"But you have a huge fan base and a certain amount of social influence.

Tell me, who else would they target if not you?

At this stage, targeting anyone else wouldn’t yield as much benefit as targeting you."

Du Heng was terribly upset and rubbed his face hard with both hands. He hadn’t expected that he, who lived a stable life, would become such a prime target in others’ eyes.

Just then, Kang Zhirong walked in with a thermos.

Du Heng took the opportunity to get up, help Lan Changhua prepare tea, and try to digest the sudden, bewildering news.

Lan Changhua also knew that Du Heng needed to calm down, so he didn’t continue speaking, merely watching Du Heng quietly as he busied himself.

After about a minute, seeing that Du Heng had composed himself, Lan Changhua asked, "Have you thought it through?"

Du Heng gently hummed in affirmation.

Lan Changhua smiled with satisfaction. "Now, you’ve joined the association and established connections with its members.

So, if those people dare to attack you, they are, in effect, attacking the association and all its members.

They’ll have to seriously consider whether they want to target an individual or an entire group."

With that, Lan Changhua picked up his teacup, gently blew on the tea leaves at the rim, and took a shallow sip. Yet, even in this casual gesture, there was a subtle hint of hesitation.

After setting down his teacup, Lan Changhua looked directly at Du Heng, his fervent gaze leaving Du Heng slightly dazed.

"Xiao Du, come to the Capital," Lan Changhua said suddenly. "One of my main reasons for coming to Jinzhou this time was to bring you to the Capital.

"Especially after seeing your special report today, my conviction has only deepened.

"Moreover, I’ve already made all the arrangements for you. The position of Deputy Director of our hospital’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine Department will be yours once Xiao Wu retires.

"Knowing your interest in teaching, I’ve also secured a teaching position for you at the Capital College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

"After the school leaders reviewed your resume, especially learning you completed your Master’s studies by year-end, they directly assured me. They promised that, as a special case, you could be fast-tracked for evaluation for an associate professor position next year."

Du Heng was stunned once more.

This conversation with Lan Changhua had delivered far too many surprises.

Du Heng snapped back to reality but remained silent.

This was the second time Lan Changhua had invited Du Heng to the Capital, to Good Friend Hospital.

The previous time had been merely a promise, but this time, he had already arranged everything, waiting only for Du Heng’s consent.

But Lan Changhua also understood Du Heng’s hesitation.

Developing one’s hometown and helping the fellow townspeople is an ideal that cannot be questioned or disparaged.

However, this time, Lan Changhua had thoroughly prepared before extending the invitation again.

"Xiao Du, I know what you’re hesitating about. Don’t speak yet. Let me finish, and then you can make your decision."

Lan Changhua’s tone was sincere, his eyes burning with passion. "We’ve already discussed that your current platform is too small. It can’t provide you with any help, not even a little bit.

"Even if you were promoted and transferred to the Provincial First Hospital, the first affiliated hospital of JZU, JZU Second Hospital, or the Provincial Women and Children’s Hospital—these are all top-tier hospitals in the Northwest—they still wouldn’t be of much help to you.

"Especially when considered on a national level, the assistance would be even more negligible.

"Inland cities with struggling economies not only offer no support but actively restrict your development and progress."

Lan Changhua’s voice softened, though a hint of pity laced his words. "Considering your current skill level and achievements, once any of your current projects are completed, with the backing of Good Friend Hospital and the support of the Capital College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are confident we can help you secure the title of academician.

"If both projects are completed to a high standard, even a double academician title is possible.

"But in Jinzhou, you’ll never be able to attain these two honors in your lifetime. Even being selected as a National Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor wouldn’t be easy.

"The only certainty is that when you reach a certain age, with your existing accolades, you can apply for the title of National Medical Master."

Du Heng fell silent, his expression uncontrollably downcast.

The selection of academicians depends not only on professional achievements but also on the power of the supporting organization. This power encompasses both academic and economic strength. Otherwise, how do you think that liquor company’s academician came to be? In Jinzhou, and even across the entire Northwest, academic influence is practically nil. As for the economy, well, that hardly needs mentioning. In this era where GDP is the measure of all things, having no money means being ignored, having no voice.

Therefore, Lan Changhua’s words struck Du Heng’s heart like a steel awl.

Honor—who wouldn’t want it?

However, as the saying goes, ’a lean horse has long hair, and a poor man has short ambitions.’ Du Heng had never entertained such thoughts before because he knew they were impossible.

Du Heng forced a bitter smile and said reluctantly, "I don’t place too much importance on honors."

Lan Changhua seemed to have anticipated this response, showing no surprise. He continued in the same tone, "Let’s put honor aside for now.

"I’ve watched all your short videos. You’ve divided them into four categories and even marked them: treatment and prevention of common diseases, progress on the pediatric cerebral hypoplasia project, a showcase of the stroke project, and finally, treatments for the ’three highs’."

As Lan Changhua spoke, he observed Du Heng’s reactions intently. "The first three are straightforward: one covers daily work and general popular science communication, and the other two are key projects, so showcasing them is fine.

"But the last one—why list the ’three highs’ as a separate category?"

Du Heng fell silent again. He didn’t expect Lan Changhua to have seen through his subtle intentions.

Lan Changhua smiled, seeing the slight change in Du Heng’s expression; he knew he had guessed correctly. "Xiao Du, regardless of your ideas or what you want to achieve, the core issue remains what I’ve said.

"Jinzhou is too small, too remote. It’s so remote that even though everyone sees your detailed explanations and popular science communication, no one believes them.

"If—and I mean if—you were in the Capital, if you were a Deputy Chief Physician at Good Friend Hospital, a professor at the Capital College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, do you think this would still happen?

"Do you think, at that point, how many of your tens of millions of fans would convert into actual patients?

"By then, as long as you don’t break any laws, do you think there would be anything you couldn’t accomplish?"

Lan Changhua’s barrage of questions made Du Heng lower his head even further, his emotions growing more turbulent.

Sensing his own breathing grow slightly unsteady, Lan Changhua quickly paused, leaned back, and slowed his pace. "But if you remain at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital, if you stay in Jinzhou, how long do you think it will take to achieve what you want?

"If those people retaliate, do you think you could withstand it? Could the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital withstand it? Could Jinzhou withstand it?

"I’m afraid that when the time comes, they might be the first to turn against you."

Lan Changhua’s tone was filled with temptation. "Come, Xiao Du. Come to the Capital. Come to Good Friend Hospital. Here, you’ll find everything you need, and we can help you realize your aspirations.

"Once you’ve accomplished what you set out to do, once you’ve achieved fame and success, you can always return.

"At that point, you’ll have renown and capability. The public will trust you more, the leadership will support you more, and the help you can offer your hometown will be far greater, far more significant."

Du Heng left the hotel with Kang Zhirong, looking dazed and preoccupied, clearly burdened by his thoughts.

Kang Zhirong, walking beside him, wore a similarly worried expression.

As they got into the car, Kang Zhirong couldn’t hold back any longer. "Dean, are you really going to the Capital?"

At Kang Zhirong’s words, Du Heng seemed to regain his senses. He gently shook his head. "I don’t know. But don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Not a soul."

Kang Zhirong seemed to understand and slowly nodded.