This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

As soon as Lan Changhua finished speaking, Du Heng nodded in agreement. ”That’s what I think as well. The formula itself won’t be changed. However, considering the patient’s physical reaction, I believe the dosage can be reduced. For instance, the previous dosage of raw astragalus can be reduced to one hundred grams. The patient has been taking two hundred and fifty grams for a week now, so their body has accumulated sufficient medicinal effects. If they continue with such a large dose, their system might be overwhelmed when the full effect manifests.”

Lan Changhua hummed softly. ”Since you have those concerns, then let’s reduce the amounts of ephedra and aconite as well. Otherwise, the formula’s balance will be disrupted.”

Du Heng would naturally accept such a suggestion; in fact, his original intention was to do just that. Now that Lan Changhua had voiced it, Du Heng saw no need to emphasize his own similar idea; he would simply follow the advice.

Watching Du Heng begin to modify the medical advice, Lan Changhua slowly asked, ”How is your facial paralysis patient? It’s been more than ten days, hasn’t it? Why do I see you still using that method? Is it ineffective?”

Du Heng was typing and chuckled. Before he could speak, a knock suddenly came from the office door, interrupting him.

Looking back, he saw Mr. Gu standing at the doorway, his face etched with worry.

”Mr. Gu, please come in.” Du Heng quickly finished adjusting the last dosage, double-checked it, and then clicked save. ”Mr. Gu, is there something you need?”

Mr. Gu managed a slight smile, hoping to appear more relaxed, but the worry in his eyes was almost palpable. ”I want to talk to you.”

Du Heng, maintaining a relaxed expression, said, ”This must be about Gu. Coincidentally, I also wanted to discuss her upcoming treatment with you.” As Du Heng spoke, he gestured for Mr. Gu to sit down.

But Mr. Gu shook his head and didn’t follow up on Du Heng’s words. Instead, after a moment’s hesitation, he said, ”Director Du, thank you for your help during this time. Tomorrow, I plan to take my daughter to M-country.” Before he could finish, Mr. Gu sighed. ”There’s a type of medicine there that’s said to restore nerves. Her mother has already helped make the arrangements.”

Du Heng was somewhat taken aback, his mind even a bit muddled. He asked, uncomprehending, ”Mr. Gu, is the medicine you’re referring to on the market yet? How effective is it?”

Mr. Gu smiled bitterly. ”It’s still in the experimental stage. The effects are uncertain, and I’ve heard the side effects are quite significant.”

This information left Du Heng even more puzzled. He scratched his head, his expression growing confused. ”Then, Mr. Gu, what are you planning?”

”She’s been receiving treatment here with you, Director Du, for ten days now, and we haven’t seen any results. I’m afraid that if we delay any longer, her skin or nerves might begin to necrose. By then, that medicine would be useless even if she took it.” Mr. Gu looked at Du Heng sincerely. ”So, I have no choice but to take a risk now.”

Du Heng drew a sharp breath through gritted teeth, looking at Mr. Gu with a mixture of confusion and amusement. ”Mr. Gu, when did I tell you it wasn’t working? Besides, Gu herself has already started to show changes. Haven’t you noticed?”

”Changes? Effects?” Hearing Du Heng say this, it was Mr. Gu’s turn to be bewildered. ”Director Du, are you saying it’s effective?”

Du Heng looked at Mr. Gu and smiled helplessly. ”Seriously, Mr. Gu? Haven’t you noticed Gu’s changes these past two days? Moreover, I’ve reduced her treatments from three times a day to twice. Doesn’t that indicate something?”

”Has she changed?” Mr. Gu looked puzzled again. ”Director Du, when you reduced the treatments, I thought it meant you had given up as well. Besides, you never mentioned anything about effects. I only just made up my mind today.”

Du Heng gave a wry smile, shook his head gently, and said, ”I mentioned it during her treatment. Since the day before yesterday, Gu has started to regain some sensation in the left side of her face. The response to the needling felt much better than before.”

”I did hear you say that, but I asked my daughter, and she said it was the same as before; the left side of her face felt nothing, no pain or sensation.” Mr. Gu also smiled bitterly. ”I thought you were just saying those things to comfort us.”

”How could that be?” Du Heng said again, still helpless. ”Previously, when saliva dripped from the left corner of Gu’s mouth, you or she would only wipe it away after it had dripped for some time. But these past two days, she wipes it away herself as soon as a little bit dribbles down. Isn’t this the most obvious change? It indicates that the corner of her mouth and her lower jaw have begun to regain sensation, and it’s much sharper than before.”

Mr. Gu touched his nose. ”Has she? Most of the time, she wipes her own saliva, so we didn’t pay close attention to that.”

”So, Mr. Gu, do you still want to... go to M-country?”

”No, we’re not going! We’re not going! She’s already showing improvement. Why would I take such a risk? It’s not worth it.” Mr. Gu let out a long breath, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.

Du Heng chuckled. ”It’s also my oversight for not explaining things more clearly.” After a pause, Du Heng’s expression turned serious. ”Since she’s not being discharged, let’s discuss the subsequent treatment.”

Hearing Du Heng was about to discuss serious matters, Mr. Gu quickly composed himself. ”Alright, Director Du, please speak. I’m listening.”

”Considering Gu’s current condition, the approach of fighting poison with poison is still necessary, but we can reduce it to once a day. Acupuncture and massage must continue three times a day; this part of the treatment cannot be lessened.” Du Heng looked at Mr. Gu seriously and added, ”Also, the oral medication she’s taking needs to be changed.”

Mr. Gu just nodded vigorously. ”Yes, yes. However Director Du arranges it, we will fully cooperate.”

Du Heng smiled. ”Furthermore, at this stage, my plan is to use an integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, incorporating some Western medications. For example, corticosteroids can reduce nerve paralysis and speed up recovery. Another example is Cobamamide; this vitamin, also known as a nerve nutrient, can also accelerate the recovery process.”

And Mr. Gu, much like when they first met, agreed with everything Du Heng proposed. He simply nodded in assent to whatever Du Heng said.

After seeing Mr. Gu off, Lan Changhua said with a laugh, ”This young fellow is truly open-minded. He suggests using Western medicine without a second thought, showing no mental reservations at all.”

Du Heng chuckled. ”I’m a pragmatist through and through. If it can cure the illness, I don’t care whether it’s Chinese medicine or Western medicine. I’ll use whatever works best. Chinese medicine isn’t a panacea, and Western medicine doesn’t always offer instant results. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. As long as it benefits the patient, I’m fine with either.”

Lan Changhua laughed along, but after a few moments, he stood up. ”Alright, since you’ll be here this afternoon, I’ll head back. My grandson wants me to take him out to play, so I’ll be off.”

After a week of adjustment, Lan Changhua’s mood had significantly improved. He no longer resisted retirement and looking after his grandson at home, nor did he feel an obsessive need to work at the Hospital. This consultant-like role had allowed him to find a comfortable life rhythm.

However, Du Heng declined his offer to leave today. ”I’m afraid I’ll still need to trouble you today, Professor Lan.”

”What’s wrong?”

”The school needs me for something, so I have to go back this afternoon.” Du Heng spread his hands helplessly. ”I’d like to entrust this afternoon’s treatments to Dr. Cao. Although he has some fundamental knowledge and has been observing me closely these past few days, this will be his first time taking the lead on a treatment. I’m concerned about potential mishaps, so I’d like to ask you, Professor Lan, to supervise him.” As he spoke, Du Heng glanced outside again. ”And as you’ve seen, the Department Director has had many meetings these past few days and hasn’t been in the Department much. I’m truly not comfortable letting Dr. Cao handle things alone.”

Lan Changhua slowly sat back down. ”Don’t you have a class tomorrow morning? Can’t you go then?”

Du Heng gave a bitter smile. ”Director Zhao from the school said the Dean has commitments tomorrow and can only spare some time this afternoon.”

”Alright then,” Lan Changhua agreed. ”But why is the school so eager to see you? What’s it about?”