The doctor beside Du Heng asked worriedly, "Dean, are we being a bit too tough? If these people twist our words and spread them around, it won’t be good for our reputation."

He glanced nervously at the Auntie surrounded by the crowd. "What if this Auntie really starts making a scene?"

Du Heng glanced inside, then smiled faintly and turned to leave. "Don’t worry," he said. "People who dare to do this are smart. They act so recklessly because they assume we’re afraid of things escalating. But we’re in the right, so why should we be afraid? If we stand firm, they’ll immediately show their true colors—bullying the weak and fearing the strong. They’ll either slink away or continue to throw a tantrum and make an unreasonable scene. She wouldn’t dare to actually get physical. Besides, we have cameras in our corridors and in the doctors’ consultation rooms. Why should we fear people twisting things? The ones who should truly be afraid are those who maliciously edit, fabricate, and spread misinformation. Their actions are illegal; it’s slander and defamation. If you’re not afraid of the hassle and pursue legal action, they’ll end up begging for your forgiveness."

Just as Du Heng finished speaking, the Auntie, who had been aggressive moments before, plopped down on the ground. She slapped her thighs and wailed, "The Hospital is bullying people! They’re cheating me out of my medical fees! Everyone, come and judge! Is there any justice left in this world? How can anyone live like this?"

However, as she wailed, the surrounding family members and Patients all showed expressions of contempt and disgust. By now, they understood the full story and saw how shameless the Auntie was. Besides, they were at the Hospital because they or their loved ones were ill. Everyone was already feeling down, suffering, and uncomfortable; who had the time or inclination to film a video? Muttering things like "shameless" and "disgraceful," they each shot the Auntie a disdainful look before gradually dispersing.

However, so many people were calling her "shameless," and some, perhaps genuinely furious, spoke loudly enough for the Auntie to hear. This immediately enraged her. She leaped up, pointed at those who had spoken, and yelled, "You’re the shameless one! Your whole family is shameless!" As she shouted, she charged clamorously towards the person who had just spoken, looking like she wanted a life-or-death brawl on the spot.

The family member who had spoken was a rather stout man. Seeing the Auntie’s aggressive move, his eyes widened, and he spun on his heel, ready to argue his case. Fortunately, several security guards faithfully performed their duty, forming a human wall to block the Auntie. Director Cao also stepped forward, soothingly persuading the male family member to leave quickly.

Du Heng’s expression darkened. After another glance at the Auntie, he exchanged a look with the Doctor beside him, as if to say, See? I was right, wasn’t I? Then he turned and left. The young Doctor greatly admired Du Heng’s firmness. He was new, having arrived just last year. The previous Dean, in contrast, had only ever tried to smooth things over and had never shown such resolve.

Glancing at Du Heng’s departing figure, the young doctor quickly jogged a couple of steps to catch up. "Dean, are we continuing with the outpatient service this afternoon?"

"Tell the registration desk we won’t be coming this afternoon. After lunch, we’ll first go see that little boy, and then we’ll head to the Health Clinic."

"Okay, I’ll go tell them right away."

Du Heng said nothing more and headed straight for the Canteen.

After finishing lunch, Du Heng went directly to the hospital room. Seeing the little boy playing with a nurse there, Du Heng couldn’t help but smile. The moment the little boy saw Du Heng, he chirped happily, "Mr. Du!"

Du Heng smiled and approached the little boy, slowly crouching beside him. "Did you eat well today?" he asked.

"Yes! I ate a big bowlful and a chicken leg!" the little boy reported proudly to Du Heng. "And my head isn’t dizzy at all today! Look, Mr. Du, I can even spin around! I don’t get dizzy when I spin!"

Lately, this Mr. Du had been most concerned about how much he ate, whether he was in any pain, and if his head felt dizzy. So, after speaking, the little boy immediately demonstrated by spinning in a circle for Du Heng. Du Heng didn’t stop him; instead, he gently supported the child with a hand, smiling as he watched him spin continuously. After three or four turns, Du Heng gently stopped the child. "Alright, alright, that’s great!" he said with a smile.

After the little boy stopped, he looked earnestly at Du Heng and asked, "Mr. Du, look, I’m all better now. Does that mean I don’t have to drink the medicine anymore?"

Du Heng lifted the little boy, sat him on the bed, and took off his shoes. He then said to the child, just as earnestly, "Ah, the medicine... you still need to drink it."

"But it’s so bitter."

"Then let’s just endure it a little longer. It’s okay if it’s a bit bitter now. We’ll cure your illness completely this time, and then, in the future, you won’t ever have to worry about drinking such bitter medicine again. How does that sound?"

The little boy’s face fell, and he said listlessly, "Alright then. I’ll listen to Mr. Du."

"Such a good boy." Du Heng gently patted the youngster’s head. "Now, quickly get into bed and rest for a bit. Once you’re well-rested, we can play more this afternoon."

"Mm," the little boy nodded and obediently lay down on the bed. Just as Du Heng was pulling the blanket up for him, the little boy suddenly asked timidly, "Mr. Du, has My Dad come?"

Du Heng’s hand, in the midst of pulling up the blanket, faltered slightly, and the smile on his face stiffened for a moment. Fortunately, it was only for an instant. He quickly resumed smiling and said, "Your dad is caught up in the busy farming season right now; he’s rushing to get all the farm work done. He specifically said you need to be a good boy and listen to Mr. Du. He’ll come to pick you up as soon as he finishes his work in a few days."

The little boy’s eyes lost some of their light, but he still nodded firmly. "I’ll definitely be obedient." Du Heng patted the little boy’s small hand again. After glancing at the child’s bedside table, he turned and walked out of the hospital room, gesturing for the nurse in the hospital room to come out with him.

When they reached the nurse station, Du Heng said with a cold expression, "Who put the fruit by the child’s bedside? Didn’t I make it clear that this child cannot eat those things right now?"

The nurse was startled and quickly replied, "I’ve been watching; I haven’t let him eat any. Those things were brought over by people from the next hospital room. They felt sorry for the little fellow and gave a small assortment of fruit."

Du Heng’s expression relaxed slightly. "The child’s diarrhea has only just stopped. His constitution is inherently weak, with qi and yin deficiency. His gastrointestinal system can’t handle such ’cold’ fruits."

"I remember all that, Dean," the nurse affirmed.

"Get those things out of there immediately. The child has a sweet tooth; if he sneaks even one, it’ll cause problems. Besides, leaving them right in front of him, constantly tempting him, isn’t right."

The nurse nodded quickly and hurried towards the hospital room.

Du Heng sighed and turned, entering the office beside the nurse station.

"Ma," he said, "keep a closer eye on things. I was just in there, and there’s a big bag of fruit by the child’s bed. If the child were to sneak even one piece, it would be a serious matter."

Doctor Ma, who was in the office eating his meal and chatting, nodded quickly and explained, "It wasn’t there before mealtime, and I’d already instructed the nurse. Someone else must have brought it, right?"

"Regardless of who brought it, make sure it’s watched closely. The little boy is too young; we can’t expect him to have self-control." Du Heng spoke softly, then sat down beside Doctor Ma. "Have they found the little boy’s father?"

Doctor Ma put down the meal he was holding, wiped his mouth, and sighed. "I contacted the officers at the Police station this morning. They said the address the little boy gave was incorrect. And the phone number the little boy provided has gone unanswered... so..."

Hearing this news, Du Heng could only sigh helplessly. The mere thought of having to continue lying to this child made him tense and deeply saddened. He couldn’t even bear to think about how he would face the little boy on the day he had to be sent to the welfare home.