Chapter 41.2

After the simple yet grand opening ceremony, Xiao Ma led Guan Yue to meet with the leaders.

From the Southwest Military Region, anyone available today came, and Guan Yue certainly had to meet them.

The importance of the military region to Guan Yue went without saying. Even the generals of the military region were very polite when meeting her and congratulated her on her recent marriage.

Guan Yue returned the courtesy: “If any of you are free this afternoon, why not stay a while? I’ll check your pulse then.”

“Haha, we’re not busy, we have time.”

News came from the Beijing Military Region that Guan Yue had already seen two senior leaders for treatment. Others hadn’t even had the chance to have their pulse checked by her yet.

After chatting for a bit, it was almost 11:30. Guan Yue was then taken to a pharmaceutical factory outside. As soon as she arrived, firecrackers went off. The ceremony at the pharmaceutical factory was even simpler. After a few words and a photo, the factory was officially opened.

Once these activities were done, everyone went to the cafeteria. It was a special day, and there would be a feast.

For today’s lunch, Xiao Ma had specially ordered a pig from the meat processing plant yesterday.

The food in the cafeteria was delicious, and since Guan Yue had been busy all morning, she was truly hungry and enjoyed a hearty meal.

In the afternoon, Guan Yue still had work to do. Gu Sui went to see a patient and then returned home to cook. He stewed a ham hock to prepare for the evening, to help nourish Guan Yue.

For treating illnesses, there was treatment; for maintaining health, there was health care. Guan Yue had a busy afternoon, sending the leaders off. She rubbed her forehead and said: “Don’t call me for the next few days, I’ll see you all again next Monday.”

Deng Baishu replied: “I’m afraid that won’t work. You’ve forgotten. You promised to exchange medical knowledge with those guests.”

Guan Yue really had forgotten. “Have you set a specific time?”

“Not yet.”

“Then tell them, tomorrow at 1 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m.”

“Alright.”

Deng Baishu didn’t dare to refuse, fearing that Guan Yue might just not show up at all.

He didn’t push for anything; as long as Guan Yue came down the mountain tomorrow, that was good enough.

Guan Yue returned to the mountain, and it was only five o’clock. Gu Sui had finished cooking and was waiting for her.

Guan Yue acted coquettishly. “I still have work tomorrow, so we won’t be able to take wedding photos.”

Gu Sui kissed her cheek. “If we can’t take them tomorrow, we’ll do it another day. We can take them in the summer; the weather is too cold now, and I’m worried you’ll catch a cold wearing a dress.”

“Fine!” Guan Yue thought to herself that since they couldn’t take the photos tomorrow, she’d wait a little longer and ask Cai Jin to pick out a few wedding dresses and send them over.

After being apart for several hours, the newlyweds were again close, hugging and kissing, sweetly attached to each other as they finished their dinner. Guan Yue couldn’t hold on anymore and quickly went to bed.

Gu Sui escorted her to the room. As soon as she lay down, she fell asleep, showing just how tired she was.

Gu Sui stroked her cheek, but she wasn’t happy about it. She turned over, facing inward, not allowing him to touch her.

Gu Sui smiled, covered her with the blanket, and then went out to tidy up the kitchen.

After getting married, Guan Yue felt that Gu Sui hadn’t changed much, except when they were in bed—then he immediately transformed from a gentle, good man into a beast. Every time she teased him, he would give her a half-smiling look, and Guan Yue would feel her legs go weak.

Thinking about her past self, Guan Yue realized just how reckless she had been.

In Gu Sui’s eyes, the girl who occasionally acted fierce and fox-like before, had become a little gentler after marriage. He, of course, knew why she had become gentler, but he enjoyed it very much and didn’t want her to change at all.

Their married life was like honey mixed with oil, full of little romantic gestures. To outsiders, this inseparable young couple had grown even closer after marriage.

However, as much as they enjoyed their romance, they still had to take care of important matters.

After the opening ceremony, various reports about the Southwest Medical College of the People’s Liberation Army spread throughout the country. Many thoughtful people felt that the country was sending a signal: traditional Chinese medicine was important.

In such a public opinion environment, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners across the country felt that life was getting a little better than before. People from other industries, who had been under pressure, also saw a glimmer of hope.

After the reports were sent out, the school received many letters. Some were congratulatory, while a large number were inquiries about the school’s admissions. There were even quite a few Barefoot Doctors wanting to sign up to study.

Deng Weijia went to find Guan Yue: “There are too many inquiries. Our school can’t accommodate all of them for now. Also, our first batch of students is special. How should we handle admissions in the future?”

Guan Yue replied: “There are two paths. One is mentorship. For those who started learning Chinese medicine at a young age, as long as they have relevant proof, they can sign up for the exam. The proof doesn’t need to be too strict. For this group of students, they will only be tested on their professional knowledge. As long as they pass that, it will be fine. The other path is for ordinary people. At the very least, they should have graduated from elementary school, or they won’t be able to recognize all the characters, and how can they learn?”

Deng Weijia nodded: “Actually, for ordinary people, junior high school would be better, but there aren’t many junior high school graduates now, which cuts off a large portion of applicants.”

Guan Yue said: “If they are from the city, they can find a job after junior high, so they probably wouldn’t want to come here to study.”

“You’re right.”

“Let’s proceed with this plan when we enroll in September.”

After discussing the main issue, Deng Weijia returned from Daqing Mountain. The spring sun shone brightly, with green trees and red flowers.

Perhaps this spring really was the spring of traditional Chinese medicine.

Everything was running smoothly at the school, and the pharmaceutical factory was gradually getting on track.

The factory had started operations in early March, and by June, the output was rapidly increasing, with the quality surpassing the expectations of Li Dingbang and the others. This was mainly due to Guan Yue’s excellent quality control.

Every Monday afternoon, after finishing work, Guan Yue would visit the pharmaceutical factory.

Her main task was to inspect the quality of the medicinal powders, remove any impurities, and add a bit of her special energy to improve the quality of the hemostatic powders.

All the medicines from the pharmaceutical factory had to pass through Guan Yue’s hands before being shipped out and sent to all corners of the country.

Guan Yue’s working hours had become shorter, but the output had increased, and everyone was satisfied.

Another Monday came. After finishing her work at the pharmaceutical factory, when Guan Yue came out, it was already dark outside.

As usual, Gu Sui was waiting for her at the door.

Guan Yue jogged over. “How long have you been here?”

Gu Sui took her hand. “I just arrived a little while ago.”

Guan Yue said: “The production of medicinal powders this week was a bit much, so I spent a little more time there.”

“It’s fine. It’s good to finish things on Monday, so you don’t have to spend other time on it.”

“Exactly. Tomorrow, I want to go to the villa in the mountains to work on my research.”

“How many days?”

“Three days. I’ll come back on Friday to be with you.” Guan Yue quickly added, afraid that if she didn’t say it quickly, this man might be displeased and punish her that evening.

Gu Sui smiled. “Don’t worry. I can wait for three days.”

As for what he could wait for, only the two of them knew.

Guan Yue was gone for three days. Gu Sui could wait, but others couldn’t. Xiao Ma came to find Gu Sui again.

“Dr. Gu, Guan Yue has been gone for two days, right? She’s really coming back tomorrow?”

“Don’t worry, she’ll come back on the day she said she would.”

“Well, it’s not that I don’t trust her, but Fang Lin came yesterday and has been waiting for Dr. Guan. The five patients chosen this year are all of high status. They’re coming next month, and we need to let Dr. Guan know.”

Gu Sui replied: “Are you in such a hurry because you’re worried that there’s a disease Guan Yue can’t treat?”

Xiao Ma awkwardly scratched his head. “Of course I know Dr. Guan is amazing, but it’s better to be prepared for anything.”

The five patients coming this time were quite significant and had spent a lot of money. One of them had a condition called ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). It was said to be an incurable disease, and Xiao Ma was anxious, afraid that they wouldn’t be able to treat the patient successfully.

Gu Sui said: “Tell Fang Lin to wait a bit longer. Guan Yue will be back tomorrow, and you can discuss it with her directly.”

If there was a disease that even Guan Yue couldn’t cure, then that person was probably someone the King of Hell had personally claimed, and no one could stop it.

Xiao Ma said: “By the way, Dr. Gu, Captain Zhou and the others want to change their medicine. They sent a letter today.”

Gu Sui took the letter and opened it. The medicine they requested this year was similar to last year’s.

“I’ll deliver it tomorrow.”

“Alright. It’s summer and they’re busy. Knowing Captain Zhou’s character, he probably waited until the medicine was all used up before coming to ask you.”

“I’ll deliver it tomorrow morning. When you go back, please let Director Zhang know that I’ll be a bit late for work tomorrow.”

“No problem. I’ll head back now.”

Gu Sui escorted Xiao Ma to the door and then took the list into the house to prepare the medicine that Zhou Baohe and the others needed.

There was extra medicine at home, so Gu Sui also gave them some heat-relieving medicine and cold medicine.

The next morning, Gu Sui crossed Xiaoqing Mountain to deliver the medicine. He left early, so by the time he arrived, everyone had finished their morning work. The sun had come up, and they were just about to head home for breakfast.

When Zhou Baohe saw Gu Sui, he was especially surprised. “How come you’re here so early? Have you eaten?”

“I’ve eaten. I was worried you’d need it soon, so I came early to deliver it.”

“Hahaha, thank you! Just like last year, should we send grain when autumn harvest comes?”

Gu Sui nodded. “No rush on the grain delivery. You go ahead and have your breakfast. I need to head back to work now.”

Zhou Baohe escorted Gu Sui to the gate. “I won’t keep you any longer. When you have time, come over and visit.”

Gu Sui was indeed busy. After leaving Zhou Baohe’s house, he was heading back, but unexpectedly, he ran into a familiar face at the village entrance.

“Qin Lie?”

Qin Lie smiled and jogged over. “Dr. Gu, long time no see.”

Gu Sui was surprised. Qin Lie’s personality was so different from when he had first met him. “What brings you here?”

“Ha ha, you’re asking me why I didn’t stay in Beijing after graduating from high school? There’s no one left in my family, and I felt like there was no point in staying in Beijing. So, I signed up for Educated Youth, and they even gave me some money when I left.”

“Is it really just about money? What if you can’t go back? What about your future?”

Qin Lie couldn’t smile, and only then did he speak: “I couldn’t stay in Beijing. My uncle got in trouble, always looking for trouble. Living like that isn’t meaningful. Besides, going to the countryside to support the construction isn’t bad. If I can’t continue with this life, I’ll sign up for the medical college entrance exam in September. That’s another way out, right?”

“As long as you have a plan.”

Gu Sui had heard from his brother that Qin Lie was smart and did well in school.

Qin Lie said: “Doctor Gu, I’m in a hurry to get back to Educated Youth for dinner, and I still have work to do. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Alright! If you run into any problems, come find me.”

Qin Lie smiled faintly. “Thank you, Doctor Gu. Since my parents passed away, the best thing that’s happened to me in these years is meeting all of you.”

Gu Sui guessed that the young man probably came here because of them. Well, since he was here, he might as well help out when he could.

He set aside thoughts of Qin Lie and returned to the sanatorium, where there was still a lot of work waiting. He became so busy that he didn’t finish until 6 PM.