Chapter 10: The Competition

Lin Wan’s actions completely distracted Lu Dage from his anger at his wife. He hastily placed the scalding basin on the dining table in the main room and rushed outside to cool his burning hands in cold water.

Though not burned, his hands were red and stinging.

Lin Wan patted her chest. “That was close! Thank you, Da-ge. If not for you, I would have dropped it, and we’d have lost our meal. We finally managed to add some oil—we can’t waste it!”

How could Lu Dage accuse her of doing it on purpose?

Old Man Lu still felt it was extravagant to use soybean oil for cooking, but when he tasted the fragrant dishes, he couldn’t deny they were delicious.

The whole family ate heartily.

Only Old Madam Lu, furious enough to starve herself, refused to eat, pounding the kang bed and cursing loudly.

Lin Wan couldn’t resist provoking her further. “From a medical perspective, we need to eat like this every three or four days. Otherwise, our bodies can’t handle the strain. Why are our men stronger than others, earning more work points? Because they need better food.”

She always framed her arguments from the men’s perspective, never mentioning her own desires or the children’s needs, making it impossible for anyone to accuse her of selfishness.

Old Man Lu knew that three or four days was unrealistic, and even seven days would be unbearable for his wife. After a moment’s thought, he suggested, “Let’s eat it every ten days.”

Eating it every ten days was still affordable, in fact, they could even manage it every five days.

Lu Dasao and Lu Ersao remained silent, heads bowed as they devoured their food.

Lin Wan asked, “If everyone thinks my cooking is decent, should I continue making dinner tonight?”

“In your dreams!” Old Madam Lu finally snapped, bursting out of the house. “We don’t need your services!”

She had originally planned to stubbornly refuse to cook, hoping her husband and sons would worry about her and ask what was wrong. Then she could blame Lin Wan for upsetting her, prompting the men to gang up on Lin Wan and teach her a lesson. But this venomous woman had turned the tables! Using her oil to play the good Samaritan, making everyone too embarrassed to scold her—how utterly vicious! She was so furious she could die!

Refusing to be sick or starve herself, Old Madam Lu hurried down to eat.

They don’t need me to cook anymore? Lin Wan felt a pang of disappointment.

She glanced at Old Madam Lu and deliberately provoked her. “See? The old woman’s bad temper and frequent illnesses are just symptoms of malnutrition, not real ailments. A good meal is all she needs to feel better.”

Old Madam Lu glared at Lin Wan, her anger simmering as she ate. She was about to retort when Lin Wan cut her off.

Lin Wan smiled. “I’ll do the dishes later! This meal is so oily, the bowls will be slippery. Be careful not to drop them!”

“You’re going to give me a heart attack!” Old Madam Lu clutched her chest, the memory of the shattered teapot and bowls fresh in her mind. Letting Lin Wan wash dishes again was simply too risky.

Lu Dasao quickly offered, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

Unable to scold Lin Wan, the old women turned her wrath on Lu Dasao. “All you do is eat! Why can’t you come home earlier to cook?”

Lu Dasao wanted to retort, How could I leave work early? That’s considered absenteeism! But she dared not speak up. If she argued back, the old woman would order her husband to beat her.

As a result, Lin Wan was stripped of her cooking and dishwashing duties, leaving her feeling somewhat disappointed.

—

After the meal, Lin Wan settled down to study Doctor Jin’s notes, adding her own observations.

Old Madam Lu was furious. She couldn’t bear to stay in the house after eating, Lin Wan’s presence only fueled her anger.

She never imagined she could control the families of her eldest and second sons, yet be unable to control the family of her third son. She couldn’t understand it. The old Lin Wan had been so docile, always fawning over her with obsequious flattery. How dare she act like this now?

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that Lin Wan was acting deliberately, harboring resentment toward Fourth Son and herself, and plotting revenge.

Part of her rejoiced that Fourth Son had run off and avoided marrying this venomous woman. Yet another part seethed with hatred. She should never have agreed to let Lin Wan marry Lu Zhengting. She should have sent her packing back to her family, and none of this trouble would have arisen.

But that was all she knew. Against those weaker than her, she resorted to bullying and abuse. Against those of equal or greater strength, she would complain to her husband and sons. Now, Lin Wan could both confront her directly and feign weakness to appease the men.

With neither brute force nor cunning working, Old Madam Lu was at a loss.

She was suffocating with frustration!

Lin Wan’s triumph brought her immense satisfaction.

—

For the past few days, Lin Wan had concentrated on gathering medicinal herbs and studying basic pharmacology. She even made herbal decoctions for her two sisters-in-law, aimed at relieving the internal heat caused by nutritional deficiencies. Given the poor diet of the time, along with the sisters-in-law’s constant oppression from their mother-in-law, their condition was due to yin deficiency rather than an excess of yang.

In the countryside, as long as a medicinal herb wasn’t poisonous, eating it—even if it wasn’t the exact remedy—was generally harmless. Many families, struggling to feed themselves, often supplemented their meals with wild greens. Some households, unwilling to use their small vegetable plots for everyday greens, instead gathered purslane, dandelion, sow thistle, shepherd’s purse, fern fiddleheads, and bitter lettuce throughout the year.

After a few days of drinking the decoctions, Lu Dasao and Lu Ersao felt significantly better, convinced that Lin Wan had the makings of a true doctor.

Consequently, they eagerly helped Lin Wan gather herbs, casually collecting any useful specimens they found while working in the fields—things like fleeceflower root, scutellaria, rehmannia, hemp-leaved mallow, cocklebur, motherwort, cassia seed, and more.

Lu Zhengting also enlisted Lu Zhengheng’s help, and together they rallied others to assist. For example, when they went swimming in the reservoir, they noticed it was full of lush aquatic plants—and among them, a wealth of perennial medicinal herbs. Because the women and children couldn’t safely enter such hazardous areas, the men volunteered to dig up the herbs.

With everyone’s assistance, 39 chattered incessantly in Lin Wan’s mind, bubbling over with delight.

This once-omnipotent medical system was now learning like a child. The sensation was truly… making Lin Wan increasingly curious about the wonders of cutting-edge technology.

[“Host Miss, Xiao Jiu loves you more and more! Keep up the good work studying medicine! The Omnipotent Medical System is incredibly powerful!”]

Lin Wan asked, “How powerful?”

999 replied, [“Ever heard of a large comprehensive hospital?”] 

Imagining a state-of-the-art hospital, then comparing it to this pitiful little system that had only given her a medical handbook, Lin Wan realized the System was dangling an impossibly grand promise before her!

Frustrated, Lin Wan felt like bullying someone, but Old Madam Lu had been unusually subdued lately. Though the old woman still glared at her with dark eyes, she dared not confront her directly.

—

One afternoon after lunch, the family settled down for their midday nap.

Lin Wan was arranging medicinal herbs under the courtyard’s pergola, practicing her herbal compounding skills and making full use of the available ingredients.

Suddenly, Little 39 started chattering excitedly, startling Lin Wan.

“Did you eat a poisonous mushroom?” she asked.

999: “……” Miss’s poison attacks are indiscriminate! Waaah!

After absorbing so much medicinal essence, it finally showed some improvement. Unfortunately, the base was too large; this small progress was like a single drop of water in the Pacific Ocean.

It was… nothing to be proud of.

But! For 39, this meant it could help Lin Wan even more now.

Puffing out its tiny chest, it proudly declared, [“Host, let me smell that Scutellaria root!”]

Lin Wan: “Don’t be silly. These are for compounding medicine. You don’t need these few roots; stop trying to eat them.”

[“Just let me smell it!”] It began to wheedle.

Lin Wan: “……” How can anyone resist this?

She picked up the root and sniffed it. 999 immediately recited, [“Medicinal material: Scutellaria baicalensis. Perennial herb. Main uses: febrile diseases, clearing heat and dampness, cooling blood, and calming the fetus. This root is three years old, in excellent condition, with moderate medicinal properties, suitable for use in medicine…”]

It rattled off the information, more detailed and precise than Lin Wan herself could remember.

Lin Wan: “39, what’s this… did you get smarter from taking drugs?”

999:[“Xiao Jiu will work hard alongside the Host and never slack off! As long as the Host has studied the knowledge, Xiao Jiu can help remember it perfectly and never forget!”]

Although she studied diligently and had memorized the medicinal properties of common herbs, applying them practically, human memory was limited and prone to forgetting. With 39’s help, it was like gaining a super-memory cheat code. This was no different from the System’s promise of directly imbuing knowledge into her brain, but without overloading her human brain.

Fantastic! With this, I can remember everything I read!

She quickly retrieved Doctor Jin’s notebook and flipped through it, letting the System record everything. The notes detailed the medical conditions of the Wiliu Brigade members, making them particularly valuable for clinical practice.

Lin Wan tested the System further. It could identify all herbs and, most impressively, assess their medicinal potency.

Even if an herb appeared perfect externally, its medicinal properties could vary due to factors like soil quality, climate, and insect damage.

Without instruments or extensive experience in processing medicinal herbs, Lin Wan couldn’t discern the potency of the herbs in her hands with the naked eye. If the potency was too low, patients would experience delayed or minimal effects. Now, with this new ability to assess herbal potency, Lin Wan could formulate prescriptions with enhanced efficacy.

“39, you’re amazing!” Lin Wan praised enthusiastically, quickly sorting through the massive pile of herbs, selecting the usable ones and feeding the rest to the livestock.

999: [“Xiao Jiu may be clumsy, but Xiao Jiu really wants to help Host become a super medicine god! And cure Xiao Tingting’s illness sooner!”]

Lin Wan: “……” Xiao Tingting? Who could possibly associate the stern, composed, and commanding Lu Zhengting with Xiao Tingting?!

The System continued its whimpering, making Lin Wan suppress a chuckle.

Just then, Lu Zhengting entered from outside, noticing her absentminded expression but the sweet smile playing on her lips. He paused, captivated by the sight.

Lin Wan looked up and waved him over. “Come help me!”

Lu Zhengting wheeled forward. “Don’t worry about tomorrow’s competition. Doctor Jin is an upright man.”

At that time, most barefoot doctors in rural villages were the children or relatives of village cadres, making it difficult for ordinary villagers to become one.

If it weren’t for Lin Wan’s competition, this opportunity would undoubtedly have gone to Lu Zhengxia.

However, Lu Zhengting knew Doctor Jin well. Having been sent from a higher-level hospital to provide guidance and training, Doctor Jin was a man of integrity who valued skill over connections.

Lin Wan smiled. “You’re so confident I’ll succeed?”

Instead of writing, she took his arm and demonstrated the steps for emergency hemostasis. Learning hemostasis and first aid was crucial in the countryside, where commune members often suffered cuts, bruises, and other injuries during daily labor.

Lu Zhengting quietly allowed her to manipulate his arm as she bent over, pressing, bandaging, and performing the procedures. His already keen sense of smell was heightened by her proximity, and her faint, delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, making him both nervous and physically tense.

“How was that?” she asked with a glance.

Lu Zhengting nodded. “Textbook perfect.”

Lin Wan wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Then I’m ready.”

In the countryside, barefoot doctors typically only knew basic techniques like hemostasis, cupping, scraping, injections, and artificial respiration. They carried common medications but couldn’t treat serious or chronic illnesses. Having mastered the necessary skills, she now awaited Doctor Jin’s evaluation in tomorrow’s competition.

Lu Ersao said Lu Zhengxia was constantly clinging to Doctor Jin, claiming she was helping him learn and refusing to leave, even making shoes for him.

I hope Doctor Jin is as upright as Lu Zhengting claims, Lin Wan thought.

She stood a little too close, and his gaze fell directly on her chest. He felt that leaning forward slightly would allow him to trace the source of that faint fragrance. He instinctively leaned back, trying to create more distance between them.

Lin Wan lowered her head, looking up at him from this angle. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and a peculiar emotion flickered in her dark, bright eyes, softening his handsome features.

She couldn’t help but exclaim, “You’re so handsome!” Her heart was racing.

Lu Zhengting unconsciously curled his fingers inward, suppressing his outward emotions to prevent her from noticing anything.

“You should study your books some more. I need to go to the Production Brigade,” he said hurriedly, turning to leave.

Lin Wan looked after him, puzzled. “What’s wrong with him?”

999: [“I think… he’s embarrassed.”]

Lin Wan: “You think everyone’s like Little 39? Waaah?”

999: [“Waaah, Host is making fun of Xiao Jiu…”]

—

The next day, to avoid disrupting work, Doctor Jin used the midday rest period to conduct the examination for the women competing to become doctors at the clinic.

After finishing her meal, Lin Wan informed her family of her plans.

Lu Dasao and Lu Ersao cheered Lin Wan on. If she became the village doctor, it would be a great help to the family. Doctors held high status in the village and earned many work points, making it easier for family members to get medical care in the future.

Old Madam Lu sneered, “Why don’t you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? Do you even have what it takes? What’s so great about being a village doctor anyway? Even if they offered the position to Xinlian, she wouldn’t want it.”

Lu Zhengqi and Lu Xinlian, having failed their college entrance exams, were now facing the prospect of being sent to the countryside. Finding work was proving difficult, but Old Madam Lu never missed an opportunity for a sharp-tongued remark.

Lin Wan ignored her, packed her belongings into a cloth bundle, and headed to the exam.

Lu Zhengting accompanied her, and Lu Mingliang, seeing them leave, hurried after them, shouting, “I’m here to cheer on Third Aunt!”

When they arrived at the clinic, a crowd of women had already gathered. Lin Wan was surprised to see over a dozen applicants. After all, becoming a doctor wasn’t easy; it required at least a primary school education, literacy, and some basic medical knowledge.

The Wiliu Brigade comprised several villages, and there were always a few women who had learned folk remedies or other medical techniques. They all wanted to try their luck in the selection process. Even if they didn’t get chosen, there was no harm in trying. After all, barefoot doctors enjoyed decent benefits.

Although barefoot doctors weren’t considered full cadres and couldn’t be completely exempt from agricultural duties, they were granted partial relief. During clinic hours, they were expected to work in the fields only when there were no patients, earning work points according to the village’s economic standards—usually ten to twelve points per day.

In practice, however, most barefoot doctors rarely had to do fieldwork, since there were always other tasks to occupy them. They reliably earned at least ten points daily, sometimes up to fifteen, and also had opportunities for periodic training at the Commune or county hospital, which benefited both their skills and their families.

This made the position highly desirable, and any woman with even a modicum of medical skill was eager to try her luck—what if she succeeded?

Lu Zhengxia wasn’t worried, she only saw Lin Wan as her true rival.

After Lin Wan publicly demonstrated her skills the other day, Lu Zhengxia felt confident she was no less capable. If their abilities were evenly matched, the cadre’s daughter would undoubtedly have the advantage.

Although Lin Wan had borrowed Doctor Jin’s notes, Lu Zhengxia had been learning directly from him these past few days, reinforcing her belief that she had gained a deeper understanding.

She smiled at Lin Wan, radiating confidence. “Lin Wan, try not to get too nervous later.”

She maintained a friendly facade toward Lin Wan, but her eyes betrayed contempt and dislike. You dared to embarrass my brother? Today, you’ll learn there’s always someone better! A woman abandoned by her man should hide at home, not parade her shame in public. Shameless!

Lin Wan raised an eyebrow. “It’s not a matter of life or death. Why so tense?”

Just then, Lu Changfa arrived to summon Lu Zhengting to a small meeting at the Production Brigade.

Lu Zhengting frowned slightly. He was a quiet man who disliked meetings, preferring to manage his work independently. Why call him to a meeting now, when Lin Wan was about to compete?