This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

This has gone completely sideways!

Director Zheng had originally wanted to take credit, but watching Du Heng’s face gradually darken, his own smile froze. This was about making money—hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan! Wasn’t that a good thing? He knew that just counting his salary at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital, it would take him two or three decades to earn this much. He really couldn’t understand why Du Heng’s expression would sour at the mention of making money.

Is it because he thinks the offer is too low?

Director Zheng, thinking he understood, hurriedly said, ”Dean, this is just their initial offer. Once your account has more fans, we can definitely negotiate for more.”

At these words, Du Heng’s face turned completely black.

”Director Zheng, you need to understand that we are staff members of a formal organization. What you’re suggesting is using one’s official position for improper gain. That’s a matter of principle.”

Du Heng tried to keep his tone as even as possible. ”We can’t risk our jobs for this money, can we? Besides, we’re doctors serving ordinary people, not internet celebrities chasing profit.”

Director Zheng wasn’t oblivious to the empty rhetoric in Du Heng’s words. But what remained when you stripped that away? Just the bottom line, plain and simple. Anyway, as long as this kind of money-making didn’t happen during work hours, who could criticize it?

To not make this money—wouldn’t that be foolish?

Du Heng, unaware of Director Zheng’s internal grumbling, continued to patiently reason, ”Our purpose in making short videos is to popularize medical knowledge, to help everyone better understand the dangers of diseases and their prevention and treatment. It’s also to promote our hospital, so more people recognize and know about us.”

Listening to Du Heng, Director Zheng desperately wanted to say, Dean, promotion and making money aren’t mutually exclusive! And besides, even if you don’t want to make this money, I do!

While grumbling internally, he kept a close watch on Du Heng.

Seeing Du Heng was about to launch into a full-blown ideological lecture, Director Zheng quickly interjected, ”Dean, my thinking was muddled. I was wrong. I’ll go refuse their offer right now.”

With that, he abandoned any thought of taking credit and, without waiting to see if Du Heng had more to say, turned on his heel and left.

Du Heng watched Director Zheng leave and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Who doesn’t love making money?

But while others could make this kind of money, Du Heng himself felt he couldn’t. The reason was simple: purity. If he started making money from the short videos, his initial purpose for creating them would be tainted. It might sound idealistic, but that’s what I truly believe. Moreover, if his followers saw advertisements in his videos, their trust in him would also become tainted. That kind of damage to his future plans wouldn’t be worth the meager financial gain. Besides, it wasn’t even that much money; there was no need to tarnish his ideals for it.

Yes, I am just that noble. With this firm rationale, Du Heng convinced himself he wouldn’t regret his decision.

His justification found, Du Heng’s mood lightened considerably. He stopped dwelling on the matter, gathered his things, and headed to the hospital rooms.

After more than a week of hectic preparations, the big day—June 1st—finally arrived. Du Heng picked up his brother Du Ping, his sister-in-law Zhang Sumei, and his nephew Du Yi, then went to meet Wu Shengnan’s family.

They had initially planned to go to a restaurant. However, after some consideration, and to respect the Jinzhou tradition of holding engagement meetings at the bride-to-be’s family home, they decided to meet there instead. The meeting place chosen was the home of Sir Wu Zhong, Wu Shengnan’s grandfather. The reason was simple: it was spacious. An entire floor to themselves—how could it not be?

On the way, Du Ping repeatedly cautioned his sister-in-law, Zhang Sumei, not to be nervous, to watch what she said after they arrived, and not to embarrass Du Heng. Then he turned to remind Du Yi to be well-behaved and not cause trouble. He repeated these instructions tirelessly. Du Heng didn’t intervene, and Zhang Sumei didn’t talk back. Both Du Heng and Zhang Sumei could see that Du Ping himself was extremely nervous. He needed an outlet for his anxiety, or he’d be the one embarrassing himself when they arrived.

Another important detail this time: there was no matchmaker. It was just Du Heng’s family visiting.

After letting off steam during the journey, Du Ping was noticeably less nervous and seemed much more composed. However, when Du Heng knocked on Sir Wu Zhong’s door and two brilliant, golden pillars came into view, Du Ping froze, rooted to the spot.

It was so damn lavish!

The living room being ridiculously large was one thing, but who in their right mind installs two massive gold pillars like that for no reason?

Wu Shengnan opened the door, shyly welcoming them in. Noticing Du Ping’s nervousness, she proactively began introducing her family members to him and Zhang Sumei.

Just as Du Heng had anticipated, his big brother, who was supposed to lead the conversation, was so nervous he couldn’t utter a single word. Instead, his sister-in-law Zhang Sumei, whom Du Ping had been lecturing the entire way, seemed perfectly at ease, saying everything that needed to be said.

Fortunately, Sir Wu Zhong and Wu Shengnan’s father were both skilled conversationalists and familiar with village life. They quickly put Du Ping at ease, allowing him to chat normally.

They chatted and ate, and once everyone was comfortable with each other, the main event of the day finally began. Du Ping found an opportune moment to apologize to Wu Shengnan’s family for not having a matchmaker. He emphasized that it wasn’t due to a lack of respect; they simply couldn’t find a suitable person for the role.

Then, he laid the four-color gift and other engagement items on the table, followed by a bank card.

The moment Wu Shengnan’s father saw the card, his eyebrows twitched, and Sir Wu Zhong started to refuse.

But Du Ping, no longer nervous, quickly interjected, ”Sir, please don’t refuse just yet. Hear me out. This is 188,000 yuan. I know this amount might not seem like much to your family, but for Xiao Nan, this girl, to choose my brother and be willing to marry him—that’s his great fortune. We can’t let Xiao Nan be put in an awkward position or be subject to gossip. You must accept this money.”

Wu Shengnan’s family members exchanged glances. Finally, her father spoke, ”We will accept the money. However, we won’t call it betrothal gifts. Consider it help for the two of them to start their new family.”

He glanced at Wu Shengnan’s mother. She then took a card from her bag and placed it together with Du Ping’s. ”As it happens, I’ve also prepared a little something for the new couple,” Wu Shengnan’s mother said. ”So, let’s, as their elders, give all of this to them. We hope you two will work together to build a happy life.”

Wu Shengnan’s father had just finished when the old gentleman, Sir Wu Zhong, also produced a card, adding it to the pile with a chuckle. ”This Old Man doesn’t have much, but this is a little something to help the young ones. Live well.”

Then, Wu Shengnan’s elder sister-in-law (her brother’s wife) also presented a card, saying, ”May you grow old together and be forever united in love.”

This turn of events was quite unexpected, leaving Du Heng’s family somewhat bewildered.

Wu Shengnan, however, was deeply touched. Tears welling up, she hugged her mother tightly, then turned and affectionately snuggled up to her sister-in-law.

Du Ping and Du Heng exchanged glances. Du Heng understood the meaning in his big brother’s eyes and was about to refuse. But who would have guessed? Wu Shengnan, just moments before overcome with emotion and seeking comfort, had already cheerfully gathered all the cards and was now thanking everyone individually.

This immediately left Du Heng speechless.

I never expected this girl, Wu Shengnan, to be such a money-lover, Du Heng thought.

Since Wu Shengnan had taken the initiative to accept the cards, the discussion was closed. They could only move on to the next item on the agenda: setting the wedding date. There wasn’t much discussion about this; the date was quickly set for National Day.

And just like that, the engagement proceedings were successfully concluded.

As they left the courtyard, Du Ping looked immensely relieved. He smiled and said, ”I never expected such a high-ranking official to be so approachable.”

Before Du Heng could respond, his sister-in-law, Zhang Sumei, who had endured Du Ping’s lectures all the way, finally couldn’t resist retorting, ”They were easy to talk to, sure, but isn’t your back a little too damp with sweat?”