This Doctor Is Too Wealthy

The Chinese Medicine Research Institute BroadGate Hospital, Central Cadre Health Care Base, and the national ”Demonstration Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.”

If one couldn’t find the grand masters of traditional Chinese medicine here, then they likely couldn’t be found anywhere else.

Sir Shi was currently employed at this hospital. Du Heng hadn’t used the wrong word; ’employed’ was precisely it. An old man of over a hundred years, he still made time to see patients, mentor students, and guide new doctors.

In fact, there were four such centenarians, including Sir Shi, all serving in various hospitals in the Capital, each contributing their light and warmth.

These four were the pillars of the traditional Chinese medicine world.

They didn’t participate in discussions, nor did they recklessly offer opinions.

But as long as these four remained, the roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine would not be severed.

However, for these four centenarians to still have to personally see patients was not a glory for the field of traditional Chinese medicine, but a disgrace.

Let alone these four, even having Old Predecessors over eighty years of age continue to work was a source of shame for the younger generations.

Their continued presence on the front lines could only mean one thing: their students and disciples were not accomplished enough.

Forget surpassing their teachers; it was an achievement if they could merely keep pace.

As a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, Du Heng held heartfelt respect for these Old Predecessors still toiling on the front lines.

If not for the dedication and steadfast presence of these Old Predecessors, traditional Chinese medicine might have been completely eradicated by certain factions, perhaps even relegated to a museum exhibit by now.

Practitioners today would not enjoy such a comfortable working environment or the steadily improving professional atmosphere.

Respect and gratitude.

”Professor Lan, can I join you to see Sir Shi this afternoon?” Du Heng asked, a little excited and apprehensive, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.

Lan Changhua understood Du Heng’s reaction perfectly.

Even though Lan Changhua was now a nationally renowned old Chinese doctor, in Sir Shi’s presence, he was still but a student, a junior.

The prospect of meeting Sir Shi, perhaps even exchanging a few words, thrilled Lan Changhua himself, let alone the chance to witness Sir Shi personally treating a patient.

”Of course, no problem,” Lan Changhua readily agreed. ”Xiao Du, you are a rising star in our traditional Chinese medicine field. The future development of traditional Chinese medicine will depend on your generation of young people.”

”However, I must advise you on one point: when you meet Sir Shi, try not to get too agitated.”

Du Heng understood Lan Changhua’s subtle warning against acting rashly. ”Don’t worry, Professor Lan,” he assured. ”I’ll just observe from the side. I won’t speak or disturb Sir Shi in any way.”

Lan Changhua was quite satisfied with Du Heng’s attitude, a slight smile touching his lips. ”Sir Shi is very fond of young people, especially capable and talented ones like yourself. He is always willing to interact more with them.”

”Rest assured, I will look for the right opportunity to introduce you to Sir Shi.”

At this, Du Heng was overjoyed and thanked Lan Changhua profusely.

Just then, Lan Changhua’s assistant answered a phone call. After a brief exchange, he handed the phone to Lan Changhua, ”Professor, it’s Sir Shi’s Office. They said they’re looking for you.”

Speak of the devil.

Lan Changhua was slightly surprised but answered the call promptly.

However, as the voice on the phone continued, Lan Changhua responded with murmurs of ”Mhm,” ”Yes,” and ”Alright,” but his expression gradually darkened.

Du Heng felt a sense of foreboding. When Lan Changhua hung up, he asked cautiously, ”Professor Lan, what happened?”

Lan Changhua’s face was a bit grim. After a brief silence, he said, ”There’s been an emergency. Sir Shi has been called away. We won’t be going this afternoon.”

”Ah...” Du Heng’s disappointment was etched on his face.

If he missed this chance to meet a figure like Sir Shi, who knew when, if ever, a TCM doctor like himself from a remote mountainous area would get another opportunity?

But then again, he was helpless.

Sir Shi is 103 years old and still treating patients. For him to be a personal physician, who could possibly object?

Object? One should try living to that age first before talking.

So, it was perfectly understandable that he would be called away.

But the timing was incredibly frustrating.

However, no matter how frustrated he felt, he could only endure it silently.

Du Heng sighed, ”It seems I’m not fated for it.”

Lan Changhua also sighed.

While Lan Changhua felt regret that Du Heng couldn’t meet Sir Shi, his deeper regret was for Cao Binghe’s sake.

Arranging a meeting with a luminary like Sir Shi wasn’t something even he, Lan Changhua, could do at will.

Du Heng composed himself and said to Lan Changhua, ”Professor Lan, in that case, I’ll go see Dr. Cao now.”

Lan Changhua also quickly regained his composure, then stood up and said, ”Then I’ll take you. I haven’t visited Xiao Cao yet today.”

Cao Binghe was not in the Ophthalmology Department but was staying in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department.

As a doctor in his own hospital, he hadn’t received any special treatment, just a standard two-patient room.

When Du Heng and Lan Changhua entered, Cao Binghe was lying quietly on the hospital bed. A plainly dressed middle-aged woman, presumably his Mother, sat beside him.

”Xiao Cao, Doctor Du has come to see you.”

Reaching the bedside, Lan Changhua spoke to alert Cao Binghe.

Hearing his Teacher’s voice, Cao Binghe looked up, his earlier composure gone.

Cao Binghe opened his eyes and seemed to look towards them. However, Du Heng noticed that Cao Binghe’s eyes weren’t actually tracking their movements; rather, he appeared to be trying to locate them by the direction of the sound.