“I went to the hospital to see your Uncle Ligang. He’s recovering well, but his leg will have some lasting effects and won’t be as agile as before,” Uncle Lin sighed. “Still, it’s a blessing that he survived. And it’s all thanks to you. If you hadn’t acted quickly, who knows what might have happened.”

Although Bai Zhizhi had only provided basic treatment, it played a crucial role and bought valuable time for the subsequent medical care.

“That’s great to hear.”

A smile spread across Bai Zhizhi’s face. This was the first person she had ever properly treated, and she felt relieved to know he was okay.

“Also, I explained your situation to the hospital and applied for a position for you at the commune clinic. Zhizhi, from now on, you can work there as a medical attendant.”

This was the good news Uncle Lin had brought.

In fact, he had been observing Bai Zhizhi’s medical skills for some time. He noticed that she had a strong grasp of theoretical knowledge, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine, though she lacked practical experience and was unfamiliar with Western medicine.

He also sensed that Bai Zhizhi was reluctant to engage with the outside world, perhaps because she was still recovering and felt guarded around unfamiliar people. This had made him hesitant.

But her handling of Zhao Ligang’s situation impressed him, so he went to the hospital and submitted the application. It was approved just today, and he immediately came to tell Bai Zhizhi.

Before Bai Zhizhi could respond, Liao Guizhi grew excited. “Really? Xiao Lin, Zhizhi has only been learning from you for a short while. Is she really qualified to be a medical attendant?”

There was a popular rhyme circulating at the time: “Stethoscopes, steering wheels, invaluable salesclerks; grain depots, broadcast stations, film projectionists, postmen; food stations, cotton stations, three-foot podiums, military cadres.”

These were the most coveted professions of the era, and “stethoscopes” referred to doctors and medical attendants, highlighting how desirable the position was.

As a medical attendant, she would no longer need to work in the fields to earn work points. Instead, she could sit in the clinic every day, seeing patients when they came and organizing medicines when there were none. It was a relatively relaxed job but came with full work points and additional subsidies.

Many people were eager to get into the clinic, but few had the ability. After all, treating illnesses and saving lives was no small matter—prescribing the wrong medicine could be fatal, and no one took it lightly.

Liao Guizhi had only intended for Bai Zhizhi to learn a bit more from Uncle Lin. She never expected such wonderful news.

“Of course she can,” Uncle Lin replied with a smile. “Sister-in-law, Zhizhi is very clever. I suspect her grandfather taught her a lot before. She just lacks practice. Once she starts working at the clinic, I’ll make sure she gets plenty of hands-on experience. Who knows? She might even master the role before long.”

Hearing this, Liao Guizhi was thrilled. She grasped Uncle Lin’s hands gratefully. “Wonderful, wonderful! Xiao Lin, we’ll have to trouble you to look after her.”

“Don’t mention it,” Uncle Lin waved his hand. “We’re all family. I’ve long considered Zhizhi my own daughter.”

He turned to Bai Zhizhi and asked, “Zhizhi, what do you think?”

Everyone looked at Bai Zhizhi, holding their breath, afraid she might refuse. Her reluctance to go out lately had been obvious to all.

Bai Zhizhi smiled gently. “Okay, I’ll do it. Thank you, Uncle Lin.”

She had already resolved to make changes, and now an excellent opportunity was right in front of her. There was no reason to refuse.

Hearing her agreement, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and felt genuinely happy for her. Bai Fumin advised, “Zhizhi, study hard with Uncle Lin. Don’t take things lightly. When treating patients, be careful and cautious. If you’re unsure about anything, ask Uncle Lin. Don’t act recklessly or show off.”

Their earnest expectations were all expressions of love for Bai Zhizhi.

Bai Zhizhi nodded to show she understood. She knew what Bai Fumin meant and would never act impulsively.

With the matter settled, Liao Guizhi urged, “Alright, alright, let’s all sit down and eat before the food gets cold.”

“Xiao Lin, try some of this wild boar meat and the rabbit meat. They’re both very fresh.”

The wild boar meat had been sliced into pieces with a balance of lean and fat, stir-fried with garlic sprouts. Huang Xiuyun had been generous with the ingredients, and the meat glistened with oil, its colors bright and appealing. The garlic sprouts retained their vibrant green hue, making the dish look incredibly appetizing.

The wild rabbit had been prepared by Huang Xiuyun in a spicy style. She made a pot of spicy brine, simmered the whole rabbit in it until flavorful, then shredded the meat into small pieces. Finally, she drizzled hot oil over it and mixed well, creating a hand-shredded spicy rabbit dish.

Bai Zhizhi had been craving it for a while. As soon as it was time to eat, she immediately picked up a piece of rabbit meat she had been eyeing. The spicy and aromatic flavors burst in her mouth as she chewed, creating a feast for her taste buds.

Without thinking, she helped herself to a few more pieces and gave Huang Xiuyun a thumbs-up with her free hand. “Second Sister-in-Law, you’re amazing. This is delicious.”

Huang Xiuyun smiled. “Song Jing’an gave me the idea. He told me this way of preparing rabbit, and I didn’t really believe it at first. But it turned out great.”

When Song Jing’an first explained the method, she hadn’t wanted to try it. It seemed too troublesome—simmering the whole rabbit, shredding it by hand—far more effort than simply stir-frying it, which would also taste good.

But Song Jing’an insisted, so she gave it a try. It was indeed delicious, and the leftover brine could be reused for other dishes, making it well worth the effort.

Hearing this, Bai Zhizhi glanced at Song Jing’an in surprise. “You have skills like this?”

Song Jing’an smiled faintly. Of course he did—he hadn’t lived his previous life in vain.

He also picked up a piece of rabbit—it tasted just as he remembered. Then he said, “I only made a suggestion. The credit goes to Second Sister-in-Law’s excellent cooking.”

“Indeed, this flavor is as good as anything you’d get at a state-run restaurant,” Uncle Lin praised. He had eaten at state-run restaurants before and genuinely felt Huang Xiuyun’s skills were on par with those of professional chefs.

Huang Xiuyun felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushing slightly. No one dislikes hearing compliments, but she remained modest. “Uncle Lin, you’re too kind. I just threw it together—it’s nowhere near as good as the state-run restaurants.”

State-run restaurants—those were staffed by professional chefs. How could she compare?

Bai Zhizhi looked up from her bowl, her expression sincere. “Second Sister-in-Law’s cooking is the best.”

She had never been to a state-run restaurant, but she firmly believed Huang Xiuyun’s cooking was the most delicious she had ever tasted.

“Yeah, Second Sister-in-Law, don’t be so modest. I think you could even be a chef at a state-run restaurant,” Song Jing’an said.

Or even open her own restaurant.

He kept that thought to himself. The timing wasn’t right yet—the current environment didn’t allow it. But in the future, if given the opportunity, Second Sister-in-Law could open her own restaurant. With her skills, it would surely thrive.

It was a shame they had to wait a few more years. Song Jing’an suppressed his regret.

Hearing his words, Huang Xiuyun felt a stir of ambition. She didn’t want to spend her whole life farming—if given the chance, she wanted to move to the city.

She smiled. “If you like it, then eat more.”

Although the rabbit was plump, there was only so much meat. After everyone had taken a few pieces, it was gone. But there was still the wild boar meat. Unlike domestic pork, wild boar meat had a firm texture and a unique flavor.

After the meal, Huang Xiuyun sought out Song Jing’an privately.

“Jing’an, do you really think my cooking can compare to the chefs at state-run restaurants?”

Song Jing’an: “Absolutely. In fact, I think yours is even better.”

Huang Xiuyun smiled and asked directly, “Then, do you think I could work at a state-run restaurant?”

Song Jing’an was taken aback but began considering it seriously. If Second Sister-in-Law could work at a state-run restaurant, that would be excellent. There were still two or three years before the country’s economic reforms, and during that time, working at a state-run restaurant would be far better than farming in the commune.

“I think it’s possible.”

“Really?” Huang Xiuyun’s spirits lifted, and she felt a wave of relief.

She had been under a lot of pressure. All the Bai brothers seemed to have promising futures, each with their own paths. Even little sister Zhizhi had become a medical attendant and would surely do well. Only their second branch of the family was stuck farming day in and day out, with no end in sight.

She was well aware of the gossip and rumors circulating in the commune but had bottled it up. Now that an opportunity seemed within reach, she wasn’t about to let it slip away.

She began envisioning her life after working at a state-run restaurant—first, she’d flaunt it in front of Hu Xiaoxiang, who loved to gossip and stir up trouble.

“However, getting into a state-run restaurant won’t be easy.”

Song Jing’an’s words snapped her out of her daydream like a bucket of cold water.

Landing a formal job nowadays was already difficult, especially at a place like a state-run restaurant with its good benefits. Positions were often inherited—parents retired, and their children took over. It wasn’t easy for outsiders to break in.

Especially for those with rural household registrations—it was even harder.

Huang Xiuyun grew anxious and looked at him hopefully. “Then, Jing’an, do you have any ideas? You’re an educated youth from the city—you’re full of ideas. Help Second Sister-in-Law out. Does it require money? I have some!”

Huang Xiuyun clenched her teeth. If she could get a city job, she’d be willing to spend whatever it took.

“Second Sister-in-Law, let me think about it.” Song Jing’an fell into deep thought. Neither Huang Xiuyun nor he wanted to give up on this opportunity.

Suddenly, Song Jing’an asked, “Second Sister-in-Law, have you seen Liang Jian these past few days?”

After warning Bai Fumin about Liang Jian and causing him to suffer a setback, they hadn’t seen much of him. Song Jing’an wondered if he was plotting something.

“That scumbag?” Huang Xiuyun exclaimed. “Why are you asking about him?”

Song Jing’an rubbed his nose, suppressing a laugh. “I heard he has a job in the city. We could ask him how he found it.”

Huang Xiuyun sneered. “He’s a pretty boy who relies on women—a shameless scumbag.”

“Jing’an, if there’s no way, forget it. I, your Second Sister-in-Law, am an upright person. Even without a city job, I can make a living farming. I won’t stoop to the level of that deceitful, cunning villain.”

Her disdain for Liang Jian ran deep.

Song Jing’an quickly tried to calm her. “I know, I know. He’s scum. But Second Sister-in-Law, we might actually need him for your job.”

“You!” Huang Xiuyun glared at him, furious.

“Second Sister-in-Law, hear me out.” Song Jing’an tread carefully. “It’s not about asking him for help. It’s about making him hand over a job to us.”

Huang Xiuyun scoffed. “How is that possible?”

“With the right plan, anything is possible.” Song Jing’an coaxed patiently. “Second Sister-in-Law, I know Liang Jian has taken advantage of our family and hurt Zhizhi. Don’t you want to get back at him?”

“Of course I do!” Huang Xiuyun gritted her teeth. Liang Jian had swindled her out of a lot of cured meat—meat she had saved for ages.

“So, making him give us a job isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

“Not at all! It’s not too much!” Huang Xiuyun’s eyes lit up, and she said hurriedly, “I’ll go gather some information for you.”

She now fully trusted Song Jing’an.

Song Jing’an watched her hurried departure, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Liang Jian was nothing but trouble. The sooner they dealt with him, the better it would be for the Bai family. This time, they wouldn’t just use him to get Huang Xiuyun a job—they would make sure he never caused trouble again.