This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

As the end of the year approached, a seemingly endless stream of meetings emerged, making it difficult for Du Heng to cope.

Meetings for government workplaces were manageable, as Secretary Huang, Lu Guangying, or even other Vice Deans could attend on his behalf.

However, when it came to meetings in professional fields, Du Heng had no choice but to attend himself.

There were provincial and municipal-level Chinese Medicine Associations and Chinese Herbal Medicine Associations. Additionally, there were smaller, specialized associations for various fields, such as digestion and respiration, at all levels.

Moreover, Du Heng had no choice but to attend. Invitations were sent directly to him, and the Secretaries-General of the various associations personally visited to invite him.

They made it clear that they would not only grant Du Heng membership but also offer him a position as a director or higher.

For some city-level associations and a few smaller provincial-level associations, Du Heng was even offered positions such as vice president and Secretary-General.

Consequently, as the New Year approached, Du Heng found himself incredibly overwhelmed.

Being a mere member was fine, but accepting a position would be troublesome, especially since his current energy was completely insufficient.

Moreover, deciding whom to accept offers from and whom to refuse also presented a dilemma.

After all, the presidents or Secretaries-General of these associations had voted for Du Heng when he was promoted to Provincial Famous Chinese Medicine, and they had also expended effort to help him join the Health Group.

After careful consideration, Du Heng decided to turn down all the offered positions so as not to offend anyone.

He thought that would be the end of it. But then his Teacher, Li Jianwei, with the instruction, instigation, and support of Zhuo Mingde, established the ”Chinese Medicine Stroke Research Association.”

By the time Du Heng found out, the association had already completed all the necessary procedures and invited the only National Medical Master in the province, the seventy-nine-year-old Sir Ma, to be its first president.

As for Du Heng, he was appointed the sole vice president.

It was evident that Sir Ma’s presence was transitional. Once Du Heng was a bit older and his projects were more advanced, he could smoothly take over from Sir Ma.

This association, no matter how one looked at it, seemed somewhat unorthodox. However, its first batch of members consisted entirely of renowned gurus from within the province, instantly elevating its prestige to the highest level. Furthermore, Zhuo Mingde personally stepped in and took on the title of Honorary President.

And just like that, what seemed like a makeshift venture transformed into a professional association with leadership support—the kind that garnered the highest level of attention.

Du Heng was actually reluctant to agree. However, with both Zhuo Mingde and Sir Ma vouching for him, it would have been insensible to refuse further. So, he accepted the role, albeit unenthusiastically.

Now that the association was established, the first order of business was to make a successful debut.

This debut needed to make existing members feel proud and vindicated. It had to solidify the conviction of those still observing from the sidelines. It was meant to wipe the contemptible smirks from the faces of skeptics. And finally, it should affirm the wisdom of the supporting leaders in recognizing true talent.

Therefore, this significant responsibility naturally fell to Du Heng. He needed to deliver a special report that would astound the entire audience.

Li Jianwei was only a director, but as an initiator of the association and Du Heng’s Teacher, he readily took on the role of welcoming guests for this report meeting.

Indeed, this role was most fitting for him.

With guests arriving from hospitals across the province, or renowned TCM Masters from the common populace, only he, by standing there, could welcome everyone appropriately—making them feel valued without causing any discomfort.

Of course, more importantly, Li Jianwei himself greatly enjoyed this task.

”Director Li, congratulations!”

”Dean Zhang, I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

”I absolutely had to come in person. I heard President Du is planning to share some real substance this time. I want to learn from it and take something back to revitalize our city’s Chinese Medicine Hospital and alleviate the suffering of patients afflicted by post-stroke sequelae, as well as their families.”

”Dean Zhang, you’re truly overestimating that boy.” Li Jianwei chuckled reservedly, though the corners of his mouth stretched so wide it looked a bit unnatural. ”Please, Dean Zhang, take a seat. We have prepared a summary of the key points of this report for everyone. I hope you will find it insightful.”

After seeing off one guest, another entered, accompanied by a young man who appeared to be his student.

As Li Jianwei chatted with the two, his smile widened. He even clapped the young man on the shoulder and said jovially, ”That boy Du Heng is one of those talents blessed by the founders of our practice; you can’t compare him to ordinary people. You’re quite good yourself, young man. Follow Wan diligently and learn well. As long as you work steadfastly, you’ll eventually catch up.”

The moment Li Jianwei moved on from them, the young man’s face fell, a picture of both embarrassment and dejection.

Beside him, Wan’s face also darkened. He muttered under his breath, Look at that old boy, getting too big for his britches. Then, he softly said to the young man, ”Don’t take his words to heart.”

”Let me tell you, when Li Jianwei was a student, his grades were the worst in our class.”

”But he was lucky. He followed a Master since childhood, and that Master had an outstanding Disciple, which is how Li Jianwei managed to get by in Jinzhou.”

”He has just muddled through his entire life like that. Forget about the whole province; even within the Jinzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Circle, he’s a nobody.”