients. Drinking a little might not cause problems, but drinking a lot definitely will.”

Seeing Wang Shuqiu about to speak again, Du Heng waved his hand to stop her. ”As for those who use snakes, centipedes, and toads to make medicinal liquor, I can only say they’re lucky to be alive. Either the creatures used are too small and not very poisonous, or they are non-toxic to begin with. However, people who drink such medicinal liquor for a long time will likely show signs of poisoning if they go to the Hospital for a Check-up. It’s just that the dose each time is very small, and their bodies can tolerate it.”

Du Heng leaned forward. ”Let me put it this way: using snakes to make medicinal liquor is quite common in the North, but you’ll rarely find it in Southern areas. Do you know why?”

Wu Buwei and Wang Shuqiu shook their heads together.

”The reason is simple. Most snakes in the North are non-venomous. Because of the climate, they are also generally small. Even if they are venomous, their toxicity isn’t very strong. So, people who drink snake-infused liquor for years in the North usually don’t have problems. It’s different in Southern areas. There are many types of snakes there, most of which are venomous with strong toxicity. If someone randomly infuses liquor with these snakes and drinks it, there’s a ninety percent chance they’ll be poisoned.”

Wang Shuqiu frowned. ”So, are you saying medicinal liquor is fake and useless?”

”You can’t say that. Medicinal liquor can be useful, but it must be made with a rigorous combination of Medicine Ingredients. As for the kind people concoct themselves, it’s better not to drink it if you can avoid it.”

Wang Shuqiu seemed to remember something and quickly got up, taking out her phone. ”I have to tell My Dad. During the New Year, his nephew sent him a jar of snake-infused liquor. I hope he hasn’t drunk any of it!”

”Then you should tell him quickly.”

Wang Shuqiu lacked medical knowledge, so Du Heng easily swayed her with a few words. Wu Buwei, however, was different; he had his own questions.

Now that Wang Shuqiu was on the phone, Wu Buwei found his chance to ask, ”Senior, I have a question. I forget where I read it, but there was a case about a Patient with rheumatism whose condition was controlled by drinking snake-infused liquor.”

Du Heng spun a cup on the table. ”Try to explain it with what you know. See if it makes sense.”

Wu Buwei rubbed his forehead, thinking for a long time. ”I don’t know. There doesn’t seem to be any connection. Could it be fighting poison with poison?”

Du Heng rolled his eyes. ”When you have time, read the Compendium of Materia Medica. It will be helpful.”