Chapter 1248 - 1248: 796 All are pretending to be good at something_2

Zheng Yuancheng chuckled and said, "The one who just performed your acupuncture is a Deputy Chief Physician at Good Friend Hospital and also the Deputy Director of our Acupuncture Research Institute. Usually, he's busy treating those high-ranking officials and doesn't have the time to come over to our research institute. What's the matter? Do you think a doctor who treats high-ranking officials could misdiagnose or mistreat you?"

As soon as Zheng Yuancheng finished speaking, Du Heng couldn't help but take a few more glances at him. The older you are, the craftier you get. This tactic of misdirection was truly seamless. In one sentence, he shifted the patient's focus from his doubts about the treatment to feeling like he'd received a great boon.

However, the patient didn't seem to buy his narrative and said directly, "Leaders? Even a Community Director is called a leader. He's so young, and just a deputy—what kind of prominent leaders could he possibly treat?"

"Hehe, have you ever heard the saying that ambition isn't determined by age? It's precisely because our Vice Dean Du is young that he's currently a deputy. Wait another year or two, and my position will belong to Vice Dean Du." Zheng Yuancheng said cheerfully, "As for how prominent these leaders are, well, just imagine the highest-ranking officials you can think of—they all have to see our Vice Dean Du."

"Really? You better not be lying to me."

"What benefit is there in lying to you?" Zheng Yuancheng said indifferently. "It's just that our Vice Dean Du felt like practicing today and happened to be available. Otherwise, he genuinely wouldn't have the time to perform treatments here."

Hearing this, the patient lying on the bed finally shut up. He had already forgotten what he wanted to ask.

Seeing the patient quiet down, Zheng Yuancheng glanced at the doctor who had performed the acupuncture and then walked out of the treatment room with Du Heng.

"Xiao Du, this is quite embarrassing." As soon as they stepped out, Zheng Yuancheng said this softly, for some reason.

Du Heng just smiled, not saying anything. Actually, he didn't know what to say.

Where was this place? It was the Capital's Acupuncture Research Institute. Yet, the two treatment processes he had witnessed today were enough to make Du Heng lose all confidence in this research institute. Seeing one part reveals the whole picture. Given the state of acupuncture at the Capital's Acupuncture Research Institute, one could imagine the condition of acupuncture practitioners nationwide. To put it bluntly, far too many were there just to make up the numbers. Regarding acupuncture and moxibustion, even if they don't use the Stem and Branch Point Selection technique, do they not understand the true purpose of acupuncture when they use so many needles and perform so many insertions? It seemed the numerous online claims like 'acupuncture does more harm than good' and 'acupuncture ruined my health' weren't just malicious rumors but were based on actual occurrences. Could these people even be called traditional Chinese medicine practitioners? No, they were merely charlatans deceiving people under the banner of traditional Chinese medicine. Du Heng himself was genuinely ashamed to be counted among them. But the truly tragic part was that within the traditional Chinese medicine system, the very people who occupied the prime resources and held the power of discourse were precisely these individuals.

Moreover, Du Heng was quite puzzled. As an academician, did Zheng Yuancheng truly not know the situation of the research institute? If he didn't, then wasn't his reputation somewhat inflated? Upon careful reflection, this seemed rather unlikely. Zheng Yuancheng held many titles; if his reputation were truly inflated, he definitely wouldn't have been able to secure the titles of academician and National Medical Master. Far too many people coveted those positions each year. If he were genuinely undeserving, those waiting in the wings would never have let him off so easily. Furthermore, the articles Zheng Yuancheng himself had published were of high caliber, their quality absolutely justifying his renown. If it wasn't a matter of expertise, then it had to be an issue with his management skills. Perhaps he simply didn't concern himself much with the research institute's affairs, letting it drift as it may. It was like the first Vice Dean at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital; Du Heng had only met him once from the time he took office until he left. Alternatively, he might just be unwilling to offend anyone, playing the part of a 'good old boy.' No matter who erred, he would smooth things over and help them save face. This led to a situation where, even if his subordinates knew they were at fault, they wouldn't change their ways unless they suffered major consequences. Either way, he wasn't a qualified manager.

At this moment, seeing Du Heng's response, Zheng Yuancheng also felt a little awkward. This was the first time he was showing the new Deputy Director around, intending to impress him with the institute's capabilities. Instead of bolstering its image, however, they had utterly lost face.

Fortunately, Zheng Yuancheng's assistant returned just then, handing Du Heng's ID card and professional qualifications certificate back to him.

After examining the documents in his hand, along with the new credentials the assistant presented, Du Heng offered his farewells, "Sir Zheng, please call me if you need anything, or feel free to assign me tasks directly. I'll do my utmost to complete them."

For some reason, Zheng Yuancheng didn't try to detain Du Heng further and simply bid him goodbye, taking him at his word.

The weather, nearing July, was already unbearably hot, even in the afternoon. After leaving the research institute, Du Heng felt his back was a bit damp. He wasn't sure if it was sweat from the heat or from the awkward atmosphere earlier.

Ah, well, so be it. He currently lacked the ability to change any of this. Unless Zheng Yuancheng suddenly stepped down and, bypassing the other Deputy Directors ahead of him, directly promoted him, could he possibly change this status quo.

"Du, are you off work?" Just as he stepped out of the elevator, preparing to head back to his department, a figure suddenly jumped out.

The figure's abrupt appearance gave Du Heng quite a start. Looking closely, he realized it was Gu Qinghong, who should have been discharged from the hospital earlier that day.

Du Heng was slightly displeased. "We're in a hospital; don't go startling people. Weren't you supposed to be discharged this afternoon? Why are you still at the hospital?"

Being chided by Du Heng, Gu Qinghong pouted, looking quite unhappy. "I've completed all the procedures. I wanted to treat you to a meal to thank you."

Du Heng reached up and scratched the tip of his nose. Gu Qinghong's reaction was somewhat unexpected. This Gu Qinghong was proud and arrogant, with the typical bad temper of a spoiled young lady, and not particularly broad-minded. His tone just now hadn't been particularly friendly, yet she hadn't flared up or gotten angry. Instead, she looked aggrieved, which was quite astonishing.

Du Heng gave Gu Qinghong a slightly odd look, then directly declined, "Sorry, I have plans tonight."

Besides the traits mentioned, Gu Qinghong had another: she was incredibly tenacious. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been constantly trying to outdo Wu Shengnan. So, the moment Du Heng refused, she immediately retorted, "I've already checked: you're not on duty at the hospital tonight, Shengnan and your child have gone home, and you don't have evening classes at the School. So, you're free tonight."

Du Heng touched the tip of his nose again. "You've certainly done your homework."

"Naturally! So, what do you say? I've already booked a place. Grace me with your presence?" Gu Qinghong tilted her chin up, looking at Du Heng.

However, Du Heng still shook his head. "I'm really not deceiving you. I don't have any work commitments, but I do have a personal matter. I have a private engagement tonight. I'm truly sorry; I'm not intentionally turning you down."

With that, Du Heng started walking towards his office.

But Gu Qinghong didn't give up, quickly catching up to him. "Man or woman?"

"Woman."

"Is she very important?"

"Of course."

Gu Qinghong stopped, glaring at Du Heng's retreating back as she yelled indignantly, "So you're a scumbag after all!"

Her shout was no small matter. The nurses busy wrapping up their shifts, doctors heading off duty, and patients with their families on their way to dinner—everyone turned to look. The particularly amused and teasing glances made Du Heng feel rather overwhelmed.

Moreover, everyone knew Du Heng's child had just been born; it was only about a month old, right? To be chased down and called a scumbag at a time like this—this set the gossip-loving hearts of the young nurses in the department racing.