Chapter 4: The Shameless Uncle’s Family

When Ming Changhe was in the army, he started as an ordinary soldier. Later, by chance, he learned medicine from someone and became a military doctor. After retiring, he worked in the hospital’s pharmacy. When he passed away, his adoptive daughter, Ming Dai, although only fourteen years old, was able to take over his job.

The young girl had been around medicine for a long time and had learned a bit about pharmacology. She handled her work in an orderly manner.

Before falling ill, Ming Changhe had specifically asked someone to look after her. As long as nothing unexpected happened, she would have no problem supporting herself.

Unfortunately, he had underestimated the shamelessness of his older brother’s family.

When he died, Ming Changjiang did not even bother to lend a hand. Only after the burial was completed did he show up with a fake display of concern, but his true purpose was to get his hands on Ming Changhe’s savings book and job.

When Ming Changhe retired, he had received a large sum as a retirement settlement. His salary from the hospital was also decent, far better than Ming Changjiang’s earnings as a soy sauce factory worker. Since he only had an adopted daughter, it was natural that he had managed to save up a considerable amount.

Unfortunately for them, after searching every corner of the house, the family of four found nothing. Enraged, they turned their anger on Ming Dai, scolding and beating her.

The young girl did not dare to resist, but she gritted her teeth and insisted that she did not have it. The neighbors, seeing how ugly the situation had become, called the police. Only then did the family retreat in fear.

However, Ming Changjiang was not willing to give up. Worried about being accused of mistreating the orphaned child of a soldier, he and his son stopped coming. Instead, he sent his wife and daughter under the guise of “taking care of their niece and cousin.” They used verbal abuse and humiliation to pressure Ming Dai into handing over the savings book.

Frightened, the young girl did not even dare to go home. She worked night shifts for half a month straight.

Ming Changjiang was furious.

Just then, the campaign to send educated youths to the countryside began, and his family had to send someone.

There was no way it would be Ming Yaozu—he was the only son of the family. That left only Ming Yanhong.

However, Ming Yanhong had already taken a liking to the youngest son of the meat processing plant director. Such a good marriage opportunity could not be given up.

But she knew that her parents would undoubtedly sacrifice her to protect her younger brother. So, she came up with the idea of having Ming Dai go in her place. This could be arranged secretly—so long as no one found out, it would work.

Ming Changjiang naturally agreed. Meanwhile, Xing Cuilan, remembering a letter from their hometown, had an even more sinister plan. A wealthy family in their commune had a foolish son who was looking for a wife. They had reached out to her for help in finding a match. It was the perfect opportunity to send Ming Dai to their commune under the pretense of the educated youth program. Once she was there, they could simply force her into the fool’s bed. The young girl knew nothing, and with a bit of intimidation from the fool’s family, wouldn’t she obediently become his wife?

Once she was married off to the countryside, the house under Ming Changhe’s name would naturally belong to them.

How vicious!

Ming Dai sneered. He wasn’t even her biological uncle, yet he and his family dared to scheme against an orphaned girl in such a despicable way. It was time to teach them a lesson and let them know that the current Ming Dai was no longer the little girl who only knew how to hide and cry!

After finishing her meal, Ming Dai changed into a freshly washed coarse cotton outfit. She tied her dry, yellowish hair into two braids and looked at her face, now glowing with health. Then, she took out some makeup and carefully painted herself to look gravely ill.

Seeing her own deathly appearance in the mirror, she was quite satisfied.

When she stepped outside, the sky was still dark, and everything was silent.

After some thought, she pushed her bamboo bed aside, squeezed into the corner of the wall, lifted a green brick, and retrieved a small box.

This was the inheritance her adoptive father had left for her—the savings book Xing Cuilan had been desperately searching for.

Looking at the balance of 2,356 yuan written on the passbook, Ming Dai let out a sigh.

In terms of parental love, little Ming Dai was luckier than herself—at least she had an adoptive father who truly cared for her.

In the 1970s, this was considered a huge sum of money.

She put the savings book into her hidden storage space and effortlessly pushed the bed back into place with one hand.

Clapping the dust off her hands, she glanced at the now-bright sky, picked up the small military-green backpack that the original owner frequently used, and headed out the door.

There were still very few people on the streets, mostly those going out to dispose of night soil.

Following the memories in her mind, she arrived at the second floor of a large courtyard and knocked on the door.

“Who is it? So early in the morning!”

After a short wait, the door finally opened. A middle-aged woman with messy hair stood there, clearly taken aback when she saw Ming Dai.

Ming Dai put on a bright smile and timidly called out, “Director Niu, sorry to disturb you. I have something to discuss with you about a work position.”

Niu Qin’s eyes immediately lit up.

Her daughter had also reached the age to be sent to the countryside, but they hadn’t been able to buy a work position. With no other options, she would have to leave for the rural areas soon. The girl had been causing a huge commotion at home over this, making the past few days unbearable.

Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, Niu Qin hurriedly pulled Ming Dai inside.

“Come in, come in! Ming Dai, do you have news about a job opening?”

Niu Qin was the deputy director of the hospital’s logistics department, and her husband was the head of the hospital’s procurement department. Both of them held significant influence within the hospital.

That was exactly why Ming Dai had come to her. Ordinary people might hesitate to buy a position from her due to the trouble it could bring, but Niu Qin wouldn’t.

Before saying a word, Ming Dai’s eyes turned red.

“Director Niu, I won’t hide it from you—I want to sell my position.”

“You know that I inherited my father’s job. Recently, my uncle’s family has been causing trouble at the hospital, making a huge scene and creating a bad influence.

Now, my aunt has secretly pulled some strings to have me registered for the countryside program in place of her daughter. On top of that, she wants me to give up my job for my cousin. This is just too much bullying!

I refuse to let them get away with this, but since my departure to the countryside is already set in stone, there’s no way to avoid it. That’s why I want to sell my job—I won’t let my aunt’s family take it for free!”

Niu Qin was well aware of Ming Dai’s situation. Cases like this were not uncommon in these times. She could only say that this child was truly unlucky, having all kinds of misfortune fall upon her.

But this was good news for her own daughter!

“You poor child, this is such an injustice! Your aunt is truly heartless, forcing someone so young to go to the countryside. Don’t worry—I’ll buy your job, and I definitely won’t let your aunt have it!”

Ming Dai looked at Director Niu. “But my uncle is quite difficult to deal with. If you buy my job, it might cause you some trouble.”

Niu Qin waved her hand dismissively. “That’s nothing to worry about. My younger brother works for the Revolutionary Committee.”

That was an unexpected bonus. Ming Dai actually hoped that her aunt would come and stir up trouble with Niu Qin.

Job opportunities were scarce, and a pharmacy position was especially desirable since it was relatively easy and stable. Not wanting any unnecessary complications, Niu Qin got straight to the point. “Ming Dai, jobs like yours usually go for 800 yuan. I’ll give you 850. If you agree, we can go handle the paperwork once the office opens.”

Ming Dai agreed immediately. “Director Niu, there’s no need for 850. Just give me 700—but I’d like to ask you for another favor.”

Director Niu frowned slightly, worried that Ming Dai might make an unreasonable request. However, she maintained a friendly smile as she replied, “Go ahead, if it’s something I can help with, I definitely will.”

The underlying meaning was clear—if it was something beyond her ability, she wouldn’t bother.

Ming Dai smiled sheepishly. “I don’t want to give up practicing the medical skills my father taught me, even after going to the countryside. If possible, I’d like to become a barefoot doctor. You know, I’ve been weak and sickly since childhood, so I can’t do heavy labor. That’s why I was hoping to get some medical equipment and supplies.”

After saying this, she blushed and lowered her head, as if ashamed for making such an unreasonable request.

Ming Dai (inwardly): I deserve an acting award!

Director Niu let out a breath of relief—this was a simple request. Her husband handled hospital supplies, so getting some extra medical equipment and medicine was no trouble at all.

At the same time, she reevaluated Ming Dai. This girl wasn’t as weak and timid as she appeared—she had some cleverness. That was a good thing.

“This is no problem at all. Your uncle has access to those supplies. Let’s go handle the job transfer first, and once that’s done, I’ll take you to pick up what you need!”

Ming Dai’s eyes lit up with excitement. She looked up at Niu Qin, her eyes slightly red, gazing at her so earnestly that it softened the woman’s heart. Seeing this, Niu Qin decided to be extra generous with the medical supplies.

After finalizing the deal, Ming Dai politely declined Director Niu’s offer to have breakfast together and suggested she would wait at the hospital entrance instead.

She wasn’t hungry anyway. Instead, she headed straight to the hospital.

Standing at the entrance, she watched the unique morning rush of workers arriving for their shifts, fascinated by the scene of this era.