Chapter 46.2

The next morning, Wen Nuan strapped Lele onto her back and left the family compound with Sister Guihua.

Captain Zhou needed to return to the regiment briefly to deliver some documents to the brigade commander.

“Sister Nuan, you’ve been there a few times, haven’t you?” Sister Guihua walked alongside, originally intending to help carry Lele, but Lele hadn’t fully woken up yet and was still clinging to Wen Nuan.

“I’ve been there twice, but the first time I didn’t meet Doctor Zhao. The second time, we only exchanged a few words before he got busy again.”

Old Doctor Zhao not only served as the village’s barefoot doctor but also had a lot of farm work to take care of.

Zhang Guihua adjusted Lele’s swaddling to make sure she was wrapped up snugly. “Oh, I see. Are you sure it’s alright for us to go see him?”

Zhang Guihua glanced around cautiously, clearly nervous about running into anyone from the family compound. Luckily, it was still early, and apart from some soldiers heading out for training, no other families were up at that hour.

Wen Nuan, noticing Sister Guihua’s unease, lowered her voice, “We’ll just visit quickly and come straight back. Doctor Zhao won’t prescribe you anything, and if you really need medicine later, you’ll have to go to the infirmary or buy it yourself in town.”

“Yes, yes, I know that. Let’s hurry and go while no one’s up yet,” said Sister Guihua, pulling her coat and scarf tighter around her and adjusting the wool hat that had been knitted during winter.

If Wen Nuan hadn’t known her so well, she might not have even recognized her.

After walking for about half an hour, the two of them finally arrived at Heicaiying Village. The first thing they saw was mostly birch trees with withered leaves. Due to the recent cold snap in spring, a thick layer of snow still covered the ground.

Because the cowshed was located at the far edge of the village, the area was so empty that not a single person could be seen.

It was around seven o’clock at that time. In the distance, the sun, red and glowing, slowly rose from the frosted mountain peaks.

It seemed like the weather was improving again.

Wen Nuan usually stayed within the residential compound, so when she suddenly saw the village after the snowfall, illuminated by the newly risen sun, she was gradually mesmerized by the beauty before her eyes.

It had been a long time since she had admired a snowy landscape. Aside from the time during the New Year, she hadn’t had the leisure to appreciate it.

Back then, it had been cold, and without work, Wen Nuan had slept in late and never even saw the sunrise.

Now, unexpectedly coming upon such a beautiful scene, her mood lifted considerably.

Wen Nuan pointed to a yellow earthen house in the distance and said, “It seems we’ve arrived. It’s that earthen house ahead. We need to hurry, otherwise, Doctor Zhao might not have time for us later.”

The last time Wen Nuan had come, it had just so happened that Old Zhao was about to leave. She hadn’t even entered the house, only chatted a bit at the door before Old Zhao had hitched up an ox cart and gone off on his errands.

As they walked along, they saw many carpentry shops from this era, as well as sheds and small earthen houses. The houses were almost all the same, plain and simple.

On the road, they saw villagers heading to work. Everyone was wearing patched-up cotton-padded jackets, but their spirits were high and full of energy.

Sister Guihua was actually quite talkative. Although she was also very cautious, she still gossiped with Wen Nuan, saying, “That person just now, I think I’ve traded yam with him before. How about we go see Doctor Zhao and then check if there’s anything we can trade for?”

Wen Nuan smiled and replied, “Sure, anyway, before winter, we’ve almost eaten up all the vegetables in the village, so it’s about time we traded for some other things to stock up.”

A few days of warmer weather had likely encouraged many local villagers to go up the mountain to gather wild goods. Even their cooking team had brought back quite a bit. The local villagers were probably able to find even more good stuff.

As the two of them walked, they gradually encountered fewer and fewer houses, but they got closer and closer to the cowshed.

Sister Guihua had never been to the cowshed area and initially thought Wen Nuan had taken a wrong turn. However, ahead, they spotted a low, earthen-colored carpentry shop.

Wen Nuan said, “We’ve arrived; it’s right up ahead.”

But before they could walk any closer, Wen Nuan noticed a familiar figure standing beside the earthen house, holding a cloth bag.

However, the person’s attire seemed somewhat out of place in this desolate environment. She wore a well-tailored cotton-padded jacket and had a brown scarf wrapped around her neck, which looked quite nice—not made of knitted yarn.

Wen Nuan thought she might have recognized the wrong person, but when she saw Li Yunhua, she was momentarily stunned.

Li Yunhua also seemed to notice her. There was a fleeting look of awkwardness and panic in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and walked over to Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan stepped forward a couple of paces and greeted Li Yunhua first, smiling, “Doctor Li.”

From Li Yunhua’s earlier expression, Wen Nuan could guess that she definitely didn’t want others to know that she came to this place.

So, Wen Nuan simply refrained from asking her any further questions.

Li Yunhua nodded at her and then looked at Lele, who was wrapped in a quilt, with only a small opening for breathing.

After a moment of silence, she asked, “Is the child not feeling well? Why did you bring her here?”

Upon hearing this, Wen Nuan guessed that Li Yunhua was aware that Doctor Zhao lived in the nearby earthen house. Besides his old identity, he was simply a doctor.

Wen Nuan smiled lightly and replied, “No, the child is fine. I just came with Sister Guihua to see Doctor Zhao.”

Zhang Guihua smiled and chimed in, “Yes, yes, I just came to check on things. Lele is all right.”

Doctor Zhao: “…”

Li Yunhua thought to herself that she had never heard anyone call Zhao Qinyuan “Doctor Zhao.”

Some called him “Old You” while others simply referred to him as “Old Zhao” regardless of their ages.

Everyone kept their distance from him, treating him as a bad man. Even when they needed medical help, they maintained an air of superiority.

However, Wen Nuan seemed different from the others; she was quite courteous in her tone.

Li Yunhua then urged, “You should go in quickly; don’t waste any time.”

Wen Nuan wanted to say something more, but remembering that Old Zhao might have to go out to work later, she decided not to be too formal with Li Yunhua. She knocked on the slightly rickety wooden door.

As soon as she knocked, someone inside responded, probably having heard their conversation.

Just as she was about to push the door open, the person came out to greet them.

It was Old Zhao, clearly taken aback to see Wen Nuan brought someone with her. He didn’t manage to hide his tense expression.

The last time they had met, they were in a hurry, Wen Nuan hadn’t had the chance to scrutinize Old Zhao closely.

Now, with the ample light, she found herself momentarily stunned. The hardships of life had made him seem very humble and quiet, but the intellectual aura he exuded was unmistakable.

Then, Wen Nuan noticed the furnishings in the room. Besides a bed and a worn wooden cabinet, it could almost be described as having bare walls.

What shocked Wen Nuan the most was that there was no heated Kang, just a wooden plank bed.

But it seemed that the room didn’t even have a fireplace.

How could anyone sleep in such a cold place?

Old Zhao lit a pipe, and upon seeing Wen Nuan, he removed the pipe and asked, “Comrade Wen, what brings you here?”

Wen Nuan smiled and took out the green dumplings from her hand. “Doctor Zhao, these are the green dumplings I made. I brought some for you to try.”

“But they’ve gotten a bit hard from the cold, so you’ll need to heat them up before eating; they taste better that way.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Zhao was even more surprised and couldn’t help but glance at Wen Nuan.

‘This child had a kind heart.’

Many people came to see him from the nearby villages, but despite treating so many patients, he had never received food or snacks from anyone, let alone something homemade.

Old Zhao originally intended to decline, but Wen Nuan had already placed the dumplings in the earthen pot on the table.

Old Zhao was a bit at a loss for words. After a long silence, he finally said, “Thank you.”

He then asked, “What brings you here?”

Wen Nuan, wanting to avoid wasting Old Zhao’s time, got straight to the point. “This is Zhang Guihua, the wife of Comrade Zhou Jianshe from our residential compound. They’ve been married for thirteen years and still don’t have any children, so they came to seek your help.”

Old Zhao first examined Zhang Guihua and then waved her over to sit down. “Let me take a look.”

Unbeknownst to them, Li Yunhua had also followed them inside and said: “If you don’t mind, I can help Doctor Zhao examine you as well.”

Zhang Guihua seemed a bit taken aback, looking at Old Zhao and then at Li Yunhua, unsure of how to respond.

However, Wen Nuan reacted quickly and smiled, saying, “That would be great! We couldn’t ask for anything more. Doctor Li, you are the best traditional Chinese medicine doctor in our unit. With you and Doctor Zhao working together, it will definitely be twice the result with half the effort!”

Wen Nuan exchanged a glance with Zhang Guihua, who felt a surge of joy. In the unit, not to mention receiving treatment from Li Yunhua, she hadn’t even had the chance to meet her. She never expected that now two doctors would be helping her. This time, the result should be promising, right?

Zhang Guihua smiled so widely that her eyes nearly closed. She hurriedly said, “Thank you, Doctor Li! Thank you, Doctor Zhao, for your help.”

Doctor Zhao looked at the seated Li Yunhua, hesitating to say anything, but Zhang Guihua had already obediently extended both hands, seemingly ready for them to each take her pulse.

Li Yunhua had already skillfully extended her fingers, resting them on Zhang Guihua’s wrist, beginning to take her pulse.

Old Zhao quietly sat down and also focused on taking her pulse.

About half a minute later, both Doctor Li and Doctor Zhao simultaneously said, “Irregular menstruation.”

Li Yunhua glanced at Zhang Guihua and added, “Excessive body hair, symptoms of hirsutism.” ^[1]Hirsutism is the growth of excessive male-pattern hair in women after puberty.

Doctor Zhao paused for two seconds and added, “A bit of acne, slightly overweight.”

The two doctors withdrew their hands as if they had already come to a conclusion, but Doctor Zhao then looked at Zhang Guihua and asked, “Where is your husband?”

Zhang Guihua felt a little shy as she pulled her hand back and replied, “He should be on his way here. Doctor, I… it seems I haven’t had my period for two months. Are the symptoms you mentioned serious? Can they be treated?”

Over the years, Zhang Guihua had seen more doctors than she had visited relatives.

She had even gone to the capital a few years ago, consulted barefoot doctors from nearby villages, and her mother-in-law had brought various folk remedies—some even obtained from shamans. She had tried everything possible.

Now, she was excited to meet two doctors: one an invited traditional Chinese medicine doctor from the military, and the other supposedly a medical expert who had returned from abroad. Surely, there must be a solution this time.

Li Yunhua looked at the anxious Zhang Guihua, and said: “Your issue is not serious; just drink some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate your menstruation.”

Doctor Zhao added, “If possible, try to lose some weight.”

Lose weight?

The mention of this made Zhang Guihua feel a bit embarrassed, as it was just her and Old Zhou at home.

Previously, she had deliberately tried to gain weight, believing that being plump meant being healthy. They had bought a lot of fatty pork, fried plenty of lard, and added lard to every dish they cooked.

Given that their family had plenty of food, she had gradually become rounder.

‘Is it possible?’ She never expected that the weight she had struggled so hard to gain was now supposed to be lost?”

However, Zhang Guihua immediately nodded in agreement. “Okay, I will listen to both doctors. As long as it can be cured, that’s all that matters.”

Over the years, she had not made any efforts; yet despite many years of seeking medical advice, nothing had worked.

She was aware that many people in the family compound laughed at her, and even her mother-in-law had almost written “You’re a hen that doesn’t lay eggs” on her face.

After all these years, she had tried everything, but it always ended in disappointment.

However, Zhou Jianshe had not said anything and had even comforted her, saying that if they couldn’t have a child this year, they might as well consider adopting one.

It’s not like Zhou Jianshe didn’t want to have his own children—he simply felt helpless.

One day, when Wen Nuan asked him whether he would divorce her if she could not give birth, Zhou Jianshe firmly said he would not leave.

While she was happy, she also felt anxious.

She always felt a bit regretful for not being able to have a child that belonged to both of them.

Zhang Guihua seemed to be dreaming, still unable to believe as she asked, “Can this really be cured?”

The two experienced doctors answered in unison, “Of course it can.”

Seeing Li Yunhua and Doctor Zhao so confident, Wen Nuan walked over to comfort her, patting her shoulder. “Doctor Li is our most experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor, and Doctor Zhao is also an expert who studied abroad. Both traditional and Western medicine say you can be cured; what else are you worried about?”

Zhang Guihua looked toward Doctor Zhao and cautiously said, “I… I thought Doctor Zhao was going to perform an operation on me.”

Someone had previously mentioned seeing all kinds of surgical instruments with Old Zhao, and just a slight cut could cause severe injuries.

Many people claimed that those Western doctors loved to use knives; it was common for them to make incisions on the abdomen and head. On her way here, she had been anxious but hadn’t dared to tell Wen Nuan…

It felt too embarrassing.

The three people present found the situation both amusing and awkward.

After laughing, Li Yunhua explained to Zhang Guihua: “This is a misunderstanding about Western medicine. In fact, not every illness requires surgery. Also, Doctor Zhao’s father was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. He is skilled in both traditional and Western medicine. You can rest assured; that your condition hasn’t reached the point of needing surgery. Soon, you can come with me to the clinic, and I’ll prescribe some traditional Chinese medicine for you to regulate your health.”

Just then, Zhou Jianshe suddenly appeared at the doorway, quickly stepping in front of Zhang Guihua and saying, “We’re not going to have surgery. I won’t let my wife undergo surgery!”

Zhou Jianshe suddenly hugged Zhang Guihua and said, “Wife, let’s not look at this anymore. If you want a child, how about we adopt one?”

Everyone watched the couple tightly embracing and turned their faces away, smiling.

Suddenly being hugged, Zhang Guihua felt her face turn red, feeling embarrassed yet somewhat touched. “No!”

She tugged at Zhou Jianshe’s clothing and whispered, “Old Zhou, you’ve got it wrong. The doctor didn’t say anything about surgery!”

“Really?” Zhou Jianshe seemed skeptical.

Zhang Guihua, annoyed, pinched him on the hand. “Of course, it’s true! Am I trying to trick you?”

Doctor Zhao cleared his throat and interjected, “Ahem,” breaking the couple’s tender moment. “It’s your turn now; come over and take a look.”

Many couples who were unable to conceive often only sent the woman for examination, feeling that the problem lay with her.

However, in many cases, the male partner also faced fertility issues.

But these men typically wouldn’t admit it, thinking the doctors were just talking nonsense.

Yet, this man seemed responsible enough; he knew to accompany his wife and had also heard the previous conversation, showing he was a man of commitment.

Zhou Jianshe still felt somewhat doubtful, but Zhang Guihua was already glaring at him with fierce eyes, so he had no choice but to obediently sit down.

Doctor Zhao and Doctor Li resumed their positions and took Zhou Jianshe’s pulse again.

After a while, the two doctors exchanged glances, simultaneously withdrawing their hands. “Comrade, you have a problem.”

Zhou Jianshe paused slightly, his expression startled as he asked incredulously, “I… I have a problem?”

A moment of silence fell over the room as everyone turned to look at Zhou Jianshe.

The two doctors nodded in unison. “That’s right; the problem lies with you.”

After speaking, the two doctors simultaneously looked at him, their gazes slowly moving down to the middle of his pants.

Zhang Guihua was momentarily stunned, but the next second, Zhou Jianshe, who should have felt embarrassed, let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Zhang Guihua, saying, “Wife, did you hear? The one with the problem is me.”

“In the future, if there’s any bitter medicine or surgery to undergo, I’ll take it all.”

Zhang Guihua responded with a confused expression: “?”

Doctor Zhao and Doctor Li exchanged glances, then chuckled, saying, “Alright, then the two ladies can step outside while we help Comrade Zhou with the examination.”

Zhang Guihua was still a bit disoriented and asked Doctor Zhao, “Huh? Can’t I watch?”

Doctor Zhao paused for a moment before replying, “Of course you can.” He then turned to Wen Nuan, saying, “Then Comrade Wen, please wait outside for a moment.”

Only then did Zhang Guihua realize what was happening. She linked her arm with Wen Nuan’s and said, “Let’s wait outside.”

She turned back to Zhou Jianshe and said, “Old Zhou, let the doctor examine you properly!”

Before Zhou Jianshe could respond, Zhang Guihua had already pulled Wen Nuan out of the room and even kindly closed the door for them.

Once the two women had left, Li Yunhua adjusted her glasses and said to Zhou Jianshe, “Go ahead and take off your pants.”

“What?” Zhou Jianshe was taken aback, looking at Li Yunhua as if he had seen a ghost. “That… that… isn’t that a bit inappropriate? You’re… a woman…”

Li Yunhua said bluntly, “In my eyes, you’re just a patient; there’s no distinction between men and women. Besides, I’m old enough to be your mother, so hurry up and take them off. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”

Doctor Zhao glanced at Li Yunhua, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Jianshe. “Comrade Zhou, it’s your turn.”

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Jianshe bravely unfastened his pants, ready to face whatever was coming.

The two experienced doctors observed him carefully.

Doctor Zhao remarked, “The head is swollen and red.”

Doctor Li added, “The skin is too long.”

In unison, they said, “All show and no substance; overworked.”

“Let’s cut it off.”

“What? Cut? Cut it off??” Zhou Jianshe suddenly shouted, yanking his pants back up in shock, looking at the two of them in terror. He quickly covered his private parts, fearing that Doctor Zhao would really pull out a knife and take it away.

Doctor Zhao looked at him with disdain. “What are you afraid of? Didn’t you just say you’d take a knife for your wife? It’s just a little bit of skin; it’s not like we’re chopping it all off.”

Zhou Jianshe felt that the two of them were treating his serious matter so lightly as if they didn’t care about his life at all. He thought to himself, sobbing internally: ‘Are doctors really this cold-blooded?’

Li Yunhua chuckled awkwardly, “Go discuss it with your wife; it’s up to you whether you want to have it cut or not.”

—o—o—o—

Wen Nuan and Zhang Guihua left the earthen house first because Doctor Zhao said he would conduct further examinations on Zhou Jianshe.

Zhang Guihua felt a bit restless as she looked back at the earthen house, worriedly asking Wen Nuan, “It wouldn’t really involve surgery on Old Zhou, would it?”

Wen Nuan paused for a moment and reassured her, “It shouldn’t come to that. You don’t need to worry so much.”

Zhang Guihua became increasingly anxious and asked, “They wouldn’t really cut him, would they?”

Wen Nuan found it amusing yet frustrating.

After quite a while, Zhou Jianshe finally came out from the earthen house, his face flushed and even the nape of his neck was bright red.

Seeing that the couple seemed to have something to say, Wen Nuan turned back toward the earthen house, preparing to give the consultation fee to Doctor Zhao.

However, just as she was about to enter, she heard Doctor Zhao say, “You shouldn’t come back here; it’s not good for you.”

Just as Wen Nuan was about to turn away, Li Yunhua’s voice came through again, “It’s just meeting an old classmate; how could that have any influence?”

After that, there was no more sound. Wen Nuan waited for Li Yunhua to come out, and after a while, she entered the room. She placed the money she had prepared on Doctor Zhao’s desk and bowed to thank him before quickly running out the door.

Doctor Zhao looked at the green rice dumplings on the table and the coins Wen Nuan had just left behind. He sat on the wooden stool, deep in thought for a moment.

Sister Guihua and Zhou Jianshe seemed to have finished their conversation, both looking rather unwell.

It wasn’t until they returned to the family compound that Zhang Guihua saw no one around and began to sob, “Xiao Nuan, Doctor Zhao really said he wants to cut off Old Zhou’s… you know what!”

“What?!!”

Wen Nuan comforted Sister Guihua for quite a while. Later that evening, when Gu Qinghan returned, she told him about this matter.

Wen Nuan said, “Qinghan, could you please ask Doctor Zhao if he made a mistake?”

Gu Qinghan showed no reaction upon hearing this; instead, he replied, “It must be you guys who misunderstood.”

“What would be the point of cutting it off?”

Wen Nuan felt a bit confused. “But… Sister Guihua said it like that.”

However, it seemed impossible; they must be talking about something else…

Wen Nuan pondered for a moment, feeling like she might have an idea of what it was.

Seeing the thoughtful expression on Wen Nuan’s face, Gu Qinghan suddenly had countless black lines appear on his forehead.

He then pulled her into his arms, rubbed his chin on her shoulder, and said, “From now on, you’re not allowed to interfere in other men’s affairs. I will handle the matter with Zhou Jianshe.”

Wen Nuan shot him an annoyed look, “You’re not even a doctor; how are you going to handle it?”

Gu Qinghan directly pulled her onto his lap, his expression still not good. “Anyway, you’re not allowed to meddle anymore. Just take care of your own man.” After saying that, he planted a kiss on her ear.

Wen Nuan let out an “oh,” finally realizing that this petty man was feeling jealous.

As she was about to get up, Gu Qinghan leaned in and whispered a couple of words in her ear, rubbing his slightly stubbled chin against her delicate neck, making her shrink back from the ticklish sensation.

Wen Nuan kicked his foot. “Can’t you wait until the evening?”

Gu Qinghan lowered his voice. “Comrade Liu has organized a test flight, and the Captain wants me to be a test pilot. I might have to go to Factory 112 with Comrades Liu and Shen.”

After hearing this, Wen Nuan felt her sleepiness dispel quickly. She tilted her head slightly to look at him. “When are you going?”

“Um, not sure yet, but it should be in the next few days.”

In order to rise through the ranks, Gu Qinghan had to leave temporarily.

Wen Nuan recalled that Sister Juxiang had mentioned her husband was also on a mission after the New Year and still hadn’t returned.

However, Wen Nuan had noticed that Gu Qinghan had been attending a lot of meetings lately, so it seemed that he really did have a mission.

As a soldier, Gu Qinghan had his own responsibilities, and she certainly didn’t want to be a stumbling block for him. Turning to face him, she looked into his deep eyes and said, “Make sure to take care of yourself. Lele and I will be waiting for you at home—waiting for you to come home safely.”

Gu Qinghan responded with an “Mm,” and then rubbed his nose. “First, I’ll get Lele to sleep.”

Lele who was still happily entertaining herself and playing joyfully was suddenly, Gu Qinghan scooped her up, causing Lele to shout in protest, not wanting to sleep at all.

After Lele finally fell asleep, Wen Nuan was also close to dozing off.

However, she was suddenly swept away by the reckless man to the little room next door.