Chapter 51: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes

Ye Zhiqiu knew that Jiang Nian seemed casual, but in reality, she was arrogant and hated it when people made decisions for her.

But in this society, everyone advocated for a spirit of dedication. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be the phrase “serve the people” that everyone always said.

Including the saleswoman, she seemed so enthusiastic towards Jiang Nian, but that was because she had good medical skills, and maybe one day she would need her help.

Ordinary people who came to buy things wouldn’t get such good treatment. Not only did she introduce things diligently, but her words were also full of flattery.

Fortunately, Jiang Nian was still quite rational. “I know Director Yan is well-meaning, but I’m still young. Although I can help people with minor illnesses, I’m still lacking in terms of dealing with people. I really can’t handle the position of director, and I’m afraid of disappointing your expectations. So please reconsider this matter. If you really need to build a health center, you can find other doctors with excellent medical skills to take charge. I know my own limitations. I only have the ability to run a small clinic. So this is really not suitable for me, and I can’t handle such a big responsibility.”

“Oh, so that’s why. Doctor Jiang, you’re being too modest. Your medical skills are so good that even people from our town come all the way here to see you. Everyone grows up from a young age. If you don’t have experience, you learn it. If you don’t learn, you’ll never learn. Look at my little supply and marketing cooperative, there are so many things to do every day. I couldn’t handle it at first, but I learned slowly. Once you get the hang of it, it’s fine. And I see that Director Yan really values you. If we have difficulties, we can ask the leaders for help. Why are we afraid of not being able to solve them?” The saleswoman finished speaking and turned to ask, “Director Yan, don’t you think so?”

Yan Jin quickly took over the conversation. “Yes, yes, yes. This comrade is right. The health center will be built next to the Yanjiazhuang Commune. If you have any difficulties, Doctor Jiang, just tell me, or any other personnel in the commune. We will work together to make our lives better and build our hometown. Everyone is working towards the same goal, and then life will have hope.”

Her biggest problem was that she had no ambition. She didn’t want to grow bigger or stronger. She just wanted to stay in her own little world, laugh at life as an outsider, and occasionally find some fun.

Maybe she would occasionally be kind and help a few nice people, but that would depend on her being in a good mood, not being forced to do something big for the country and the people. She wasn’t that kind.

But a few words of reason were enough to make Jiang Nian unable to respond.

If she continued, it would mean that she was selfish and had no spirit of dedication. She might even be condemned.

The rain outside hadn’t stopped, but it wasn’t as heavy as before. It was falling in a pitter-patter, dripping into the puddles on the ground.

“Director Yan, thank you for valuing me, but I’ve thought about it carefully. There’s an old saying that’s right. Don’t try to handle a porcelain job if you don’t have a diamond drill. You should only take on as much as you can handle. I believe that my abilities are limited, so I hope you can reconsider the health center. And I heard that some educated youths want to help organize the children’s schooling. Building a school is more important than a hospital. After all, children are the hope of the future. So I think, if the town has the capital, it should reconsider putting its energy into building a school.”

She hadn’t really planned to get involved in these things, let alone speak for Zhao Heiping. But now she needed a reason to shift the focus away from herself.

Yan Jin always felt that Jiang Nian’s opposition to this matter wasn’t because she felt that she couldn’t handle it, but because she really didn’t want to.

Because the resistance in her eyes and her expression were truly undeniable.

He felt like he had done a good deed but ended up doing something bad. He nodded helplessly. “I’ve already applied to the higher authorities about building a school. This matter is still under discussion, and there should be a result soon. But the hospital… the town approved it yesterday, so I still hope that Doctor Jiang can seriously consider this issue.”

“I still say the same thing. I hope Director Yan can understand.” If she wasn’t under his roof, she would have flipped out immediately.

What kind of person is this?

Has he arranged his own life?

He’s so good at arranging other people’s lives, but did he ask if they were willing?

The rain outside stopped completely. Jiang Nian stood up and looked at the saleswoman. “Sister, the rain has stopped. We won’t bother you anymore. We’ll go back.”

“Alright, the weather is cold and the roads are slippery. Take your time.”

Jiang Nian stepped out the door, and Ye Zhiqiu quickly followed with her things.

Yan Jin frowned and turned back to ask, “Comrade, the road is muddy after the rain. I can’t ride my bike back. Can you please keep it for me? I’ll come back and push it back when the weather is better in a few days?”

“Director Yan, you’re being too polite. There’s a place in the back. You can push it in.”

Jiang Nian was walking ahead, and Ye Zhiqiu was following behind. She suddenly quickened her pace and ran to Jiang Nian’s side. “Master, Director Yan seems to be following us.”

“Don’t worry about it. Keep walking.” She said simply.

Until they walked out of town, she didn’t go to get the cotton, which she didn’t know where she had put. But her face was bad now, and Ye Zhiqiu didn’t dare to ask.

At the fork in the road where the main road and the small road met, Jiang Nian chose the small road without hesitation.

Yan Jin then quickened his pace and reminded her, “Doctor Jiang, the small road goes over a hill and across a river. The road is very slippery after the rain, and it’s not easy to walk. You two women should take the main road, it’s safer.”

“Director Yan, you’re overthinking it. It’s harder to walk because the road is difficult, and it’s good exercise for us. It’s just right for us to exercise.”

The road was indeed difficult to walk, especially going uphill. Ye Zhiqiu had to be held by Jiang Nian to avoid slipping.

They were wearing the same shoes, but only her feet kept slipping. Ye Zhiqiu was also speechless.

Really, as ordinary people, they couldn’t help but think that someone like Director Yan was very important. Now, they started to dislike him.

If it weren’t for him, her master wouldn’t be so angry, and her master wouldn’t be angry, she wouldn’t have to suffer.

Yan Jin also looked at Jiang Nian with new respect. A woman from the city, not very old, walking so steadily, did she really not practice?

But thinking about her frequent trips to the mountains to dig herbs, he could understand a little.

They walked along the bumpy road, but finally, they were almost home. Yan Jin couldn’t follow them any longer using the excuse of being on the same road.

As they pushed open the gate of the courtyard, Ye Zhiqiu shivered uncontrollably.

Jiang Nian then, as if she had softened her heart, instructed, “Go change your clothes first. Then soak your feet in hot water and boil some medicine to prevent a cold. It’s cold, don’t get sick.”

Ye Zhiqiu nodded. “Master, you should go change too.”

Jiang Nian was in much better shape than her, but her shoes were inevitably covered in mud, and her pants were also stained.

She changed her clothes and went to the kitchen. She saw Jiang Nian sitting there expressionlessly, building a fire. There was also medicine simmering on the stove next to her.

Seeing her come in, she stood up. “Sit down and warm yourself by the fire. I’ll go out again.”

Before she could ask, Jiang Nian left.

Not long after, another downpour came. Jiang Nian hadn’t come back yet, and Ye Zhiqiu was worried to death.