This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

He could save people and do his best to treat them, but he also had to protect himself now.

A minor incident like the one with Xiao Ying’s mother, although it hadn’t caused any significant harm, was enough to teach him a lesson.

Especially in the Emergency Department, a place where accidents frequently occurred, he had to be even more cautious.

The male doctor also understood Du Heng’s implication. It was as if Du Heng was telling them directly: he had treated even more difficult cases and used larger doses without any problems. If they still didn’t trust him, then there was nothing more to be said.

This was as far as he could go in managing the risks for the family and the Director. If they pressed further, they would seem ungrateful and completely lacking in emotional intelligence.

When the family heard Du Heng had already treated another patient with this prescription, they felt a little more at ease. After a brief, whispered discussion among themselves, they said, ”We agree to this treatment plan.”

Since the family agreed, Zhou Yixian could no longer feign ignorance. He said, ”Since you all agree, let us explain the situation clearly to prevent any unnecessary disputes later on.”

”Go ahead, Director. We’re listening.”

”A verbal agreement isn’t enough. You’ll need to sign a special medication Informed Consent Form and a Treatment Consent Form to avoid any future complications. Also, Doctor Du’s prescription might be more expensive than typical traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, so you need to be aware of this.”

”We understand. Money isn’t an issue. We just want my mom to get better.”

Zhou Yixian nodded. ”Alright, please continue waiting outside. We’ll call you in to sign the papers when everything is ready.”

The family walked out, uneasy, looking back at their mother on the hospital bed every few steps.

Once the family left, Zhou Yixian said to Du Heng, ”Doctor Du, please wait in my office for a bit. I’ll go prepare the Informed Consent Forms.”

”Please, go ahead, Director Zhou.”

Du Heng then followed the male doctor to Zhou Yixian’s office.

He waited there for over twenty minutes. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Zhou Yixian had forgotten about the matter.

Du Heng wasn’t worried, though. He knew Zhou Yixian would definitely consult the hospital leaders. Although Zhou Yixian himself approved of the plan, he wouldn’t dare make such a decision without their prior approval.

Sure enough, when Zhou Yixian returned, a signature was already on the document.

Unbeknownst to Du Heng, Zhou Yixian had used this time to consult the Director of the hospital’s Chinese Medicine Department to review the prescription.

The feedback was similar to what Du Heng had stated, but the consulted doctor also admitted he wouldn’t dare issue such a prescription himself.

Zhou Yixian looked seriously at Du Heng. ”Doctor Du, let me be blunt upfront so we can proceed with trust. I need to confirm one last time: is there any issue with the prescription you’ve written?”

”I’m confident.”

”Doctor Du, you’re fully aware of how toxic and dangerous aconite is at this dosage. However, for the patient’s sake, and because I trust your medical skills, I’ve signed it, and I’ve also obtained the Dean’s signature. Please, you sign it as well.”

Du Heng picked up the pen, signed his name, and then added, ”Director Zhou, I once prescribed a treatment for gastric lesser curvature cancer at the Provincial First Hospital that was even more potent—and toxic—than this one.”

Zhou Yixian looked up, his eyes wide with shock.

What did he mean?

He’d treated patients at the Provincial First Hospital? And for cancer?

As the Director of the Municipal First Hospital, Zhou Yixian thought inviting Du Heng to treat a patient and trusting him enough to sign off on his prescription was already a tremendous show of confidence. He hadn’t expected this ”young” doctor from a mere Health Clinic to have already treated patients at the Provincial First Hospital.

Seeing Zhou Yixian’s astonished expression, Du Heng added, ”Tomorrow, I’ll be holding consultations at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic of the Provincial First Hospital for half a day.”

Zhou Yixian’s breathing hitched.

”Doctor Du, you should have said so earlier! The patient’s family would have had much more confidence; they might have agreed sooner.”

Du Heng simply smiled and didn’t respond.

He knew that some things were best said only to certain people.