Chapter 55: Skills Are Not Meant to Be Just for Show

They were very polite, not causing any offense.

Jiang Nian sat calmly behind the examination table and said, “Let me take a look at his condition first.”

Because it was not an ordinary illness, and it piqued her interest, she took it very seriously.

She examined him carefully, using the four methods of diagnosis: observation, listening, questioning, and palpation. She even used her unique internal energy to probe his meridians.

After a while, Jiang Nian spoke. “Let’s put it this way, although I haven’t treated this condition before, I have seen a case in medical books. If you’re comfortable with it, I can try to treat him. Anyway, whether it’s cured or not, his condition certainly won’t be worse than it is now. As for the medical fees, if he’s eventually cured, you can give me 80 yuan for my trouble. If he’s not cured, it’s my fault for not being skilled enough, and you won’t have to pay the medical fees.”

The eighty yuan was what Jiang Nian thought their family could afford.

Zhang’s parents were simply incredulous. They looked at each other, feeling like they were dreaming at that moment.

Zhang’s sister was so excited that she was about to kneel down. “Doctor Jiang, you’re such a good person. If you can really cure my brother, you’ll be our family’s benefactor.”

The worst thing for people is to have no hope. Although Zhang Er wasn’t so stupid that he couldn’t take care of himself, and he could work with his hands and feet, Zhang’s parents were old, and their son was mentally disabled and couldn’t be relied upon. They were easily bullied in the village.

Without hope, they couldn’t find a wife for him, and they were afraid that their son would have no one to rely on after they were gone, and he wouldn’t even be able to survive.

Zhang’s sister also had this worry. Her brother couldn’t stand on his own two feet, and she wasn’t a heartless person. Both her parents and her brother would inevitably become a burden on her.

It wasn’t that she was selfish. After all, she was willing to help her brother find a wife and help him see a doctor. It was already very difficult for her, considering that she was also very poor.

Jiang Nian quickly helped her up. “Comrade Zhang, don’t get excited. There’s one more thing. His condition requires acupuncture twice a day to help. Because it’s a problem with the brain nerves, it’s best to keep him here for observation, so I can keep track of his condition. I just don’t know what you think?”

Zhang’s sister replied, “We have no problem with that. My brother is just like a child. He can take care of himself in terms of daily life. And he’s quite simple. If you ask him to do something simple, he can do it well. It’s just that in terms of staying here…”

This clinic was originally for patients to stay in, but now Ye Zhiqiu was living here. They hadn’t felt anything before, but now that they needed it, they realized that the place was indeed a bit small.

She instructed Ye Zhiqiu, “Pack your things later and sleep with me for now.”

Ye Zhiqiu certainly had no objections, and she was even a little looking forward to it, but she was also a little nervous, afraid that she might sleepwalk.

Because she knew that Jiang Nian had high standards for comfort in life.

Before leaving, Zhang’s family pulled Zhang Er aside and gave him a long lecture, afraid that he would be silly here and cause trouble for Jiang Nian, making her unhappy.

When they reached the front door, Zhang’s mother turned back and shouted, “Doctor Jiang, we’re going to cause you trouble by leaving him here. If you two girls need to do any dirty or heavy work, just tell him to do it. He has good hands and feet, he just works a little slowly sometimes. If you tell him a few times, he’ll remember. I’ll have my son-in-law send his food over this afternoon.”

“No rush, you can send it over when the ground dries.” Jiang Nian said.

After the Zhang family left, Jiang Nian asked Zhang Er, “Do you know why you’re staying here?”

“My mother told me. I’m staying here to see a doctor. If I get better, I’ll become smart, and I can marry a wife. I won’t have to worry my parents and sister anymore…”

Zhang Er counted on his fingers the words his mother had told him before leaving, pouting his lips seriously, but a little aggrieved.

He felt that he wasn’t stupid, but everyone said he was stupid, and even his name was changed to Zhang Er, the idiot.

Jiang Nian rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Men seem to have an innate obsession with marrying a wife, even idiots are like that. If they can’t get one, they’ll buy one, even if they have to.

She was speechless.

“It’s good that you understand. If you need anything, you can come to me or that sister. Don’t run around aimlessly, okay?”
After all, he’s mentally challenged, like a child. There are a lot of ponds and rivers around the village, and the roads are slippery after the rain. It’s best to keep him here, just in case something happens.

Zhang Er assured her with a bewildered look, “I know. My mother told me not to go near the river and not to run around without permission.”

Jiang Nian was very satisfied with his answer. She instructed Ye Zhiqiu, “I’m going back to my room to prepare the necessary herbs. Don’t bother me until I come out. Zhang Er, you watch over him.”

“Don’t worry, Master.” Ye Zhiqiu said.

During this time, the village chief came by once. It was about Zhou Shugen. Ye Zhiqiu told him that Jiang Nian was busy and sent him away.

Zhang Er was still there. When he learned that Jiang Nian was going to treat Zhang Er, the village chief was both surprised and proud.

Everyone knew about Zhang Er, the idiot from Xiao Wang Village. When he first went crazy, his parents took him everywhere for treatment and tried many folk remedies, but nothing worked. They eventually had to give up.

If Jiang Nian could really cure him, she would be a true miracle doctor.

And this miracle doctor was discovered by him. He was the one who strongly advocated for Jiang Nian to open a clinic. It showed that he, the village chief, had a discerning eye!

So the village chief left quickly, saying he would come back when Jiang Nian was free.

Ye Zhiqiu sincerely hoped he wouldn’t come back.

But she didn’t know that another troublemaker was on their way.

Yan’s mother dragged Li Qing along, wearing rubber shoes and stepping through the mud. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She couldn’t help but complain, “You’re such a useless girl. Your father and I are working hard for you, and you still go and tell your brother. Don’t you have the same thoughts as your brother, thinking that arranged marriages are old-fashioned?”

Yan’s mother stared intently at Li Qing. She wanted to nod, but she rationally understood that she didn’t have the same confidence as Yan Jin.

If she did, her parents would be disappointed in her.

“I… I don’t.” Because of what she had told Yan Jin yesterday, she had been lectured by her parents for half the night. She hadn’t slept well in the second half of the night, and now her complexion was terrible, and her head was buzzing with discomfort.

“That’s good. Don’t be silly.”

Another long string of nagging followed, and Li Qing could only listen.

Yesterday, Yan Jin had already persuaded her not to come, and everything had been peaceful this afternoon. But a piece of land in the commune, which was lower than the rest, had been flooded. Yan Jin had just been called away, and Yan’s mother immediately dragged Li Qing to find Jiang Nian.

Without even meeting her, she knew from the rumors that she must be an outstanding woman, which was why everyone praised her and she was so famous.

She had nothing, only the affection she had for the Yan family because she had grown up there. What could she compare to her?

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Jiang Nian came out. She handed Ye Zhiqiu the medicine packet in her hand. “Go boil the medicine now. Boil it over medium heat, three bowls of water boiled down to one. Also, hang up the sign. We’re not seeing patients today. I need to rest now. After the medicine is boiled, give it to him to drink, and then observe his condition. If he has any discomfort, call me immediately. If he doesn’t have any discomfort, call me back in half an hour.”

It was a bit troublesome to deal with the herbs, so she looked a little tired.

And the acupuncture after taking the medicine required the use of internal energy to assist, so she had to keep her spirit in the best condition.

“But Master, a mother and daughter said they want to see you. They’ve been waiting for a while.”

As she spoke, Yan’s mother had already heard the commotion outside and pulled Li Qing out. She looked at Jiang Nian with an unfriendly expression. “I have something to tell you. Don’t hide from me!”

It was clear that she wasn’t here to see a doctor, but to pick a fight.

Jiang Nian didn’t hesitate for a moment. She instructed Ye Zhiqiu, “You handle it. You’ve been practicing your skills for so long. They’re not just for show.”