This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

Du Heng nodded. ”The patient had a bone marrow donation two years ago.”

Upon hearing this, Director Wu’s face grew serious. ”I didn’t expect him to be such a compassionate young man.”

But then, his expression shifted to one of understanding as he looked at Du Heng. ”Was his recovery not properly managed afterward?”

Du Heng nodded again. ”He has poor lifestyle habits. He’s concerned that having his feet face the door is unlucky, so his bed faces the window. Also, young people are vigorous and like to look stylish, so they often dress in thin clothing. After questioning him, I learned his eating habits are also poor. He frequently eats raw and cold fruits and vegetables and always keeps chilled drinks at home.”

As Du Heng finished explaining, Director Wu shook his head and sighed. ”After a spinal donation, the body is weakened. Yet, he craves raw and cold food, which heavily burdens his Spleen and Stomach. Over time, his Spleen and Stomach will inevitably lose their proper function. His bed faces the window, exposing him to drafts when he sleeps. Since he’s already deficient in vital energy, his body can’t fend off the invading night wind, especially not over a long period. Ah, both of these habits are detrimental to his recovery. In the long run, if the spleen loses its ability to transport and transform, and vital energy becomes weak, phlegm-damp and blood stasis will inevitably arise internally. The spinal cord belongs to the governor vessel. So, your conclusion—that the cold has hurt his governor vessel and his true yang has lost its function—is correct.”

In just a few sentences, Director Wu had identified the pathogenesis, but he couldn’t help but sigh over it.

Du Heng wore a similar expression. He put down the items in his hand and said slowly, ”In theory, the young man has a good physical constitution and is very young. He has no bad habits and no family history of hereditary diseases. Eating some cold food and being exposed to the wind might, at most, give him diarrhea or a cold. However, a seemingly harmless stem cell donation has turned his relatively innocuous habits into the most lethal ones for him—habits that couldn’t possibly be worse.”

”He didn’t rest well, and because he’s young and feels strong, he doesn’t pay enough attention to his health. No one is to blame for this illness but himself.” Director Wu shook his head, a hint of regret in his voice. ”Let’s not dwell on this. Let’s discuss his treatment. This disease affects his waist, spinal cord, and nerves; the risk factor is extremely high. If we use that ’anti-cancer’ prescription from last year, this patient might not be able to withstand it. Besides, the spinal cord is too delicate for such potent medicine.”

Du Heng nodded in strong agreement. ”This is precisely why I asked you to come, Director, to help me brainstorm and oversee things.”

Director Wu gave a wry smile. ”You overestimate me. I can discuss other aspects with you, but when it comes to tumor treatment, my Teacher said long ago that I don’t have the aptitude. I’m too cautious, too inflexible; I can’t formulate prescriptions for treating tumors.”

At this, Director Wu heaved a heavy sigh. ”If my Teacher were here, he would undoubtedly offer some valuable advice. As for me... nevermind.”

Du Heng’s eyes darted towards Director Wu. ”Then, what about asking Professor Lan to give it a try?”

”Huh?”

Director Wu was suddenly taken aback.

Seeing Du Heng’s subtle, knowing smile, Director Wu seemed to realize that Du Heng hadn’t sought him out to discuss formulating a prescription, but rather to discuss the possibility of letting Lan Changhua take a look.

Lately, Lan Changhua’s life had become more regular and relaxed, but his mood had been consistently low, even somewhat depressed. Not only did his sudden retirement fail to provide him the peaceful later years he needed, but it also negatively affected his recovery.

Director Wu was somewhat tempted. ”Will this... work?”

Du Heng paused for a moment. ”I think it will. Inviting Professor Lan back for other types of cases wouldn’t be difficult, but it might seem like a waste of his time. We don’t know if he’d accept or if it would make him suspicious. This patient’s situation, however, is ideal. Tumors have been Professor Lan’s research focus, and the patient’s condition is complex enough that he won’t overthink the reasons for being involved. Most importantly, there’s only one patient, so it won’t consume too much of his energy. It would allow him to participate in discussing the prescription and in the daily treatment. Having work to do, without it being too tiring, and being able to return to a familiar environment each day—this would be a gentle way to ease his mind and lift his spirits.”

Director Wu narrowed his eyes, considering this. ”Yes, a serious illness sent him straight into retirement, with no mental preparation. It was too abrupt. For an old doctor who has worked his entire life, it’s been hard to accept. Coupled with his physical weakness, it’s very easy for him to develop negative thoughts.”

He then opened his eyes and looked at Cao Binghe. ”This idea is excellent. Let’s do it this way. Xiao Cao, this will be a bit of trouble for you. Skip your lunch break and go pick up the Teacher.”

Cao Binghe scratched his nose. He didn’t seem upset by Director Wu’s instruction; instead, he stood up with a hint of pleasure to make preparations.

Lan Changhua’s sudden retirement had affected him personally. After a lifetime of being needed by others, he suddenly felt useless. The sense of letdown was immense, and he struggled to accept the change.

Secondly, it impacted the Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department. The influence of a renowned old Chinese medicine practitioner and expert on a department is considerable.

In fact, this impact had been evident since the beginning of last year, when Lan Changhua started reducing his outpatient service hours. By the time Du Heng took over, the daily number of outpatients in the Internal Medicine Department had plummeted to fewer than sixty a day. The fact that the number could still reach sixty was largely thanks to Director Wu, the Chief Chinese Medicine Doctor.