Chapter 34

Upon hearing that Lu Baiwei definitely wouldn’t pass the exam, Lu Jianguo, her father, not only didn’t worry about her, but actually stood with his hands on his hips and a sharp look in his eyes.

Why was he standing with his hands on his hips?

The last time he tried to intervene when Lu Jiaojiao reported Yin Zhi and Shen Guixiang, he pulled his back while trying to stop the fight. Now his back was still stiff, and he had to support himself with his hands to stand up.

He was so sure that Lu Baiwei wouldn’t pass the barefoot doctor exam, it was as if he had regained the strength and confidence he had lost.

“WeiWei  is such a poor child. She didn’t pass the brigade’s barefoot doctor exam, and she and He Ting don’t even have a place to stay,” Lu Jianguo said, a malicious grin spreading across his face. “No, I can’t just stand by and let WeiWei  and He Ting be homeless. I’ll go to the health clinic.”

“Yes, WeiWei  is such a poor thing. As her parents, we can’t just leave her,” Liu Chunhua said, looking as if she had already figured out how to control Lu Baiwei. “Old Lu, let’s go. WeiWei ’s so stubborn. I’ll go with you to get her to move back home.”

When He Ting and Lu Baiwei returned from their trip to the county supply and marketing cooperative, they were stunned to see Lu Jianguo and Liu Chunhua waiting in front of the health clinic.

“WeiWei , we finally waited for you,” Lu Jianguo and his wife looked at them with the same sly expressions as a weasel greeting a chicken. Lu Baiwei was completely confused.

“What are you two doing here?”

He Ting and Lu Baiwei had gone to the county supply and marketing cooperative, bought a mosquito net, some egg cake and peach crisps. Besides getting Lu Baiwei some snacks, He Ting also bought her some nutritional supplements like malt milk and cod liver oil.

Lu Baiwei thought it was too expensive, but He Ting insisted on buying them for his wife, saying he would take care of her.

He also used his meat rations to buy two pounds of meat, a bag of dried fish, and a bag of dried shrimp. Sometimes when there was no meat at home, they could steam dried fish and dried shrimp with fermented soybeans and chili, or mix them with steamed buns for a meal.

When Liu Chunhua’s greedy eyes locked onto the large bag of items hanging on the front of the bike, she immediately adopted a fake motherly tone. “WeiWei, we know you didn’t pass the exam today. Don’t be upset, we’re family. We won’t abandon you.”

“You didn’t pass, and you can’t stay in the two rooms at the health clinic anymore. The brigade won’t let you stay there,” Liu Chunhua continued.

“About the misunderstanding with Jiaojiao, your dad and I won’t hold it against you.”

“What are these things you bought?” Liu Chunhua reached for the items on He Ting’s bike handlebar.

“Come on, let’s take the things home,” Liu Chunhua urged.

Her hand was just about to touch the items when He Ting shifted the bike and shot a sharp glance at her.

“Who said WeiWei didn’t pass the exam?”

“How could WeiWei pass?” Liu Chunhua asked dismissively.

“Son-in-law, we know exactly what WeiWei is capable of,” Lu Jianguo said confidently.

“Son-in-law, we know exactly what WeiWei is capable of,” Lu Jianguo said.

“You should stop being so stubborn. As parents, we can’t just stand by and watch you have nowhere to live,” he added, in a tone that seemed to expect no objection.

“Alright, alright, pack up the things and move.”

Lu Baiwei was speechless.

What kind of lunatics were these?

Just because they assumed she couldn’t pass the brigade barefoot doctor exam?

Arguing with such people was pointless, like trying to talk to a chicken about a duck—completely nonsensical.

Ugh! That was a bad comparison.

Anyway, it was best to just ignore them and treat them like air.

Lu Baiwei couldn’t be bothered to give this ridiculous couple even a glance as she unlocked the door.

Lu Jianguo, still thinking of barging in to help move things, didn’t even care that his back injury wasn’t healed yet.

As if to slap him in the face, the sound of a bicycle bell rang from the little path in front of the health clinic.

Secretary Liu, riding his bike, appeared with an excited look on his face.

“WeiWei, you’re truly impressive!” he called out.

“You scored full marks in the theoretical exam.”

“Among all the brigades that sent people to the county hospital for the exam, only our Xiangyang brigade had someone score full marks.”

Secretary Liu dismounted from his bike, “I just got back from a meeting at the commune. The county hospital called the commune and said that not only did you pass the barefoot doctor exam, but you also caught the eye of the most prestigious Director Shen at the hospital.”

“Other brigades’ recommended barefoot doctors all have to do a uniform internship, but you’re the only one who will spend the next half month interning directly under Director Shen.”

Lu Baiwei smiled as she spoke to Secretary Liu, “Uncle Liu, I just got lucky that Director Shen was the one who oversaw this exam.”

“This isn’t just luck,” Secretary Liu replied, “WeiWei, you must have inherited your grandfather’s medical skills, which is why Director Shen took notice of you.”

He encouraged her, “WeiWei, starting tomorrow, you’ll be at the county hospital. Study hard and don’t let our Xiangyang brigade lose face.”

“Alright, Uncle Liu won’t keep you any longer. I’ll go to your uncle’s place on my bike now.”

Lu Jianguo and Liu Chunhua stood frozen, stunned.

Wait, what?

How did Lu Baiwei manage to pass the exam when she was up against He Zhiqing?

She was just a rural girl from a big city, with education and culture.

“They’re from a big city, educated and cultured,” they muttered.

How did Lu Baiwei not only pass the exam but also gain special attention from Director Shen at the county hospital?

Having missed out on Lu Baiwei’s entire growth, and knowing nothing about her, Lu Jianguo and Liu Chunhua found it hard to accept this outcome.

“WeiWei didn’t just pass the exam, she’s also interning with Director Shen. Sorry to disappoint you.”

They’d been hoping so badly that WeiWei wouldn’t pass.

They had been eagerly waiting here for some sign, hoping to grab their things, and even planned to help them move. It was almost like they were shouting, let’s all take care of Lu Wenhua together!

He Ting couldn’t help but think—before he met his wife, how much had she suffered?

With people like this treating Lu Baiwei so poorly, He Ting had no intention of being kind to them.

His face darkened, and he coldly spoke to Lu Jianguo and Liu Chunhua, “Do you still have something to say?”

“Son-in-law, we didn’t mean it like that.”

“WeiWei, your dad just wants what’s best for you. Moving back home would give you some support.”

How could they have gotten it so wrong?

This had only pushed WeiWei farther away from them.

Lu Jianguo still wanted to explain, but He Ting had already pulled Lu Baiwei inside and slammed the door shut, blocking the foolish and malicious couple outside.

Before officially starting as the barefoot doctor for the brigade, there was a half-month internship to complete.

For this half-month, the county hospital provided dormitory accommodation.

Xiangyang Brigade was quite far from the county.

Lu Baiwei, afraid of being late for her internship, had already discussed with He Ting about staying in the hospital dorm during the half-month period.

After a whole day of running around in the county, she was exhausted. After cooking, showering, and packing her things for the next day, she went to bed early.

She had fallen asleep peacefully at first, but in the middle of the night, there was a loud crashing sound from the other room, like someone was knocking over furniture.

“He Ting, what’s going on?”

Lu Baiwei had gotten up for a bathroom break and opened the door to see what was happening.

He Ting’s voice was a little hoarse in the dark, as if he was trying hard to suppress something.

“WeiWei, did I wake you?”

“I couldn’t sleep because of the mosquitoes, so I got up to find the flashlight and kill them.”