Chapter 9

On the way back from the commune, He Ting and Lu Baiwei had already discussed the matter of securing the two rooms. They needed to stop by the team leader’s house first.

As for the team leader’s house, that was easy—after all, Tang Jinghe, the team leader, was Lu Baiwei’s maternal uncle. He would surely be willing to help.

Although He Ting felt like his wife seemed a bit too familiar with Liu Zaicheng, when Lu Baiwei suddenly asked Liu Zaicheng to accompany them, He Ting understood it was likely because Liu Zaicheng could help with securing those two rooms. He didn’t say anything more.

“Zaicheng, here’s some wedding candy for you.”

Lu Baiwei handed him four pieces of Big White Rabbit milk candy and four fruit hard candies.

“When we get to your house, you need to tell your dad that you dislocated your arm when you rolled down the hill, and it was my brilliant skills that popped it back into place with just one quick move. If I hadn’t helped you today, your hand would’ve taken ten days to heal at the town’s clinic, and it would have been a real hassle. So, you’ve got to back me up when we get there.”

Liu Zaicheng, knowing full well that Lu Baiwei’s candies weren’t free, agreed with a smile: “Alright, I’ll follow your lead and say whatever you want me to.”

Liu Zhi, the team leader, had just finished his work in the morning and was at home when he saw his son, Liu Zaicheng, bringing Lu Baiwei and He Ting over.

“Zaicheng, why aren’t you working?”

Liu Zhi asked. Liu Zaicheng shrugged and said, “Dad, I was picking seedlings and tripped over a stone, rolling down the hill. My hand hit a rock and almost broke. It hurt so much I was rolling on the ground.”

“Luckily, Lu Baiwei and He Ting just came back from the commune with their marriage certificate. Baiwei quickly helped me, and with one move, my hand was back in place.”

Liu Zaicheng then offered a suggestion: “Dad, ever since Baiwei’s grandfather passed away, the health clinic in our team has been abandoned. In my opinion, Baiwei’s skills are just like her grandfather’s. It’s amazing!”

“Why don’t we let Baiwei run the health clinic for the team? It could work, and if anyone has a small illness, they wouldn’t need to go all the way to the town hospital.”

“For instance, my dislocated hand today—I’m not sure the doctor at the town clinic could have fixed it. It would have been a hassle to travel back and forth to the commune, and it would have cost a lot of money.”

“Look, Baiwei fixed me right up in no time.”

He Ting hadn’t expected that Lu Baiwei had medical skills.

However, when Lu Baiwei had asked Liu Zaicheng to speak on her behalf, Liu Zaicheng had already figured out her intentions. He Ting could sense his unease again as that feeling crept up in his chest. He tried to suppress it but couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

He Ting took out two packs of Hongta Mountain cigarettes, and Lu Baiwei grabbed a large handful of candy. “Uncle Liu, He Ting and I just got our marriage certificate today. Please take some wedding candy and cigarettes.”

Hongta Mountain cigarettes weren’t cheap.

For a young man from the capital like He Ting to spend so lavishly on two packs—it really showed his wealth!

He Ting, the young man from the capital, immediately took out two packs—he’s really showing off his wealth!

“This is way too much tobacco!”

Liu Zhi, the team leader, tried to refuse: “Two packs are enough, there’s no need for all these cigarettes.”

“Uncle, don’t be polite with me. I grew up with Zaicheng. Even though we’re not from the same mother, we’re like brother and sister. You see, I’ve gotten married, and I’m giving you two packs of cigarettes. Isn’t this just showing respect to you?”

Before Liu Zhi could respond, Lu Baiwei smiled and said, “Uncle, I learned a little from my grandfather. I can treat small ailments with no problem.”

“But about the health clinic, I know there are rules in every commune. You need to pass the barefoot doctor exam to work there.”

“How about this? Since He Ting and I are getting married, the team is going to allocate land for building houses, right? We don’t need the land, we just want to move into those two rooms in the health clinic for now.”

He Ting had always thought of Lu Baiwei as a quiet person who didn’t talk much.

But Liu Zhi knew that although Lu Baiwei appeared quiet, she was incredibly clever. His son, Zaicheng, had often been outsmarted by her.

Liu Zhi now understood why Lu Baiwei was so eager to offer cigarettes. It wasn’t just about offering a token gift—it seemed like she had her eyes on the health clinic’s rooms, too.

After all, the health clinic was the property of the team, and Liu Zhi couldn’t just make decisions on his own.

This matter was tricky.

If he refused, this girl had just saved Zaicheng’s hand.

Liu Zhi habitually tapped his hand on the table: “Baiwei, those two rooms are team property, it’s not easy to get.”

“I know it’s hard for you, Uncle, but how about this: you recommend me for the barefoot doctor exam, then I could be the team’s barefoot doctor, and it would make sense for me to move into that room.”

“If I don’t pass the exam, you can kick me out. I’ll pay the rent to the team for however long I stay. Does that sound good?”

This wasn’t exactly the usual way of doing things, but it could be handled as a special case.

Moreover, reopening the health clinic would definitely benefit the team members.

“Baiwei, if you’re confident you can pass, I can vouch for you.”

Liu Zhi was moved by her words, but he eyed her suspiciously: “Can you really guarantee you’ll pass?”

Lu Baiwei had grown up by her grandfather Tang Jing’s side, following him as he collected herbs and treated patients. Treating headaches, colds, wounds, or even fractures—she could do it all with ease.

It was just that Liu Chunhua and Lu Jianguo had always kept her down, so even if she had secured the position at the health clinic, it would have been a benefit to that family.

That’s why she had never bothered to fight for it.

But now that she had married He Ting, it was the perfect time to break free from that family, and she was determined to make her move.

Now that she had married He Ting, it was the perfect time to break free from that family, and she knew she had to make her move.

“I guarantee I’ll pass.”

“My education level isn’t enough, but I have He Ting, right?”

Lu Baiwei tugged at He Ting’s sleeve. “Uncle, He Ting is from the capital and is well-educated. I’m a little behind, but with his help in tutoring me, I’m sure I’ll pass.”

—

He Ting made a big impression with his three rounds of proposals, and Liu Zhi, being clever, knew that this young man from the capital was no ordinary person.

Since that was the case, why not do a favor?

“Alright, I’ll discuss it with your uncle when we get to the team office.”

Lu Baiwei knew that once Liu Zhi agreed, the matter would almost be settled.

Still, she was cautious about any potential setbacks, so she decided to act quickly.

After all, every extra day she stayed in that family, Lu Jianguo and Liu Chunhua would continue scheming, and she couldn’t let them benefit from the situation.

Lu Baiwei hurriedly continued, smiling: “Uncle, I was planning to go to the team office anyway to deliver wedding sweets and wine to my uncle. Let’s go together.”

Liu Zhi knew that Lu Baiwei was capable.

Tang Jinghe was her uncle, so delivering wine to the team office wasn’t unusual.

However, if the two packs of Red Tower Mountain cigarettes were delivered to the team office, people there would start gossiping.

But if they were delivered to his house, and with the excuse of Liu Zaicheng’s dislocated arm, it could prevent any unnecessary chatter. No one would talk if they saw the cigarettes come with Liu Zaicheng’s hand injury as the reason.

Moreover, since everyone was out working, no one would notice.

Liu Zhi was pleased and nodded in agreement: “Alright then, let’s head to the team office together.”

—

When news about Lu Jiaojiao and Yin Zhihe hiding in the haystack reached the team leader, Tang Jinghe, he found it quite amusing. He had just been discussing with Lu Baiwei’s uncle, planning to support his niece, when he heard about He Ting’s three rounds of proposals and his visit to Lu’s house to propose marriage.

Everyone in the team had been laughing at Lu Jianguo and his wife, which was quite a satisfying feeling!

Lu Baiwei had come the afternoon before to get a certificate, and today she was going to the commune to get her marriage certificate. Tang Jinghe himself had written the papers for her.

When he saw He Ting and Lu Baiwei arrive with Liu Zhi, he was quite happy.

“Baiwei, did you and He Ting get your marriage certificate?”