Chapter 12: Wanted to Open a Chinese Medicine Clinic, But Had No Money

Last night.

When Xi Youyou was lying in bed, she thought things over.

Right now, there wasn’t much money in this household. Whatever money there was, it was in the hands of Xu Xiu and Jiang Fenglin. If she wanted money, she would have to ask them for it. That was a bit awkward—she didn’t like being the one with an open palm, asking.

Besides, in her past life, she had grown used to being busy in the hospital. She had long adapted to that fast-paced lifestyle. Now that she suddenly had so much free time, she actually felt uncomfortable all over.

In her past life, she had studied Chinese Medicine, and she had also picked up some knowledge of surgery. For this era, that should be more than enough.

There were also some surgical books in her spatial space; she could review them more thoroughly.

All things considered, she really did want to open a Clinic.

Since the topic had already come up, after finishing the lean meat porridge in her bowl, Xi Youyou set her bowl down on the table and said: “Mom, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

Xu Xiu genuinely liked this porridge. It was thick and rich, and the flavor was very good.

“I wanted to ask, if I wanted to open a Chinese medicine clinic, what kind of procedures would I need?”

When she had read this book before, Xi Youyou noticed that some things didn’t quite match the actual 1980s. So she wasn’t entirely sure.

What if the author’s version of the 1980s was fictional, only borrowing a few real elements from that era?

She figured it was best not to act recklessly and to ask first before making a move.

“You want to open a Chinese medicine clinic?”

Xu Xiu was indeed surprised, but after thinking for a second, it didn’t seem so shocking after all.

After all, Xi Youyou had gone to school before—she had even attended a vocational high school, and what she studied was precisely Chinese medicine.

It was just that later on, when new policies came out, she had been forced to give it up…

“Yes.”

Xi Youyou nodded. It was only after she had understood the Original Owner’s background that she dared bring this up.

If she had said it rashly without knowing? That would’ve been a disaster.

“If you want to open a Chinese medicine clinic, there are quite a few procedures you need to go through. The most important thing is that you need to take an exam again and get a certification.” Xu Xiu explained. “And opening a clinic means renting a place and taking care of all the formalities for setting it up.” she added, her tone turning a bit hesitant. “If you really want to open a full clinic, it’ll require a lot of money.”

That much was true.

Even in the time she came from, opening a Chinese medicine clinic wasn’t easy. Renting a storefront, doing renovations, and buying all the equipment and supplies needed for the clinic—

You’d easily spend a couple hundred thousand.

Converted to the money value of this era, that was no small sum either.

While Xi Youyou was deep in thought, Jiang Fenglin pressed his lips together and said: “Youyou, Mom and Dad really want to support you, but… our hearts are willing, yet our strength falls short.”

“The family can’t come up with that kind of money.”

After what had happened the night before, Jiang Fenglin no longer wanted to dwell on all the messy, complicated things. But what he said was indeed the truth.

Upon hearing this, Xi Youyou felt a bit embarrassed.

Oh, the Original Owner! What had she done?

She knew all about it, because she had inherited all of the Original Owner’s memories.

Originally, Jiang Cimo had a promising future. He should have been promoted long ago. Once he got that promotion, all his benefits would have increased accordingly.

But because of that uproar the Original Owner had caused a few years ago, Jiang Cimo missed a critical promotion opportunity. It even made the Commander form a negative impression of him. So for the past few years, he could only continue to carry out his duties diligently and fulfill his responsibilities quietly.

Although he was now already at the vice battalion level, if not for the Original Owner’s outburst back then, he would at least be a full battalion-level officer by now, maybe even vice regiment level.

The salary and benefits would have been completely different. That way, the family would’ve been able to save more money—and maybe they would’ve had enough to open that Chinese medicine clinic by now.

Now, with two children and her in the household, the family’s expenses had only grown.

They were frugal in most areas, but the two elders had never once been stingy when it came to the children. There was almost always meat on the table for them to eat, to make sure they grew up healthy and tall.

In this era, being able to eat meat every day was a real luxury. Even if it wasn’t a large amount, it was still far better than families who could only afford to eat meat once every few days.

As a result, there wasn’t much money left at home. They could still support daily living expenses, but if they were to fund her to open a Chinese medicine clinic, that was truly beyond their means.

“I didn’t mean I was absolutely set on opening one.” Xi Youyou said, sounding casual. “I was just thinking I should find something to do.” She had only wanted to ask about it this morning to understand the situation.

Now it seemed the idea of opening a Chinese medicine clinic would have to be set aside for the time being.

But she needed to earn money.

Then… why not go work at the county hospital?

Start with working at the hospital, earn a bit at a time, and simultaneously build up some experience. In the future, whether she wanted to go elsewhere, work at another hospital, or even open her own Chinese medicine clinic, she’d have the experience to back it up.

Yes!

Xi Youyou figured it out, and once she did, she felt much more at ease.

As for Xu Xiu, hearing her say she wanted to find something to do made her so emotional that tears nearly welled up in her eyes.

After getting married and giving birth, Xi Youyou had been living a pampered life—clothes delivered to her, meals served at hand. Unless she had a special need, she rarely did anything helpful, only occasionally doing something nice to coax her in-laws.

Now, hearing her say this—how could Xu Xiu not be thrilled?

“Then where should I go to take the test?” Xi Youyou asked again before Xu Xiu could speak. “Even though I went to a vocational high school and did study a bit, if I don’t take the test, I probably won’t be able to get into a hospital, right?”

“There’s a place around here where you can take it.” Jiang Fenglin was quite familiar with these things and named a place. “Go over there and ask about it. The exams shouldn’t be time-limited.”

“Okay.”

After finishing the conversation, Xi Youyou didn’t have anything else to say. Seeing that the two kids had already eaten their fill, she got up and began to clear the bowls and chopsticks.

Earlier, she had taken out the leftover meat from before. She had originally planned to marinate it but didn’t know how, so she could only ask Xu Xiu for help.

“I’ll do it!”

Xu Xiu was more than happy to take over. She rolled up her sleeves and got to work marinating the meat, while the two little ones played in the courtyard.

“Did you hear what they were saying just now?”

Da Bao sat on a chair in the middle of the courtyard. “Sounded like they were saying that Comrade Xi Youyou is going to be a doctor, right?”

“Seems like it.”

“I don’t really get it!”

Xiao Bao shook her little head. “Building with blocks is super fun! I want to go ask Comrade Xi Youyou if she can play blocks with us this afternoon!”

As she spoke, she zipped into the kitchen.

Xiao Bao still carried that ever-serious little grown-up demeanor. “Comrade Xi Youyou, can you play with us at noon?”

Xu Xiu heard the way Xiao Bao addressed her and was about to remind her to say “Mom” instead.

But when she turned her head, her eyes happened to meet Xi Youyou’s.

Xi Youyou understood what she meant and shook her head with a gentle smile, then turned to answer Xiao Bao.

Xi Youyou said gently: “Sorry, Xiao Bao, I have to go into the county this afternoon to ask about the exam. I won’t be able to play with you and your brother, but when I come back, I’ll bring you a stick of candied hawthorn, okay?” Xi Youyou’s voice was soft, her tone filled with affection.

Xiao Bao tilted her little head and thought for a moment. “Okay! But you have to bring the candied hawthorn, for sure!” Xiao Bao licked her lips, looking like a proper little glutton.

Xi Youyou reached out her hand. “Then let’s pinky swear, okay?”

“Okay!”

Xiao Bao excitedly linked her pinky with Xi Youyou’s, and the two of them recited the pinky swear rhyme together.

After the pinky swear, Xiao Bao twirled in a circle, her face glowing with joy as she burst out in giggles.

Xu Xiu looked at Xiao Bao’s lively expression and sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, a child was happiest when with their mother.

So carefree and unrestrained—this was what a cheerful, lively child was supposed to be.

“I’m heading out now!”

After saying that, Xiao Bao wiggled her little bottom as she ran off, humming some unknown tune happily.

Once she was outside, she grabbed Da Bao and started running in circles, chatting excitedly about buying candied hawthorn.

Xi Youyou withdrew her gaze and continued working on her task at hand. Xu Xiu couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Her daughter-in-law had truly changed.

Not only was she treating the family well, but she was also taking the initiative to find work, and she was so good to the children too.

“The twins…” she hesitated for a few seconds, then finally spoke: “They were indeed a bit distant with you before. But I can see Xiao Bao’s been doing much better lately. Don’t rush things.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” Xi Youyou said calmly—she was no fool like the Original Owner. “I’ve thought it through. After all, I’m the one who did wrong before. I need to change and give them time and space to accept me.

I’m done with my part here. Mom, could you take over and finish marinating the meat? I’m going to take the bicycle and head into town to ask about the exam stuff.”