This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Du Heng wasn’t concerned about whether he could profit further from the situation; his mind was entirely focused on matters concerning the Online Hospital.

After sending Qiu Pingzhen off, Du Heng grabbed his bag and hurried to the Provincial First Hospital. He wanted to speak with Li Jianwei about the matter before the workday ended.

He set off quickly and arrived in good time. After all, in a hospital, only departments like outpatient services, logistics, and finance adhered to regular working hours; frontline medical care staff had no such fixed schedules.

However, when Li Jianwei saw Du Heng, his expression was stern. He showed Du Heng no warmth, as if Du Heng owed him money and hadn’t repaid it.

Du Heng was baffled. Seeing Li Jianwei still discussing matters with other doctors, he quietly approached Xiao Su. ”What’s wrong with Teacher?”

Xiao Su glanced at this person, who had enrolled late yet whom he respectfully called ’Du’. A trace of admiration flashed across his face. ”Du, what’s the date today?”

Du Heng was startled, his mind momentarily blank.

Did he forget Li Jianwei’s birthday?

”April 30th. What’s wrong?”

Xiao Su looked utterly speechless and whispered, ”What else could it be? School started a month ago! You haven’t attended a single class, let alone even shown up at the school.”

Du Heng suddenly realized. He had forgotten about that—forgotten that he was now a student again.

Seeing Li Jianwei’s expression, Du Heng instantly understood why he was angry.

”Du, I know your situation is different from ours, but you should at least come by once or twice a week to show your face before Teacher. Otherwise, it’s difficult to explain to the school, wouldn’t you agree?” Xiao Su spoke cautiously, afraid of inadvertently offending the guru before him.

He was now preparing to pursue his doctorate, and he and Du would remain fellow disciples under the same mentor for several more years.

But he knew in his heart that even though Du Heng was just starting his graduate studies, Du Heng would undoubtedly obtain his doctorate before he did.

Moreover, it was possible that later on, whether for his graduation thesis or job hunting, he would need Du’s help. Offending him now simply wasn’t worth the risk.

Du Heng also knew what the problem was, but he quickly thought of a solution. He felt confident that Li Jianwei would not only forgive him but might even appreciate him more for it.

”By the way, weren’t you working on your graduation thesis? What brings you back to the hospital?”

”My graduation thesis is almost finished.”

”Have you found a job?” Du Heng’s eyes lit up. ”Which hospital did you sign with? What kind of package did they offer?”

”I haven’t signed with anyone. I’m planning to continue studying for my doctorate under Teacher.”

Du Heng was slightly surprised. ”You didn’t plan on this before, did you? Why the sudden decision to continue your studies?”

Xiao Su scratched his head sheepishly. ”I looked at a few hospitals this month, and Teacher also recommended several. However, places like the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the affiliated hospital of JZU only recruit candidates with doctorates, not Master’s degrees.”

”The other hospitals do recruit those with Master’s degrees, but they mostly offer hospital-employed positions. The authorized job positions are all reserved for PhDs who have been promoted to Deputy Director.”

Du Heng raised an eyebrow. ”That’s how it is nowadays. Besides, a hospital-employed position isn’t bad. Everyone receives equal pay for equal work, and all the benefits are the same. Why not start working sooner and secure a spot?”

What Du Heng said was rather unscrupulous. Although ’equal pay for equal work’ is the mantra these days, having an authorized job is invariably better than not having one, unless you work in a private hospital.

While private hospitals don’t have as many regulations as public hospitals, they aren’t necessarily perfect. At the very least, to be a doctor in a private hospital, you first need to develop a thick skin and a hard heart, and be prepared to disregard some professional ethics.

Otherwise, how could you bring yourself to charge patients exorbitant treatment fees, prescribe overpriced medications, and meet the performance quotas set by the hospital?

Xiao Su gave a bitter smile. ”Du, please don’t tease me. They say it’s ’equal pay for equal work,’ and everyone’s monthly salary looks similar on paper, but what we actually take home is very different.”

”For those with an authorized job, the hospital covers the full cost of their five insurances and one fund, so very little is deducted from their salaries. But for those without an authorized job like us, all of that has to be paid from our own wages, leaving very little in our hands.”

”As for other things, I believe you, Du, understand them better than I do.”

Du Heng paid no mind to Xiao Su’s venting and instead leaned in closer. ”Why not give my place a try?”

Xiao Su looked at Du Heng with confusion. ”The Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital? But I don’t know anything about the Gynecology Department, Pediatrics Department, or Obstetrics Department. What I’ve learned most from Teacher, and what I’m best at, is cardiopulmonary treatment.”

”Oh, come on. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s all about balance. If you can handle cardiopulmonary cases, other areas are similar. I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

Xiao Su hesitated for a moment.

If he lowered his standards, with his family’s connections and Li Jianwei’s influence, finding an authorized job in a second-level hospital probably wouldn’t be too difficult.

However, the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital was just a level 2 hospital, not even a Grade 2A facility. This was a far cry from his expectations.

After some thought, he said, ”Du, I feel my skills are still lacking. I think it’s best I continue learning from Teacher for a couple more years.”

Du Heng pursed his lips, feeling no particular regret at failing to persuade Xiao Su.

After all, every newly graduated medical student, especially one with advanced qualifications, possessed a heartfelt desire to save lives and help people. They yearned for more patients and a higher salary.