Chapter 59: Insult, Not Apology

This is a burden on the village, and also a burden on the commune. Yan Jin had to take this matter seriously.

But even if he could apply for drug supplies, he would still have to pay for them, not use them for free.

These days, there are too many people in need. If everyone were to rely on others to bear their burdens because of their own difficulties, it would be unrealistic.

Yan Jin frowned and said, “I know about this. Old Zhou, you can go back first.”

After putting the pressure on Yan Jin, the village chief’s worries faded away.

This is what people say, “When the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up.”

Jiang Nian leaned back in her chair, thinking about things. A shadow fell from the doorway, blocking out the light from the outside.

She sat up straight and saw Yan Jin.

“Director Yan, are you so free?”

Thinking about the trouble he had caused her, she couldn’t help but regret it. She knew she shouldn’t have saved him in the mountains that day.

It was really a case of good intentions gone wrong.

Even if Yan’s mother was grateful to her for saving Yan Jin, she should have thanked her more. Instead, she kept calling her a little vixen. This reminded her of Mrs. Qin in Su City. She had been just as sharp-tongued.

In the blink of an eye, more than five months had passed. In a month or two, her mutism should be cured. But the exact time depends on her body’s metabolic rate. Some people detoxify faster, while others detoxify slower. There are reasons for this.

“Doctor Jiang, you should know that I came here specifically to apologize. My mother was wrong yesterday. I apologize to you on her behalf. I hope you can… not hold it against her.”

“Director Yan, you’re joking. I’m always kind to people. And before this, besides saving you once, we haven’t had any other interactions. As for the word ‘vixen,’ it’s really not appropriate to use it on me. Please go back and explain yourself clearly, don’t cause unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, I saved you out of kindness. There’s no reason why I should save someone and make a mistake, right?”

Even when Jiang Nian was smiling, she gave off a sense of pressure.

Yan Jin wasn’t some inexperienced country boy. But he was still speechless. He could only say again, “I’m sorry. It was my fault for not handling this well and causing you trouble. But my mother’s words… weren’t entirely…”

The affection in his eyes was too intense. He didn’t try to hide it at all. Jiang Nian frowned and interrupted him. “Director Yan, I just want to live my own life here. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

Yan Jin’s mouth was still open, but the rest of his words were swallowed. He could only smile wryly.

They were both smart people. Some things didn’t need to be said explicitly.

After a long time, he straightened his expression. “Okay, I’ll handle my family affairs. I won’t cause Doctor Jiang any more trouble.”

Jiang Nian was finally satisfied. “Thank you for coming all this way, Director Yan. I accept your apology.”

In other words, you can leave now.

Yan Jin also knew that he hadn’t caught her eye in the first place. And his mother’s actions made it even harder for her to develop any feelings for him.

But her decisiveness still hurt him deeply.

This was the first time he had fallen for a girl in all these years. He really didn’t want things to end this way.

“I see that Doctor Jiang isn’t busy right now. Since I’m here, let’s talk about something serious.”

“Please speak, Director Yan.”

“The town has approved the establishment of the Yanjiazhuang Health Center. It will be next to the Yanjiazhuang Elementary School. Construction will begin in half a month, and it should be completed before the New Year. At that time, the Zhoujia Village Clinic will definitely be merged into the Yanjiazhuang Health Center. This order has been issued. The only thing I can do for you is to get you the position of director of the health center. I hope Doctor Jiang can put aside any personal feelings and, from the perspective of serving the people, seriously run our Yanjiazhuang Health Center.”

Even if he put aside personal feelings, Yan Jin’s arrangement was not a problem.

The town’s health center was like a decoration. They weren’t good at treating common ailments. They could only treat minor illnesses because of the convenience of Western medicine.

And it was too far for the villagers to go to the city to see a doctor, and it was inconvenient. So many people just endured it, so minor illnesses turned into serious illnesses.

Jiang Nian was indeed a skilled doctor, and she was famous. But the Zhoujia Village Clinic was just a casual establishment at the beginning. It wasn’t part of the formal system. If she wanted to expand and grow, she couldn’t do it the same way as before.

The phrase “serving the people” was really annoying.

“Then has Director Yan considered that the reason why the villagers come to see me, besides trusting me, is because my medical fees are cheaper, which many people can afford? Once the health center is established, although the supply of medicine will be more convenient, it also means that the cost will increase, making it difficult for everyone to see a doctor.”

Yan Jin smiled. “I’ve considered that too. Doctor Jiang doesn’t need to worry too much. Our Jianglin City has many mountains and rivers, and there are many medicinal herbs. When the time comes, Doctor Jiang just needs to teach everyone to recognize medicinal herbs. We can collect some common herbs ourselves. Everyone can help. Collecting medicinal herbs can also be counted as collective labor. Doctor Jiang can focus on seeing patients and won’t have to worry about herbs anymore.”

“Then I’m really grateful to you.” Jiang Nian suppressed her anger.

“It’s all for our commune. There’s no need to thank me.” Yan Jin felt that Jiang Nian wasn’t happy, but he couldn’t figure out why.

After all, even if the clinic was good, it was just a barefoot doctor. But the director of the health center was a secure job, with a salary from the state.

“By the way, there’s one more thing. I heard about Zhou Shugen’s situation outside just now. His family’s burden is really heavy. So I’m going to hold a fundraising event in the commune. When one person is in trouble, everyone helps. Let everyone help. I’ll also apply for some medical subsidies. But for the treatment, I’ll trouble Doctor Jiang.”

From Yan Jin’s perspective, Zhou Shugen’s inability to work would indeed have an impact on the entire village and even the commune. Just his family alone would have several people receiving relief grain. It would be better to spend some money to cure him and be done with it.

Jiang Nian was about to laugh. “Director Yan is such a good person. Since you’re going to help with Zhou Shugen’s medical expenses, it’s all for serving the people, right? Why don’t you pay for Zhang Er’s medical expenses too? I think his family is also struggling. Their only son is mentally disabled, and Zhang’s parents are really struggling.”

There are many people in the world who are struggling. If you have the ability, you should take care of everyone.

It’s not that difficult to treat people. No one has said that cured illnesses can’t relapse, right?

Although she wasn’t short of money, there was no reason to dislike having more money.

It was an opportunity presented to her. It would be foolish to push it away.

Yan Jin glanced at the door. Zhang Er was currently being ordered by Ye Zhiqiu to cut medicine.

“I’ve heard about Zhang Er’s situation, but he’s not from our commune. As for his medical expenses, I’ll mention it to the commune director when I have the chance. Everyone is struggling. It’s good to help if you can.”