How big is a person’s abdominal cavity?

If it were to hold water, how much could it hold?

Perhaps no one knew or had ever cared about this question in the past.

But today, on December 23rd, the Small New Year, everyone in Zhonghu Health Center knew just how large a person’s abdominal cavity could be.

Liu Amei’s ascites was drained for seven whole days.

When all the drained ascites was added up, it nearly equaled the amount of water in a large mineral water barrel from a dispenser.

Everyone present was a witness to this event.

Liu Amei lay on the hospital bed, her entire demeanor drastically changed compared to seven days prior.

Although her lower abdomen was still slightly bulging, she now resembled a woman four or five months pregnant.

Moreover, starting the day before yesterday, she had been able to get up and use the toilet normally.

Using the toilet had been an especially painful activity before; regardless of whether it was for urination or defecation, she could only do it standing up.

Du Heng also had Wu Buwei bring over the prepared Decoction medicine. But before Liu Amei took it, Du Heng had something to say to her. "Liu Amei, we are about to start treating your ovarian cancer, but there are some things I need to tell you beforehand."

Liu Amei was deeply grateful to Du Heng.

Although the pain from the ovarian cancer was intensifying now that the ascites had disappeared and her ovary was no longer compressed, she felt a comfort she hadn’t experienced in over a year.

This feeling of total body comfort was due to Du Heng’s persistence, so she was willing to listen to whatever he said.

"Doctor Du, just tell me – I will listen to you."

Du Heng shook his head gently. "This isn’t a question of listening or not; I need to inform you of some realities. Because you have ovarian cancer, even if you’re cured in the future, you might lose the ability to become a mother."

Liu Amei suddenly froze.

Previously, her illness had prevented her from considering this issue. Now, with hope seemingly just ahead, receiving such news was difficult to accept.

While Liu Amei fell silent, Du Heng and the others didn’t disturb her, waiting quietly for her to collect her thoughts.

After a long while, Liu Amei looked up and asked, "Is there no chance at all?"

"I can’t guarantee anything," Du Heng told Liu Amei truthfully. "I can only say there is hope, but not much."

Liu Amei suddenly smiled. "Thank you, Doctor Du. Thank you, everyone. I’m already very happy to be alive now. I won’t ask for more; I’ll leave it to fate."

Regardless of whether Liu Amei truly understood or had come to terms with it, Du Heng could only say so much. He would try to adjust the medication to eliminate the tumor while doing his utmost to preserve her ovaries and minimize the damage.

However, the damage already caused by the disease itself was irreversible.

The hope now was that this damage was minimal, enough to leave Liu Amei with some chance.

After all, who wouldn’t want a Child of their own? Moreover, Liu Amei was so young.

To lose the right to be a mother at such an early age was indeed quite cruel.

After watching Liu Amei take the medication, Du Heng instructed Wu Buwei to monitor her carefully, then immediately returned to his office.

Today was the Small New Year, and many matters awaited his attention.

At this time, six of his key valuable members were already seated in his office.

Secretary Lu Zhongjiang, the leader in charge of all intangible work.

Executive Deputy Dean Cui Guanghaia, Du Heng’s first assistant, was responsible for all hospital affairs.

Vice Dean Yu Haiting, concurrently head of the Medical Affairs Office, was responsible for specific operational medical duties.

financial director Wang Zhenzhen handled all financial matters, including medical insurance reimbursement. However, after the New Year, when the first hospital-wide evaluation began, this part of medical insurance reimbursement might be separated into its own function.

Wang Lili from the Nursing Department was in charge of the nurses in both wards.

And finally, there was Section Chief Cao from the Logistics Department.

The year-end summary meeting for the entire hospital was originally organized and supposed to be hosted by Cui Guanghaia.

However, Du Heng had returned unexpectedly. Finding it too troublesome, he canceled the hospital-wide participation, asking only the department heads to report on their respective areas.

Although Cui Guanghaia was not satisfied with such arrangements, he had no alternative.

During the subsequent reports, aside from Cui Guanghaia, who had only recently arrived and had no work achievements to summarize, the others each presented their accomplishments for the year.

Du Heng listened attentively to each report.

After everyone had spoken, Du Heng held his pen, lost in thought.

Last month, the Bureau had intensified its support for the Health Clinic and made a final wave of personnel adjustments.

The message Lu Zhongjiang brought back from a meeting was that in the new year, they should redouble their efforts, strive for greater heights, and provide even better services and higher quality medical security for the ordinary people.

For Du Heng, however, the main impression was simply that there were many more people—a lot more.

The number of Doctors had increased from a minimum of four previously to a current total of fifteen, including those sent from the Municipal First Hospital for Studying.

The expansion of the nursing team was the most significant.

Back in August, they had thought adding three or four people would suffice for operations. But unexpectedly, Dong Yuezhang had made a decisive move, renting the adjacent courtyard to them. The Bureau also suddenly initiated support, leading to an addition of twelve more nurses.

An Chunhui had been very supportive, and the three people Du Heng hired were also given authorized job positions.

However, according to Wei Kaida, his family had spent several 10,000 yuan sums to make this happen for his sister, and it was presumed the same was true for the others.

Another area of growth was logistics, which expanded from the original seven people to eleven.

Of the four new additions, one was for the Canteen, and three were custodial staff for the new courtyard.

What they reported was what Du Heng needed to summarize.

For the meeting tomorrow, he just needed to consolidate the content of their reports from today.

"The summary meeting concludes here," Du Heng announced, bringing the somewhat formal part of the work to a close. "I hope everyone will work diligently in the coming year to safeguard the health of our jurisdiction’s fellow townsmen and provide even better services."

Then came the matter Everyone was truly concerned about, the one they were all eagerly awaiting: "How are the preparations for everyone’s things for new year coming along?"

Suddenly, all eyes focused on Cui Guanghaia.

Since his arrival, besides regularly organizing meetings, Cui Guanghaia had also taken over this particular task from Lu Zhongjiang and Wang Zhenzhen.

Cui Guanghaia cleared his throat twice and announced loudly, "President Du, I’ve prepared for everyone: one barrel of oil, one bag of noodles, one bag of steak, five hairtail fish, ten jin of pork, and one kilogram of dried fruit."

Du Heng frowned slightly. "Is the standard the same for everyone?"

"The standards vary slightly. What I just listed is for Colleagues with authorized job positions. The others won’t receive fish and pork. Oh, and for the four individuals here from the Municipal First Hospital for Studying, I’ve prepared a barrel of oil for each of them. As for those of us present, everyone here will receive an additional two cartons of cigarettes and a case of wine."

After saying this, Cui Guanghaia glanced at Everyone smugly. "I’ve also prepared a share for the leaders at the Bureau. I’ll give the gift list to you, Dean, later. Furthermore, to ensure a good evaluation after the New Year, I’ve also prepared something for the Deans of all the Health Clinics in our district and the Directors of the Service Stations."

He felt very satisfied with his thorough behavior.

However, Du Heng, sitting behind his Office Desk, frowned. "Vice Dean Cui, what was your standard for procuring these items?"

"Two thousand yuan for leaders, 1,000 yuan for staff with authorized job positions, and five hundred yuan for contract employees."

"Didn’t you prepare anything for the other workplaces in the township?"

"No."

Du Heng didn’t press further. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this Dean Ruoge only focused on those above him, neglecting those below or around him. Moreover, the items he mentioned didn’t seem to add up to the 1,000 yuan or five hundred yuan standards. His reach was too ambitious, and he was moving too quickly.

Seeing that the others remained silent, Du Heng paused for a moment before speaking, "We all work in the same workplace, and we’ll be colleagues for a long time to come. Especially during joyous occasions like the New Year, we shouldn’t create disparities that might upset people."

He then looked at Wang Zhenzhen and asked, "Zhen, you mentioned earlier, how much money do we currently have in our account?"

Wang Zhenzhen replied without hesitation, "One hundred and thirty-four million, seven thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one yuan and thirty-five cents."

"Alright then, Zhen, I’ll trouble you to quickly prepare the things for new year for everyone. Please select good quality items, adhering to a standard of 1,000 yuan per person, so everyone can have a happy New Year. As for bonuses, please calculate them carefully to ensure there are no complaints."

Du Heng paused, his Eye narrowing slightly before he continued, "Also, please prepare something for the Township Government, the Savings Bank, and the Police station. This year, the Township Government has allocated our funds on time every month and even allowed us to use the adjacent courtyard free of charge. We must show our appreciation."

"The Savings Bank granted us an interest-free loan for renovating the red brick building and purchasing equipment; we mustn’t forget this kindness."

"Furthermore, whenever we’ve encountered minor troubles, the comrades from the Police station have always helped us out. We certainly cannot overlook their goodwill."

After laying all this out, Du Heng’s expression turned serious. "As for the gifts for the leaders at the Bureau and other colleagues in similar institutions, let’s Nevermind those."

Hearing his proposals being rejected one by one, Cui Guanghaia’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Now that this final suggestion was also dismissed, Cui Guanghaia couldn’t remain seated.

But before he could speak, Du Heng said directly, "Giving gifts to leaders, is it for their good or to their detriment? Don’t you know what times these are?"

This statement made Cui Guanghaia, who had been about to rise, sink back into his chair.

Du Heng glanced at Cui Guanghaia and continued, "As for the evaluation, we’ll stick to our own procedures. Good is good, bad is bad. We are currently in competition with the High-Tech Comprehensive Health Service Station, and we cannot afford to give them any leverage or allow the fruits of everyone’s hard work this past year to go to waste."

After saying all this, he looked at Wang Zhenzhen seriously, "Zhen, can you get all the Things I just mentioned ready and delivered into everyone’s In hand by the 28th?"

Wang Zhenzhen nodded with a serious face. "Don’t worry, Dean Du, there will be no problem."