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 some 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 some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners from the Bureau instead of Western medicine doctors." "As I mentioned earlier, if we want to develop, we must have advantageous departments 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 mean 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 development. Therefore, my idea is to focus on developing the Chinese Medicine Department and retain Western medicine as a supplement. Besides, Dr. Yu’s current skill level is perfectly adequate, so there’s no need to add another Western medicine doctor from a different specialty. It would be better to allocate all those positions to the Chinese Medicine Department. 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 immediately took charge. "If you agree, Dean, I’ll handle this. I’ll go talk to Director An. Besides, the recruitment exams are about to begin. We can submit our requirements directly and hire new graduates. They’ll be easier to train and will come 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 some time 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 appointment 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 me, there’ll be no one to treat the patients here. Besides, we don’t know what their arrangements are or how long it will take. If it drags on for the whole day, that would be really difficult. I’ll just find someone else to go with me." "Suit yourself, then. I’ll go ahead." 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 home 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 some 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 someone 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 home. "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 me, threatening me, and even causing trouble at my workplace. I absolutely refuse to sign it. The more they pressure me, the more disgusted I become." Du Heng pursed his lips and went back to eating his meal. "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 someone else hand them out for me." "That’s good. Any plans for the vacation?" "A few other teachers asked me to go traveling with them, but I declined. I was thinking I’d use the vacation time 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 moment. "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 elementary 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 meaning 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 semester, so go relax. When you come back, you’ll see our new home." Wang Shuqiu’s lips curved into a smile; the words "new home" filled her with happiness. "Then I’m really going?" After dinner, Wang Shuqiu drove back up the mountain to pack her things, planning to leave tomorrow. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥 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?" "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 home, but the risks are just too high. If something 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 home 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 women 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 came 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 immediately. By the way, is there anything abnormal with the mother or child? Do I need to bring any medicine?" "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 seemed—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 came 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 remember 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 immediately 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 something he genuinely didn’t know.