However, considering the potential problems and consequences, Du Heng did not regret his decision.
Lu Zhongjiang nodded in understanding, knowing that Du Heng must have used so connections. He didn’t inquire further but discussed the follow-up issues instead. "This is what I’m thinking. If Dr. Huo is really transferred, I’d like to request so traditional Chinese dicine practitioners from the Bureau instead of Western dicine doctors."
"As I ntioned earlier, if we want to develop, we must have advantageous departnts and projects. It’s a waste not to make use of a talent like you."
Du Heng blushed a little from Lu Zhongjiang’s praise, but it felt good.
"So, Secretary, you an we should make a request to the Bureau now?"
"Yes. Considering our current size, it’s impossible for us to be competitive if we aim for comprehensive developnt. Therefore, my idea is to focus on developing the Chinese dicine Departnt and retain Western dicine as a supplent. Besides, Dr. Yu’s current skill level is perfectly adequate, so there’s no need to add another Western dicine doctor from a different specialty. It would be better to allocate all those positions to the Chinese dicine Departnt. Even if the Bureau assigns us all recent graduates, with you and Xiao Wu here, we can train them up within a year or two."
Seeing Du Heng was tempted, Lu Zhongjiang imdiately took charge. "If you agree, Dean, I’ll handle this. I’ll go talk to Director An. Besides, the recruitnt exams are about to begin. We can submit our requirents directly and hire new graduates. They’ll be easier to train and will co with less baggage."
Du Heng was swayed and, clenching his teeth, said, "Alright, it’s settled then. Secretary Lu, I’ll have to trouble you with this. I’ll also find so ti to speak with Director An."
Lu Zhongjiang smiled in satisfaction.
He thought his transfer from the Bureau was just a token promotion, a way to console him.
Unexpectedly, he found joy and motivation in his career again here.
"One last thing. Your appointnt with the Municipal Criminal Police Team is set for Friday morning." Lu Zhongjiang stood up as he said this, looking like it was indeed the final item.
Du Heng’s good mood vanished instantly. He simply nodded and said, "Got it."
"Do you need an assistant?"
"Do we have anyone available?"
"Xiao Wu is coming back, isn’t he? Let him accompany you."
Du Heng shook his head, looking a bit helpless. "No, never mind. If he goes with , there’ll be no one to treat the patients here. Besides, we don’t know what their arrangents are or how long it will take. If it drags on for the whole day, that would be really difficult. I’ll just find soone else to go with ."
"Suit yourself, then. I’ll go ahead."
"See you tomorrow."
After seeing Lu Zhongjiang off, Du Heng waited for Wang Shuqiu, and then they went to the Canteen together for dinner.
He still couldn’t go ho tonight as he had to cover Wu Buwei’s shift for another two days.
During dinner, Wang Shuqiu suddenly said, "These past two days, my uncle and aunt have been going to the school every day, causing a scene. Luckily, the students are on vacation, or I wouldn’t be able to stand it."
"What are they trying to do?"
"Beg for leniency, of course. I heard the police station plans to detain Zhao Xinyuan for ’picking quarrels and provoking trouble,’ possibly for three months." Wang Shuqiu put down her chopsticks and looked seriously at Du Heng. "Did your classmate pull so strings? Otherwise, just for a fight, they wouldn’t lock him up, would they?"
Du Heng chuckled. "Not enough? How could it not be enough? He repeatedly stalked you, intimidated and insulted you, smashed your door, and even carried a weapon. Now he’s injured soone on top of all that. My classmate doesn’t need to lift a finger; these things alone are more than enough."
As he spoke, Du Heng put down his chopsticks and looked at Wang Shuqiu. "If you’re willing to reconcile and issue a letter of understanding, Zhao Xinyuan most likely won’t be detained."
Wang Shuqiu snorted coldly. "In their dreams! He should be locked up for three years, and it would be best if they locked up both of them. You have no idea how crazy they’ve been these past two days. Plus, my mom keeps calling, even threatening that if I don’t forgive him, I shouldn’t bother coming ho.
"I originally thought about letting him suffer a bit for a few days to teach him a lesson, and then I’d let it go. But now they’re pushing , threatening , and even causing trouble at my workplace. I absolutely refuse to sign it. The more they pressure , the more disgusted I beco."
Du Heng pursed his lips and went back to eating his al. "Your students are on vacation; when does yours start?"
"I’m already on vacation. The report cards are distributed the day after tomorrow; I’m not going. I’ll have soone else hand them out for ."
"That’s good. Any plans for the vacation?"
"A few other teachers asked to go traveling with them, but I declined. I was thinking I’d use the vacation ti to get the house renovations sorted out. My older brother is the only one managing it now, and I feel a bit bad."
Du Heng paused for a mont. "Male teachers or female teachers?"
Wang Shuqiu gave Du Heng an odd look, then giggled. "Female teachers, of course. Besides, how many male teachers are even left in elentary schools these days?"
Du Heng responded nonchalantly, "Oh. Well, you should go then. The vacation is quite long, and it’s a good chance to avoid your uncle and aunt. Otherwise, if they follow you up the mountain and cause a scene, there will be even more gossip about you in the village."
Wang Shuqiu was tempted but still hesitant. "But my older brother is handling the house renovation all by himself right now, and you haven’t had a break either. If I leave, wouldn’t that be too inconsiderate?"
Du Heng smiled at Wang Shuqiu, who was clearly saying one thing and aning another. "My older brother is hiring professional renovators; he’s not doing the work himself, just overseeing it. You wouldn’t have anything to do even if you stayed, and you might even be in the way. Go and have fun. You’ve been busy for a whole sester, so go relax. When you co back, you’ll see our new ho."
Wang Shuqiu’s lips curved into a smile; the words "new ho" filled her with happiness. "Then I’m really going?"
"Go on."
After dinner, Wang Shuqiu drove back up the mountain to pack her things, planning to leave tomorrow.
Just as Du Heng was about to return to the duty dormitory, he received a phone call from the Xicha Brigade village doctor.
"President Du, a child was just born in our village. Are you coming over?"
"Already born?"
"Yes, both mother and daughter are safe."
Du Heng felt a bit of a headache. That’s the trouble with rural areas; the awareness about going to the hospital for childbirth still isn’t very high.It’s not that they can’t give birth at ho, but the risks are just too high. If sothing like yesterday’s difficult labor happens, it could be fatal.
Moreover, if a woman doesn’t give birth in a hospital, the Community Hospital or the Health Clinic has to make a ho visit to check on the mother and baby and issue a birth certificate. Otherwise, the child can’t get their household registration.
But hearing that both mother and daughter were safe, Du Heng wasn’t too anxious. "What happened? Why didn’t she go to the hospital?"
"I’ve registered all the pregnant won in the village as required and keep track of their due dates to remind them to go to the hospital. This particular woman still had ten days until her due date, so I hadn’t notified her yet. It’s actually quite funny. Her mother-in-law made her mutton and Radish Soup for lunch. After eating, the expectant mother felt bloated and kept passing gas. Then, about half an hour ago, out ca the baby along with a fart!"
Du Heng stood there holding his phone, dumbfounded. Then he couldn’t help but start to chuckle, trying to suppress it. He tried hard to hold back his laughter, making sure not to make a sound. "Alright, wait for us; we’ll head over imdiately. By the way, is there anything abnormal with the mother or child? Do I need to bring any dicine?"
"No need, they’re both doing great. This is the mother’s third child, and she’s perfectly fine. The baby girl has a lusty cry, and her little arms and legs are quite strong."
"Alright, wait for us."
After hanging up, the more Du Heng thought about it, the funnier it seed—a baby being born with a fart!
The Health Clinic had more nurses now, working in two-person shifts, so staffing was flexible. Tonight, Wang Lili was on duty with another nurse. Du Heng called her down and asked her to prepare a birth certificate to take with them.
Of course, this birth certificate still needed to be taken to the District Maternal and Child Health Care Station to be stamped before it was officially valid.
However, when Wang Lili ca down, she was holding not only the birth certificate but also a steelyard scale and a small, shiny silver counterweight.
Du Heng asked uncertainly, "What are you doing with that?"
Wang Lili shot Du Heng a disdainful look. "To weigh the baby, of course! How can we fill out the birth certificate without the weight? It needs to be written on the vaccination booklet too."
Wang Lili then moved the birth certificate aside, revealing a green vaccination booklet underneath.
Du Heng pointed at the steelyard scale. "Who even uses this anymore? Is it accurate? I rember you have an electronic scale at the nurse station. Use that one."
Wang Lili rolled her eyes again, clearly exasperated by Du Heng’s ignorance. She imdiately began to explain, "I knew you wouldn’t get it! Using a steelyard scale is traditional. It’s considered auspicious, a way to wish for a life that goes smoothly and as hoped for the child. It’s for good luck!"
Du Heng raised his eyebrows. That was sothing he genuinely didn’t know.
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