CHAPTER 378: 351 SPECIAL WELCOME CEREMONY

The day before New Year’s Day, Du Heng walked out of the Capital’s airport.

It was his first time traveling far, his first time taking a plane, and also the first time he realized he was afraid of flying. Throughout his journey, he had worried about only one thing: would the plane he was on suddenly fall from the sky?

"Doctor Du."

A crisp, pleasant voice with a hint of Jinzhou accent sounded from in front of Du Heng.

Looking up, he saw Zhu Minyan happily waving amidst the crowd ahead. After making her way through, Zhu Minyan ran over joyfully.

Her warmth wasn’t feigned; it was genuine happiness from the heart. Not only had Du Heng saved her life, but more importantly, he was her fellow townsman—a bona fide fellow townsman. Being eight hundred miles away from home, seeing a fellow townsman in this place—it would be a crying shame not to shed a few tears of joy.

Du Heng smiled at the lively young girl before him. Seeing her delicate skin and healthy body, he too felt genuinely happy.

"Zhu Minyan, how has your recovery been this past month?" As soon as they met, Du Heng’s occupational disease reflexively took hold.

Zhu Minyan enthusiastically took Du Heng’s suitcase. "Very good, Doctor Du. Over the past month, aside from still being slightly short of breath, I have no other discomfort."

"That’s great. Just remember what I said: take your medicine on time."

"Mm-hmm." Zhu Minyan nodded vigorously. Hearing a light cough behind her, she then remembered the two people she had brought along. "Doctor Du, let me introduce you. This is my teacher, Zhang Xintian."

Du Heng shook hands politely. His first impression of Zhang Xintian was that he was handsome, even more so than Du Heng himself.

"And this is Professor Lan’s assistant, and also his student, Cao Binghe."

"Hello, Doctor Du. My name is Cao Binghe. The teacher has already arranged your accommodations. Shall we head over now?"

"Thank you for the trouble."

Throughout the journey, Zhu Minyan chatted happily with Du Heng, talking about school, her roommates, and her experiences and thoughts since returning.

Du Heng listened with great interest. The conversation wasn’t dull; in fact, it was quite amusing. He just realized for the first time that this girl was quite the chatterbox, something he hadn’t noticed at all during her two-month hospital stay.

The accommodations weren’t in the hospital dormitory as Du Heng had expected, but rather in the student apartments of Qingbei University Medicine College’s graduate school. Having an apartment all to himself was quite luxurious.

Cao Binghe led Du Heng into the apartment. "Doctor Du, please make do with this for now. Professor Lan is still looking for a proper house for you. But as you know, housing in the Capital is tight, especially near the hospital; it’s even harder to find something suitable there."

Du Heng shook his head gently, quite satisfied with the environment. He was surrounded by energetic young people, all brimming with vitality. Although a few balding older men were interspersed among them, it didn’t dampen Du Heng’s mood.

"There’s no need. Let’s not trouble Professor Lan any further. This place is excellent. Thank you, Dr. Cao."

A slight smile touched Cao Binghe’s lips. He had genuinely worried that Du Heng might be one of those arrogant young talents who are difficult to please. After all, from what his teacher had said, this Doctor Du was exceptionally skilled. Cao Binghe had also reviewed Zhu Minyan’s disease record and felt he wouldn’t dare prescribe as Du Heng had.

Youthful, talented, and perhaps a bit proud—Cao Binghe had been prepared for that. However, he had never expected that during the journey, while Du Heng’s conversation couldn’t be described as exceptionally gentle or refined, it was calm and unhurried. Upon reaching the accommodations, Cao Binghe had anticipated complaints about the noisy environment or some unreasonable demands, but again, to his surprise, Du Heng readily agreed.

Cao Binghe heaved a great sigh of relief. "Doctor Du, please rest for a while. When it’s time for the lunch break, our teacher has arranged a meal for you. And this afternoon, there will be a welcoming ceremony."

A welcoming ceremony, Du Heng thought. It seems they do value my arrival and are treating this as a genuine exchange. If there wasn’t one, it would just feel like I’m here for a fellowship.

Du Heng said modestly, "A welcoming ceremony really isn’t necessary. I’ve come this time primarily to learn from Professor Lan."

Pausing for a moment, Du Heng then added, "I was only on the plane for two hours, so I’m not very tired. It’s still early. How about we head directly to the hospital?"

Cao Binghe was taken aback for a moment; Du Heng’s reaction was again unexpected. "Doctor Du, please wait a moment. I’ll call my teacher."

Zhu Minyan happily squeezed in beside Du Heng. "Du, Professor Lan is a very nice person. For the past month since I returned, he’s been the one to examine me and prescribe my medicine."

On the way back, Zhu Minyan had chattered away, successfully transitioning from calling him "Doctor Du" to "Du." Of course, Du Heng didn’t object to this change. Although they were from different villages, they belonged to the same larger brigade, and their homes weren’t far apart.

The crucial point was, through their car conversation, Zhu Minyan revealed she actually knew Du Xuejing—was even acquainted with her—which drew the two of them even closer.

However, if Du Xuejing knew her friend was calling her Little Uncle ’Du,’ she might not be able to stomach it.

While Cao Binghe was on the phone, Zhu Minyan seized every opportunity to chat with Du Heng about anything and everything. This pushed Zhang Xintian to the side, anxiously, as he found himself completely unable to interject into their conversation. Moreover, as the two chatted on, they soon switched to speaking entirely in the Jinzhou dialect, which only heightened Zhang Xintian’s anxiety.

Fortunately, Cao Binghe quickly returned from his call, alleviating Zhang Xintian’s awkwardness. "Dr. Du, the teacher said you can come over. He mentioned he has already informed the Medical Affairs Department. Let’s go get the paperwork sorted first."

"Alright." Du Heng agreed immediately, picked up the bag containing his documents, and prepared to leave.

Zhu Minyan wanted to tag along again but was stopped by Zhang Xintian. "Dr. Du, you go on to the hospital. We won’t join you. We still have classes this afternoon; otherwise, we’ll be late."

Du Heng smiled. "Okay, let’s all have dinner together tonight."

Professor Lan Changhua had already taken care of all the preliminary arrangements. Cao Binghe just needed to accompany Du Heng to complete the relevant procedures. These so-called procedures mainly involved registration and making notes to ensure he could smoothly examine patients and prescribe medicine during his work period. Otherwise, practicing medicine in a different region without authorization would be illegal.

After completing the formalities, Du Heng received a work permit. His position and department were already printed on it, and his photograph was attached.

Deputy Director of Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department, Du Heng.

Good Friend Hospital was indeed a Big Hospital. Western medicine aside, its Chinese Medicine Department alone was divided into fourteen sections. Outside of the Municipal Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this was the first time Du Heng had encountered so many departments of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jinzhou. It was also the first hospital he’d seen that positioned Traditional Chinese Medicine on a similar level to Western internal medicine and surgery.

Du Heng had actually been wondering before his arrival whether this was because Good Friend Hospital’s traditional Chinese medicine capabilities were exceptionally strong, or if it was due to its Rualand background.

Currently, to be frank, the status of traditional Chinese medicine within the country isn’t as high, nor is it as valued, as in Rualand. Take Traditional Chinese medicinal materials, for example. Currently, some of the highest quality ones don’t originate from China but from Rualand and H Country. Their efficacy is considered superior, and those nations have established a near-monopoly on such materials.

Before coming, Du Heng had researched Lan Changhua, who was described as an expert in Chinese Medicine Oncology. Initially, Du Heng assumed this meant Professor Lan was in the Oncology Department. Only after contacting him did Du Heng learn that he was a genuine traditional Chinese medicine internist, simply with exceptional expertise in oncology. The current Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology Department at Good Friend Hospital, for instance, was a new department established separately by his students.

But the old man was firmly rooted in his Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department position and refused to budge, no matter what. Moreover, the current Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department was also his student. In that department, Professor Lan was like an honorary director, which was why inviting Du Heng for an exchange and study visit had proceeded so smoothly.

Cao Binghe led Du Heng towards Lan Changhua’s consultation room, briefly explaining the general situation of the Chinese Medicine Department.

Hearing Cao Binghe, Du Heng asked, "Does Professor Lan still conduct outpatient services?"

A mixture of pride and a hint of distress crossed Cao Binghe’s face. "Yes, our teacher holds outpatient services three mornings a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As long as he’s not away at a conference, it’s an unbreakable routine. And every time, his appointment slots would be snatched up, leaving some patients unable to get one. Professor Lan, worried that patients might buy scalped tickets, would add as many extra slots as he could. He arrived earliest in the morning and was also the last to leave at noon."

Du Heng genuinely admired Lan Changhua.

Consulting a doctor in traditional Chinese medicine is completely different from Western medicine. Western surgery is somewhat different. If you go to an internal medicine department there, they first ask what’s wrong. Then, they’ll order a battery of tests. Once you’ve completed them and submitted the examination report, the doctor glances at the data and tells you whether to be hospitalized or just buy medicine.

However, traditional Chinese medicine is different. The four methods—Inspection, Auscultation, Inquiry, and Palpation—are essential. Currently, ’Auscultation’ is often restricted due to hygiene regulations; unless absolutely necessary, few doctors perform it thoroughly. The other three methods, however, all require time. If a doctor isn’t proficient in syndrome differentiation, it takes even longer. This process is particularly demanding on the doctor and time-consuming for everyone.

It takes a toll on the doctor, and it takes up the patient’s time. However, compared to undergoing numerous tests and scans, this method can actually save a lot of time in other ways. For example, during Du Heng’s final period at the Provincial First Hospital Chinese Medicine Department, his outpatient volume on Wednesday mornings could reach upwards of eighty patients, processing them faster than Western doctors could issue inspection sheets.

This was the result of his proficiency in internal medicine. He’d give a quick look upon the patient entering, ask a few pertinent questions during pulse diagnosis, and within two or three minutes, he could clearly identify the issue. He would then explain the problem in simple terms and swiftly write a prescription to conclude the consultation. So, the "time-consuming" aspect is relative.

Therefore, after a full morning in a traditional Chinese medicine outpatient service, a doctor’s mind can feel like mush. If they encounter a confused patient who struggles to understand explanations, it’s even possible for the doctor to feel dizzy and see stars.

Within a few exchanged words, Du Heng and Cao Binghe neared Lan Changhua’s consultation room. But the sight that greeted them left Du Heng dumbfounded.

There were too many people, an incredible number, so many that the entire corridor was completely blocked. Patients were packed shoulder to shoulder, all craning their necks, trying to push their way in.

Du Heng marveled once more at the distinct atmosphere of Big Hospitals, particularly envying their thriving traditional Chinese medicine environment. Cao Binghe’s expression, however, shifted.

Just as they were about to ask people to make way, the crowd ahead erupted into a commotion, swaying uneasily. Then, a young man in a white gown stumbled out from the throng, looking disheveled and shaken.

The young doctor who emerged glanced back fearfully, then tried to hurry away. Cao Binghe, with quick reflexes, grabbed his arm. "Cai Hong, what’s going on?"

The young man, recognizing Cao Binghe, quickly said, "Cao, get in there, quick! A man is accusing the Professor of acting indecently and is threatening to hit him!"

Cao Binghe’s expression turned grim, his tone harsh. "And what are you doing? Running away?"

"Ah!" Cai Hong forcefully shook off Cao Binghe’s hand. "I’m going to get security!" Saying this, he rushed, THUD THUD THUD, towards the elevator entrance.

Cao Binghe, no longer minding Du Heng beside him, grew intensely anxious. The thought of his teacher, a man in his seventies, surrounded and trapped, spurred him to push through the crowd. "Make way! I’m a doctor! Let me through!"

Du Heng was somewhat stunned. A highly respected old professor being accused of indecency? Could he really be a pervert? And looking at this chaotic scene, isn’t this a rather unique way to be welcomed?