CHAPTER 347: 323 FREE TO USE

Now, for Du Heng, visiting Digestion Department 1 felt almost like coming home.

All the medical staff he encountered on the way greeted him with a nod, as if he were just an ordinary colleague.

Du Heng had already grown accustomed to this and casually responded to the acquaintances he met before heading straight to Xu Pinglin’s office.

Xu Pinglin’s condition was steadily improving. The originally grayish-white hair on his head had now mostly turned black, with only one or two white strands remaining amidst a full, dense head of black hair. Compared to two months ago, he looked significantly younger, and his spirits were much higher. Although he was currently only a Deputy Director, he wielded the authority of a Department Director and was enjoying considerable success.

After hearing Du Heng’s account, Xu Pinglin looked relaxed and asked, "Doctor Du, are you sure you want to accept our department’s external employment offer?"

"Of course. I came to you shamelessly for help, so I hope Director Xu can help me out."

Xu Pinglin leaned back, a mysterious smile playing on the corners of his lips, which made Du Heng’s heart flutter.

"Hiring a doctor like you, Doctor Du, would be like bringing a major force into our department. So, not just I, but everyone else here would also welcome it greatly."

Du Heng listened quietly to Xu Pinglin. He himself had also grown to appreciate this tactic of starting with praise before applying pressure.

"Employment by the hospital is highly unlikely, but section employment is definitely no problem, and I’ve long had such an idea. With Doctor Du joining us, we can reduce the suffering of many patients and alleviate a large portion of the financial burden on their families."

Xu Pinglin spoke slowly, his words full of praise for Du Heng.

But Du Heng couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

With such strong hints, there must be a catch. "Director Xu, you can state your conditions."

"Oh, I wouldn’t call them conditions." Xu Pinglin laughed. "Look, the situation is this: you are currently employed by the Chinese Medicine Department. It’s fine if you only hold consultations there for half a day, but in the afternoon, you also need to help Li teach the students. So, we can’t be too lacking on our side, or it might seem that we don’t value you. How about this: we offer the same conditions as the Chinese Medicine Department. What do you think?"

Du Heng hesitated for a moment. "I have to work in your Digestion Department 1 outpatient service?" Then he shook his head. "No, no, that won’t work."

Xu Pinglin chuckled, reassuring Du Heng, "No, it won’t be like that. We would just need you to spare one day a week to spend in our department, helping out with patients."

Du Heng still shook his head vigorously.

His purpose in coming was to get a title. If he actually had to work shifts, even half a day would be unacceptable.

If it’s really like this, would I still be the Dean of the Health Clinic or a section-employed doctor at the Provincial First Hospital?

He worked five days a week, with one day already devoted to the Chinese Medicine Department. If he dared to skip another day, An Chunhui would probably tear his scalp off. As for Saturdays and Sundays, those were the weekend. Taking time off once or twice might be acceptable, but doing so too often would be unsustainable even for him.

Du Heng thought for a moment and decided to state his intentions directly, "Director Xu, why don’t you hear my thoughts first?"

Xu Pinglin gestured. "Doctor Du, please speak."

"I know it’s rather abrupt to ask Director Xu for this favor, but my intention this time is to teach a lesson to those who sued me. So I’d like to ask Director Xu to help me with the procedures for section employment."

As Du Heng said this, he thought about what he was about to say and suddenly felt his face flush. But since he had already started, he forced himself to continue. "This is my thinking: you help me arrange the external employment paperwork. Once my lawsuit is over, we’ll terminate this employment contract. Director Xu, what do you think?"

After saying this, Du Heng himself felt a bit red-faced. I’m resorting to deception, playing the villain, and even dragging Xu Pinglin into this. The more I think about it, the more my conscience pricks me.

Xu Pinglin didn’t rush to speak. He thought for a moment and then said, "Doctor Du, let’s sign the section employment contract as planned. You don’t need to specifically pick one day to come in every week. And, of course, when the matter is resolved, we don’t need to terminate the contract either."

Du Heng looked at Xu Pinglin, puzzled, waiting for him to continue.

"Doctor Du, you only need to help out as before. When our department needs assistance, you can provide us with the necessary support."

"Why?"

Xu Pinglin smiled. "To be honest, you’ve seen the situation in Digestion Department 1. A few years ago, several individuals left to directly establish the Second Department and Department 3. As a result, I am the only Deputy Director remaining in the First Section."

"According to the original plan, the former Director would have stayed on for two more years. This would have allowed me and the other two doctors in the department to complete our promotions and ensure a smooth transition. But now, with the Director’s sudden departure, I am the only Deputy Director left in the department. The others are not yet quite at the Deputy Director level."

Xu Pinglin sighed. "The hospital’s original idea was to assign one or two newly-promoted deputy directors from the other two departments to supplement our department’s strength. However, if we did that, our own staff would then face a lack of available positions when they are successfully promoted to Deputy Director in a couple of years."

"So I rejected the hospital’s proposal. But the truth is, our department currently has the weakest standing among the three. For the sake of my team below me, I cannot hire any more full-time doctors. Therefore, Doctor Du, with your skills, your ability to handle complex medical conditions, and your willingness to accept an external employment contract, you have become my best choice."

Damn, these guys are all thousand-year-old foxes. Helping them out without taking up one of their Deputy Director slots, and they don’t even have to pay a full-time Deputy Director’s salary—a triple win for them.

However, isn’t this precisely what I need? A title, no need to clock in, access to some interesting disease records, and as for money, enough is enough.

"Alright, Director Xu, let’s arrange it like this. I can accept it," Du Heng immediately decided.

Xu Pinglin also breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, then Doctor Du, please wait for my news in the next two days. I will notify you immediately once the procedures here are completed."

"Alright."

With the matter resolved this way, it was a happy outcome for everyone.

Xu Pinglin asked Du Heng to rest in his office for a while, suggesting they go out for dinner together after work. But Du Heng politely declined the offer.

Within two days, most of the pressing issues had been resolved. Now, all he had to do was wait for Ms. Zhou’s arrangements and the court date.

He had originally intended to look for Wu Shengnan. However, that woman was the type to burn bridges after crossing them, turning hostile and ungrateful; Du Heng’s calls even went unanswered. But it didn’t really matter whether he found her or not; Du Heng was just annoyed.

"Dean, Mayor Dong from next door asked for you to go over."

As soon as he returned to the Health Clinic, Wang Zhenzhen informed Du Heng of this through the window. Upon hearing this, Du Heng didn’t go into his office but turned around and walked directly to the neighboring compound.

"Town Mayor, have you already settled this?" Du Heng entered the office and asked jokingly with a smile.

Observing the efficiency—or lack thereof—in this compound, Du Heng could only chuckle inwardly.

Dong Yuezhang was hunched over his desk, writing furiously. Hearing Du Heng enter, he gestured for him to sit for a moment and continued with his work. This lasted for almost ten minutes. Just as Du Heng was growing impatient, Dong Yuezhang finally stopped what he was doing.

"We’ve already discussed this in our meeting. The Township Government has agreed to your request."

This news came as a slight surprise to Du Heng. Has efficiency improved this much just by changing who’s in charge? Is this what they mean by ’a new broom sweeps clean’?

"You’re the capable one. I thought it would take you at least a week of meetings to get this settled," Du Heng said with a laugh, looking at Dong Yuezhang. "So, how much rent do you plan to charge?"

Dong Yuezhang picked up a document from the table, stood up, and walked over to Du Heng. He tossed the document to him. "It’s all in here. Take a look yourself. If there are no issues, you can sign and stamp it. I’ve already stamped my part."

Du Heng took the document. At the top were four large characters: Lease Contract. He examined it meticulously, paying close attention to the clauses regarding rent, duration, and permitted use.

Suddenly, he saw something that seemed incredible and looked up at Dong Yuezhang in surprise. "Is this for real?"

Dong Yuezhang was pleased to see Du Heng’s shocked expression. "Of course. Didn’t you see I’ve already stamped it?"

"Free use? Are you really that kind-hearted?" Du Heng was still somewhat incredulous.

Dong Yuezhang smiled. "You should say that *I’m* kind-hearted. It was my initiative to let you use it for free."

"Why?"

"Let’s dispense with the official pleasantries, brother. I’ll tell you straight. That compound is just sitting there abandoned; it might as well be used by you."

"Moreover, your Health Clinic is poised for an upgrade, and you’re at a stage where you need to invest. If you can complete the upgrade, enhance your medical capabilities, and add equipment, it will also benefit the development of Central Lake and be even more helpful to the ordinary people. So, our Township Government shouldn’t hold you back. We decided to let you use it for free."

Du Heng was still a bit puzzled. "Weren’t there rumors that some factory in the gully wanted to rent that land? What happened, was that false information?"

Hearing Du Heng say this, Dong Yuezhang’s eyes narrowed slightly. "The information was true, but there were major issues with the intended use and the rent. Some people have short memories and were trying to pull some unsavory tricks. I couldn’t just stand by; I had to intervene."

Du Heng grinned, knowing what Dong Yuezhang was referring to. However, this wasn’t the right place or time, so Du Heng didn’t pursue Dong Yuezhang’s comment further and instead continued to read the contract.

Soon, Du Heng asked again, "Why only rent it for three years? Can’t it be for longer?"

"Three years is more than enough. Don’t be greedy."

"Alright." Du Heng put down the contract, looked up, and asked Dong Yuezhang directly, "So, what are your conditions? It can’t really be free of charge, can it?"

"It’s all written there. Can’t you read it yourself?"

"Too many words. I’m too lazy to read them."

Dong Yuezhang, exasperated by Du Heng’s shamelessness, replied, "Well, there are a few requirements."

"Go on," Du Heng prompted.