This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Hearing Du Heng change his tune, Xu Pinglin heaved a long sigh of relief. If what Du Heng said was investigated and proven true, it wouldn’t bode well for the other doctor. If it wasn’t proven true, however, it would have a very negative impact on Du Heng.

”It’s not quite right to say it’s fake. It’s more accurate to say it’s a case of passing off inferior quality goods as high quality.”

Du Heng thought for a moment, searching for a phrase that would more accurately convey his meaning.

”The Ginseng in this house is sugar ginseng, also known as white sugar ginseng. It’s made from Ginseng that is lacking in sap, is diseased or scarred, or is fragmented. Of course, that’s not the biggest issue. The most important thing is that the age of this Ginseng is wrong.”

Everyone listened quietly as Du Heng spoke; no one interrupted.

”The typical harvest age for Ginseng is three to six years. But the Ginseng in this packet doesn’t have the right flavor—it’s just sweet and nothing else. After drying, its size and shape are also wrong. By my estimation, it’s two-year-old Ginseng at most, and water-swollen at that.”

Looking at the small pile of Ginseng slices, Du Heng said earnestly, ”I suspect that when this Ginseng was being cultivated, it encountered heavy rainfall. The planting beds were either flooded or washed out by the rain, causing the roots to rot and reducing the yield. The Ginseng farmers likely dug it up early to cut their losses.”

”Is the difference that significant?” Xu Pinglin frowned again.

”The medicinal properties are insufficient. Moreover, he mixed codonopsis slices into it.”

Du Heng’s expression darkened. There was something else he hadn’t mentioned: the pricing of this medicine. If someone were to report it and an investigation followed, that would also be a huge problem.

Xu Pinglin said nothing more. He was naturally hot-tempered and someone who couldn’t tolerate any deceit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lost his temper with Du Heng and Li Qingde in public last time.

In his view, such doctors should be expelled from the medical profession.

Bao Mi’s expression changed several times before she finally suppressed her anger. Looking at Du Heng, she asked, ”Doctor Du, is there still hope for my father’s illness?”

Du Heng didn’t dwell on the previous issue either, instead picking up on Bao Mi’s question. As for whether Bao Mi would seek trouble with that doctor later, he didn’t want to inquire too much.

”Yes, there is. However, your father’s current condition is no longer suitable for the Three Raw Agents Beverage.”

Du Heng crossed his arms, gazed at the patient, and pondered for a moment before saying, ”We’ll use the Astragalus Five-Ingredient Decoction. This house is quite effective for treating hemiplegia and limb weakness.”

He then looked at Bao Mi and asked, ”Does your father experience any pain in his hands or feet?”

Bao Mi glanced at her father, thought back on his care, and replied, ”I haven’t noticed any.”

”That’s good.” Du Heng thought for a moment. ”For now, we just need to add achyranthes and papaya. These two herbs target conditions like weakness in the feet and sinews. We don’t have tiger bone anymore; it would be slightly better if we did, as it also helps with bone weakness, but it’s not a major issue if we don’t add it.”

Du Heng returned to his desk and began writing the house, muttering, ”Hmm, we should also add aconite. Let’s leave out the Ginseng; he’s already had too much.”

”Buwei, take the patient’s family member to register.” Then, looking at Bao Mi, he added, ”I forgot to mention, you need to register. Otherwise, I can’t issue this house.”

Bao Mi nodded. Up to this point, Du Heng’s actions had convinced her to tentatively trust him.

After she registered, Du Heng finished entering the disease record into the computer and handed the house to Bao Mi. ”You can have the medicine filled here, or you can go to another Hospital to get it. Either is fine, but it’s best not to go to a Pharmacy.”

Bao Mi took the house. ”I’ll have the medicine filled here then.” Since I’ve chosen to trust Doctor Du, I might as well be straightforward about it and avoid any unnecessary complications. If I get swindled, at least I’ll have proof, right? Otherwise, if a problem arises later and he claims the medicine was from somewhere else and refuses to take responsibility, what then?

Actually, Bao Mi was overthinking. The registration fee was only eight yuan. What could Du Heng possibly deceive her out of?

”Buwei, sorry to trouble you with another errand. Have the Pharmacy prepare the medicine. Make sure you watch them: the ginger must be raw ginger with the skin on. Don’t let them get it wrong.”

Wu Buwei acknowledged with a sound and took the prescription from Bao Mi before heading out.

”Ms. Bao, the medicine I’ve prescribed is a fifteen-day supply. After he finishes it, bring him back for a follow-up. While he’s taking the medicine, if there are any changes in the patient’s condition, call me or bring him directly to see me. Once the patient’s condition improves and his limbs show some response, I’ll need to change his medication.”

Du Heng explained everything very earnestly to Bao Mi, and she listened intently. Details like the dosage, when to take the medicine, and potential changes—afraid she might forget, she even took out her mobile phone and jotted them all down in her notepad.

”Your father’s hemiplegia was induced by a cerebral infarction. The recurrence rate for cerebral infarction is very high; current national statistics show it’s over 40%. Each recurrence is equivalent to his condition worsening. Does your father have hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia?”

”He has hypertension.”

”It’s crucial to keep that under control; this is very important. Also, his daily diet requires special attention. If he regularly consumes foods high in fat, calories, and salt, it can cause his blood to thicken and his blood lipids to rise, which can also trigger another cerebral infarction.”

Bao Mi nodded. ”I know all this. Doctor Liu at the Provincial First Hospital told me about it.”

”Doctor Liu is my wife,” Xu Pinglin interjected with an explanation.

Du Heng glanced at Xu Pinglin. So Doctor Liu is his wife. What’s there to explain about that?

”It’s best that you’re aware. Also, things like drinking, smoking, and staying up late should be avoided.” As Du Heng said this, he glanced at the patient in the wheelchair and felt he had just stated the obvious.

Given the patient’s current condition, if he could smoke, drink, and stay up late, Bao Mi would probably laugh herself dizzy with joy.

”Once the patient shows some recovery, I’ll need to change to a house that prevents stroke recurrence. So you must remember not to let him keep taking only this medicine indefinitely.”

”I’ll remember, Doctor Du.” Although Du Heng was quite thorough, Bao Mi felt a sense of gratitude. ”Doctor Du, I wanted to ask, doesn’t my father need Acupuncture?”

”Acupuncture would be best; it can speed up the patient’s recovery. I forgot to ask, where do you live?”

”Lily Bay, Chengguan District.”

Du Heng clicked his tongue. ”You live east of Jinzhou, and our Health Clinic is in the west. That’s too far.”

Xu Pinglin agreed. ”It is a bit far. It takes over an hour to get here. How about hospitalization?”

Bao Mi fell silent.

She knew hospitalization was the best option, but she also had to work. Besides, the Health Clinic didn’t provide caregivers for inpatients. If she hired one from outside, given Zhonghu Town’s remote, mountainous location, either no one would be willing to come, or the cost would be terrifyingly high.

Du Heng saw Bao Mi’s predicament and proactively said, ”It’s alright even without Acupuncture; it just means the recovery period will be longer.”

Bao Mi mulled it over, biting her lip, and ultimately decided against hospitalization.

Just then, Wu Buwei came in and said to Bao Mi, ”Ms. Bao, the medicine is almost ready. You can go pay the fee now.”

Bao Mi had braced herself for a massive hemorrhage, but for her father’s health, she was willing to try as long as there was a chance. She pursed her lips and followed Wu Buwei out.

About two minutes later, Bao Mi returned, her eyes filled with utter disbelief.