Chapter 68 Lin Yuexi works as a barefoot doctor

Everyone gathered around the table, looking at the simple yet carefully prepared dishes, smiles spread across their faces. Lu Cheng pulled Lin Yuexi to sit beside him, his eyes filled with tenderness and gratitude. “Come, everyone, dig in. Today’s food is simple, but it’s all Yuexi’s heart.” Lu Cheng said with a smile.

Li Da-captain was the first to pick up a piece of tofu, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and praised repeatedly, “Well, Lu Cheng, your wife’s cooking is really good! This tofu is better than what they serve at the restaurants in the city.”

Zhao Shuji also nodded with a smile, picking up some vegetables and tasting them. “Yes, in this time of scarcity, to be able to cook dishes with such flavor is not easy.”

Li Fu-shuji from the county committee said to Lin Yuexi, “Mrs. Lu Yingchang, I didn’t expect that you are not only a skilled doctor but also a great cook. Lu Yingchang, you are truly blessed to have such a wife. You will surely have a bright future!”

Lu Cheng nodded repeatedly, his face full of happiness. “Li Fu-shuji is right. If my parents gave me my first life, then Yuexi gave me my second life…”

Lin Yuexi blushed slightly and said softly, “Lu Cheng, you’re making me blush… Please, everyone, eat! I couldn’t find any good ingredients for now, so I just made these. I hope they suit everyone’s taste.”

“Comrade Lin Yuexi, Comrade Lu Cheng is right. I heard that the Beijing hospital had issued a final notice, saying that Comrade Lu Cheng would not only not wake up, but even if he did, he would be paralyzed for life. But then you went to Beijing, and not only did he wake up, but now he’s standing up again. It’s a medical miracle!” Zhao Shuji from the commune said with emotion.

Everyone’s eyes immediately focused on Lin Yuexi, filled with curiosity and admiration.

Lin Yuexi smiled a little embarrassedly and said, “Zhao Shuji, you are exaggerating. I just did my duty as a wife and a doctor. Lu Cheng being able to stand up is not my doing alone. It’s entirely due to his tenacious willpower.”

Lu Cheng, however, didn’t think so. He held Lin Yuexi’s hand tightly and said, “Yuexi, don’t be humble. During my darkest days, you were always by my side, giving me hope with your medical skills and love. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Li Da-captain also chimed in, “Yes, Comrade Lin Yuexi, this is your skill! It’s a blessing for the villagers to have talented people like you and your husband in this remote place. If anyone tries to make things difficult for you, I’ll be the first to object.”

Lin Yuexi nodded slightly, her heart filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Li Da-captain. You’ve already helped me a lot. And thank you, Zhao Shuji and Li Fu-shuji, for coming all the way from the county to see my Lu Cheng. I, Lin Yuexi, am grateful for your kindness…” She said, picking up a jar of ginseng-infused wine made with spiritual spring water and poured a cup for each of the leaders present.

As soon as the wine was poured, a rich aroma filled the room. Everyone couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. Li Fu-shuji from the county committee said with a smile, “Oh, this wine smells extraordinary. Comrade Lin Yuexi, you really have a lot of good things hidden away.”

Lin Yuexi smiled and explained, “This is water I’ve filtered several times and boiled, then I added some ginseng to infuse it. It’s good for your health. You leaders are always working hard for the villagers, so drink some to replenish your bodies.”

Zhao Shuji picked up his wine glass and took a sip. His eyes lit up immediately. “Well, this is really good wine. It’s rich and mellow, with a long aftertaste. And after drinking it, you feel warm all over.”

Li Da-captain also took a sip and praised it highly. “Comrade Lin Yuexi, your winemaking skills are also top-notch. This wine is better than any I’ve had before.”

Lu Cheng looked at everyone’s happy faces and also picked up his wine glass. “Leaders, we’re both very happy that you could come today. I raise a toast to you all, thanking you for your continued concern and care for me.” He said, finishing the glass in one gulp.

Everyone also raised their glasses, and for a moment, the room was filled with laughter and chatter, the atmosphere becoming even more harmonious. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food, drank the fine wine, chatted and laughed, and had a wonderful time.

After a few rounds of drinking, Li Fu-shuji from the county committee put down his wine glass and said to Lu Cheng and Lin Yuexi, “Lu Yingchang, I know you’re going back to the army now that your legs are healed. But Comrade Lin Yuexi, you’re a rare talent. It’s a pity that you’re staying in the village. Have you ever thought about working at the county hospital?”

“Zhao Fu-shuji, working at the county hospital requires a doctor’s license. I don’t have any of that right now. So, let’s talk about it when I get my license…” Lin Yuexi said.

At this time, Li Da-captain spoke up. “Zhao Fu-shuji, Lin Yuexi’s maternal grandparents were a family of doctors. She has already learned her grandmother’s skills. I suggest that we ask her to be a barefoot doctor in our Qinghe Village for a while first. When she gets her medical license, she can go to the county hospital, how about that?”

Li Fu-shuji from the county committee nodded slightly after hearing Li Da-captain’s words, thoughtfully saying, “That’s a good idea, but the matter of the barefoot doctor also needs to be discussed with the villagers. We need to see what they think.”

Zhao Shuji also chimed in, “We’ve all seen Comrade Lin Yuexi’s medical skills. She’s truly skilled. Let her be a barefoot doctor in the village first. It will not only solve the current shortage of doctors and medicine in the village, but it will also give her some experience and lay a foundation for her future work at the county hospital.”

Lu Cheng looked at Lin Yuexi, his eyes full of support. “Yuexi, I think this is a good opportunity. You should consider it. You’ve always wanted to do more for the villagers, and this is a way to do that. And I believe that with your abilities, getting a doctor’s license is only a matter of time.”

Lin Yuexi bit her lip slightly, hesitant. After a moment, she looked up and said, “Leaders, if the villagers don’t object, I’m willing to be a barefoot doctor in the village first and do my best to serve everyone. It’s just that I’m worried about my lack of experience. I’m afraid I won’t live up to everyone’s expectations.”

Li Da-captain smiled and waved his hand. “Comrade Lin Yuexi, don’t worry. You have the skills, everyone trusts you…”

Li Fu-shuji from the county committee also said, “Comrade Lin Yuexi, go for it. The county will also pay attention to your situation. Within the scope of policy, we will try our best to provide you with some learning and training opportunities to help you get your doctor’s license as soon as possible and play a bigger role at the county hospital.”

Lin Yuexi was moved to see that everyone agreed that this decision was right for her. She stood up and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your trust and support, leaders. I will do my best!”

In the days that followed, Lin Yuexi officially became the barefoot doctor in Qinghe Village.