This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

”Come on, let’s all have a drink.”

Two weeks after work resumed following the New Year, Du Heng, Dong Yuezhang, and their friends finally found an opportunity to get together.

Four people, three glasses of wine, and one cup of tea. CLINK! They touched them together.

Du Heng and Wei Kaida had just gotten married this year. According to Jinzhou customs, they stayed at home on the first day of the New Year, went to their mother-in-law’s house on the second, and then began their rounds of New Year visits as newlyweds.

All relatives and friends, conditions permitting, had to be visited to exchange New Year’s greetings.

Firstly, it was to thank them for attending the wedding. Secondly, it allowed the new bride and groom to become acquainted with the extended family.

So, Du Heng and Wei Kaida were busy right through to the end of February, only then finishing all their visits to relatives and friends.

Although Jin Zan wasn’t newlywed, he had become a father this year. At his mother’s strong suggestion, he took his child back to his hometown, effectively silencing those who had made sarcastic remarks about him for years.

As for Dong Yuezhang, he had become a local leader and could no longer be as willful as he was when working in a regular public institution.

He had official duties to attend to: being on call, public security, fire prevention, and official visits.

He also had to maintain relationships within the district and city, as well as uphold the friendships between their parents’ generation.

Thus, it took a considerable time after the New Year for the four of them to find a time that worked for everyone to finally get together.

After a glass of strong liquor, the four of them opened up, conversation flowing easily. Wei Kaida, however, still felt it wasn’t enough and refilled everyone’s glasses.

”The first glass is to celebrate our reunion as brothers,” Wei Kaida said, raising the second glass. ”This second glass is to wish Du a bright future.”

”We absolutely must drink to that!”

”Drink!”

Jin Zan and Dong Yuezhang certainly didn’t refuse and also raised their glasses.

After they finished, Wei Kaida wanted to pour another round, but Dong Yuezhang gently pressed his wrist. ”Hold on, let’s eat something first. I haven’t had a moment’s peace this whole month. Today, we brothers are gathered to catch up and chat. Let’s take it easy on the drinking.”

Jin Zan quickly agreed, ”That’s right, let’s slow down. I was drunk every day over the New Year, and I still feel like I haven’t recovered. My hands were even shaking during surgery the day before yesterday.”

He then turned his gaze to Du Heng. ”Let’s chat more with Du instead.”

”True,” Wei Kaida said, putting down his glass. ”Once Du leaves, who knows when we’ll see each other again.”

Dong Yuezhang chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. ”Playa, don’t be so sentimental. We’re in the age of the internet of everything. With all sorts of chat apps on our mobile phones, how could we not keep in touch?”

Dong Yuezhang then also turned to Du Heng. ”But Du, by leaving, you’re giving up the entire foundation you’ve built in Jinzhou over these past two years. Once you get to the Capital, apart from being a doctor, your professional level and all that will be completely gone. Can you really let it go?”

Hearing this, Du Heng replied with a relaxed smile, ”Since last year, having somewhat muddle-headedly stumbled onto this path, I’ve found myself straying further and further from my original intentions and goals. I don’t have any grand ambition to save all of humanity or any desire to be above everyone else. I just want to be a simple doctor, using the knowledge I’ve learned to help ordinary people live healthy and happy lives.

”Of course,” Du Heng looked at his three friends and smiled, ”I also want to do my best to spread the skills I have and ensure the treasures left by our ancestors continue to flourish.

”You guys don’t know,” he continued with a chuckle. ”This month has been the most relaxing one I’ve had in the past two years. I don’t have to think about anything, nor do I have to worry about balancing this or that. At work, it’s just two things: seeing patients and treating illnesses, and summarizing experiences with the project team.

”I feel this is what I’ve always truly wanted to do. So, to talk about what I’m ’giving up’ or ’not giving up’ feels a bit disingenuous. But what’s true is that I absolutely won’t regret this decision.”

”Free-spirited! Come, let’s have a drink.” This time, Dong Yuezhang proactively raised his glass.

After they downed their drinks, Jin Zan asked, ”So, have you completed all the paperwork now? Are your two project teams all sorted out?”

This time, it was Du Heng who refilled their glasses. Hearing the question, he nodded lightly. ”The handover was completed yesterday. The person taking over from me is someone I recommended, the Vice Dean of our hospital, so the procedures went through quite quickly.

”Furthermore, for the two project teams, one has been handed over to my Teacher for temporary supervision, with Wu Buwei still in charge. The other project has been taken over by the Provincial Women and Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the current leadership involved are former colleagues of mine, so the overall management approach won’t change.

”Besides, both projects are supervised by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Bureau, so I’m quite at ease now.”

Wei Kaida’s eyes lit up. ”Are you saying that starting today, you don’t have to go to work anymore?”

”That’s right. I can take another month off. I’ll be free until I leave at the end of March.”

”Then let’s cut the chatter! Swap that teacup for a wine glass!” Wei Kaida stood up excitedly, about to help Du Heng make the switch. ”You’re not even working anymore, so why aren’t you drinking? Hurry up and change it!”

Wei Kaida moved quickly, but Du Heng was just as fast. Before Wei Kaida could reach his teacup, Du Heng swiftly grabbed it and said anxiously, ”Don’t! Don’t change it now.”