CHAPTER 329: 309 SATISFYING WISHES

Returning to his territory, Du Heng immediately transformed into a hardworking donkey—one that had to be whipped to keep going.

Even so, by the time he finished treating twenty to thirty patients, it was just about time to get off work.

After four uninterrupted hours of bending over to treat patients that afternoon, he truly experienced and understood the term—’Waist tired like breaking’; he felt as if his entire lumbar region had swollen considerably.

Returning to his office, he plopped down on a chair, leaned back, and really didn’t want to move.

Lu Zhongjiang heard the activity in the next room and knew Du Heng was done. He ambled over with a teacup in hand, looking at Du Heng’s utterly miserable state, and chuckled with amusement.

"How is it? A part-time job isn’t easy, right?"

"It’s killing me."

"Do you really miss having Xiao Wu around?"

Du Heng slowly sat up and gradually straightened his back. "Don’t even mention it. When Buwei was here, I didn’t feel it much. Now that he’s gone, I really feel like I can barely cope."

Lu Zhongjiang smiled, sat down opposite Du Heng, and gently placed the teacup on the table. "Even if you can’t stand it, you’ll have to endure. Xiao Wu’s exam will be over by tomorrow, and with his level, passing the primary practice should be no problem. When his father uses his connections to get him transferred out, you’ll have to carry the load all by yourself."

Thinking about this issue, Du Heng felt a little disheartened. He had painstakingly spent over half a year training him as if he were his own disciple. Just as his efforts were about to bear fruit, Xiao Wu was to be snatched away. It was deeply frustrating.

Lu Zhongjiang leaned forward slightly. "Dean, our Health Clinic’s development momentum is excellent. In the field of stroke treatment, our reputation in Jinzhou is growing significantly. Currently, nearly a hundred patients are scheduled for hospitalization, and there’s a constant stream of inquiries from others. Do you think there’s any possibility Xiao Wu might stay?"

Upon hearing this, Du Heng hesitated slightly. "It’s probably a bit difficult. No matter how much we develop, compared to the Municipal Second Hospital, the gap is still immense. If I were in Buwei’s shoes, I’d probably choose the Municipal Second Hospital too."

Lu Zhongjiang shook his head. "I don’t think so. I believe Xiao Wu could stay."

Du Heng didn’t interrupt and looked at Lu Zhongjiang seriously.

"First of all, our current income is improving. Once the hospital rooms in the hospitalization department are renovated and fully operational, our income should be even higher. So, the benefits we can offer our doctors won’t be as meager as they are now.

Of course, compared to the Municipal Second Hospital, there’s definitely still a gap. But it also depends on which department you’re comparing with. From what I understand, the benefits in their Chinese Medicine Department aren’t exceptionally high either. I believe we wouldn’t be too far behind."

Du Heng had a rough idea about this. Especially after seeing the Chinese Medicine Department at the Provincial First Hospital, his confidence in the Health Clinic’s future development grew even stronger.

Lu Zhongjiang paused for a moment; seeing that Du Heng did not interrupt, he continued, "Secondly, although Xiao Wu calls you Senior Brother, you’ve genuinely acted as his Master. Everyone has witnessed his improvement over the past six months, and I believe he himself has experienced it most profoundly. With such a good Master like you around, he ought to consider it. After all, if he goes to the Municipal Second Hospital, there won’t be someone like you to guide him hand-in-hand."

Well, Lu Zhongjiang truly is a seasoned old hand. His first point laid out the benefits, and the second immediately played the emotional card. So, will there be a third?

Du Heng signaled Lu Zhongjiang to continue, indicating he was listening intently.

"Third, here, he is our main force. At this current stage, regardless of whether you’re physically at the Health Clinic or not, Xiao Wu is actually the one at the forefront. For the past two months, your primary role has actually been to serve as a major force.

To use a currently popular internet phrase, you are our Health Clinic’s guardian mountain tiger, while Xiao Wu and Dr. Yu are our skilled fighting wolves. If he goes to the Municipal Second Hospital, he won’t receive such treatment. Moreover, he’d have to start properly from the bottom as a resident doctor. If he really decides to leave, it would be better for him to accumulate more experience here before going to the Municipal Second Hospital."

Du Heng nodded; he very much agreed with Lu Zhongjiang’s words. "Is there more?"

"Yes, and this is the final point. For our Health Clinic to develop, it must have its own specialized departments and leading treatment projects. The Chinese Medicine Department you lead currently possesses this very advantage and potential. Furthermore, our stroke treatment is already showing such promising signs. I believe that as long as we proceed steadily and surely, with you overseeing things, it won’t take long for Xiao Wu to become an expert in this field."

Du Heng took a deep breath and slowly leaned back into his chair.

Truthfully, he had pondered these things too, but definitely not as comprehensively or meticulously as Lu Zhongjiang. His thoughts were usually just sudden notions, fleeting and as unrestrained as a heavenly steed.

At this moment, Du Heng gained a profound understanding of the saying, ’An elder in the family is like having a treasure.’

That man’s experience and worldly wisdom alone were things he could learn from for a good long time.

"Then, when Buwei comes to work the day after tomorrow, Secretary Lu, could you talk to him?"

"Alright. I’ll talk to Xiao Wu the day after tomorrow."

Lu Zhongjiang agreed immediately. "By the way, what’s the situation with Dr. Huo?"

"There shouldn’t be any issues. Let’s just wait for news." Speaking of Huo Yinhua, Du Heng still felt a pang of guilt. After all, the man hadn’t even done anything, and I was the one who had him removed.