Wu Shengnan was indeed excited. As soon as Du Heng had finished washing up and packed his things, she forcibly pulled him into the car before he had a chance to have breakfast.

"Drive slowly; we're going to Provincial First Hospital first."

"What for?"

"To pick up someone."

"You have so many things to do."

"Just say if you're going or not."

"...Okay, let's go."

Wu Shengnan was very upset by Du Heng's last-minute demand.

But she needed Du Heng's help now, so she had to obey his orders.

After picking up the excited Gu Ping from the gate of Provincial First Hospital, Wu Shengnan sped off towards their destination.

「…」

"Hello, Doctor Du, we've been eagerly awaiting you. Please come in."

The speaker was a man in his forties, Detachment Leader Tao Litai.

Although he greeted Du Heng with a grin, he radiated a strong sense of oppression, and his eyes were sharp.

When he spoke, his gaze would fixate on your eyes, like two blades, making one feel quite disconcerted.

Du Heng was fine under such intense scrutiny, but Gu Ping struggled. Feeling the pressure of the man's gaze, he unconsciously lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

After exchanging a few polite words in the office, Tao Litai led them to the meeting room. "Doctor Du, we appreciate your help today. Please examine my colleagues thoroughly. They're all so busy with work that minor ailments have become serious."

"You are the guardians of the people. I consider it an honor to be able to serve you."

They weren't familiar with each other, and by the looks of it, Leader Tao wasn't all that welcoming towards Du Heng's presence. Du Heng figured that Wu Shengnan likely employed some tactics to secure this invitation.

"Do you know Shengnan well, Doctor Du?"

"Not very," Du Heng replied curtly.

"Oh." Leader Tao's gaze flickered slightly. "Then we're counting on you, Doctor Du. Today, consider this meeting room your consultation room. I'm going to let everyone know now."

Once Tao Litai left, Gu Ping exhaled deeply. "Mr. Du, Leader Tao's oppressive aura is too strong."

Du Heng smiled but did not respond.

Who was Tao Litai? The detachment leader of the Municipal Criminal Police Detachment in the provincial capital, possibly even a deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. A division-level leader in a Law Enforcement Department; of course, he would carry a certain aura.

Du Heng instructed Gu Ping, "Let's not discuss it. Hurry and get ready. We don't know how many people there will be. If there are many, you'll get your fill of writing houses today."

As they were preparing, Wu Shengnan, quite satisfied, brought them tea. She didn't speak, found a stool, sat down, and then took out a small notebook, seating herself to the side.

Looking at Wu Shengnan's posture, Du Heng asked with a smile, "What are you preparing to do?"

"Statistics. To see how many people come, what their problems are, and if there's anything needing special attention, and so on," Wu Shengnan replied earnestly.

As they were speaking, a few people entered.

The man in the lead walked towards Du Heng, while the others, looking somewhat dejected, sat in other seats.

"Hello, Doctor Du." The leading man greeted Du Heng coldly as he approached.

"Hello. Shall we begin now?" Seeing their glum faces, Du Heng didn't feel like making small talk and prepared to start directly.

Since it was under the guise of a health check-up, and seeing their reluctance, Du Heng decided not to beat around the bush. He planned to use his real skills to finish quickly, treating it like clearing a game instance to complete a quest.

"Where do you usually feel uncomfortable?"

"Stomachache."

"Have you been to the hospital for a check-up?"

"I've seen a doctor, but they didn't do a check-up, just prescribed some stomach medicine."

"Does your stomachache worsen when you're troubled, accompanied by belching and acid reflux?"

The man before him looked at Du Heng with some surprise. He hadn't expected this young man to actually have some skill. "You're right."

Du Heng continued, "When you have time, go to the hospital for a gastroscope. According to Western medicine diagnosis, you likely have duodenal ulcers."

The man looked at Du Heng in surprise again.

This man performs pulse diagnosis and examines tongues; he should be a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. So why is he using Western medicine names? Moreover, diagnosing duodenal ulcers just by pulse diagnosis? Isn't that a bit much?

"The medicine I'm taking says it can treat duodenal ulcers, but it hasn't worked for two months. Did you misdiagnose?"

Du Heng remained calm and turned to Gu Ping beside him, saying, "Stomachache, belching, acid reflux, thin tongue coating, fine string pulse. Diagnosis: liver qi attacking the stomach syndrome. Treatment should soothe the liver, harmonize the stomach, and stop pain."

The man became a little agitated. "Doctor Du, didn't you just say I have duodenal ulcers? How is it now liver qi attacking the stomach?"

"I used the Western medicine term to help you understand your condition better. 'Liver qi attacking the stomach' is the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation. Anyway, let's not discuss that. First, let me explain why the stomach medicine you've been taking hasn't worked."

"Go on," the man said, clearly displeased with Du Heng's attitude.

"Are you usually quite repressed emotionally and prone to anger?"

"Yes. Being a police officer, especially a criminal police officer, investigating cases and searching for clues... how can one be happy?"

"Chronic emotional depression leads to qi stagnation. Qi stagnation injures the liver. When liver qi rebels, it inevitably overacts on the spleen and invades the stomach, leading to obstruction of qi movement, and the stomach loses its harmony and ability to descend, causing pain."

Du Heng looked at the man calmly. "If your angry disposition doesn't change and your mood doesn't improve, no amount of medicine will help. Simply taking medicine will only lead to relapses."

The man was stunned by Du Heng's words. "Then what should I do?"

"Bupleurum, white peony, codonopsis, sojutsu var, poria... One dose daily, divided into morning and evening doses. Take it for two weeks, and you should be fine."

"Chinese herbal medicine, huh? I don't have time to brew it."

"When I came in, I saw a pharmacy across the street. It said they offer decoction services. You can go to them."

"Too troublesome."

"Suit yourself." Turning, Du Heng took the house Gu Ping had written, signed his name on it, and asked, "What's your name? How old are you?"

"Zhang Long, 33 years old."

After Du Heng filled in the heading, he handed it to the man before him. "Whether you take it or not is up to you. Next."

The man was somewhat stunned.

Had he just been dismissed?

He still wanted to ask Du Heng more, but looking at Du Heng's expression, it was clear he didn't want to speak with him further.

Zhang Long suddenly felt a bit angry. He wanted to see if Du Heng was really that impressive.

He turned and scanned the people waiting behind him, then pointed to a young man who had kept his head down. "Fan Jimin, you come over."

The young man looked up at the front, then rose and walked over.

As soon as he approached, Zhang Long forcefully pressed him down onto the stool, saying to Du Heng, "Examine him."

Du Heng watched Zhang Long's actions, his eyes narrowing slightly.

From the moment Fan Jimin walked over, he had kept his head down, a trace of melancholy in his expression. Moreover, when Zhang Long placed a hand on his shoulder, the young man made a very subtle flinching movement, a hint of fear in his eyes.

However, he didn't resist Zhang Long's action, only letting out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Du Heng didn't ask any questions but instead directly performed pulse diagnosis and a physical examination.

Pale tongue with a white, greasy coating, string pulse. The physical examination revealed no abnormalities.

Du Heng lowered his hand from the pulse diagnosis and observed Fan Jimin carefully again.

This time, he couldn't afford to rush; he needed to be sure.

While Du Heng was contemplating, he heard Fan Jimin sigh softly again.

And this sigh made Du Heng pay attention, his heart giving a sudden leap.

"Are you in pain anywhere?" Du Heng asked gently, his attitude now a stark contrast to Zhang Long's demeanor.

Fan Jimin looked up at Du Heng, then lowered his head again, shook it, and softly said two words, "No."

"Do you experience chest tightness, nausea, loss of appetite, or insomnia?" Du Heng asked again, his voice even gentler this time.

"Yes, I have all these symptoms."

Du Heng sat up a little straighter and asked with a smile, "How old are you this year?"

"Twenty-four."

"How many years have you been working?"

"Two."

Hearing Du Heng ask these questions, Zhang Long, standing nearby, became even more displeased. The difference in attitude was too great! Besides, if you're diagnosing an illness, diagnose it. Why ask these things?

"Doctor Du, just tell us quickly if our Fan Jimin is ill or not! We have a lot of work to do."

Du Heng abruptly raised his head and shot a cold glare at Zhang Long.