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Chapter 20
Two days later
It was indeed surprising that the team suddenly had a team doctor.
There are several villages around Peijia Village and Zhoujia Village, all part of the same brigade. Peijia Village and Zhoujia Village are centrally located in the brigade.
These locations are quite advantageous, so the fact that a clinic will be built at the entrance of Zhoujia Village was quickly known to the surrounding villagers.
The other villages were happy.
Having a doctor nearby is a good thing.
At least they wouldn’t have to travel far.
But the villagers of Peijia Village didn’t see it that way. They had experienced Jiang Xi’s medical skills and trusted her. Also, after Pei Shengcai’s previous performance, they all thought Jiang Xi would definitely be the team doctor.
This sudden change made them feel conflicted.
“What’s going on in the brigade? Isn’t Doctor Jiang doing well?”
“That’s right. I asked her to check my old cold leg a few days ago. Oh, you don’t know, this leg hasn’t hurt for several nights. Why can’t she be the team doctor?”
As everyone discussed, a sarcastic voice interrupted: “Why else? Not good enough!”
The gray-haired man glared at her: “Xisheng’s mother, what nonsense are you talking about? My old cold leg wasn’t cured by any doctor in town, but she gave me a few injections and the pain went away. Isn’t that impressive?”
Xisheng’s mother didn’t respond but asked, “If she’s so capable, why didn’t she become the team doctor?”
The man was speechless.
How does he know?
Just like before, when Jiang Xi was praised by the team leader Pei Shengcai, everyone in the village trusted her. Now that the team has appointed another doctor, everyone thinks this person must be better than Jiang Xi.
The villagers are used to following the team’s decisions. With Pei Shengcai doing a good job, the village is developing well, so few people question the team’s choices.
Seeing this, Xisheng’s mother smirked: “No more talking, I have to ask the doctor in the brigade to check on my daughter-in-law. That little bitch has been eating nothing but eggs for so long, what a waste of food…”
“Bah!” One person defending Jiang Xi said angrily, “What a villain! It’s hard for any woman to get pregnant after being treated like this!”
“Anyway, I still believe in Doctor Jiang.”
“Me too. Dr. Jiang’s fees are really low. There’s no need to change doctors and travel such a long way.”
Although they don’t question the team’s decision, the villagers still have their own opinions.
The bias is clear whichever way you choose.
At this time, a young couple passed by. Seeing their direction, they were going to Pei’s house. Someone immediately asked, “Xiufang, where are you two going?”
Lu Xiufang smiled and said, “We’re going to see Doctor Jiang. It rained the past two days and I think I have a cold. I’m going to see Doctor Jiang.”
Xisheng’s mother, hearing the commotion, turned around and shouted: “Come with me to find the team doctor. The team doctor must be better.”
Lu Xiufang’s smile faded: “No need, Doctor Jiang is very good.”
Xisheng’s mother said angrily: “You are so ignorant!”
She looked at the man next to Lu Xiufang and said, “Jianxiang, you’re a man, you should be sensible and take your wife to see a better team doctor. I’m doing this for your own good. This is your son you’ve been waiting for so long.”
Pei Jianxiang frowned and said, “No need. Doctor Jiang saw that my wife was pregnant. I trust her.”
“You don’t appreciate a good person!” Xisheng’s mother shook her head, looking as if she thought Pei Jianxiang would regret his decision, and staggered out.
She wanted to take her daughter-in-law to see a better doctor.
Xisheng’s mother thought that Jiang Xi was not as skilled as she needed. She doubted Jiang Xi’s ability and worried it was just luck.
_
A new doctor had arrived in the brigade.
Although the clinic wasn’t officially open yet, the new doctor was already working. The place was simple—a run-down house at the entrance of Zhoujia Village—but the villagers didn’t mind at all.
There hadn’t been a doctor in the brigade for a long time.
The brigade doctors don’t charge for their services, only for the medicine, which is much cheaper compared to town doctors who charge fifty cents just to take a pulse.
People were eager to see the new doctor to address their issues before the busy harvest season in July.
When Xisheng’s mother arrived at Zhoujia Village, it was busy, more so than when Pei’s family had been there.
The first person at the table was a young man, probably around 20 years old, with slicked-back hair and a pen in his shirt pocket. The team doctor had a stern face and seemed distant.
Xisheng’s mother was surprised, thinking the new doctor was not as good as the one from her village.
As she approached, the stern-faced doctor scolded her: “Can’t you see everyone is waiting? Go get in line!”
Fearful, Xisheng’s mother stepped back and realized she needed to wait her turn.
Seeing the doctor’s serious demeanor, she thought he must be very capable. She apologized and went to the back of the line.
She watched as the doctor quickly saw patients. There were over 20 people ahead of her, but soon it was almost her turn.
As the evening approached, the doctor announced: “It’s getting dark. I won’t see any more patients today. Come back tomorrow.”
Xisheng’s mother was frustrated: “I’ve been waiting for a long time. You can’t just stop seeing patients now!”
The doctor’s expression darkened: “I’ve been working non-stop. If I keep seeing patients, my accuracy will suffer. I need to rest. Come back tomorrow.”
Xisheng’s mother, usually aggressive, became submissive and begged: “Please, doctor, I’ve waited so long. Can you see me now?”
“No, no, no!” The doctor said firmly, “Leave now.”
Seeing no one else was as persistent as her, the other patients left. Xisheng’s mother stomped her feet but was told the door would be closed.
She cursed: “What a lousy doctor! Not as good as our village’s.”
The team doctor, who had been closing the door with his back to her, paused, recognizing her frustration.
Li Quan, the new team doctor, was aware that his appointment was due to internal conflicts within the brigade. He was a pawn in the power struggle between Captain Pei Shengcai and the deputy captain. Although he was not particularly interested in the locals, he knew he needed to handle his duties carefully.
Seeing most patients had left, he called out: “Auntie!”
Xisheng’s mother, reluctant to leave, turned around: “Yes, doctor? What is it?”
Li Quan said seriously: “Seeing you are so anxious, your condition might be serious. I have some time left. I can examine you now.”
_
“Thank you, doctor!” Xisheng’s mother was relieved. She didn’t expect her complaints would get the doctor’s attention. She quickly approached and explained: “Doctor, my head stopped growing hair after a fight with my daughter-in-law. This bald spot is too ugly. Can you give me some medicine for it?”
Li Quan: “…”
He didn’t expect her issue was just about hair loss.
Li Quan said with a stern face: “Just apply ginger. Ginger helps hair growth.”
Xisheng’s mother was surprised: “Is it that simple?”
“Yes,” Li Quan nodded, preparing to send her away.
Xisheng’s mother hesitated and added: “Actually, there’s another issue. My daughter-in-law can’t conceive. It’s not my son’s fault. Is there anything you can do to help her get pregnant? It would be great if she could have a boy!”
Li Quan sighed in relief. He was often asked for a secret recipe to ensure a boy, but such things don’t exist. To maintain his credibility, he replied, “There is a method, but both partners need to use it, and it’s a bit expensive. Do you want it? If so, come back for the medicine tomorrow afternoon.”
“A bit expensive…”
Xisheng’s mother hesitated: “How expensive is it?”
Li Quan held out his hand and said, “Five yuan for three days of treatment. You can drink it for half a month straight. During this time, the couple must abstain from sex.”
“Hiss!” Xisheng’s mother gasped. Five yuan, and for half a month, it would cost twenty-five yuan! It’s very expensive!
But when she saw Li Quan’s impatient expression, she felt that despite the high cost, it was worth it.
The doctor must have a great secret recipe.
She gritted her teeth and said, “Okay.”
“First, give me a three-yuan deposit.”
“Now?”
“Of course, how else would I get the medicine?”
Xisheng’s mother felt distressed, cursing her daughter-in-law for being useless and causing this expense. But for the sake of her future grandson, she paid the deposit.
After receiving the money, Li Quan’s expression softened. He noted her details and said, “You can go now.”
Xisheng’s mother left quickly.
She didn’t want to stay any longer and risk feeling regretful.
She was stopped a few steps away by a woman who had been waiting. The woman asked, “Sister-in-law, what did you discuss with the team doctor?”
Xisheng’s mother smiled and said, “Oh, just about my hen that isn’t laying eggs.”
The woman reassured her, “It’s just not the right time, but it will come soon.”
Xisheng’s mother felt better and said, “This doctor seems skilled. My grandson will be here soon. By the way, what are you doing here?”
The woman explained, “My daughter-in-law is about to give birth. I came to see if the doctor can assist. The matchmaker said my daughter-in-law might have trouble giving birth because she’s not big enough. I’m worried.”
Xisheng’s mother sighed, “You’ve got a good doctor. He’ll handle it well.”
The woman felt reassured and said, “When Xiaoyun gives birth in a few days, you must come over for the wedding wine and bring your daughter-in-law too. It might bring good fortune and she might have a healthy baby boy.”
“That sounds good.”
They parted ways at the intersection. Xisheng’s mother walked back to her village with pride.
A good doctor makes a difference!
Her grandson will arrive soon!
***
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Vyl[Translator]
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