This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

The basement, this place has somehow turned into a synonym for drifting.

It seems that all kinds of ’elites’ who come to venture, if they haven’t lived in basements, then their various drifting lives are considered incomplete.

These people also like to boast about having lived in basements, seemingly showing off how resilient and tenacious they had to be to survive until now.

But, is living in a basement the worst environment?

Of course not.

Those who can afford to live in a basement, well, must have at least a couple of bucks on them.

Although living in a basement might be a bit damp, might lack sunlight, might be cramped, at least it shelters from the wind, it can keep out rain, and it provides warmth in winter.

In this place, life is convenient, with easy access to water and electricity, and buying food or supplies doesn’t require overly cumbersome procedures.

But for some drifters, a basement is an incredibly expensive residence.

So, there are two types of residences that truly serve as shelters for the lowest-level drifters.

The first is the various kinds of work sheds.

The second is the countless shantytowns, wastelands, and vegetable greenhouse areas outside the city.

Here, you can truly see what are called lower-class people, harsh environments, and alternative drifters.

Huang Jufu, his place in the Capital is in a work shed area.

Surrounded by the constant clanging of construction sites, tents made from tarps and striped cloth are everywhere.

Though there are better places, like the prefabricated steel houses.

Du Heng watched the scene ahead blankly, neither disdainful nor contemptuous; he was just...lost.

Looking around, every place Du Heng thought people could live in resembled what Huang Jufu had described.

He had lost his ability to distinguish.

Fortunately, his confusion didn’t last long, as Huang Jufu’s voice suddenly came from beside him, ”Doctor Du, over here, this way.”

Du Heng followed the voice and saw Huang Jufu smiling and waving at him.

Unable to respond with a gesture because he was carrying two large bags, Du Heng simply turned and walked towards Huang Jufu.

On Huang Jufu’s face, there was the happiness of Du Heng visiting him and his family, but also an embarrassment from letting his fellow townsman see his dire living conditions.

Watching Du Heng walk with difficulty, Huang Jufu quickly went to meet him, reaching out to take one of the large bags from Du Heng’s hand.

And with a slight embarrassment, he said, ”Doctor Du, my place is too...”

Du Heng handed over a bag, quickly interrupting Huang Jufu, ”Don’t continue with that, I’ve lived in places like this before.

Let me tell you, my brother is a bricklayer, and when I was in school, I spent every holiday running around construction sites with him, eating and living at the sites, so I’m very familiar with this place.”

Du Heng seemed natural, not displaying any expression that would make Huang Jufu feel embarrassed about the surroundings, ”Also, I’ve told you before, stop calling me Doctor Du, call me by my name, Du Heng, or Du.”

Huang Jufu smiled, but he didn’t follow Du Heng’s request, ”Then I’ll call you Du.”

Du Heng laughed indifferently, ”That’s fine, it sounds much friendlier.”

Leading the way, Huang Jufu guided Du Heng through the tents and work sheds.

During this, Du Heng casually asked, ”Xiao Huang, why didn’t I see you at the hospital today?”

”My daughter’s check-up is today; my wife said she was a little scared to go alone, so I took a day off.”

”That’s what it was, I thought you quit.”

Huang Jufu laughed bitterly, self-derisively saying, ”How could I dare quit working?”

Du Heng shook his head upon hearing that, ”By the way, what did the hospital say?”

At that moment, the smile on Huang Jufu’s face disappeared, and he woodenly said, ”The ophthalmology department said there’s nothing they can do, and suggested we try other hospitals.

The ear doctors said that it’s best to have cochlear implant surgery for the child soon.

If this drags on much longer, all ear functions might be lost.”

Du Heng listened, his brow furrowed slightly.

Acquired deafness, the cause hasn’t been identified, how come the conclusion is that all hearing functions are lost?

But before he could voice his doubts, Huang Jufu leading the way spoke again, ”Du, when you called me, my daughter’s ear specialist also came.”

”What did he come for?” Du Heng asked curiously.

”He said he came to check on my daughter and to discuss cochlear implant surgery.”

While talking, Huang Jufu stood in front of a prefabricated work shed, pointing at the opened door, he said, ”Du, we live here, it’s crowded inside, don’t mind the mess.”

Du Heng said nothing and followed Huang Jufu’s lead, walking in.

After getting a clear view of the room, Du Heng knew Huang Jufu was right.

A standard-sized prefab house with eight sets of bunk beds inside, at the very least sixteen people if counting only one person per bed.

But Du Heng glanced around and realized, probably half of the people in this room are like Huang Jufu — families with their spouses, at least two people together.