Unlike many current TCM students, who only begin to study traditional Chinese medicine and its practical application in treating patients after graduation, those five years of university education would not only be a waste but might also instill some erroneous and, frankly, laughable misconceptions.

So, becoming a teacher was a path Du Heng felt he must take.

Seeing Du Heng fall silent, Li Jianwei stopped discussing the matter and instead reminded him of something else, "Remember, after the semester starts next week, our school has invited Professor Ding Yuxue from the Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to give an orientation lecture for our freshmen. Adjust your schedule and come listen."

"Alright, I’ll try my best," Du Heng said reluctantly. "By the way, which hospital is Professor Ding Yuxue affiliated with?"

Li Jianwei looked momentarily stumped before shaking his head gently. "I haven’t heard which hospital she’s affiliated with, but Professor Ding has published many papers, and her expertise is quite good."

"Oh," Du Heng’s interest waned further. "What subjects does she mainly teach?"

"I think it’s the basics of traditional Chinese medicine," Li Jianwei said, his tone suddenly shifting. "Hey, why all the questions? Are you looking down on her expertise? You’re sounding a bit arrogant.

"Let me tell you, even though your own skills are very good, remember that you can learn something from everyone. Listen more, learn more, and you’ll always find something of essence to improve yourself."

Du Heng scratched his head, feeling as though Li Jianwei had just given him a stern lecture for merely asking.

However, this also served as a reminder for Du Heng. It seemed he had indeed become somewhat arrogant lately, judging people primarily by their workplace and title. That kind of mindset was unacceptable. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Seeing Li Jianwei was about to speak again, Du Heng quickly admitted his mistake, "Alright, Teacher, I know I was wrong. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely attend on time."

Hearing Du Heng admit his error, Li Jianwei’s expression finally softened. He looked at Du Heng with a smile and said, "That’s more like it. We must always maintain humility. There are many talented people in this world. It’s never a bad thing for us to listen more and learn more."

Du Heng kept nodding beside him, readily agreeing.

Although there was an element of placating Li Jianwei in his response, he genuinely respected this elder who constantly kept him in check and always had his best interests at heart.

As they were parting ways in the parking lot, Li Jianwei suddenly asked, "How’s that child you treated?"

Du Heng sighed and recounted what had happened with the child.

Li Jianwei also sighed softly. "’A man without money is no man at all.’ The child’s father is actually decent; he didn’t truly abandon the child. He simply made the best choice a father could.

"But now that you’ve cured the child, there’s finally hope for their future."

He sighed again, then continued, "By the way, I wanted to ask, are you sure that during this child’s treatment, no other medications were used besides the ones you sent me daily?"

Du Heng nodded. "I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Teacher. It was indeed just those medications. And regarding the thought process behind the entire treatment plan, I didn’t fabricate or omit anything."

Li Jianwei nodded. "After reviewing your materials, Director Ge and his team are planning to try it as well. That’s why I asked, just to be certain. I have faith in your integrity."

The moment Li Jianwei finished speaking, Du Heng’s spirits lifted. "Teacher, Director Ge and his team are going to try it too?"

"Yes. In their Hematology Department, they don’t have many children with this condition, but there are a few. Their previous treatment approaches yielded poor results, cost a fortune, and caused the patients immense suffering," Li Jianwei said slowly. "Now, you’ve paved a new path for them, one that’s already proven effective. They’re definitely going to try it."

Du Heng was silent for a moment, then looked earnestly at Li Jianwei and asked, "Teacher, is there anything I can do to help?"

Looking at Du Heng’s earnest expression, Li Jianwei sighed. "Actually, the best approach right now would be for you to guide Director Ge and Deputy Director Cai through the process from start to finish.

"But I don’t know what Ge and Cai are thinking. So far, neither openly nor privately have they indicated any intention of having you participate. So, just act as if you don’t know."

Du Heng pressed his lips together tightly.

He cynically speculated that Director Ge and Deputy Director Cai hadn’t invited him out of concern for their own prestige.

But it was only speculation, and as Li Jianwei had said, all Du Heng could do was pretend he knew nothing.

After parting ways, Du Heng drove straight to the Perilla Clinic to pick up Du Yi and also to thank Wei Kaida for his help during this time.

Although, given their relationship, Du Heng didn’t need to be so formal, he believed that it’s through such human interactions and social courtesies that relationships grow closer.

He entered the familiar clinic and saw Wei Kaida, exuding the dignified air of a master teacher, holding a book and checking Du Yi’s homework. Du Yi, meanwhile, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, reciting aloud word by word.

When Du Heng came in, the boy merely glanced at him briefly, his recitation never faltering.

Consciously choosing not to disturb them, Du Heng looked for a place to sit and wait. However, seeing that the chairs near the entrance were occupied, he abandoned the idea and simply found an unobtrusive spot to stand.

Wei Kaida hadn’t assigned Du Yi a large passage to memorize. With occasional prompting, Du Yi managed to stumble through the recitation.

"Alright, go watch some cartoons by yourself." Wei Kaida cheerfully handed his mobile phone to Du Yi, letting the boy find a spot to amuse himself.

As soon as Du Yi received the mobile phone, he first called out, "Little Uncle," then hurriedly scurried to a corner with it.

Glancing at Du Yi, who was absorbed in the mobile phone, Du Heng turned to Wei Kaida and chuckled. "So, this is how you teach your disciple all day, huh? And to think I was planning on thanking you with a good meal!"

Wei Kaida, who had shed his former flighty demeanor and now seemed even more composed than Du Heng, smiled faintly. "Xiao Yi is a very bright kid; he’s quick-witted.

"You know, the material I had him recite just now was something I only assigned this morning.

"As for the mobile phone, you can’t just forbid him from touching it entirely. Isn’t there that saying, ’guidance is better than prohibition’? I use watching the mobile phone as a reward, but I’ve also set time limits.

"This way, he can learn, he won’t become obsessed with the mobile phone, and he won’t rebel against me. Why wouldn’t I do it?"

Du Heng clicked his tongue. "TSK, TSK. Well, Wei, one truly has to see you in a new light. You’ve really changed."

Wei Kaida tilted his chin up slightly, speaking in a tone laden with worldly wisdom, "Well, people have to learn to grow up eventually."

That expression, however, just made Du Heng roll his eyes. "Oh, cut it out! Give you an inch and you take a mile. Shameless! Alright, if there’s nothing else, let’s get going."

Wei Kaida dropped his affected pose and pulled Du Heng, who was about to stand, back down. "Hold on, don’t be in such a hurry. I have a patient I’d like you to see. I’m a bit unsure about this case."

"What’s wrong?"

"I knew you were coming, so I asked him to wait. He’s sitting on that bench by the door. Why don’t you take a look first? I’m having a hard time explaining it."

Wei Kaida jerked his chin towards the entrance, indicating the man Du Heng had noticed earlier sitting on the bench there.

After taking a glance, Du Heng adjusted his posture and said to Wei Kaida, "Alright, have him come over, and I’ll take a look."

Seeing that Du Heng had agreed, Wei Kaida called the man over from the entrance.

As the man approached, Du Heng saw that his hands, neck, and even his face were covered in tiny red spots. They were densely packed and looked rather unsettling.

"Is it an allergy?" Du Heng asked doubtfully.