Chapter 93: Unexpected news

Words : 1519 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Amidst clinking glasses and cheerful toasts to friendship, they chatted about life. While the other three drank alcohol, Du Heng had tea. Although they initially considered Du Heng a buzzkill for not drinking, they soon realized he would pass out after just one drink—an even bigger buzzkill than him merely drinking tea. Especially after dedicating time to train his tolerance, they found it simply couldn’t be improved, so they eventually let it be. However, rules were rules: for every sip of alcohol they took, Du Heng had to match them with a cup of tea. If not for Du Heng’s good kidneys and efficient diuresis, he wouldn’t have been able to keep up even if they were just drinking water. Jin Zan was somewhat better. He focused on becoming a master surgeon and generally avoided alcohol, drinking only in moderation when he did. Wei Kaida and Dong Yuezhang, however, were different. One was a party animal who had honed his drinking prowess in KTVs and bars, proficient with both beer and hard liquor. The other was a workaholic who had developed a formidable capacity for alcohol at dinner tables, never faltering no matter the size of the cup. Not only could they drink, but they were also full of tricks. Eventually, even Jin Zan couldn’t keep up and surrendered early, prompting everyone to slow their pace. They ate some food, drank some tea, loosened their belts, and took a restroom break before returning to continue the "battle." It had been their habit since their student days: arrive standing, leave lying down. With Du Heng abstaining, they never worried about lacking a sober caretaker when they got drunk. While Jin Zan and Wei Kaida went to the restroom, Dong Yuezhang took a sip of tea and asked Du Heng, "Did you find someone to help with your job transfer?" Du Heng paused, momentarily confused. He immediately thought of Li Qingde’s plan to transfer him. But that doesn’t make sense, he thought. Dong Yuezhang works at the Municipal Bureau; how would he know about a district-level transfer? "Yes, there’s something like that in the works," Du Heng replied. "What’s up?" "Nothing, just asking." Dong Yuezhang was a bit tipsy, and tea wasn’t helping. He picked up his chopsticks and ate some cold dishes, which made him feel a bit better. "But why are you thinking of transferring to the Third Hospital? That place... isn’t it unsuitable for a traditional Chinese medicine doctor like you?" "What? The Third Hospital?" Du Heng was baffled. Why the Third Hospital? he wondered. Isn’t it supposed to be the Fanjiaping Health Center? The Third Hospital, officially the "Jinzhou Third People’s Hospital," was also known as the "Jinzhou Mental Health Center"—in short, the mental hospital. "You must have misread it," Du Heng said. "The transfer is to a Health Clinic. Why would I go to the Third Hospital?" "No, I’m sure," Dong Yuezhang replied. "I saw it in the Human Resources Department when I got off work the day before yesterday. The transfer request came from the Third Hospital; it even had their official seal." "Then you must be mistaken. I haven’t sought any connections for a transfer to the Third Hospital. I’d rather go to the District Hospital if anything, at least for a more relaxed pace. It must be someone else with the same name." Dong Yuezhang shook his head. "I saw it clearly: Du Heng, Chinese Medicine Department, Zhonghu Town Health Clinic, Shanghu District, Jinzhou City. Does your Health Clinic have two Du Hengs, both in the Chinese Medicine Department?" Du Heng was utterly dumbfounded. Which kind soul has taken an interest in my skills? No, that can’t be right, he thought. Even if I were to be transferred to a city-level hospital, it would most likely be the Municipal Second Hospital. At least Wu Buwei’s father is there. With this paper and Wu Buwei potentially vouching for me, there might be a chance. But the Third Hospital? That’s completely out of the question. Besides, shouldn’t I, the person being transferred, know about it? While he was still trying to make sense of it, Wei Kaida and Jin Zan returned. Seeing Du Heng’s bewildered expression, Wei Kaida teased Dong Yuezhang, "Dong, did you finally make a move on Ma Ti? Look how scared the kid is!" He continued, "I always thought something was off with you. Among us four brothers, you help Ma Ti the most. Spit it out, have you fallen for Ma Ti’s charms?" Wei Kaida smirked lewdly, sat beside Du Heng, and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Ma Ti’er, listen to your brother. Don’t agree to this so easily unless Dong offers some compensation." Du Heng swatted Wei Kaida’s hand away in disgust. "Gross! You’re disgusting." Wei Kaida immediately pointed at Dong Yuezhang. "See? Look how scared Ma Ti is! He never curses, but now he’s started!" He then chuckled. "Brother Dong, if Ma Ti doesn’t agree, I will!" Dong Yuezhang shot Wei Kaida a look of utter disdain, waving his hand dismissively. "Get lost! Scram! And don’t you dare say you know me when you’re out." Once the joking subsided, Dong Yuezhang recounted what he’d told Du Heng. Jin Zan and Wei Kaida were also baffled. Wei Kaida spoke first. "Who cares who arranged it? Getting transferred to the Third Hospital is better than staying at the Health Clinic." Jin Zan, however, shook his head. "No, I don’t think it’s good. What’s the Third Hospital for? What can Ma Ti, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, even do there? What if he gets attacked by a deranged patient? Don’t go." Dong Yuezhang shook his head at them. Wei Kaida was simply uninformed, and Jin Zan’s mind was entirely focused on orthopedics and surgery. Their knowledge of the Municipal Third Hospital was limited to it being a place for mental patients. They should know its full name is the ’Municipal Third People’s Hospital,’ Dong Yuezhang thought. It’s a comprehensive hospital; psychiatry is just its main, and largest, department. "You two, stop making wild guesses," Dong Yuezhang said. "The Third Hospital has a Psychiatry Department, a Geriatrics Department, a Chinese Medicine Department, and other departments too. Otherwise, what would the long-term mental patients there do if they caught a fever or a cold? Ma Ti’er would definitely be useful there." Dong Yuezhang then turned to Du Heng. "It’s your decision. If you’re willing, I can help push it through, and it’ll be settled. If not, that’s fine too. After May Day, I can help you get the transfer rescinded. After all, the Third Hospital has a certain reputation. Most patients who go there have mental health issues, so others tend to avoid it." To go or not to go? Du Heng pondered. For the past two months, I’ve been fantasizing about a transfer to a major hospital. I even looked into some. But the Third Hospital... it was never part of my plans. If I go, the patient volume would certainly be higher than at the Health Clinic. But my skills... they’d be wasted. Am I really going to work just for money my whole life? What’s the point of the system’s rewards then? Is just having a salary enough? For the first time, Du Heng began to truly examine himself, trying to figure out what he really wanted. Money? I’m already making 50,000 yuan a month. But considering my expenses over the last two months, I don’t seem to need that much. Fifty thousand yuan a month... that’s five hundred thousand a year. Plus my salary, it’s almost six hundred thousand. And I’ve already made progress on the task that will earn me 100,000 yuan a month. 1,283 out of 3,000. With a little more time, the remaining one thousand-odd will be done, and earning 100,000 yuan a month won’t be far off. That amount of money is enough. It’s enough for me to live comfortably and help improve my family’s life. And Wang Shuqiu... she isn’t a vain or extravagant girl. Even if I gave her half of it, wouldn’t that be more than enough for her? As for me, my ambitions are simple: a wife, children, a warm home, and ensuring my big brother lives comfortably. That’s all. And then... to bring honor to my ancestors. Luxury cars, private jets, massive yachts? Ever since I got the system, those things haven’t even crossed my mind. That’s not what I want. Partying? Not interested. Drinking all sorts of fancy alcohol? I don’t have the tolerance for that. Chasing women? Definitely not my thing. Traveling? Across the country, around the world? I don’t even like visiting the famous tourist spots in Jinzhou, let alone other places. For someone in the advanced stages of terminal laziness like me... better forget it. Fine dining? Now, that’s a possibility. But how much can one really spend on that? And you can’t eat gourmet food every day, all the time. Otherwise, what’s the difference between me and a pig? So, what is it that I truly want?

Chapter 93: Unexpected news

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