This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

”And you still need to study. When you graduate in three years, Doctor Du will be thirty-three. Do you think it’s still possible for him?”

Zhu Minya immediately wanted to refute Zhu Fanzhong’s words; being in one’s thirties wasn’t that old. In today’s society, many people in their thirties were unmarried. Why couldn’t it work?

But before she could speak, Zhu Fanzhong continued, ”Even if Doctor Du is fine with it, do you think his elder brother and sister-in-law could accept it? Doctor Du was raised by Du Ping and his wife; how could he not listen to them?”

Zhu Minyan opened her mouth, swallowing the rebuttal she was about to utter.

Observing his daughter’s expression, Zhu Fanzhong felt frustration well up inside him again and involuntarily lit another cigarette. As the smoke swirled around him, he slowly said, ”My girl, you are still young and can afford to act impulsively. But Doctor Du cannot, nor can his family. So, you cannot hamper or interfere with Doctor Du’s life just because you like him—it would be very selfish.

”If you still like Doctor Du after graduation, and if he is not yet married, your father will certainly support you then. But not now.”

In the time that followed, Zhu Fanzhong said many things—some were clichés and empty words, while others addressed the stark realities they faced.

Yet, of all he said, nothing struck Zhu Minyan harder than his initial use of the word ’selfish’.

It was unclear if Zhu Minyan had truly taken in Zhu Fanzhong’s final words; regardless, she returned to her room without saying anything further.

However, over the next two days, she showed no signs of agitation, even when Zhu Fanzhong made phone calls in front of her. Right up until she packed her bags and left, she didn’t mention Du Heng again.

But this attitude only made Zhu Fanzhong more determined to find a partner for Du Heng.

Today, Du Heng had also come to send Du Xuejing to school, so everyone happened to meet up.

After sending the two girls off, Zhu Fanzhong first apologized to Du Heng, ”Doctor Du, the girl from last time was my cousin’s daughter. I truly didn’t expect her to make such a request. When we were chatting, they didn’t mention this.”

Du Heng had long forgotten about the matter. Hearing Zhu Fanzhong’s apology, he smiled and said, ”It’s fine. People’s thoughts are hidden beneath the surface. If they don’t say anything, you won’t know what they are thinking.

”Let’s not mention the past; it’s depressing.”

Zhu Fanzhong hurriedly echoed, ”Yes, yes, let’s not mention it; it’s depressing.”

”Come on, let me drive you back. I happen to be heading home. Let’s go together.”

”Alright.”

Zhu Fanzhong readily accepted Du Heng’s invitation. He had other aims for the day, and this opportunity was indeed perfect for him.

Once in the car, Zhu Fanzhong eagerly began to speak, ”Doctor Du, I’ve contacted two more girls for you these past two days. Don’t worry, I’ve asked everything that should and shouldn’t be asked. There won’t be a repeat of last time’s incident.”

This didn’t sound right to Du Heng; it didn’t seem like a serious matter at all.

He understood Zhu Fanzhong’s intentions, but he was no longer prepared to accept such gestures of goodwill.

”It’s my fault. I should have made it clear earlier that I already have a partner.”

”Really?”

Zhu Fanzhong was both surprised and overjoyed; this resolved his major concern.

”Of course it’s true, I’m not lying to you. I met her on a blind date a few days ago, and we’re hitting it off quite well.” Du Heng began to embellish, genuinely wanting to avoid any more matchmaking ordeals. ”I apologize for not making things clear and causing you to worry about my affairs.”

”No problem, I’ll just call them and let them know.”

Zhu Fanzhong grinned gleefully, then, right in front of Du Heng, he picked up his phone and called the two families he had contacted, apologizing profusely to each.

Du Heng watched in amusement. People really could be so scheming.

Zhu Fanzhong’s display was clearly meant to tell him: See? I wasn’t deceiving you. I genuinely am concerned about your situation.

However, this topic was soon left behind as they began talking about other things. Yet, every time Zhu Minyan was mentioned, Zhu Fanzhong would change the subject.

After he had dodged the topic five or six times, Du Heng found it quite strange, and their conversation became increasingly awkward. The main issue was that, apart from discussing Zhu Minyan, they had little else to talk about.

Fortunately, partway there, Du Heng received a call. After apologizing to Zhu Fanzhong and explaining he couldn’t go home, he dropped him off to catch a taxi. This finally put an end to their increasingly awkward conversation.

At the Municipal First Hospital ICU Ward, Du Heng saw Qi Cai’s wife, whom he hadn’t seen for four days.

At the first sight of her, Du Heng’s gaze shifted slightly.

For these four days, while Qi Cai clung to life in the ICU, Du Heng himself had been living in a nightmare.

The conflict inside him had reached the point of almost exploding.

Qi Cai... had he done the right thing by saving him, or had it been a mistake?

But what had to be faced, still had to be faced.

Du Heng’s gaze flickered away for a moment before he summoned his courage and walked towards Qi Cai’s utterly haggard wife.

There was no light in Qi Cai’s wife’s eyes; they had even become somewhat vacant. She leaned against a member of her maternal family, staring blankly ahead.

Hearing footsteps approach, she merely glanced back before her eyes returned to the closed ICU door.

That brief glance, the indifference in her eyes, instantly scattered the courage Du Heng had mustered. Approaching her, he found himself at a loss for words.

At that moment, he felt he might have truly made a mistake in saving someone.

The call was from Zhou Yixian, who was also waiting at the ICU entrance; after all, the patient had been transferred from his Emergency Department.

Zhou Yixian approached Du Heng, gently tugged his arm, and they moved a little distance away. He then began to speak softly, ”President Du, Qi Cai’s condition is very poor. This is already the third resuscitation attempt.”

”Oh,” Du Heng murmured. He truly didn’t know whether it was better for Qi Cai to live or die; his thoughts were a tangled mess.

Zhou Yixian sighed, looked at the slightly dazed and confused Du Heng, and comforted him softly, ”You bought him a chance. It’s not your fault he didn’t pull through. Don’t blame yourself.”

Du Heng didn’t know what to say and fell silent.

Seeing Du Heng’s silence, Zhou Yixian, speaking with the voice of experience, offered further consolation, ”As doctors, we’ll encounter situations like this frequently. We can’t save everyone. No matter how skilled we are, ultimately, we’re human, not gods.”

Although this consolation didn’t directly address Du Heng’s confusion, he still felt grateful to Zhou Yixian. However, before he could say anything, the door of the ICU was pushed open.

”Is the family of Qi Cai in Bed 26 present?” Seeing Qi Cai’s wife being helped up, the doctor said softly, ”My condolences. Please come to the office to handle some paperwork; a family member’s signature is required.”

Qi Cai’s wife didn’t cry or make a fuss. She just followed the doctor into the office, and after two minutes, she came out with a piece of paper.

She didn’t require assistance throughout the process, handling it as if it were a routine hospital admission.

This time, as she walked by Du Heng, her demeanor was no longer as cold as before. She looked at him and said, ”Thank you.”

Du Heng thought of many things to say, but in the end, all he could utter was, ”Please accept my condolences.”

However, he could clearly see that although there was sorrow in Qi Cai’s wife’s eyes and her expression was haggard, her overall spirit had lifted considerably. The confusion and vacantness in her eyes had vanished.

Perhaps Qi Cai’s death was indeed the best outcome for everyone involved.

A heavy weight pressed on Du Heng’s chest. Watching Qi Cai’s wife and her family busy themselves, he didn’t linger, nor did he bid her farewell again. He simply turned and walked out with Zhou Yixian.

However, Qi Cai’s wife seemed oblivious to his departure, engrossed in her own affairs.