Wu Shengnan’s family issues were Du Heng’s most difficult problem.

However, the Lord in Heaven was assisting Du Heng. By a series of strange coincidences and sheer luck, Du Heng had temporarily resolved this problem.

So now, he had no worries left behind and could carry out his wishes in peace.

But there was someone even more concerned and anxious than Du Heng: Lan Changhua.

「The next morning」

Du Heng planned to eat breakfast and then go to the hotel to find Lan Changhua. But just as he picked up his chopsticks, he received a call from Lan Changhua.

"Xiao Du, how are things looking with that matter we discussed?" As soon as the call connected, Lan Changhua got straight to the point.

"Professor Lan, I’m willing to go to the Capital," Du Heng replied directly, without beating around the bush.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Lan Changhua burst into hearty laughter. The joyous sound traveled through the phone line, clearly echoing throughout Du Heng’s living room.

Du Heng was also happy, but he couldn’t laugh out loud like Lan Changhua; people might think he had a mental illness.

After releasing his joy through laughter, Lan Changhua said, "Then you should pack your things. I’ll wait for you for two days. We’ll head back to the Capital together. Before the New Year holidays start, let’s get all your paperwork sorted out. Once the New Year is over, you can officially start work.

"Xiao Du, I can hardly wait."

Du Heng didn’t quite understand Lan Changhua’s eagerness, but he was genuinely grateful for the appreciation Lan Changhua showed him. However, no matter how grateful he felt, he knew it was impossible to sort out all his commitments in just two days. First, there was the hospital. It was crucial to communicate with the Municipal Bureau. Even if he was leaving, he still had to responsibly complete his duties until his successor arrived. He also needed to see if the Municipal Bureau had any requirements for the handover. This handover process, especially with the New Year festival approaching, wouldn’t be quick at all. Then there was the project! Should he explain things to the provincial and city governments? Should he speak to Zhuo Mingde? More importantly, should he make arrangements with the two actual heads of the project, Li Shuxun and Wu Buwei? Also, there was his teacher, Li Jianwei. It was only right to inform him. Regardless of Li Jianwei’s abilities, he was still his teacher, and due respect had to be given. Then, there were his teaching responsibilities at the School. Did he need to communicate with the School about this? Would that also take time? Considering all this, two or three days wouldn’t be enough. Even the whole of February might not suffice to sort everything out.

Du Heng gave a bitter smile. He could only apologize for not matching Lan Changhua’s excitement, and then he laid out his own timeline.

Hearing this, Lan Changhua sighed. The reasons were legitimate, and the tasks were all essential, so he had no choice but to abandon the idea of taking Du Heng back immediately.

"Then give me a definite time. When can you be here? Once I get back, I can make the necessary arrangements."

"Around the end of March. There’s a New Year festival in February, and that will cause a significant delay. Everything can only be processed slowly after work resumes post-festival."

Du Heng contemplated for a moment. He then decided to time his move to the Capital with Wu Shengnan’s departure for her training. This arrangement received strong approval from Wu Shengnan, who was sitting across the table.

"The beginning of April?" Lan Changhua’s tone revealed his disappointment. "If you come in early April, the hospital side will be easy to arrange. We all know each other there, so you could start working right after completing the paperwork.

"But the School side won’t be as easy to organize.

"Regardless, the School has to go through the recruitment process before the term begins. How would we handle interviews and things like that?

"Besides, students start classes at the end of February. That means there will be a one-month gap. Should we arrange classes for you during that time, or not?

"If not, I’m afraid your Associate Professor nomination might draw criticism."

Du Heng felt a bit troubled. He glanced at Wu Shengnan, wondering if he should change the timing. But after reconsidering, he still decided to go to the Capital at the end of March.

"Professor Lan, could you please ask if an online interview is possible?" Du Heng said hesitantly. "As for teaching, that’s not a problem. You can go ahead and arrange the classes.

"There are probably only seven or eight classes in a month. I can find time to make them up."

Hearing this, Lan Changhua sounded somewhat surprised. "You’re willing to sacrifice your own time to give students make-up classes?"

Du Heng smiled. "It’s my mistake, so I’ll definitely take responsibility for it."

Lan Changhua on the other end was silent for a moment, then finally responded, "Alright then, I’ll ask around when I get back.

"Oh, and what about your accommodation? I have an empty house. If you don’t mind, I can get it tidied up for you?"

Hearing all the things Lan Changhua was worrying about, and noticing the call duration, Du Heng quickly proposed, "Professor Lan, how about this: I’ll come over now. We can have lunch together and discuss these matters face-to-face?"

Lan Changhua chuckled. "Forget it. Since you’re coming to the Capital eventually, we don’t need to fuss over this one meal. Let’s eat together once you’re in the Capital.

"Since you can’t leave right away, I won’t stay in Jinzhou any longer. I just had Xiao Cao check; there’s a flight back at noon, so we’ll head back directly."

Du Heng’s heart tightened. He hastily said, "Professor Lan, please don’t rush. Let’s talk after I get there."

After saying this, without waiting for Lan Changhua’s response, he hung up the phone and stood up, ready to leave.

"Get dressed!" Wu Shengnan, beside him, seeing Du Heng ready to rush out the door, shouted anxiously. "And your shoes—change your shoes!"

Du Heng slapped his head; he too had gotten flustered. He hurriedly began to get himself ready and said to Wu Shengnan, "I won’t be able to drive you today. You’ll have to get a taxi when you leave."

"Go do what you need to do. Don’t worry about me."

While Du Heng was putting on his clothes and shoes, Wu Shengnan had already gathered his belongings for him.

Although Du Heng was very anxious and reluctant to see Lan Changhua and Cao Binghe leave just like that, Lan Changhua was adamant. In the end, they caught the noon flight back to the Capital.

After seeing them off, Du Heng stared at the vast sky, let out a long sigh, and then headed directly to Provincial First Hospital.

Since he had made his decision, the first person he had to inform was Li Jianwei.

When Li Jianwei finished listening to Du Heng, although very reluctant to see him go, he expressed his firm support.

"Go. Professor Lan is right; our place here is, after all, too underdeveloped. Not only does it offer no help to your development, but it also imposes many shackles and constraints."

Li Jianwei’s expression was hard to describe, but his attitude was resolute. "Don’t skimp on any of the necessary procedures, and don’t miss seeing anyone you need to see.

"While you were here, this place was a shackle. But once you leave, it’s still your hometown, and it might actually be able to offer you some help."

Du Heng nodded seriously. "Don’t worry, Teacher, I understand. Besides, it’s not like I’m never coming back."

"It’s good that you plan to return. When you come back to build up the traditional Chinese medicine cause in our hometown... our generation, well, this is as far as we go. The future depends on you all."

Li Jianwei sighed with emotion, then took Du Heng directly to the Institute’s leadership.

Last year, he had brought Du Heng to the School to complete his hiring process. A year later, as Du Heng was leaving, it was fitting that he, Li Jianwei, guide his beloved disciple through the resignation process.

This was seeing things through from beginning to end.

The School was also very accommodating. They went out of their way to have the relevant staff, who were already on break, return to the School to help Du Heng complete his paperwork. This saved him a trip after the new semester began.

However, the School’s leadership did have a small request: if there were any promising graduates from their School, Du Heng could lend them a hand; and when students were applying for postgraduate studies, he could offer them some extra consideration.

These were requests that cost nothing but offered benefits, so Du Heng naturally agreed at once.