After shaking Du Heng’s hand vigorously again, Shi Kaimin asked once more, "President Du, how long will it take for this medicine you mentioned to show its effect? Watching my girl coughing all day, as if she’s about to stop breathing, makes me so anxious and heartbroken."

Du Heng silently calculated. "I don’t know exactly what you mean by ’effect,’ but according to my estimate, after taking the medicine for three days, your girl’s coughing should alleviate somewhat. Additionally, her current condition of cold limbs will also see a significant improvement."

Shi Kaimin nodded heavily. "I understand, President Du. I will make sure my girl takes her medicine on time."

After speaking, the old man turned to Dong Yuezhang and the village head. "Mayor Dong, since my girl is going to be alright now, I can agree to your proposal."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yuezhang’s heart skipped a beat, but as the highest-ranking leader present, he remained very composed.

However, just as he composed himself, the old man continued, "But let me say this beforehand: I can only spare about six or seven acres for growing that astragalus. I still need to plant lilies on the rest of my land."

Six or seven acres? Dong Yuezhang thought, turning his head to look at Liao Quansheng.

Liao Quansheng also made a quick mental estimate; six or seven acres of land would be more than enough to cover the costs of sending people to work on it. He then whispered, "That’s fine."

Since it was fine, they could now discuss the details. However, Dong Yuezhang became more cautious and asked the slightly graying old man, "May I ask, why did you refuse before but agree now?"

Shi Kaimin glanced at Du Heng and then turned to Dong Yuezhang. "To be honest with you all, my girl’s illness had a very poor diagnosis previously. We consulted many hospitals and experts, but none could pinpoint why she kept coughing. They even told us that as her condition progressed, she might eventually struggle to breathe normally. One doctor suggested she could undergo lung transplant surgery. That would cost five hundred thousand yuan, and I need to earn that money for her operation. Now that President Du says he can treat her, I don’t need to work myself to death for the money, so I can agree to your terms."

The old man spoke slowly but with great conviction, earning the respect of everyone present. At the same time, they all finally understood why this old man, at his age, was cultivating so much land.

Then the old man added, "Although I’m agreeing now, it still depends on my girl’s condition. If President Du cannot cure her, and if there’s no effect within a month as he said, then my promise is void. I’ll have to go back to planting lilies."

Regarding this condition, no matter what others thought, Du Heng himself was very confident. He quietly said to Shi Kaimin, "Lung transplant surgery is mainly for patients with simple impairment of lung function. Your girl’s problem isn’t just with her lungs, so lung transplant surgery wouldn’t help her."

The old man stubbornly shook his head. "I don’t care about that. I trust what the doctor said. The doctor I consulted said it was possible, so I have to prepare in advance."

Dong Yuezhang suppressed his excitement. Even though he had full confidence in Du Heng’s skills, the actual results were yet to be seen. Anything said now would be premature.

Therefore, he thought for a moment and said, "Alright then, let’s verbally agree on this matter today. As for the specific details, how about we wait a week, see how your daughter’s condition is, and then continue our discussion?"

Shi Kaimin agreed without hesitation. "That works. It makes things easier for everyone."

「On the way back」

Dong Yuezhang asked Du Heng, who was beside him, "Du, are you sure about this?"

Du Heng smiled faintly. "It’s a trivial matter, well within my grasp."

Dong Yuezhang laughed as well. "As long as you’re confident, I can start preparing for what needs to be done after this week."

"Up to you," Du Heng replied casually.

Dong Yuezhang looked at Du Heng with a smile, feeling that bringing him along had been an excellent decision. He did have some foresight!

Dong Yuezhang sat to one side, admiring his own astuteness. Du Heng, however, couldn’t be bothered with him while he was so caught up in his moment of self-congratulation.

「After arriving at the Health Clinic」

Du Heng found a TCM practitioner and used his system to prescribe a formula for the woman.

"This formula combines Ginseng-Gecko Powder with a decoction of Poria cocos, licorice, schisandra fruit, ginger, and asarum. I’ve also added astragalus for tonifying qi. Additionally, it includes pinelliap for drying dampness and removing phlegm, and magnolia for drying dampness and eliminating fullness, among other ingredients with different effects. Some of these ingredients are highly toxic, so once you finish this course of medicine, don’t go to other places to get more. Just come back to the Health Clinic for it."

Du Heng handed the written prescription to the woman and continued, "Take this formula for two weeks. Then, come find me at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital. If that’s not convenient, you can come to this Health Clinic and have their staff call me."

The woman carefully held the prescription, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through her.

Du Heng had originally planned to leave right after writing the prescription. However, seeing the woman gasp for air after just a few steps, he decided to wait. He stayed until she received her medicine and then escorted her home before rushing back to the hospital.

「Two days later」

Doctor Ma found Du Heng. "Dean," he said, "the child’s hemoglobin is now at 11 grams, and the white blood cell count has dropped below 20,000. Should we contact the welfare institution now?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Du Heng sighed heavily and leaned back weakly. The inevitable has come, he thought.

"Yes," Du Heng finally said to Doctor Ma after a moment of contemplation. "Contact the Civil Affairs officials and the staff from the welfare institution."

Doctor Ma acknowledged with a sound and left the office.

Du Heng also left immediately after, but instead of going to the ward, he went straight downstairs and headed for the supermarket across the street.

In the supermarket, Du Heng picked out some snacks the child could eat. However, after searching for a while, he found there weren’t many suitable options. So, he left the snack section and went straight to the Toy Area and Stationery Area, buying some toys and stationery for the child.

After paying for everything, Du Heng went to the ward.

He chatted happily with the child until he heard Doctor Ma and others talking in the corridor. Then, Du Heng quietly left the ward.

He tried several times to tell the child about the situation. But each time, the words would catch in his throat, and he would involuntarily swallow them back before slipping away dejectedly.

Back in his office, he was distracted and found it impossible to concentrate on work.

Having no other choice, he picked up the phone and called Wu Shengnan.

"Baby, can you come home today?"

"I’ll try. Those cases I told you about are at a critical stage, so it’s really busy."

Wu Shengnan’s voice was filled with fatigue, lacking its usual crisp, decisive tone. "By the way, Tingting is going back to school the day after tomorrow. If I can’t make it, remember to see her off."

Lying on the sofa, Du Heng said weakly, "After today, Xiao Yi won’t be going to Wei’s place anymore. Let him rest for a bit; it’s about time he started school."

"Aren’t you going to thank Wei then?"

"I’m treating him to dinner tonight, so that’s why I called."

"Well, don’t worry about me; you guys arrange it yourselves." Wu Shengnan’s voice paused slightly over the phone, then she suddenly asked, "Honey, you sound a bit down too. What’s wrong?"

To his surprise, she had noticed. Du Heng took advantage of her question to tell her about the child’s situation.

He was halfway through the story when there was a knock on his office door. Before Du Heng could say anything, Kang Zhirong barged in. Seeing the phone at Du Heng’s ear, Kang Zhirong paused for a second.

But it was just a brief pause before he quickly said, "Dean, you’re on the phone! I was wondering why I couldn’t get through to you."

Du Heng lowered the phone, his brow furrowed. "What’s got you so flustered?" he asked, though he sounded somewhat amused.

Kang Zhirong quickly said, "Dean, something’s happened!"

Du Heng looked at Kang Zhirong speechlessly. "Speak properly."

"Something happened in the Hall, Dean! You should go check it out."