Jiang Xi was delighted and couldn’t stop admiring the cabinet.

The villagers, who had gathered to watch, joked: “You’re treating your daughter-in-law like your own daughter. It’s wonderful that you give her everything she wants.”

“She paid for the medicine cabinet herself. Her father and I just helped her,” Mother Pei said with a smile. “Xiaoxi is capable, and this is all we can do.”

Most villagers teased in good humor, noting how convenient it would be to get medicine now. Others remarked on Jiang Xi’s skill and even suggested she should be called Doctor Jiang instead of just He Jun’s wife.

The comment about Doctor Jiang was met with agreement: “Yes, she should be called Doctor Jiang. It’s great that our village has a doctor now!”

The scene was lively and cheerful, with Pei’s parents warmly greeting everyone.

Pei Shengcai, upon entering, was surprised by the lively atmosphere.

He hesitated but then was noticed by someone who said, “Captain? Why are you here?”

Pei Shengcai entered and, holding an old stethoscope, said with a smile, “I went to the commune today and found this stethoscope. I thought it might be useful.”

He handed it to Jiang Xi, saying, “Here, Doctor Jiang. It’s old but functional. Use it for now. We’ll try to get you more equipment when you’re more established.”

Jiang Xi was pleased with the stethoscope, an important tool in both Western and traditional medicine. She thanked Pei Shengcai warmly.

Pei Shengcai gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder and didn’t say much more.

_

However, for the villagers, this event was less significant compared to other recent news.

The village was buzzing with talk about Pei Shengcai’s visit, and the idea that Jiang Xi might be recommended as the team doctor spread quickly.

The position of team doctor was highly respected and had formal recognition, which added to the excitement.

Some villagers doubted the news, questioning if a young girl could really become a team doctor. 

But others reassured them, saying, “They mentioned reporting it to the commune, so it must be true.”

The authority of the Commune lent credibility to the news, silencing most doubts.

Everyone was serious: “It seems that He Jun’s wife is really capable.”

“Why call her He Jun’s wife? She’s Doctor Jiang!”

“Hahaha…Yes, Doctor Jiang!”

Gradually, everyone accepted the title of Doctor Jiang.

The villagers didn’t know much. The team leader was the highest official among them, so a doctor who impressed even the team leader must be skilled.

Previously, patients who saw Jiang Xi had minor issues like fever, colds, or sprains. They thought they could be treated for just two eggs, and if not, it wouldn’t be a big loss.

But how could so many people be injured?

Jiang Xi had very few patients except for the first two days. But now things were different. She was recognized by the captain, had equipment, and her room looked as professional as those of experienced doctors.

Very impressive.

As the villagers watched, they began to believe that she was a real doctor and could help with their various ailments!

For instance, Aunt Lanhua, who was close with Pei’s mother, was inspired. Hearing the villagers talk, she decided to visit.

A woman stopped her and asked, “Why are you leaving so soon? Are you in a hurry to eat?”

Aunt Lanhua smiled and said, “I just wanted to ask Doctor Jiang about my headache that’s lasted over ten years.”

Others were doubtful: “Can she treat that?”

Living conditions in the village were poor, and people endured their illnesses. Seeing a doctor was often too expensive.

Initially, they doubted Jiang Xi’s abilities. She was young and probably could only handle minor issues.

But Aunt Lanhua believed otherwise. So, when faced with doubts, she declared, “Why not? If she’s going to be the team doctor, she must be very skilled. Besides, it’s only two eggs, so it’s not a loss. If she can help, then it’s worth it. And if she becomes a team doctor, it won’t be so cheap.”

Everyone: “…That makes sense!”

“I’ll go show her too.”

“Me too…”

Suddenly, most of the people who were gossiping disappeared, and everyone went home to get eggs.

When they arrived at Pei’s house and entered the yard, a crowd eagerly shouted, “Doctor Jiang! My knee hurts every time it rains. Can you take a look?”

“My neck hurts so much I can’t sleep. Can you help, Doctor Jiang?”

It was so lively, it felt more like a celebration than a medical visit.

Jiang Xi was enjoying her new equipment when she was suddenly surrounded by people discussing their symptoms. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Though surprised by the influx of patients, she nodded: “Of course I can help!”

Before starting, she checked Pei Hejun’s hand: “System, are these tasks?”

The system updated the task list, adding many new tasks: [Relieve the pain of rheumatic patients, task reward: 5 points]

[Treat the patient’s rheumatism, task reward: 20 points]

[Relieve the pain of migraine patients, task reward: 4 points]

[Treat the patient’s migraine, task reward: 15 points]

The system made it easy to earn points by either relieving symptoms or fully treating conditions.

Jiang Xi took a deep breath. Once these patients were cured, she would be able to get Pei Hejun’s medicine. After a bit more waiting, she would have her silver needles, medical skills, and idols’ notes!

Time to start earning points!

Jiang Xi went outside and smiled at the waiting patients: “Line up, one by one.”

_

In the village, news spread quickly. Pei Deming and Pei Deyi, who lived close by, were aware of the recent events with the Pei family.

Xisheng’s mother heard the news and made a sarcastic comment: “Look at you. All born of the same parents, but why are your parents-in-law so biased? They only care about the third child and now favor his wife, but they haven’t bought anything for you!”

Xu Cui was furious. She noticed that while her parents-in-law had recently sent her a large bowl of broth, they spent more on big items for an outsider.

She remembered that only Jiang Xi had a bicycle among the three daughters-in-law.

Feeling frustrated, she stood up. 

Xisheng’s mother feigned surprise: “What’s wrong? Are you going to argue with your mother-in-law?”

Xu Cui was upset but knew she couldn’t confront her mother-in-law directly. Instead, she smiled and said, “Auntie, you’re joking. I just remembered that the clothes at home need washing, so I’ll leave now.”

She left smartly.

Xisheng’s mother missed the excitement and muttered, “Guizhi’s luck is incredible. She lost a capable son, but now she has a capable daughter-in-law.”

The key point is that this daughter-in-law is still foolish.

Her own mother and uncle didn’t want her, but she insisted on marrying into the family and raising a useless husband and two elderly fools.

She wished this daughter-in-law were actually hers.

However, Xisheng’s mother thought about her own daughter-in-law. Since being treated by Jiang Xi, her temper had worsened, and she had become lazier and more greedy.

But she was too afraid to scold her as she did before.

Xisheng’s mother touched her head, which was partially bald from a recent fight. Her harsh face showed her frustration. That foolish Xu Cui made no sense.

Things were getting worse.

_

Xu Cui, the person being talked about, didn’t care much about the gossip.

She knew her mother-in-law had always favored some family members over others, but it had never been so obvious. Now it seemed that only the third child and Jiang Xi were truly valued, while the other two were treated poorly.

Her anger was building, but she didn’t express it at the moment.

She still remembered the last time she was beaten by her parents-in-law, and it was painful.

But doing nothing was not an option.

Xu Cui knew her daughter-in-law would suffer if she openly defied her mother-in-law, so she needed help. Her husband was unreliable and unlikely to cause trouble with his parents again. He might only hide at home and complain.

So, she thought of the second brother’s family, who were also not favored.

Xu Cui and Liu Xiaohua had never been close. Before Jiang Xi arrived, they were always competing for their parents-in-law’s attention, whether openly or secretly. They felt uncomfortable if someone asked for more.

If it weren’t for Jiang Xi, they wouldn’t have worked together.

Since Jiang Xi married in, Xu Cui and Liu Xiaohua had not been as close, but they still knew a bit about each other’s situations.

Xu Cui remembered seeing the second son’s family going to town yesterday with their child and borrowing a car from her mother-in-law’s house.

The child was sick, but the parents-in-law only cared about the young daughter-in-law. This seemed unfair.

She felt that if the second family was compensated, then the eldest family should be too.

So Xu Cui went next door to Pei Deyi’s house.

Pei Deyi was out, and only Liu Xiaohua was home, washing clothes.

Liu Xiaohua’s sister-in-law looked tired, with a large sore at the corner of her mouth. She quickly said, “Sister-in-law, please sit down. I’ll finish washing the clothes first.”

“What’s happening?” Xu Cui asked, surprised: “Fengshou is seven years old. Did he really poop his pants? And what’s wrong with your face?”

Liu Xiaohua touched her mouth and said bitterly, “He ate something bad and got diarrhea. I got some medicine yesterday and he seemed better. His father bought him meat, but it started again today. He didn’t make it to the toilet and peed his pants. My sore mouth might be from getting angry a few days ago. It’s worse now because Fengshou is sick.”

Xu Cui looked sympathetically at her. Her son was sick, and Liu Xiaohua had a large sore. She advised, “You should go to town for treatment.”

Liu Xiaohua shook her head: “I saw a doctor. I bought medicine for 50 cents a box, but it didn’t help. I won’t go again.”

Just then, a seven-year-old boy came out limping, holding onto the wall, and said, “Mom, I need to poop…”

Liu Xiaohua quickly took her son to the toilet.

Xu Cui was stunned. After Liu Xiaohua washed her hands, Xu Cui murmured, “Fengshou’s situation is serious.”

“Yes, he seemed fine, but now it’s worse. He shouldn’t have eaten meat,” Liu Xiaohua complained.

After sorting things out, Liu Xiaohua rubbed her waist.

Xu Cui pursed her lips and said, “Do you know what Dad and Mom did yesterday?”

“What?” Liu Xiaohua asked, distracted by her son’s illness.

Xu Cui said angrily, “They made a medicine cabinet and a desk for that good daughter-in-law. You wouldn’t believe how big it is. It was dragged back on a cart. It must have cost a lot.”

Liu Xiaohua’s face changed: “They bought two big items?”

Xu Cui nodded, “Yes, they don’t care about their own son but are trying to please Jiang Xi. Do they really think she will support them in their old age?”

Liu Xiaohua was furious and wanted to make a scene.

She was upset that Jiang Xi was receiving such special treatment while her own family was ignored.

But Xu Cui pulled her back: “Don’t go like this.”

Liu Xiaohua protested, “Why did you stop me? Are you going to let them give everything to that little bitch?”

Xu Cui said angrily, “You’re foolish. My parents are favoring Jiang Xi. What can you achieve by causing a scene?”

Liu Xiaohua’s face fell. She knew the situation and said reluctantly, “What should we do? Can we just ignore it?”

“Of course not!” Xu Cui raised her chin and pointed to the bicycle in the yard: “Hide this bicycle. If they ask for it, bring up the fact that their grandson is sick and they’re still trying to please that daughter-in-law. Where can they put their faces?”

Liu Xiaohua hesitated: “Isn’t that a bit wrong?”

Xu Cui put her hands on her hips confidently, “What’s wrong with that? They are foolishly favoring a daughter-in-law who isn’t even blood-related. Did they give you anything when your son was sick? Bicycles are expensive, and neither of us has one. Why should Jiang Xi have one? Let’s take the bicycle and sell it later. We can get two hundred yuan each. Isn’t that good?”

Liu Xiaohua’s eyes sparkled, and after a moment, she nodded.

“Okay! I won’t return it!”

***

If you enjoy this work by the author, feel free to explore more of their projects below!

Transmigration of a Food Blogger: Cannon Fodder in a House-Fighting Novel

Heaven’s Favored Daughter in the 1970s