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A beautiful day begins with the first ray of morning sunlight.
Wei Lan lazily woke up in her warm bed, stretched her body, and slowly walked towards the latrine. After finishing her business, she scooped up a ladle of clean water from a nearby wooden bucket and poured it down, completing a simple “flushing” process. She secretly thought to herself that she should find a way to upgrade to a proper toilet next time so that she could sit comfortably.
Next, Wei Lan took out her toothbrush and carefully brushed her teeth. After that, she used soap to wash her face thoroughly, letting the cool water wash away the drowsiness and wake her up completely.
Once everything was ready, she leisurely made her way to the clinic, where Hong Hua had already prepared a hearty and healthy breakfast: a golden, enticing fried egg paired with a steaming cup of fragrant soy milk.
She hadn’t had any milk here yet, which always made her feel like something was missing. She wondered if she could get a cow from the Inner Mongolian grasslands in the future, so she could have fresh milk anytime, further improving her quality of life.
As she enjoyed the delicious breakfast, Wei Lan felt especially content. She felt that life here was gradually resembling modern life, which made her quite satisfied.
That day, she was preparing to give the first health education lecture since the opening of the clinic. There was still some time before the class started, so she sat at her desk, skillfully reciting her notes and reviewing the process in her mind, striving to ensure everything would go smoothly.
Just then, a knock at the door broke the silence.
Wei Lan answered the door and saw the blacksmith standing at the entrance, carrying a large iron bucket. “Doctor Wei, I’ve brought the stove you ordered,” he said. The iron bucket swayed slightly on his shoulder, making a dull sound, clearly heavy.
Wei Lan’s eyes lit up as she quickly invited the blacksmith inside. This stove had been carefully crafted based on her designs and specifications. It had a unique shape and exquisite craftsmanship.
The blacksmith looked at the unusual object with curiosity and couldn’t help but ask, “Doctor Wei, you said this is for burning coal—how does it work?”
Instead of answering immediately, Wei Lan led him to the backyard. There, Jiu An was sitting on a small stool, skillfully making honeycomb briquettes. His hands moved deftly, shaping each briquette with precision, stacking them neatly beside him.
Wei Lan demonstrated by lighting a honeycomb briquette. The flames flickered over the coal, making a faint crackling sound. Then, she stacked the burning briquettes one by one into the stove.
As she worked, she explained the structure of the stove to the blacksmith: “The outer shell of this stove is a sturdy iron bucket. The small holes at the bottom and sides allow air to flow in, ensuring complete combustion. The top opening is designed for inserting the briquettes, sized just right for easy use while preventing heat from escaping too quickly.”
“The asbestos insulation inside prevents the iron bucket from overheating and prolongs the stove’s lifespan. It also acts as a heat shield, making it both safe and practical.”
After listening to Wei Lan’s explanation, the blacksmith’s eyes gleamed with understanding. He seemed to envision the potential profits this innovation could bring, his expression filled with excitement. He eagerly asked, “Doctor Wei, may I make more of these stoves and sell them? I’ll share the profits with you—what do you think?”
Wei Lan chuckled and shook her head. She was no longer in a position where she had to worry about money. With a calm smile, she said, “I don’t need a share of the profits. I only ask that you sell the stoves at a fair price and promote the use of these honeycomb briquettes.”
The blacksmith was stunned, staring at Wei Lan in disbelief. Why would someone refuse a profitable opportunity? What was she after? Unable to contain his curiosity, he blurted out, “Doctor Wei, why are you doing this?”
Wei Lan’s smile remained, but her gaze turned firm. “Because this helps protect the environment.”
The blacksmith muttered the words “protect the environment” under his breath, utterly confused. To him, wood and coal were gifts from nature, inexhaustible and free for anyone to use. Saving resources seemed like nothing more than a way to cut costs. As for the broader benefits to the environment, he struggled to grasp the concept. His brow furrowed, his expression filled with doubt.
Wei Lan knew it was pointless to talk about environmental conservation with ancient people—it would be like talking to a brick wall. So, she chose to say no more. She only hoped that this small change would quietly bring some green to the world.
She patted the blacksmith on the shoulder and smiled, “Just do as I say, and time will prove its worth.”
As the class time approached, villagers began streaming into the backyard. The place became lively, filled with the chatter of adults and the laughter of children. The courtyard had turned into a bustling little marketplace.
Seeing the scene, Wei Lan grinned and told the blacksmith, “Don’t leave yet—there’s an event coming up. You should stay and watch.”
The blacksmith nodded and decided to stay. The villagers, in small groups, whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. They speculated on what they might learn today, their faces glowing with eagerness.
Wei Lan stood at the front, facing the crowd. Behind her hung a simple diagram of the Heimlich maneuver, carefully drawn to be clear and easy to understand. The diagram outlined a human figure, highlighting key areas for the procedure, with arrows illustrating each step, making it accessible even for first-time learners.
Clearing her throat, she captured the audience’s attention. Her voice was bright and firm, instantly silencing the crowd.
“Dear villagers, today we’ll start by discussing the dangers of choking, especially in children and the elderly. The elderly have weaker teeth, and children love to play while eating. If they’re not careful, they might choke on their food. When that happens, you must stay calm and use this air-pressure rescue method.”
The crowd buzzed with murmurs, clearly intrigued by this unfamiliar concept.
Suddenly, an old woman named Granny Zhou spoke up, her voice loud and confident, “Oh! I know this!”
Wei Lan’s eyes lit up, and she smiled. “Granny Zhou, why don’t you come up and demonstrate for everyone?”
Granny Zhou beamed with excitement and stepped forward, walking with a steady stride. “My son nearly choked to death on a bone once. It was Doctor Wei who saved him using this technique.”
Wei Lan gestured for Granny Zhou to demonstrate. Granny Zhou enthusiastically wrapped her arms around Wei Lan and forcefully performed the Heimlich maneuver. Her actions were precise, but her strength was overwhelming.
Wei Lan winced and dramatically clutched her stomach, exclaiming, “That hurts!” Her voice carried a hint of exaggeration.
The crowd erupted into laughter. Some people clutched their stomachs, while others slapped their thighs, the courtyard filled with joyful amusement.
Realizing she had been too rough, Granny Zhou scratched her head sheepishly and chuckled, “Oh dear, I put in too much strength! Doctor Wei, don’t hold it against me!”
Wei Lan, holding back her laughter, rubbed her stomach and said with mock seriousness, “No worries, Granny Zhou. Your technique was spot on, but you need to control your strength—otherwise, you might end up hurting the person you’re trying to save!”
The crowd burst into laughter again, and the lively class continued.
After explaining the Heimlich maneuver, Wei Lan shared other basic first-aid knowledge, such as assessing unconsciousness, treating burns, handling nosebleeds, and managing sprains. Her explanations were engaging, making practical medical knowledge accessible to everyone.
For now, she decided not to introduce CPR. She understood that CPR was complex and, if done incorrectly, could break all the ribs. Besides, recognizing when to perform CPR was difficult for ordinary people. She planned to introduce it later when the time was right.
As she spoke, the villagers’ eyes were fixed on Wei Lan, who stood in the center of the courtyard like a shining star, illuminating the space around her.
Watching from the sidelines, Hong Hua admired Wei Lan deeply and whispered to Liu Mingyi, “Xiao Lan is truly remarkable.”
Liu Mingyi, leaning casually against the wall, smirked and said, “Her mind is always full of strange and clever ideas. I could never keep up.”
Hong Hua teasingly asked, “Brother Mingyi, are you really siblings? Something seems off.”
Liu Mingyi hesitated, then smiled lightly. “It takes time to get used to suddenly having a younger sister.”
Hong Hua nodded and smiled, accepting his explanation.