Chapter 27.2

Li Dingbang sought Colonel Yan’s help to negotiate the matter. Colonel Yan pulled every string he could and even reached out to General Yuan for additional support. 

The Southwest Military District invested significant time and effort, calling in favors and leveraging connections, to finally resolve the issue. 

The matter had grown so big that many within the military and political systems heard about it. Some questioned if such an enormous effort for a single doctor was truly worth it. 

Critics thought the Southwest Military District had lost their minds, while those involved quietly celebrated. Just wait. Someday you’ll come begging us for help.

When Guan Yue received the official documents stamped with the government seal, she was finally satisfied. 

The following day, preparations began for the sanatorium’s construction in Qingxi Village. Trucks arrived one after another, delivering building materials. 

Guan Yue also requested additional materials. With a casual wave of his hand, Li Dingbang approved her request and even promised to help her build whatever she needed. 

Guan Yue quickly waved off the offer for help, saying, “No need to build it for me. Just bring the materials up, and I’ll take care of it.” 

Building the sanatorium was a massive undertaking. Adding to the complexity, the valley had experienced flooding during the summer, so flood prevention had to be considered, which would extend the construction timeline. 

It was a timely project, though, as the autumn harvest had just ended, and the farming off-season had begun. People from nearby brigades came seeking work, eager to earn some extra income. 

At the time, strict residency controls between rural and urban areas left rural residents with few opportunities to make money beyond the small annual earnings distributed by their brigades. The chance to earn wages right at their doorstep by helping build the sanatorium was a golden opportunity. 

The news spread quickly, and people from all the nearby brigades rushed to sign up. The Qingsong Brigade, closest to Qingxi Village, was especially enthusiastic, with nearly the entire brigade wanting to participate. 

Li Tao’s family, except for his sister-in-law Lin Haiyin, all signed up for work. Before the first day on-site, Li Tao made a point to climb the mountain and talk to Guan Yue. 

“Guan Yue, you don’t know how grateful we all are to you!” Li Tao exclaimed. “Thanks to you, we’re getting a sanatorium here. When it’s up and running, they’ll probably need to buy vegetables from us. The brigade leader says this could turn into a long-term business for us!” 

Guan Yue chuckled. “You’ve thought so far ahead already?” 

Li Tao scratched his head sheepishly. “Not really. That’s just what everyone’s been saying. And because of the sanatorium, our brigade finally got electricity! My mom was so excited she splurged on electric lights for our house. At night, the house is so bright now, way better than using kerosene lamps.” 

“Oh, and I heard they’re going to fix up our roads too. They’ve already leveled the ground. They might even build concrete roads! My sister-in-law says concrete roads are super clean, and your feet don’t get muddy when you walk on them.” 

In Qingxian County, only the two main streets in the county town were paved with concrete. Li Tao had never been to the town, so he had never seen such roads before. 

Li Tao’s joy was evident as he spoke about the recent changes, his eyes practically glowing with excitement. 

Guan Yue asked, “Weren’t you planning to get married after the autumn harvest?” 

“We are,” Li Tao replied with a grin. “But things have been so busy lately. My family and He Wen’s family decided to wait a bit. We’ll earn some money first, then hold the wedding. If not, we might end up doing what my brother and sister-in-law did—getting married during the New Year pig slaughter.” 

Realizing time was running short, Li Tao stayed a while longer before heading back down for work. 

Later, Guan Yue remarked to Gu Sui, “It’s amazing how just the idea of building a sanatorium seems to have completely lifted everyone’s spirits.” 

“It’s like they’ve suddenly come alive, filled with hope for the future. It’s like a ray of light shining into their repetitive and exhausting daily lives,” she added thoughtfully. 

Gu Sui nodded. “You shouldn’t underestimate the impact of something like this. For the locals, it’s a blessing beyond their wildest dreams.” 

Electricity and road repairs were privileges even people living on the outskirts of towns couldn’t always count on. For a remote area like theirs, getting both so quickly was a near miracle. 

Guan Yue slapped her thigh in realization. “Oh no, I still haven’t asked about the Daqing Mountain situation!” 

“Don’t worry,” Gu Sui reassured her. “Having Daqing Mountain under your name won’t affect them much. And with all the benefits you’ve brought, this is such a minor issue it’s hardly worth mentioning.” 

The commune secretary had already visited all the nearby brigades to make the announcement: Daqing Mountain was now Guan Yue’s domain. Villagers could still gather firewood at the base, but entering the deep forest was strictly prohibited.

Upon hearing about the situation, the first reaction of the people outside was to wonder if Guan Yue intended to protect the medicinal herbs in the mountains.

Soon after, construction on the sanatorium began, and Guan Yue was appointed as a special physician there. This only deepened everyone’s belief that Guan Yue had closed off the mountain to safeguard the herbs.

A sanatorium would naturally attract many visitors, leading to a significant demand for medicinal herbs.

Gu Sui also worked as a doctor at the sanatorium. He had completely moved out of the Educated Youth dormitory of the Qingsong Brigade and was now living permanently in the cabin near the mountain.

As the construction of the sanatorium at the foot of the mountain commenced, Gu Sui asked Guan Yue, “When are you planning to build your little villa?”

Guan Yue replied, “I don’t know how to build a house yet. I need to study it first.”

Not only did she plan to build a house, but she also wanted to construct a three-story underground basement for research purposes.

As she gradually let go of her past, her concerns shifted to the future of the world. If, a hundred years later, a virus were to outbreak again, what would happen to humanity?

At that time, countless people would endure the same hardships she had gone through. Could she bear to watch it all unfold without doing anything?

She had not figured out the answers to these questions yet. Her current skills were far from sufficient to research viruses, but she could start preparing.

The more Guan Yue grew fond of Gu Sui and this world, the deeper her inner worries became.

Guan Yue asked, “Have you ever studied viruses?”

“Viruses? I know a little about them,” Gu Sui replied.

“I want to study viruses,” she said. “Is there any way to get some books on the subject? Starting from the basics.”

The files and materials her father had left behind were far too advanced and complex for her to comprehend at her current level.

When the topic of viruses came up, Gu Sui immediately thought of zombies.

Without hesitation, Gu Sui agreed, “Don’t worry, I’ll find the materials for you. There’s no need to rush; there’s plenty of time.”

Guan Yue suddenly thought aloud, “Maybe it won’t even be up to my grandchildren’s generation. If our children live long enough, they might witness it.”

“Our children?” Gu Sui’s gaze became fervent as he asked, “Are you agreeing to marry me?”

With a proud snort, Guan Yue retorted, “We’ll see how you perform.”

Before Gu Sui could say another word, she turned and ran off.

Gu Sui chuckled. It seemed she was allowed to tease him, but he wasn’t even allowed to ask questions.

After the flood, Qingxi Village had experienced a quiet summer. Now, life was bustling once again.

Meanwhile, at the Xu family residence in Hong Kong, after reading Guan Yue’s letter, the room fell into silence.

Wei Zongnan couldn’t understand. Hong Kong was such a wonderful place—why would Guan Yue refuse to stay there?

Xu Hua’an commented, “I’ve said it before—Guan Yue likes living in Daqing Mountain. There’s a high chance she wouldn’t come.”

Jiang Zhi added, “No matter what, we should inform Officer Zhang.”

Xu Huaping nodded in agreement. “Yes, this isn’t something we can hide.”

That same afternoon, Zhang Mingrui received the news: the renowned traditional Chinese medicine doctor wouldn’t be coming to Hong Kong. This created quite a dilemma for him.

Zhang Mingrui had been taking the Yang Xin Pill for some time. Without needing a formal diagnosis, he could feel a significant improvement in his condition.

Many Western doctors, having heard about Zhang Mingrui’s case, reached out to offer him free health examinations. Among them, one British doctor named Robert was particularly enthusiastic.

As a Western-trained doctor, Robert had traveled all the way from England to Hong Kong. Before arriving, he had heard about the practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). To him, TCM’s diagnostic methods seemed illogical and rooted in mysticism—a far cry from credible science.

However, his perception began to shift as he met increasingly skilled TCM practitioners in Hong Kong. Zhang Mingrui’s case became the final piece of evidence that completely changed his outlook.

That day, Robert found another excuse to visit Zhang Mingrui, offering a free checkup. Upon learning that the brilliant TCM doctor would not be coming to Hong Kong, he was visibly disappointed.

“Officer Zhang,” Robert said, “if she won’t come here, can’t we go to her?”

Zhang Mingrui’s mind worked quickly. Since she refused to come, he couldn’t force her. Given that he needed her help, it was only proper to seek her out personally. However, considering the current political situation between the two regions, how could he visit her openly?

For now, Zhang Mingrui couldn’t come up with a solution. Nevertheless, he decided to continue taking the medicine.

To provide Guan Yue with a comprehensive understanding of his condition, Zhang Mingrui asked Mu Liyan to take his pulse and meticulously record his symptoms. Along with this detailed report, he also included X-ray images of his heart for Guan Yue’s reference.

But that wasn’t all—Zhang Mingrui also sent an entire chest of gold along with his medical files.

Xu Hua’an clicked his tongue. “Zhang Mingrui sure is rich.”

Xu Huaping offered a wry smile. “I’ve taken so much medicine from Guan Yue but never given her anything valuable.”

“That’s not true,” Xu Hua’an replied. “Guan Yue wrote to me saying that the jewelry and dresses you sent were her favorites.”

Jiang Zhi chuckled. “It’s still warm here, but it’s already late autumn where Guan Yue is. The weather will turn cold soon. This time, let’s send her some thick clothes.”

Thick clothes alone didn’t seem like enough, so Jiang Zhi added a prized piece of jewelry to the box as well.