This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

The sound of the monitor had been turned down considerably, so it wasn't as harsh.

Nevertheless, the sound was like a tormenting dirge, hastening death and causing the family members immense pain.

Their anguish was even greater now that Du Heng wasn't present.

Du Heng walked in with the medicine, and the two anxious brothers immediately fixed their gazes on him.

"You two go handle the hospitalization procedures first. I need to enter the patient's information into the system and then prescribe the medication."

The brothers agreed. The older one told the younger to stay with the patient while he went to complete the admission process.

The powder medicine couldn't be administered yet. They had to wait for Wu Buwei's "Extraordinary Heart-saving Decoction."

Wu Buwei didn't keep them waiting long. He soon returned with the medicine, completely drenched in sweat.

Since Wu Buwei had rushed in, Du Heng hadn't allowed him a moment's rest. He'd had to take the medicine to the decoction room and prepare it using a strong fire, which had left him sweating profusely.

Normally, a nurse would handle this task. However, the Health Clinic only had five nurses. Three of them spent all their time at the Township Government office and rarely came back to the clinic, leaving only two.

Today, only Wang Lili was on duty. Since she couldn't leave the patient's side, Wu Buwei had to go instead.

Of course, if Wu Buwei hadn't come, Du Heng himself would have had to go to the decoction room.

Du Heng took the decoction and fed the patient two spoonfuls before administering the Ginseng-Gecko Powder.

"'Family members,' Du Heng addressed them, 'I'm going to give you instructions. Please note them down carefully.'"

At Du Heng's call, the family members, who had been hiding in the back, afraid to disturb the doctor, all gathered around, staring at Du Heng with earnest, expectant eyes.

"'Administer about two spoonfuls each time, once every fifteen minutes. When the patient finishes this entire dose, or if there are any changes in his condition, find me immediately. I'll be in my office on the first floor.'"

"'We've noted it down, Doctor,' a family member replied.

Du Heng repeated the instructions once more before returning to the office with Wu Buwei.

Now, they could only leave it to fate. He had done all he could.

Wu Buwei was so hot he couldn't bear it. As soon as he entered the office, he grabbed a cup and quickly gulped down two full cups of water from the dispenser.

Letting out a satisfied burp, he finally put the cup down.

"'Senior Brother, you're trying to kill me!'"

Du Heng managed a faint smile and found a stool to sit on. The recent rush had been incredibly tight.

The patient could stop breathing at any moment. He'd had to work as fast as possible, seizing every second.

"'Senior Brother, what's wrong with the patient?'" Wu Buwei asked.

"'Idiopathic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis complicated with cor pulmonale.'"

Wu Buwei was stunned. "'Pulmonary fibrosis?'"

"'Yes,' Du Heng replied. 'Otherwise, how could there be cor pulmonale?'"

"'Didn't they go to a big hospital?'"

Du Heng sighed lightly. "'They did. The Municipal First Hospital tried high-dose steroid therapy and oxygen therapy, but nothing worked. The patient also has pulmonary fibrosis, so heart surgery alone wouldn't help. They were discharged this morning.'"

"'So how did you end up taking the case?'"

Speaking of this, Du Heng felt a wave of displeasure, and Old Song's face involuntarily came to mind.

If it hadn't been for Song's meddling, insisting on dragging him into it, none of this would have happened.

Of course, it's not that trying to save people is wrong. However, in that situation, attempting to save the patient meant gambling with his own future. But not trying would have weighed heavily on his conscience.

But he *had* treated the patient, and given the current situation, the worst outcome was already looming.

Although the patient's family had signed the Informed Consent Form, if the patient didn't make it, they might turn on him. They could argue that since the Municipal First Hospital had given up treatment, why did he claim there was hope and continue it? They might then accuse him of trying to scam them out of money, refuse to pay the medical fees, and even demand compensation.

At that time, Du Heng would be defenseless. Given the typical practices in some workplaces these days, all responsibility would fall on him. While his license might not be revoked, he would likely have to cover the unpaid medical fees and possibly even pay compensation.

This was why Du Heng couldn't stand Song. One phone call had brought him so much trouble.

Seeing Du Heng remain silent, Wu Buwei muttered, "'Pulmonary fibrosis... How did you dare to take on such a case?'"

"'Desperate diseases call for drastic remedies,' Du Heng said. 'We'll have to leave it to fate.'"

Du Heng sighed again. He couldn't ignore his conscience. What else could he do?

He opened his computer, printed out several copies of the critical illness notification, medical informed consent forms, and other similar documents. He filled in the necessary information and then handed them to Wu Buwei. "'Buwei, get the patient's family to sign these.'"

Having them sign these papers now was better than nothing. If the patient's family turned unscrupulous and tried to blame him later, at least he would have some form of protection.

Wu Buwei took the papers and left. Du Heng leaned back in his chair.

This time, he had thoroughly offended Song. Although Song wouldn't be permanently appointed as Dean, his position as section chief of the Medical Affairs Department was likely secure. Du Heng would probably suffer as a result. He should urge Li Qingde to speed up his transfer after the holiday.

"Hey, what were you two up to today? Why the urgent calls to come to work?"

As Du Heng was lost in thought, someone walked in.

He looked up and saw it was Wei Kaida.

"'What are you doing here?'" Du Heng asked.

"'You guys called so urgently, I drove Tingting back.'"

Du Heng was momentarily confused. "'Tingting? You drove her back?'"

"'Ah, didn't I tell you? I've met my true love!'"

"'You're talking about Li Nating?'" Du Heng asked, surprised.

"'We were on a date today when your call came through and summoned us back! You'd better compensate me for this loss.'"

The young man wasn't lying. Today was the 5th; they had only known each other for six days. Could it really be love at first sight? Well, as long as they were happy, that was all that mattered.

"'Compensate your ass!' Du Heng retorted. 'Go on and get to your work. I'm busy here.'"

"'Screw work! I'm here to share some good news.'"

Du Heng glanced at him disdainfully. What good news could this guy possibly have? "'Are you two getting married?'"

Wei Kaida perked up. "'Do you remember that couple with the tumors?'"

"'Are you dense? How could I forget something that happened just the day before yesterday? Spit it out.'"

"'My dad asked someone to check on them. The couple lives in the residential complex next to the clinic. And the woman has definitely been hospitalized.'"

Du Heng wasn't surprised at all; it was within his expectations. He still had some confidence in his current abilities. But thinking back to his deliberate showboating the other day, he felt a little embarrassed. How could he have been so muddle-headed as to do such a foolish thing back then?

Seeing Du Heng's lack of reaction, Wei Kaida asked, puzzled, "'Aren't you happy?'"

"'What's there to be happy about? I told you they both had tumors, but you didn't believe me.'"

"'Go on and gloat,' Wei Kaida said. 'But listen to what I have to say: the man hasn't been hospitalized. You just wait for him to come to you!'"

Du Heng smiled faintly. "'So, not being hospitalized means he doesn't have a tumor, right?'"

"'You're just being contrary! If he has a tumor and isn't getting treated in a hospital quickly, is he just running around outside waiting to die?'"

"'Ignorant.'"

"'You're an idiot!'"

The two men, both nearly thirty years old, bickered like little children across the table, laughing even as they traded insults.

Perhaps there's some truth to the saying that a man's happiness is simple and can be found anytime, anywhere—because, until the very end, they remain boys at heart.