This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Du Heng had just finished speaking when Director He, who had remained silent, suddenly added, ”Indeed, it’s not a difficult choice. Our Neurology Department is the best in the province.”

Then he looked at the sullen Zhang Dewen and hastily laughed to mask his awkwardness.

Zhang Dewen suddenly found it difficult to breathe. After taking a few deep breaths, he stammered, ”You... you...”

But after repeating ’you’ several times, he couldn’t articulate a proper rebuke.

Regardless, Du Heng spoke again, ”Sir Zhang, there was originally no connection between Director Jia and me. It was Ms. Li Qin who kindly helped establish contact. And Li Qin and I are good friends, so regardless of whether Director Jia is at your hospital or not, I will do my utmost to treat him. Furthermore, using a patient’s health as a bargaining chip is, to me, an inherently shameful act. Therefore, Sir Zhang, I must ask you to retract what you just said.”

Du Heng’s words carried a double meaning. While explaining his own position, he also subtly pointed out Zhang Dewen’s inconsistency: You accuse me of employing unorthodox methods here, so why don’t you address your own student’s actions of using a patient as a gambling stake?

The old man suddenly sighed.

He didn’t know why, but when he saw Du Heng, especially after hearing his approach to syndrome differentiation, he felt a liking for the young man. However, this inexplicably also stirred up a sense of resistance within him. After that perplexing feeling in his heart subsided, he realized he was projecting his anger about Guan Bo onto Du Heng.

He sighed again, said nothing more to Du Heng, just slowly turned around and said to his junior colleague, ”Let’s go.”

This time, Du Heng did not call out to Zhang Dewen.

As Zhang Dewen’s figure disappeared, a smile touched Director He’s lips. This was the best outcome.

No matter what, Zhang Dewen was a respected elder with prestige and experience. His final two sighs effectively signaled his stance. Everyone present understood Sir Zhang’s ultimate meaning, so they wouldn’t gossip and tarnish Du Heng’s reputation. If Du Heng had been insistent and forced Zhang Dewen to speak more explicitly, no one would have blamed him, as Du Heng would have been justified. However, that would have meant the old man completely lost face. Du Heng would have made an enemy of Zhang Dewen’s faction and even severed any potential ties with Luqi. Even if Du Heng were to become the most renowned expert in the country, Luqi would never associate with him. His reputation for employing unorthodox methods might be cleared, but then a new reputation for being petty and vindictive would spread.

The current situation was indeed for the best. Director He understood this. Li Qin also understood, and even Director Jia’s wife grasped the situation. That was why none of them helped Du Heng press for a more definitive statement from Zhang Dewen.

Director He chuckled. ”Doctor Du, since that’s settled, please write the prescription for the patient. We are all eager to witness the miracle of your three-dose treatment.”

Hearing Director He’s words, Du Heng inwardly relaxed. He had appeared firm just now because his reputation was on the line. But the old man’s state moments ago had been genuinely worrying. He was truly afraid that the old man, unable to bear the stimulation, might collapse on the spot. If that happened, Du Heng would have truly been in an awful bind right then and there. Thankfully, the old man had come around, managing his emotions well and avoiding a scenario that would have been difficult for Du Heng.

”One can’t speak of miracles in treatment; it’s merely a matter of finding the correct approach,” Du Heng said with a light laugh, quickly writing the prescription and handing it over.

While they were all waiting for the decoction to be prepared, Director Jia fainted again. Fortunately, just like before, he regained consciousness after about ten seconds.

Director He remained, chatting with Du Heng in the hospital room. He genuinely wanted to see if three doses of the decoction would indeed prove effective. If it did, he was determined to make Du Heng’s visit a truly meaningful exchange.

The decoction was promptly delivered, and under everyone’s watchful gaze, Director Jia ingested it.

The decoction certainly wouldn’t take effect immediately. Director He couldn’t just keep vigil in the hospital room indefinitely, as it would make everyone uncomfortable. So, he invited Du Heng to his office for a chat.

Du Heng also enjoyed talking with Director He, especially when Director He discussed stroke from a Western medicine perspective, which broadened his understanding of the condition. Thus, he readily accepted the invitation.

And so, the two of them ended up talking for a full two hours. Everyone else had already left work, but they were still engrossed in conversation in the office. If Li Qin hadn’t suddenly come looking for them, they probably would have chatted for another two hours.

Returning to the hospital room, Du Heng asked Director Jia, ”Director Jia, how are you feeling now?”

”Numb. The side of my body that had no sensation is now incredibly numb, as if electricity is coursing through it.” Although his speech was slurred, Director Jia was clearly able to speak.

This scene made Director He’s eyes widen in disbelief. He can speak, and the previously unresponsive limbs are now numb... This... this... this is actually real!

”He... he can speak already?” Director He looked at Du Heng in astonishment.

”The tongue is connected to the Heart. Once the Heat in the Heart subsides, blood will naturally flow to the tip of the tongue, making speech no difficult task,” Du Heng said with a soft laugh. He carefully examined Director Jia’s lower jaw and then performed pulse diagnosis again.

”Take the second dose at 10 pm tonight. By early morning, the paralysis should be completely gone, and Director Jia, you should be able to have a good night’s sleep.”

”Thank you, Doctor Du! Thank you so much!” Director Jia, his mouth still contorted, grinned and thanked Du Heng profusely. His wife also stepped forward to express her gratitude.

Du Heng waved his hand. ”When I come tomorrow morning, I’ll perform acupuncture on your mouth. Otherwise, this issue with your crooked mouth will persist for some time.”

”Alright, alright, alright.”

”Then, Director Jia, please focus on your recovery. I’ll take my leave now.”

Hearing that Du Heng was leaving, the other visitors in the hospital room who had come to see Director Jia swarmed forward to thank him.

Seeing Du Heng’s slight impatience, Li Qin proactively stepped in. ”Alright, everyone. Du has been busy all day. Let him go back for dinner and rest. If there’s anything else, we can discuss it tomorrow when Director Jia is better.”

With these words, she extricated Du Heng from the crowd and gently pushed him towards the exit.

As they reached the doorway, Du Heng turned his head and asked, ”Director Jia, in the past two hours, did you faint again?”

”Yes, I did once before you arrived.”

”So the interval between these episodes has lengthened.”

Director Jia’s wife quickly asked, ”Doctor Du, now that Jia can speak, when will these fainting spells stop?”

”They will stop after he takes the second dose of the decoction.”

With that said, he left the hospital room with Li Qin and Director He.

At the door, Director He let out a soft breath and looked earnestly at Du Heng, asking, ”Doctor Du, you will come again tomorrow, won’t you?”

Du Heng smiled. ”Of course. I still have the competition with Guan Bo tomorrow. How could I not come?”