Chapter 87: Known Throughout the Country

“How are you? Feeling better? Have you remembered anything?” Yan Jin asked, stepping forward.

The blankness in his mind was instantly pierced by the question, causing a sharp pain.

Song Yanbai frowned, forcing himself not to tremble. “I can’t remember.”

He could remain calm when he wasn’t trying to remember, but as soon as he tried to think about anything, his head would ache terribly.

Yan Jin sighed. “It’s okay if you can’t remember. Don’t underestimate Dr. Jiang. She’s a very skilled doctor. The security guard who lives here, Zhang Er, used to be a fool from Xiaowangzhuang. Dr. Jiang cured him. Your mind is normal, you’ve just lost your past memories. It should be easier to treat than his case.”

“Okay.” Song Yanbai turned to Yan Jin. “Director Yan, I’m tired. I’m going to sleep for a while.”

Yan Jin was taken aback. “Then rest. I’ll come see you again another day.”

“Director Yan is so busy. You don’t need to come see me. I’ll let you know when I’m feeling better.” Song Yanbai said.

Yan Jin thought he was afraid of bothering him. He smiled. “You don’t need to be polite with me. Serving the people is our duty. We all hope you can recover your memory soon.”

“But Dr. Jiang said that I need to rest now. I need to heal my wounds first.”

“Okay, then you heal. I’ll go now.” Yan Jin reached the door before remembering. “By the way, Dr. Jiang and the others don’t know your identity. Since you’re a bit special now, it’s best to keep it a secret.”

He didn’t know why Song Yanbai was here, and after the incident of catching Ma Liu together, he had a feeling that this wasn’t simple.

“I understand.”

Song Yanbai agreed, thinking that Yan Jin was overthinking things. Dr. Jiang didn’t seem interested in finding out his identity. Ye Zhiqiu, who had changed his dressing, didn’t ask anything beyond his physical condition. Zhang Er, who had helped carry him in, was the same.

The door opened and closed, letting in the scent from outside, making Song Yanbai feel even worse.

Yan Jin went back to the backyard. “Dr. Jiang will be the director of our Yanjiazhuang Health Center. There are some things you need to go to the town health center to receive, including the health center’s operational status. You need to report it regularly at meetings. So, you need to be prepared for that.”

Jiang Nian hated trouble the most. Hearing this at such a leisurely moment was really a bummer.

“I know. Director Yan must be very busy. We won’t keep you any longer. If we need anything, I’ll have Zhiqiu go find you.”

Yan Jin hoped she would come to him, but he didn’t know what his father had said to Jiang Nian when she went to their house to inform them.

It could be said that Jiang Nian’s bad impression of him stemmed partly from his own rigidity and partly from his parents.

Right or wrong aside, even if she were to find a partner in the future, she wouldn’t choose someone from a family like his.

It would be too much trouble for her.

The sheep was quite fat. The fat dripped into the fire, making a sizzling sound.

Zhang Er and Li Rui cut off the cooked outer skin and put it on a plate with dipping sauce. The four of them sat around the fire, eating happily.

Ye Zhiqiu suddenly remembered that there was someone inside who couldn’t move and was waiting to eat. She quickly put down her food. “I’ll go see if the porridge is ready. I’ll bring a bowl to the one in the house.”

The rice porridge was also very thick and fragrant. She filled a bowl and brought it into the room. Song Yanbai was still awake.

“You’re not asleep? The porridge is ready. Can you drink it yourself? Or do you want me to feed you?”

Song Yanbai tried to move, but it caused a cold sweat to break out on his forehead. “Please help me sit up, comrade. I can eat by myself.”

“Okay.”

Ye Zhiqiu helped him sit up on the bed. He couldn’t bend over because of his chest wound. He couldn’t move his arm that was closer to her, so he could only hold the spoon stiffly and drink the porridge straight.

As Ye Zhiqiu was about to leave, Song Yanbai asked her, “Comrade, I seem to smell roasted meat. Will my body recover faster if I eat some meat?”

White porridge was already a good meal, something many people couldn’t afford. The smell of eggs and meat was slightly better.

Song Yanbai didn’t think it was a lack of willpower. After all, life was hard. If you had the means, you should eat well and drink well.

This was something he had in common with Jiang Nian.

Ye Zhiqiu was stunned by his question. “My Master told you to drink porridge. I don’t know if you can eat meat. Should I ask her?”

“Then I’ll trouble you.”

He was quite bold.

Ye Zhiqiu asked Jiang Nian’s opinion and then brought him a plate of meat.

Song Yanbai looked at the half-plate of meat and fell into thought.

So, he wasn’t forbidden from eating meat. It was just that they hadn’t planned to give it to him at first.

He looked up. “Comrade, I’m not a deadbeat. When I recover my memory, I will settle the medical expenses and food expenses with you.”

“Oh, Director Qi paid for your surgery last time. If you want to settle it yourself later, that’s fine. You’ll have to ask my teacher. Anyway, there’s no rush. Just focus on healing for now.”

Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t worried about money. After all, apart from himself, Director Qi and Director Yan both valued him. He didn’t have to worry about where to settle the medical expenses.

After dinner, Jiang Nian came to check on him again.

When she learned that he had a headache when he thought, she told him to focus on healing and not think too much.

The human body has limited endurance. He was already injured and weak. If he kept thinking, it would definitely give him a headache, and it wouldn’t help.

When she went out, Li Rui was still there.

Based on his behavior all night, she immediately guessed, “Did Director Yan tell you something?”

Li Rui was in awe of Jiang Nian’s perceptiveness. “There are three recommendations for college in the entire Bali Village. This year, our commune has one. Director Yan wants to recommend me.”

Logically, it shouldn’t be his turn. After all, he had just arrived this year. He was less experienced and had less labor experience than the older educated youths.

But this year’s educated youths were different. Jiang Nian and Zhao Heiping were now known throughout the town. He was even more famous. The policy change regarding women’s labor collectives made him known throughout the country. His reputation was quite impressive.

Although it was a pen name, it was still his own achievement.

Li Rui believed that he wasn’t a villain like Zhao Heiping who would steal other people’s credit. He had contributed to the success of this matter, but Jiang Nian, who had proposed it, also deserved half the credit. So, he wanted to ask Jiang Nian’s opinion. If she wanted to go, he would recommend her to Director Yan.

After listening, Jiang Nian smiled and asked him, “Have you ever thought about why Director Yan so readily gave you this recommendation instead of me or Zhao Heiping?”

Li Rui sighed and smiled bitterly. “Because Yanjiazhuang Health Center needs you to be in charge, and the primary school needs Zhao Heiping. But it doesn’t really matter if I stay or not. Some men even hope I’ll leave as soon as possible.”