Chu Xuwei hung up the phone.

As Chu Xuwei hung up, Du Heng knew from his expression that it was highly likely Chu Xuwei wouldn’t admit Liu Amei for hospitalization either.

Chu Xuwei did not speak immediately. Instead, he picked up the examination report from the desk once again.

He looked at it for a long time.

"Doctor Du, what’s your assessment of Liu Amei’s situation?" Chu Xuwei still couldn’t decide and posed the question to Du Heng again.

"Given Liu Amei’s current condition, I’m confident I can cure her ovarian cancer."

"Then what’s your opinion on her missing internal organs?" Chu Xuwei pressed, directly asking the crucial question Du Heng had omitted.

"I believe the disappearance of Liu Amei’s internal organs is undoubtedly related to the changes from her ovarian cancer. If we cure the ovarian cancer, I believe we’ll find the answer to this problem."

"But what if something unexpected happens to Liu Amei during treatment? What if the disappearance of her internal organs has nothing to do with the ovarian cancer?"

"If all else fails, then we perform a laparotomy."

Chu Xuwei shook his head and leaned back slightly. "Doctor Du, have you considered Liu Amei’s husband? If we perform a laparotomy and her husband objects, we’ll have a hard time justifying our actions. Even with the patient’s consent, it would still be very troublesome."

Once the conversation reached this point, there was really no need to continue. If some things were said too plainly, it would make everyone uncomfortable.

Du Heng managed a strained smile. "Okay, I understand, Director Chu. I’m sorry for disturbing your lunch." With that, he gathered Liu Amei’s things, ready to leave.

Chu Xuwei looked at Du Heng’s smile, and his heart tightened. But as the Director of the First Section, he had to consider the dozens of people in his entire section and couldn’t act impulsively on emotion. "Doctor Du, I..."

Before Chu Xuwei could finish, Du Heng interrupted him with a smile, "Director Chu, you don’t need to say anything more. I understand your predicament."

It was only right that they proceeded with caution, given the uncertainty, the danger, and the unpredictable family member. Du Heng genuinely understood the choice they made. He understood, but he didn’t agree with it.

Leaving Chu Xuwei’s office, Cao Binghe did not follow. Du Heng walked alone slowly down the corridor.

Now, he could choose to give up too.

But Liu Amei could live! How could he abandon someone who could be saved, just because of potential trouble?

If it were someone beyond saving, like that female worker from the paint factory or the elderly man accompanied by his grandson, he would have given up without hesitation.

To claim he could save patients in such conditions would be tantamount to fraud.

But Liu Amei truly could be saved.

Reaching the door to his office, Du Heng paused, his mind in turmoil.

Now he had another option: to find Lan Changhua.

Given Lan Changhua’s personality and principles, there was a chance she might admit Liu Amei.

But doing so would pit Lan Changhua against Chu Xuwei.

Would Lan Changhua refuse him to avoid conflict with Chu Xuwei?

Du Heng didn’t know.

Standing at the door, he heaved a long sigh. Nevermind. If this were his own territory, things wouldn’t be so complicated.

Doctors and hospitals should focus on treating illnesses and saving lives. Why did it have to be so complicated?

When self-interest took precedence in this profession, it lost its purity.

Du Heng composed himself, took two more deep breaths at the door, then walked into his office carrying Liu Amei’s belongings.

Sitting down opposite Liu Amei, Du Heng couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes.

He felt like a complete jerk. Why had he given Liu Amei such hope, only to extinguish it himself?

Liu Amei observed Du Heng’s expression. After a brief moment of stunned silence, she smiled. She had already guessed the outcome and began to comfort him, "Doctor Du, it’s alright. I’m used to it. In fact, I should be thanking you for going to so much trouble for a stranger like me."

Summoning his courage, Du Heng looked directly at Liu Amei. In a barely audible voice, he said, "I’m sorry... The doctors and the hospital here have their concerns. They can’t do anything more."

"I told you, it’s alright. I’ve seen other doctors, but none of them cared about me the way you do. Thank you." Liu Amei struggled to sit up, but her body was too heavy and her abdomen too swollen, making it incredibly difficult.

Seeing this, Du Heng quickly rose to help her to her feet.

After thanking him again, Liu Amei picked up her belongings, turned, and prepared to leave.

Watching her labored movements, Du Heng suddenly spoke from behind her, "Liu Amei, if you trust me, go to Jinzhou. I’ll treat you there."

Liu Amei stopped and slowly turned around.

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared on her thin, sallow face. "Thank you, Doctor Du. I’m out of money, and I... I can’t pursue treatment any longer."

A wave of impulsiveness washed over Du Heng. Looking at Liu Amei’s youthful face, her swollen body, and her unsteady gait, an overwhelming urge to save her took hold of him.

Even if her husband were to show up and create an ugly scene, he was still determined.

Steeling his resolve, Du Heng walked over to Liu Amei, his expression serious. "I mean it. Go to Jinzhou. I’m an externally appointed Deputy Chief Physician of the Jinzhou Province First Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, and I’m also the Dean of our local Health Clinic. If you don’t mind me being a doctor from a remote area, I’ll treat you. You won’t have to spend a single cent; someone else will cover the costs."

Du Heng spoke with great sincerity, clearly outlining his positions.

Liu Amei was moved by Du Heng’s earnestness, her heart filling with gratitude. "No, how could I possibly mind, Doctor Du? I just..."

"Are you worried I might be deceiving you? Rest assured, my credentials can be verified online."

As he spoke, Du Heng took out his mobile phone and began logging into the official website of Jinzhou Province First Hospital, where his profile and photograph were displayed.

Seeing Du Heng’s actions, Liu Amei grew a little flustered and quickly said, "There’s no need, Doctor Du, I believe you. Look at the state I’m in; what more could I possibly be afraid of being deceived about? I just don’t want to cause you any more trouble."

While they were talking, Du Heng had already found his information and showed it to Liu Amei.

After Liu Amei finished reading, Du Heng stated firmly, "Then listen to me. Go to Jinzhou. I will treat you. It’s settled."

For once, Du Heng took an assertive stance, making the decision for Liu Amei.

He knew he was being impulsive, somewhat irrational, but he just wanted to follow his heart this once. He couldn’t just stand by and watch a young life that could be saved wither away.

Du Heng helped Liu Amei out of the hospital. At the hospital gate, he called Du Xuejing.

"Tingting, I’ll be heading back with you tomorrow."

"Really, Little Uncle?"

"Really."

On the other end of the line, Du Xuejing jumped for joy, her exuberant cheers echoing through the phone.

Du Heng held the mobile phone slightly away from his ear and waited for Du Xuejing to quiet down before continuing, "But we can’t fly. We’ll have to take the high-speed train back."

"Why? Can’t you get plane tickets?"

"I have to bring a patient with me, and she might not be able to fly, so we’ll take the high-speed train. Is that alright?"

"No problem! We’ll take the high-speed train. I’ll book the tickets now."

"Alright. I’ll send you an ID card later; please book our tickets together."

After hanging up, Du Heng asked Liu Amei for her ID card, took a photo of it, and sent it to Du Xuejing.

Then, he looked at Liu Amei and said, "I’ll book a hotel room for you. You can stay there for now. I’ll have my niece come and keep you company tonight."

Seeing Liu Amei about to refuse again, Du Heng quickly interjected, "Don’t be so quick to say no. This money isn’t mine; it’s all being paid by that celebrity. I’ll see if I can get her to talk to you tonight. Otherwise, you might really think I’m the one paying for everything."

Just as Du Heng hailed a cab, Du Xuejing called again. "Little Uncle, I’ve already canceled my plane ticket. But only sleeper berths are available on the train now. What should we do?"

"Just buy the sleeper berth tickets. By the way, once you’re done with your things, bring your luggage to the XX Hotel. I’ll send you the location."

"Okay."

After settling Liu Amei in and waiting for Du Xuejing to arrive, Du Heng returned to the hospital.

He had made up his mind. He was going home.

This trip to the Capital, right from the start, hadn’t been as wonderful as he’d envisioned, nor had it met his expectations.

He had to return. There was Liu Amei’s situation, and with the New Year approaching, he needed to go back and give his elder brother and sister-in-law an explanation.

Running away wouldn’t solve any problems.

Cao Binghe’s eyes widened in surprise; he never imagined Du Heng would suddenly announce his departure.

Although their philosophies differed, Du Heng’s knowledge commanded respect even from him, a doctoral student.

During this time, he had learned a great deal from being around Du Heng. Sometimes, he even felt that Du Heng’s explanations were more thorough than Lan Changhua’s.

Especially regarding the comprehensiveness and holistic nature of Du Heng’s understanding of traditional Chinese medicine theory, he seemed to be surpassing Lan Changhua.

He wanted to persuade Du Heng to stay, but he didn’t know how.

Du Heng had been invited for an academic exchange, but due to Lan Changhua’s sudden injury, he had ended up serving as a consulting doctor.

Moreover, Chu Xuwei hadn’t been proactive in finding suitable cases for Du Heng. The couple of patients they had managed to find ended up leaving because they thought Du Heng was too young.

During their daily work, Cao Binghe could sense Du Heng’s dissatisfaction with the working environment and its demands. Coupled with today’s events, it was understandable that Du Heng wanted to leave.

Just as Cao Binghe was recovering from his shock, Du Heng had already risen to leave. He still needed to inform Chu Xuwei, and Lan Changhua as well.

Although this trip hadn’t gone as planned and didn’t meet his initial expectations, the opportunity to come to the Capital and work at the Good Friend Hospital for a month had significantly broadened his horizons and enriched his experience.

Therefore, he had to express his gratitude to Chu Xuwei and Lan Changhua.