Chapter 12

After Doctor Song finished his examination, he still found it hard to believe that such severe internal injuries had healed so quickly. Originally, he had anticipated that even without life-threatening risks, there would still be significant aftereffects, potentially even affecting his lifespan.

However, the current check-up results indicated that, as long as he continued to rest, his body would fully recover.

“May I ask about Comrade Xue’s medical lineage?” Doctor Song Ren inquired. He didn’t know much about traditional Chinese medicine, but he did understand that there were many schools and that lineage often mattered a great deal.

Zhao Fengnian and Xun Jinian exchanged a glance. At this time, traditional Chinese medicine was still under heavy scrutiny, often targeted for criticism and suppression. It was only because they lived in a small county town that they weren’t facing the kind of political persecution seen in the big cities.

But from what they had seen, Doctor Song was a doctor of good moral character.

“Miaoyun only studied medicine with her master for a short while,” Xun Jinian said cautiously. “She learned just the basics.”

“That’s right. We don’t even know what Elder Ke’s full name was,” Zhao Fengnian added. “Just that his skills were said to be on par with the top national physicians.”

Doctor Song’s eyes lit up. “His surname was Ke, and he was considered a national-level doctor? Could it be Master Ke Xuanji?”

The surname Ke was rare, and to be regarded as a national physician… who else could it be but the legendary Ke Xuanji?

Zhao Fengnian and Xun Jinian looked at each other again.

“You know Elder Ke?” Zhao asked.

Doctor Song smiled bitterly. “I had the chance to meet him once during training in the capital. Although he wasn’t a Western medicine teacher, I heard that in Chinese medicine, he’s highly revered. When we, the Western doctors, met him, we learned a lot. I never expected that such a national treasure doctor would…”

Xun Jinian felt some of his tension ease upon hearing Doctor Song’s admiration for Elder Ke.

“I wonder how Master Ke is doing now. Has he taken on any new disciples?” Doctor Song now felt envious of the young girl. After all, she was a disciple of Master Ke. That could explain why Xun Jinian’s health was improving so quickly.

Zhao Fengnian said, “Elder Ke passed away four years ago.”

“What!” Doctor Song was shocked. Just a moment ago, he had thought about writing a report to see if he could invite Master Ke to work at the hospital. It would be a win-win situation: the hospital would gain a reliable doctor, and Master Ke would live a better life. Over the years, Doctor Song had managed to gain some influence in the county hospital, at least enough to propose such ideas.

Now, learning that Master Ke had passed away was a heavy blow.

“A doctor can’t heal themselves. Elder Ke was already quite old,” Zhao Fengnian comforted him.

In those chaotic years of unrest, death had been a daily occurrence. It was only because Shuize Village had a sensible and firm village head that they had managed to survive.

“I understand now. Comrade Xue’s medical skills are exceptional. Your body has already improved a lot, and with more rest, you’ll be fully healed. You can be discharged; I’ll prepare the discharge certificate for you soon.”

“Thank you, Doctor Song,” Xun Jinian replied with genuine relief. He was more than ready to leave the hospital behind.

“…There is one more thing I’d like to ask you to help me with.” Doctor Song seemed to have made up his mind about something.

“Please, Doctor Song, go ahead.”

“Please ask Comrade Xue if she would be willing to work at the hospital. With her medical skills, it would be a pity if she doesn’t become a doctor,” Doctor Song said sincerely. He didn’t want to bring her into the hospital just because she was Master Ke’s disciple, but the fact was undeniable. Xun Jinian’s rapid recovery was proof of her skill.

Zhao Fengnian and Xun Jinian’s eyes lit up. A job at the hospital was a dream for everyone. With the cancellation of Miaoyun’s engagement to the Song family, if she could work at the hospital, it would minimize the impact of the broken engagement on her.

Although they both saw it as a good opportunity, they didn’t make any promises just yet. “Thank you, Doctor Song, for your support. We’ll talk to Miaoyun when we get back. If she’s willing, we’ll have her come to the hospital to speak with you in person tomorrow.”

Xue Miaoyun had gone to the sea twice more, and by the shore, she met a middleman who collected marine products. After trading with him twice and finding it satisfactory, she established a regular shipping channel.

She also managed to form a grain-sized piece of ‘Life’s Blue.’

The process of forming this ‘Life’s Blue’ had been very difficult. The first one might have been a beginner’s reward given for free?

Anyway, the following two attempts resulted in failure at first, and then she managed to form a grain-sized piece of ‘Life’s Blue.’ For a moment, Xue Miaoyun regretted giving the red bean-sized ‘Life’s Blue’ directly to Xun Jinian to eat.

That piece of Life’s Blue could not only heal Xun Jinian’s wounds but also improve his health and extend his life.

She felt like she had lost a great opportunity.

“The hospital?” Xue Miaoyun was stunned. How did Uncle Zhao and Uncle Xun come back with a job offer for her?

“That’s right. Doctor Song thinks very highly of you, Miaoyun.”

“He also knew Elder Ke and holds him in high regard.”

“This job opportunity is rare, Miaoyun. With your medical skills, it would be a waste not to become a doctor,” Zhao Fengnian could tell that Xue Miaoyun seemed reluctant to work at the hospital, which puzzled him. To anyone else, such an opportunity was hard to come by.

“Yeah, it’s an opportunity to help you leave Shuize village,” it concerned her future and prospects.

Xue Miaoyun knew that both uncles had her best interests at heart, but she really didn’t want to go. First, anyone could tell how busy the hospital would be just by looking at Doctor Song. Second, she still wanted to look for sunken ships at the bottom of the sea, hoping to strike it rich.

Since she avoided searching the nearby coast to keep a low profile, each trip required her to swim quite a distance, and she needed flexible time for that. Third, she knew that the college entrance examination would resume, and she had no worries about it. She wanted to use these two years to save some money. After the reform and opening up, she planned to buy some real estate.

She had previously been a 996 worker, unsure if she had any business talent and not even knowing what she wanted to do in the future. But buying property had already become her determined plan. No matter what, becoming a landlady was a career she really wanted. Such a rare opportunity shouldn’t be missed.^[1]T/N: A “996 worker” refers to someone who works from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—hence the term “996.” It’s a phrase commonly used in China to describe the intense … Continue reading

So, saving money was the priority.

“Uncle Zhao, Uncle Xun, I only know traditional Chinese medicine, but there’s no place for traditional medicine to thrive in hospitals nowadays. Besides, I’m afraid that if political winds shift again, I might end up following in Grandpa Ke’s footsteps.” Coming up with an excuse was an easy task for Xue Miaoyun.

Zhao Fengnian and Xun Jinian were both sent down to the countryside and knew the hardships of life in a cow shed. As soon as Xue Miaoyun said this, it immediately made them wary.

They wanted Xue Miaoyun to have a bright future, but if that future ended in suffering, they were unwilling to accept that.

“Miaoyun has a point. Although Doctor Song is good, he is just a chief physician. What if he can’t protect Miaoyun?” Xun Jinian thought more about it and felt this plan wasn’t viable.

“Then let’s refuse it. If it can’t be done, then it can’t. Life is the most important thing. Miaoyun is still young. I don’t believe our country will stay like this forever. Maybe one day, the college entrance exams will be reinstated. A country needs talent, after all.” Zhao Fengnian said, as if reassuring both himself and Xue Miaoyun.

“Uncle Zhao is right. I believe that day will come, and when it does, maybe I can even get into Uncle Xun’s alma mater,” Xue Miaoyun said with a smile.

“If you can get into Q University, I guarantee you can do anything smoothly within the school,” Xun Jinian joked.

“Uncle Zhao, Uncle Xun, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it? Tell us.”