Chapter 40.3

On the way back, when they reached the front of the valley, the family housing building for the medical college and the pharmaceutical factory had already been completed.

Xiao Ma was busy there. When he saw Guan Yue, he ran over to greet them. “Doctor Gu, Doctor Guan, you’re back!”

“We’re back. What are you doing?”

“Finished the exam yesterday, and this morning I posted the recruitment list. I just finished up and was about to head back.”

“Then let’s walk together.”

“Sure! Was it fun for Doctor Guan to go to Beijing for the first time?”

“It was fun, but it was too cold.”

“Hahaha, a few years ago, I went to the northeast with Minister Li during the winter. Now that’s what you call real cold.”

“Our winter here is much more comfortable.”

“Exactly.”

Guan Yue asked Xiao Ma: “How many people from the Qingsong Brigade passed the recruitment exam?”

“Quite a few. For the first batch, we recruited over eighty people, and more than twenty from the Qingsong Brigade. The ones you know, Li Tao and He Wen, both made it in, and Li Tao’s sister-in-law got in too. As for Li Tao’s big brother, his grades weren’t good enough, so he got outperformed by others.”

“There’s nothing that can be done about that. Everything has to be fair.”

“Minister Li said the same.”

When they reached the entrance of the valley, Wang Tiejun was waiting there. “Doctor Guan, Doctor Gu, you’re back!”

“We’re back.”

Gu Sui pulled out a large bag of food from his bag and placed it on Wang Tiejun’s table. “This is some Beijing specialty I brought for you. Xiao Ma, help distribute it.”

“Wow, you remembered to bring us something after such a long trip. Thank you, Doctor Gu!”

“You’re welcome.”

As they walked into the valley, there were fewer people at the sanatorium compared to before the New Year. Deng Weimin and Deng Baishu hadn’t returned yet.

When they reached the mountain, Guan Yue yawned. “I want to take a bath and sleep.”

“Do you still want to eat dinner?”

“I’m not hungry, I don’t feel like eating.”

“Sleep here in the cabin?”

Guan Yue nodded. They had just returned, and maybe someone would come up the mountain to find them early the next morning, so it was better to stay here.

Otherwise, she would’ve preferred to stay at the mountain villa for a couple of days.

She was exhausted from everything recently.

Just as Guan Yue had expected, the next morning, before she had even woken up, Deng Weijia came to find them.

Deng Weijia said: “We’ve set the time. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the sixteenth day of the New Year. As the principal, you’ll need to give a speech on stage.”

“Aside from our own people, who else will be attending?”

“There will be quite a few people coming, but most of them are from the neighboring provinces in the southwest. When we first started inviting people, many were reluctant and said they weren’t sure if they’d be free. But after the New Year, when we asked again, everyone said they could make time.”

“Our school is officially affiliated with the Southwest Liberation Army, so the military district will definitely send someone on the opening day. I’ve mentioned it before—there are also comrades from the press who’ll be coming. Do you remember? It’s going to be a big event, so you can’t mess it up!”

Guan Yue chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

Once they arrived here, it wasn’t an issue. Before, she was born into such a family and had attended countless banquets—what was there to be nervous about at this small event?

“To attend yesterday’s recruitment at the pharmaceutical factory, the school’s staff had already arrived early. I’ve made a count, and only a few students are missing. The rest of the school staff is basically all here.”

Guan Yue asked: “Have the textbooks been printed?”

“They’ve been printed. The books were delivered to the school yesterday.”

Guan Yue nodded. “Those who arrived early shouldn’t be idle. They should prepare their lessons and study. After the school year starts, if I have time, I’ll go listen to their lectures. If I catch anyone not being serious, I’ll replace them with someone who is.”

“Anyone who made it here has had a stroke of luck. Who would dare not take it seriously? But you’re right—discipline is necessary.”

Deng Weijia rambled on about various school matters, and by the time he finished, it was already past ten in the morning.

Gu Sui said: “Let’s go to the Qingsong Brigade and deliver the specialties to Li Tao. We’ll also ask Captain Zhou for a recommendation letter.”

“Let’s go, we’ll be back just in time for lunch.”

The two didn’t go out of the valley. Hand in hand, they crossed over Xiaoqing Mountain.

Two patrolling soldiers saw them. “Doctor Guan, are you heading to Xiaoqing Mountain?”

“Yes, it’s a quicker route this way.”

It wasn’t yet the fifteenth day of the New Year, so it was still the holiday period. Everyone was still at home, relaxing. There wasn’t even anyone collecting firewood on Xiaoqing Mountain.

Once they descended Xiaoqing Mountain and entered the village, the atmosphere became lively. There were groups of people here and there—some sitting on small stools chatting by the fire, others squatting on the ground, joking around.

Children were running around everywhere, with the older ones taking care of the younger ones, laughing and playing in the bustling scene.

Guan Yue said: “The New Year in the countryside feels more lively than in the city.”

Gu Sui replied: “People in the countryside rarely get a break. The only time they can truly relax is around the New Year, during these one or two months.”

---

On the way to Li Tao’s house, they met many people, all of whom greeted them with smiles.

At that moment, Li Tao was at her parents’ home, holding her child. When she heard that Guan Yue had arrived, she quickly picked up her child and came to greet her.

Li Tao said: “Guan Yue, you’ve gotten even more beautiful!”

Guan Yue smiled, squinting her eyes. “Not bad, not bad.”

Li Tao laughed heartily. “I have to say, even though you two aren’t married yet, when I saw you walking over together, it looked like an old married couple.”

Guan Yue replied: “Speaking of marriage, it’s soon. We’ll be going to register in a few days.”

Lin Haiyin came out holding her son. Upon hearing this, she quickly said: “My goodness, I’ve finally heard you two talk about marriage! In our whole brigade, there are so many young men and women who have been dating for ages, with such a good relationship, but never get married. You two are the only ones.”

Since they ran into them here, there was no need to go to Li Tao’s house. Guan Yue handed her the Beijing specialties. “I brought this for you, try some Beijing snacks.”

“Ah, you brought me food. Guan Yue, you’re so thoughtful!”

Guan Yue smiled slyly. “No need to mention it!”

Li Tao eagerly shared: “I got a job at the pharmaceutical factory! After the Lantern Festival, I’ll start working. I’ll finally have a salary.”

“Good for you! Who knows, maybe one day you’ll even get promoted to a small leadership position.”

Li Tao was overjoyed. “I’d be so happy if that happens. That would really bring honor to my family!”

Guan Yue chatted with them a little about the pharmaceutical factory, but it was getting late, and she had other things to do, so she decided to leave first.

“You two chat, we have something to discuss with Captain Zhou.”

“Alright, come visit us again when you have time.”

After Guan Yue and the others left, Lin Haiyin finally said: “They must be going to Captain Zhou for the marriage certificate recommendation.”

Li Tao slapped her thigh. “How did I not think of that?”

Lin Haiyin, holding her son, walked back home, her mind racing. She hadn’t expected that Gu Sui and Guan Yue had been together for so many years, and now they were getting married. He had even brought Guan Yue home to meet his family.

It was also clear that Guan Yue was impressive in her own right. Her current background was no less than Gu Sui’s, and she might even be a bit stronger. After all, the sanatorium was built because of Guan Yue.

The news that Guan Yue was going to be the dean of the medical school hadn’t spread yet, but once it did, no one would dare say that Guan Yue was an orphan who didn’t deserve to be with someone from such a good family as Gu Sui’s.

When Zhou Baohe heard that they were going to get the marriage certificate, he quickly congratulated them.

“When are you going? After you get the certificate, when will the wedding banquet be, and where will it be held?”

“We’ll get the certificate after the Lantern Festival, and we’ll hold the banquet in Qingxi Village. No rush—we’re planning for next New Year’s Day.”

“That makes sense. With both your families being so far away, inviting guests would be a hassle.”

“We’re looking forward to having the wedding banquet in Qingxi Village, too. It’s close, so we’ll be able to have a drink at your wedding. Over the years, we’ve really relied on you two.”

Zhou Baohe handed the prepared recommendation letter to Gu Sui. “I wish you both a happy life together and many children in the future. Hahaha!”

Guan Yue felt a bit embarrassed and glanced at Gu Sui. Gu Sui turned his head to look at her as well.

---

On their way home, as they walked up Xiaoqing Mountain, Gu Sui held her hand.

Guan Yue said: “Let’s make one thing clear—marriage is marriage, but we’re not in a hurry to have children.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. If we don’t have any, that’s fine.”

“I do want to have children, just not right now. We’ll wait until we’re a bit older.”

After all, she had finally found the right person and was getting married, so of course, she wanted to have children. Whether a boy or a girl, she would love them just like her mother had loved her.

The more she talked about their future children, the happier Guan Yue became.

Gu Sui teased her: “Then let’s have them sooner?”

Guan Yue decisively shook her head. “No, let’s wait a few more years.”

Gu Sui chuckled lightly. “Alright, let’s go. We’ll be home soon after we cross the mountain.”

After returning, patients from various military districts started arriving again. Deng Baishu had planned to stay at home for a few more days, but Director Zhang called him back early.

When Guan Yue returned to work on Monday, there were so many patients that she was still busy seeing them well into the evening, around seven o’clock, and still hadn’t finished.

Gu Sui finished his work, went home, cooked dinner, and came downstairs to call for Guan Yue. Guan Yue told him to wait a moment.

Deng Baishu was also busy following Guan Yue around, hardly having a moment to rest.

Xiao Ma specifically came to check on them: “The cafeteria has prepared a big meal for you. Once you’re done, go eat.”

After seeing the last few patients, Guan Yue stood up and stretched. “My teacher hasn’t returned yet. There are a few patients in more serious condition that I’m afraid you can’t handle. I’ll come back tomorrow morning to check on them.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Guan.”

Guan Yue asked: “When will your teacher be back?”

Xiao Ma didn’t know, but Deng Baishu did. “My dad is waiting for a few uncles. They should come over in the next few days.”

“Are those uncles coming for the opening ceremony?”

Deng Baishu nodded. “Yes, they’ll also be going to other places, and they’ll bring people along.”

“Your dad has worked hard. He’s done so much for the school.”

Deng Baishu scratched his face. “My dad is willing to do it. It’s all for our Xīnglín (杏林).”

Without Deng Weimin’s experienced guidance, Guan Yue had to go to the sanatorium every morning for the next few days, handling things herself until three days later when Deng Weimin returned.

When Deng Weimin returned, Guan Yue stopped going to the sanatorium.

The family compound was spacious, with several empty rooms. The distinguished guests who had arrived early to attend the sanatorium were all arranged to stay in the family compound.

They weren’t in a hurry to meet Guan Yue and instead stayed in their rooms, studying the newly printed textbooks.

Everyone came from different backgrounds, so it was normal for them to have different opinions on the same illness. They studied the material carefully, and although others’ treatments were not wrong, they discussed with Deng Weimin’s family about adding their own prescriptions when the next printing occurred. They wanted their names to be included, as the book listed the contributors and their affiliations under each prescription.

The older generation had a certain attachment to leaving their names in a book. 

Deng Weimin’s family had laughed and said to Guan Yue: “Your method works best. Now everyone wants their names in the book.”

At the beginning, when they were all working together to write the book, Guan Yue had requested that everyone add their names to their own unique prescriptions after reading it. 

This decision came naturally to her, having grown up in an environment where intellectual property was highly valued. She instinctively felt that it was the right thing to do.

With the Lantern Festival approaching, Guan Yue had a lot on her plate. She and Gu Sui were going to register their marriage, and she also had to write a letter to her Teacher. On top of that, she still had to attend to the patients at the sanatorium. She was quite busy.

The task of hosting the guests was left to them, as the visitors had originally been invited by them.

On the morning of the Lantern Festival, Guan Yue and Gu Sui were dressed very neatly. Guan Yue wore a pink coat paired with a matching sweater and long skirt—truly a delicate beauty.

Gu Sui wore a black coat and had neatly combed his hair, looking particularly spirited.

When they appeared at the sanatorium, everyone was stunned. This pair really looked perfect together!

Knowing they were going to register their marriage that day, everyone smiled and congratulated them.

“Thank you, everyone!”

Today, Xiao Ma drove them into the city personally. “Doctor Guan, Doctor Gu, I’ll take you to the city.”