Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 389 - 347: Preparing to Buy a House

"I heard about it from someone who works at your hospital, while having noodles."

said Zhao’s mom.

Naturally, as a mother, she was thrilled to see her son being so successful, but Zhao’s mom shared the same concerns as Zhao’s dad.

After all, people’s impression of a deputy director at a large hospital like Eastern Hospital is typically someone in their forties, and they’ve never heard of a deputy director being appointed at the age of twenty-five.

At twenty-five, in the medical field, the most one could achieve is being a deputy director at a community center hospital; thinking about it for a top-tier hospital like Eastern Hospital is out of the question.

"Is it true?"

Zhao’s dad asked again. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"It was just decided; it won’t be happening that quickly."

Zhao Heng thought for a moment and replied. He hadn’t expected the news would have already reached his parents, which showed how effective it was when Director Liu Shangming disclosed it earlier.

"Does that mean, son, you’re going to become a big director?"

Zhao’s mom said excitedly.

She recalled seeing on TV how a deputy director or director would be followed by a large group of people, directing and managing everything confidently. It obviously looked impressive and prestigious.

"Is it the kind where you lead a bunch of people on rounds?"

After a pause, Zhao’s mom asked happily again.

"You could say that."

Seeing his mom so happy, Zhao Heng responded somewhat helplessly.

This was merely a routine personnel transfer, but in the eyes of his parents, Zhao Heng’s promotion to deputy director had become a significant event worthy of ancestral rituals and thanksgiving.

But it wasn’t surprising, in some industries, reaching the top could greatly benefit one’s family and descendants. To put it simply, it brings legacy.

Moreover, what’s with this idea of leading a bunch of people on rounds? It sounded more like leading a group for a brawl, like a social gang leader.

"Will there be some kind of ceremony for such a big director position?"

Zhao’s mom curiously asked again.

Once, while in the hometown, she had been hospitalized at the city hospital, where the director was quite aloof, visiting for rounds and merely uttering a few words before directing a large following to work.

Her son becoming such a prestigious director filled Zhao’s mom with joy.

"It’s not that grand, maybe they’ll just hold a meeting to announce it."

Zhao Heng said.

"It’s not like in our youth anymore, where you’d have conferences with thousands of people, wearing red flowers on your chest to receive an award."

Zhao’s dad interjected, seizing the opportunity to jab at Zhao’s mom.

"And when did I ever see you wearing red flowers on a stage receiving an award?"

Zhao’s mom retorted, unwilling to give in.

"That’s because I didn’t bother with going up there."

Zhao’s dad felt a bit embarrassed, but tried to maintain his composure.

Back in those days, unlike now, where food critics, food bloggers, and executive chefs were thriving.

Back then, pursuing any profession was not as respectable as a scientific career; scientists were revered the most, followed by soldiers and workers.

As for delving into culinary arts, in others’ eyes, you’d just be a cook, someone who fries dishes.

It wasn’t until this era, at the age of sixty, that Zhao’s dad was able to showcase his talents.

Seeing his parents bickering, Zhao Heng was quite accustomed to it. Once people get older, they love to reminisce about their youth and such.

But for someone like Zhao’s dad who had difficulty rising to prominence in his era, there really weren’t many fond memories of youth.

Later, Zhao Heng had a meal with his parents, and then they returned home.

Back home, the family sat together on the sofa, warmly watching a TV drama, and of course, it was the hit drama "Raging Storm" that his parents had been following closely.

During the show, Zhao Heng told Zhao’s dad, "Dad, I’m planning to go house hunting with Man Ni tomorrow."

"Hmm, go ahead."

Zhao’s dad was so engrossed in the show that he hardly listened to what Zhao Heng was saying, responding absentmindedly.

However, in an instant, Zhao’s dad snapped back to attention, realizing his son had mentioned house hunting—house hunting!

"What? You’re going house hunting with Man Ni?"

Zhao’s mom, also captivated by the show, suddenly perked up with alertness.

"Yes, Man Ni and I discussed it over some time. The software I worked on with others is about to hit the market, so I thought we’d go check out some houses."

Zhao Heng explained.

The world is vast, but nothing beats a house, that’s the reality.

For Chinese people, the fervor for housing is almost obsessive.

People would "happily" divorce to buy a house or enter into fake marriages to secure one. At times, one might even question what a house truly means to us?

Taking on a 30-year mortgage, trading all future possibilities for a house—is it worth it?

But for Chinese people, a house isn’t just where you live.

A house is connected to education, healthcare, and the commercial and transportation facilities it can offer; it’s a visible asset of personal wealth; it’s the best shield against risks. In Hong Kong dramas, when the male lead falls on hard times, the female lead always says she would sell the house to help him through the crisis. Besides the Rolex on a gangster’s wrist, for ordinary people, it’s the house they own.

Once, there was such an inspirational quote: The money you spend on a house could fund a journey around the world. If you explore all the world’s sceneries, your life’s values will have transformed beyond belief, and by then, a house will mean nothing to you.