This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

As for temples, they require a significant investment, and ongoing maintenance is also a considerable cost. More importantly, any mountain in Jinzhou is bound to have temples. Since Jinzhou has many mountains, it naturally has many temples—far too many, in fact.

So, those unwilling to make a large upfront investment wouldn’t come here to develop this mountain.

Du Heng gently patted Dong Yuezhang’s shoulder. ”Alright, you can mull over these things later. Let’s head to the banquet first.”

Wang Shiyuan was beaming today, personally standing at the door to welcome every arriving friend and relative. With each guest, he enthusiastically offered a cigarette and invited them into the courtyard.

The arrival of Du Heng and Dong Yuezhang made Wang Shiyuan even more excited. He especially wouldn’t let go of Du Heng’s hand, insisting that they both sit in the main hall.

Dong Yuezhang actually wanted to go to the main hall. However, Du Heng, being a local, knew that on such occasions, the main hall was reserved for entertaining elders and female relatives.

They could have gone, but it wasn’t appropriate. Their presence would make everyone feel uneasy.

Du Heng, being a local doctor, didn’t have a particularly sensitive identity, so his presence wouldn’t be a big issue. Dong Yuezhang’s identity, however, was too sensitive and would make many people uncomfortable. If someone tactless were to ask or say something inappropriate, the whole situation would become even more awkward.

So, Du Heng shared his concerns with Wang Shiyuan and explained his reasoning. After they both had a bowl of the first-course soup, they went to Wang Shizhen’s clinic together.

”Wang, why aren’t you busy with your agritourism business today?” After entering the clinic, Du Heng introduced Dong Yuezhang and Wang Shizhen to each other.

Wang Shizhen finished with a patient, handing them their medicine, then shook hands with Dong Yuezhang, laughing. ”Today is my brother and sister-in-law’s big day. Even if I were crazy about making money, I’d have to take today off.”

He poured Du Heng and Dong Yuezhang glasses of water and then said with a smile, ”Let’s sit here and chat for a bit. When the banquet starts over there, we can head across.”

Du Heng smiled in response. ”That’s exactly what I was thinking. There are too many people over there, most of whom we don’t know. Besides, it’s not convenient for Dong.”

Wang Shizhen nodded in agreement. ”You’re right. Some of those people aren’t very sensible. If they hear an official is around, they’re liable to start wailing about something or other. If they knew Dong was the township chief, they might make everyone think this is a funeral, not a full-month celebration for my nephew.”

”Exactly.” Du Heng glanced around Wang Shizhen’s clinic. ”How’s business been lately?”

”Not bad,” Wang Shizhen said with a smile. ”Especially since the Paragliding Base opened up the mountain, we’ve had a lot more patients.”

Hearing about the increase in patients startled Dong Yuezhang. He worried it meant there were many accidents and quickly asked, ”What kind of patients are they?”

Wang Shizhen smiled gently. ”The visitors are mostly city folk, and they tend to underestimate the temperature up here in our mountains. After they arrive, they often catch a cold or get diarrhea.

Others get minor scrapes or cuts from playing carelessly or being scratched by tree branches.

So, while there are many patients, none of them have serious problems.”

Dong Yuezhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. His biggest fear right now was an accident occurring because of this project.

Just as the three of them were about to continue talking, a man entered the clinic with a little girl, shouting, ”Shizhen, quick, get me some medicine for diarrhea!”

Wang Shizhen looked back and said with a smile, ”Oh, Fifth Brother, you’re here too?”

”Of course, I had to come! Today is a big day for Shiyuan and his wife. After all they’ve been through, good times are finally here, so I absolutely had to be here.” The man finished speaking, his expression suddenly turning to one of pain. ”Enough talk, where’s your toilet? I need to go, urgently!”

He then said to the little girl beside him, ”Xixi, you stay with your Uncle Shizhen for a bit. Daddy’s going to the toilet and will be right back.”

The little girl, who had two pigtails plaited down her back and large, bright, clear eyes, nodded obediently at her father’s words.

The man didn’t even see his daughter nod. As soon as he finished speaking, he and Wang Shizhen were already rushing towards the backyard. It was clear he was in dire straits.

Du Heng noticed the little girl was about the same age as Du Yi and couldn’t help asking, ”Hello there, little friend. What’s your name?”

”My name is Ma Ruoxi.”

”That’s a lovely name. How old are you?”

”Eight.”

”Why aren’t you in school today?”

The little girl didn’t answer. Instead, she stared at Du Heng as if he were a creepy uncle, her eyes clearly conveying the message: You’re a bad man.

Dong Yuezhang burst out laughing at this, patting Du Heng on the back. ”Look how you’ve scared the little girl! You really do look like a creepy uncle.”

Du Heng felt a bit embarrassed. He’d always considered himself quite approachable, but after just two questions, the little girl had, with her gaze and actions, labeled him a bad person.

Just then, Wang Shizhen returned. The little girl scurried to his side, clutched the corner of his clothes, and watched Du Heng warily.

Wang Shizhen gently stroked the little girl’s head, asking with a curious expression, ”What’s wrong?”