Jiang Xi didn’t notice Liu Xiaohua’s reaction. She went back to her room, wiped the sweat from her face, and went straight to bed.

It was still quite hot at night in mid-June.

Unfortunately, there was no electric fan.

Jiang Xi used a palm-leaf fan to cool herself and then fanned the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ next to her to keep him from sweating and developing skin problems.

As she fanned herself, she fell asleep again.

The fan fell down naturally.

The man sleeping next to her frowned slightly, as if he woke up feeling hot but soon realized there was no breeze. He relaxed again and fell into a deep sleep.

That night, no one disturbed her.

_

The next morning, when Jiang Xi woke up, Liu Xiaohua was still there. Seeing her, Liu Xiaohua stood up from her father’s room, fanning her son, and said politely, “Third Sister-in-law, you’re awake. Breakfast is in the kitchen. I’ll bring it to you.”

Jiang Xi looked at her strangely but said nothing.

Jiang Ermei came over with a plate and said, “Big sister, go wash your face quickly. This is what Auntie left for you. She and Uncle went to buy a cart.”

Liu Xiaohua felt embarrassed.

“Okay.” Jiang Xi smiled at her sister and took the breakfast.

Today’s breakfast was steamed buns. Pei’s mother must have made them early in the morning. They were very fluffy. Jiang Xi quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face so she could eat the buns as soon as possible.

Pei’s mother was a great cook. Everything she made tasted good, and the meat filling in these buns was well-seasoned.

Jiang Xi ate most of the buns in one bite.

Liu Xiaohua watched with envy. For breakfast, there were no sweet potatoes or potatoes, just four big meat buns—a real treat.

Of course, these were from her in-laws. She also got some, but only one.

Her in-laws said Jiang Xi had bought the meat with her own money, even though it was actually Pei Hejun’s money.

But Liu Xiaohua didn’t want to be too pushy this time. She knew Jiang Xi was right about Pei Hejun’s incompetence and felt some guilt for taking advantage.

Given the situation, she didn’t want to offend Jiang Xi again, especially with her son still needing care.

Speaking of her son, Liu Xiaohua eagerly said, “Sister-in-law, my son Fengshou didn’t have a fever last night. He seemed more energetic this morning, but he was hungry. What should he eat?”

When her son first had diarrhea two days ago, she took him to the town for a doctor’s visit.

He improved the same day, but after eating pork elbow from town in the evening, the condition worsened. Last night, Jiang Xi advised not to feed him, so she didn’t, even though it broke her heart to see him hungry.

Her son had visibly lost weight.

Jiang Xi thought for a moment and said, “Make him some egg custard mixed with porridge. He can’t eat too much, just a small bowl.”

“Okay.” Liu Xiaohua nodded eagerly and was about to leave.

Jiang Xi stopped her and said, “The consultation fee hasn’t been paid yet.”

Liu Xiaohua was surprised. She hadn’t expected a fee. “Consultation fee? Our families are…”

Jiang Xi calmly replied, “You always fuss about money with your parents and worry about losses. For clarity, we should settle accounts properly. You need to pay 3.2 yuan for the medicinal materials and provide 10 eggs or something else for the consultation fee.”

Though Liu Xiaohua appeared friendly, Jiang Xi didn’t like the couple. Despite their current financial struggles, she felt it was important to stand her ground. They had caused trouble the day before, and she felt justified in charging extra.

Liu Xiaohua’s face turned red. She realized she was being mocked for her previous actions. She felt sorry for the money but didn’t argue.

She whispered, “I’ll go home and get it.”

“Go ahead.” Jiang Xi waved her off.

As Liu Xiaohua left, she hesitated and asked, “You said yesterday that the corner of my mouth can be cured. Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true,” Jiang Xi smiled. “Do you want me to treat you?”

“Is it expensive?” Liu Xiaohua asked hesitantly.

Jiang Xi thought for a moment and said, “It’s not very expensive. It’s a minor issue, and the medicine is cheap. One yuan and fifty cents is enough.”

Liu Xiaohua, though reluctant, agreed to the treatment. “Then I’ll do it!”

Even though Pei Deyi was useless, she still managed the family’s money.

Jiang Xi quickly finished her bun, washed her hands, examined Liu Xiaohua’s face, felt her pulse, confirmed her condition, and prescribed three doses of medicine: “Take it for three days, and you’ll be fine.”

Liu Xiaohua smiled but soon winced at the pain in her mouth. She held the prescriptions and walked away quickly.

Finally, she could get it treated.

She was shocked. The problem had been persistent for a long time, causing her worry and embarrassment. Her husband even avoided looking at her.

The cost seemed cheap but added up. For her and her son, it was 4.7 yuan plus the eggs, which was a strain. Fortunately, she had some money saved from raising chickens, so she had enough eggs.

Oh, I really regret it.

If she had known Jiang Xi was so capable, she wouldn’t have caused such a fuss with her. Why would she need so much money otherwise?

_

As soon as she got the things, Liu Xiaohua went to her mother-in-law’s house.

Before leaving, Xu Cui suddenly came over with a sly smile and asked, “Where have you been? I just came looking for you and didn’t see you.”

“What’s wrong?” Liu Xiaohua didn’t answer directly and asked back.

Xu Cui was eager to share some gossip, so she said, “A team doctor has arrived. I heard from the people in the next village that a clinic will be built at the entrance of Zhoujia Village. Aren’t those two old guys supporting Jiang Xi? They also spread the word that Jiang Xi wants to be a team doctor. Ugh!”

She proudly shared what she knew, expecting Liu Xiaohua to be as excited as she was. However, Liu Xiaohua frowned and didn’t look happy.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you excited? This is great news!” Xu Cui asked, annoyed.

Liu Xiaohua hesitated and said, “It’s a done deal that Jiang Xi is marrying the third brother. We’re family, so if she improves, we also benefit. Now that she can’t be a team doctor, what good will it do us?”

She felt that having a relative who is a doctor would be beneficial.

If it were someone else’s family, she would have to travel at least ten minutes from Peijia Village to Zhoujia Village, and deal with various personal relationships and medical costs. It would be quite a hassle.

Jiang Xi was different. She didn’t have to worry about her son much since her parents-in-law took care of him, and she could even have a free meal.

Moreover, with Jiang Xi’s temper, she really didn’t have the courage to complain.

Xu Cui didn’t want to hear this. She glared and said without thinking, “I don’t need her! My family is healthy. Besides, if something happens, we can see the team doctor. The team doctor must be better than Jiang Xi.”

Liu Xiaohua felt helpless but didn’t argue. She had thought this way before and it was hard to change her mind without personal experience, so she said, “Okay, whatever you want.”

She walked past Xu Cui and went outside.

Xu Cui asked, “Where are you going?”

“To the old couple’s place. My son had a fever last night and I asked Jiang Xi to check him. He’s still there,” Liu Xiaohua replied.

Xu Cui: “…”

She sneered and thought it didn’t matter.

Jiang Xi is useless anyway. There’s already a team doctor, so what’s the point of having her? Who would want to see her for treatment?!

When the time comes, there will be no income from that place, and it will be of no use. The two fools will always know who to rely on when they are old.

***

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