The Dean paused and asked, "Is this patient particularly special?"

"I'm not sure how special he is, but I asked a few more questions yesterday. The family member handling the discharge procedures said the patient was going back for traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and the person treating this patient is also named Du Heng."

"What's this patient's illness?" the Dean hastened to ask.

"It's definitely cancer."

The Dean felt he had asked a pointless question and quickly switched to another, "Is the Du Heng you mentioned the same Du Heng we're referring to?"

"It should be. The patient I admitted was previously the Secretary of Zhonghu Health Center, and Du Heng used to be the Dean of this same health center. So, the Du Heng they're referring to probably isn't anyone else."

The Dean frowned. "Don't 'should be.' Call and verify now if it's this Du Heng. Also, ask them when they plan to start the treatment."

The doctor from the Proctology Department was taken aback. "Dean, what do you mean?"

"We need to observe on the spot. First, for further confirmation. Second, to see if the house you mentioned really works." The Dean urged him again, "Alright, make the call quickly. The rest of us will discuss the first issue: what should we do concerning Secretary Bai's treatment?"

Upon hearing the Dean's instructions, the doctor from the Proctology Department immediately rose and walked out of the conference room.

As soon as he exited, he contacted a colleague in his department, asking them to retrieve Lu Zhongjiang's contact information. The moment the number was sent to his mobile phone, he dialed it.

However, a woman answered the call. This made his heart skip a beat. Has he already started treatment?

"Hello, is this Mr. Lu Zhongjiang's phone?"

"Yes, this is my father's phone. May I ask who you are and why you're calling my father?"

"I'm Huang Xilong, the Deputy Director of the Proctology Department at the Provincial Oncology Hospital, and your father's attending doctor during his hospital stay. Yesterday, your family handled your father's discharge, mentioning he would be receiving traditional Chinese medicine treatment. I just wanted to inquire about the situation."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Huang. My father has already begun treatment. He drank his medicine just ten minutes ago and is now asleep."

"He's already taken his medicine?" Huang Xilong's voice unconsciously rose.

Lu Qiaoer, on the other end of the line, was not pleased. What on earth is this guy implying? Does my father need his permission to take medicine? "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up. The doctor told us to monitor My Dad's condition at all times, so..."

Huang Xilong heard the displeasure in Lu Qiaoer's voice and immediately realized his tone had been inappropriate. He quickly said, "I apologize, sorry to disturb you. May I ask one more thing? Is the doctor treating your father Dean Du Heng from the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital?"

"Yes, he is. Is there something wrong?" Lu Qiaoer asked, puzzled.

"No, nothing at all. Dean Du is very skilled. With him treating your father, there's great hope for his recovery."

Lu Qiaoer's frown deepened. "That's what Dean Du said too."

"Could you tell me where your father is staying? If it's convenient, I'd like to visit him."

Lu Qiaoer considered that even though her father's previous attending physician was somewhat presumptuous, his intentions seemed good. She found it hard to refuse and said directly, "At Zhonghu Health Center, the place my dad used to work."

"Okay, thank you."

After hanging up, Huang Xilong rushed back into the conference room. "Dean, I've confirmed it! Du Heng is indeed treating the patient, and he already took his medicine ten minutes ago as part of the treatment."

During the time Huang Xilong was out, the Dean had tried to restart the discussion. However, compared to the earlier talk about Du Heng, the subsequent discussion about Secretary Bai's treatment drew very few responses. It could even be said that no one participated at all.

For Zhang Yongjun and his group of traditional Chinese medicine doctors, they were now the victors. They would only enjoy the spoils; why would they discuss sharing responsibility?

As for those who hadn't been involved, they certainly wouldn't discuss it; it was a matter of "if it doesn't concern you, stay out of it." Besides, who was this about? Secretary Bai, the third highest-ranking leader. They already felt they were treading on thin ice by association; how could they possibly join the discussion?

As for the few who had been involved, they didn't know what to discuss, especially since the instigator, Professor Wang, had already bolted. They knew full well that the more they spoke, the more mistakes they'd make, so they all remained silent.

Of course, they believed that even if Secretary Bai was petty and intended to settle scores later, he couldn't possibly destroy all of them, could he?

The Dean felt helpless and was at a loss for words. Huang Xilong's news, in fact, got him out of this bind. Since none of you want to talk, then let's not talk. We'll see who gets anxious in the end.

"Everyone, if you don't have anything urgent, let's go visit this patient together. We can also see for ourselves how effective this 'universal formula' you've all been talking about is." He paused slightly before continuing, "And if there's an opportunity, Director Zhang, perhaps you could connect us with Dean Du Heng so we can get acquainted?"

Zhang Yongjun said nothing, just gave a noncommittal smile, then got up and followed everyone else out of the conference room.

An hour later, three or four cars suddenly pulled up in front of Zhonghu Health Center. Many middle-aged and elderly people, all looking quite imposing, disembarked, giving the old man at the gate quite a start.