Goal
“Goal?”
Gu Xiangyi was caught off guard by this question. What was her goal? She didn’t actually have a clear goal. She just wanted to leave her parents’ side, go to a place “full of freedom,” where she wouldn’t be taken care of in everything. She wanted to become an adult, not a child who depended on others for everything.
“Sister-in-law, I also want to enter the operating room!” Gu Xiangyi’s eyes lit up. For anyone in the medical field, the operating room was sacred. Surgeons wanted to pick up the scalpel, and as a nurse, Gu Xiangyi also wanted to enter the operating room and become the right-hand woman of the main surgeon.
Zhan Aiping smiled. “Then make that your goal. Perhaps one day, we’ll be able to step onto the operating table together.”
Gu Xiangyi nodded, gripping Zhan Aiping’s hand excitedly. “I don’t know why I’m so excited, but just thinking about it gets me really excited. It’s strange. Before, I wanted to become a nurse because of him—”
“That Dr. Wu.”
Gu Xiangyi nodded. “He’s a surgeon. He performs surgeries on patients. I used to fantasize about being his nurse, being by Dr. Wu’s side, helping him into surgical gowns, wiping his eyes, handing him the instruments he needed during surgery…”
“I’ve had this dream many times.”
“But—” Gu Xiangyi frowned, “although I wanted to become a nurse because of him, I don’t just want to serve one doctor. It’s like what you said earlier, about wanting to step onto the operating table with me. I want to be a nurse by your side, Sister-in-law.”
“Yes, I want to be a good nurse who can assist the main surgeon, whoever that doctor may be… It would be even better if they were the hospital director.” Gu Xiangyi stood with her hands on her hips, feeling more ambitious as she thought about it.
She was ambitious.
Zhan Aiping chuckled. “I also wanted to study medicine because of your brother, but yes, your brother was just one reason. The real reason I could continue studying was because I loved medicine.”
“Treating anyone would be fine.”
“I can’t just treat a pig.”
Gu Xiangyi: “… Are you calling my brother a pig? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell on you?”
Zhan Aiping ruffled her hair. “Which side are you on? Didn’t you say you wanted to ally with me? Why are you still trying to have it both ways? Thinking of complaining to your brother?”
Gu Xiangyi snorted. “Clearly, you two are allies now, and I’m just a fence-sitter. I’ll lean towards whoever offers the most benefits.”
Zhan Aiping said, “Little sister, being a fence-sitter is not a good idea.”
—
Gu Xiangyi started working at the military hospital. Despite feeling sad after the incident that day, she kept it to herself. She thought she was an adult now and should silently lick her wounds and wipe away her tears.
However, perhaps because she was still young, although she felt sad, it wasn’t overwhelming. Coupled with the excitement of being in a new environment, her joy overshadowed the tiny speck of sadness.
Nurse Zhang treated her well, and Gu Xiangyi quickly integrated into the group of nurses. She also made two friends and would often eat together in the cafeteria, chatting idly. Gu Xiangyi adapted quickly.
Because her brother and sister-in-law were somewhat famous, people often came to ask her about them. Gu Xiangyi would say that they had a great relationship since childhood, which only deepened after marriage. “I even thought about allying with my sister-in-law, but they’re quite exclusive. They didn’t want me, so I ended up being a fence-sitter.”
Her colleague, Nurse Sun Ying, said, “I envy that kind of childhood sweetheart love.”
“It’s like the romantic love described in those Soviet novels.”
“Hush, talking about this is not popular now.”
“Many households secretly have a few of those novels. Just read them in secret.” Sun Ying looked at Gu Xiangyi with a “you’re being too naïve” expression.
Gu Xiangyi: “…”
Gu Ze’an was quite old-fashioned. Although he had a good relationship with his wife, he was always afraid that his youngest daughter would pick up bad habits. He never let her read any romance novels, and whenever he saw couples being affectionate in foreign movies, he would always make a comment about it being “vulgar and harmful.”
In Gu Xiangyi’s eyes, love was a very taboo topic, and she didn’t feel comfortable discussing romantic relationships.
Even if she once liked someone, she didn’t know who to talk to about it.
“Really, many of us female soldiers like to read novels. We even secretly swap and read them. Next time, I’ll lend you a couple.”
“Really? I’d love to borrow them.” Gu Xiangyi was very curious.
Sun Ying asked her curiously, “Are your brother and sister-in-law really that close? One is handsome, the other beautiful. They seem like a match made in heaven. Dr. Zhu Dongxia at our hospital said she was your sister-in-law’s college classmate and mentioned that your sister-in-law never contacted your brother when she was in college.”
“What does she know? She’s just my sister-in-law’s classmate. I’m my brother’s sister, and I grew up with them. They flirted and joked around right in front of me.”
“My brother can draw, and he has drawn many pictures of my sister-in-law… When he was in the army, he always carried a photo of my sister-in-law with him.”
Sun Ying was surprised. “Really?”
“I envy my brother and sister-in-law so much. How come I didn’t end up with a childhood sweetheart like them?” Gu Xiangyi sighed. In reality, there were many boys her age in the compound, but she didn’t socialize much with them because she didn’t have her sister-in-law’s skills. She preferred to follow her eldest sister’s lead.
Also, with five older brothers, no one dared to mess with her easily.
Gu Sheng was a big celebrity at the military hospital before. The sudden marriage had already become the talk of the hospital, with rumours circulating that it was a sudden remarriage and that the couple had no feelings for each other. Many people at the military hospital were even hoping for Gu Sheng to divorce.
Now that Gu Xiangyi, the younger sister, had confirmed it herself, saying that her brother and sister-in-law were childhood sweethearts who grew up together, people believed her words. Gu Xiangyi seemed naive and easily deceived, so what she said was probably true.
Although Sun Ying didn’t believe in the existence of such perfect love in real life, after hearing Gu Xiangyi’s flawless account, she couldn’t help but sigh, “Your brother is even more romantic than the male protagonists in novels.”
In Sun Ying’s eyes, Gu Sheng, who used to be a stern young military officer, gradually formed an image of a “romantic fool.”
Zhu Dongxia also heard these rumours. Her expression wasn’t very good. She didn’t believe any of it. As a college classmate of Zhan Aiping’s, she thought she was living a better life than Zhan Aiping. But she didn’t expect Zhan Aiping to be completely indifferent.
Zhan Aiping married into a wealthy family, and they had a childhood sweetheart relationship. She heard that her in-laws were very fond of her.
No matter what happened, she had an outstanding childhood sweetheart by her side.
“I don’t believe it. There’s no such thing as lifelong love in this world, even…” Zhu Dongxia thought of herself. Her husband was very good to her, but after so many years together, the initial passion gradually faded away, leaving only contentment with their peaceful life and companionship.
Zhu Dongxia didn’t believe that a twenty-year relationship could last.
Apart from knowing a few nurse friends, Gu Xiangyi also knew a few doctors, including one named Zhang Jun. Gu Xiangyi had chatted with him several times, and Zhang Jun had witnessed Zhan Aiping performing surgery. He described the whole process vividly.
Zhang Jun had a talent for storytelling. “At that time, the patient was bleeding heavily, and I was scared out of my wits. I thought it was over, that the patient would die on my watch…”
Gu Xiangyi listened attentively.
“But then, out of nowhere, someone appeared. She was wearing a mask, so I couldn’t see her face clearly, but her eyes were like the moon in the sky.”
Gu Xiangyi commented, “My sister-in-law has beautiful eyes.”
“Yes, indeed. They’re unforgettable.”
Gu Xiangyi reiterated, “She is already my sister-in-law. Don’t get any funny ideas.”
Zhang Jun replied, “I admire her. I think it’s impressive for a female doctor to remain so calm and composed. I really admire her. I heard that your sister-in-law was one of the top students at the Military Medical University.”
Gu Xiangyi nodded.
Gu Xiangyi chatted with Zhang Jun enthusiastically. Zhang Jun was a new doctor and didn’t have any airs. He made quite a few mistakes when he first joined the hospital, and he told Gu Xiangyi about them as if they were jokes. Gu Xiangyi enjoyed listening to his stories and found him to be a suitable friend. She had heard too many stories of outstanding individuals, and it was too much pressure to be around them. Chatting with Zhang Jun was much more relaxed, and Gu Xiangyi treated him like an ordinary friend.
Because her daily life was so fulfilling, even though they worked in the same hospital, Gu Xiangyi rarely thought of Wu Jun. When they occasionally crossed paths, she pretended not to see him.
It was because her brother, Gu Sheng, had a sharp tongue. “Do you really believe her? A dog can’t change its nature of eating shit.”
“Maybe she just wants to suck up to someone who gives her a good face.”
…
Gu Xiangyi’s older brother, Gu Sheng, had a handsome yet annoying face. Just thinking about it made her fists clenched. He could attract all the attention to himself, no wonder her sister-in-law used to fight with him.
Gu Xiangyi had been at the military hospital for five or six days now. Wu Jun originally thought he would hear gossip about Gu Xiangyi and himself, but in reality, there was none. All he heard were the words of Gu Xiangyi’s older brother, Gu Sheng.
“Lieutenant Gu and his wife have a very good relationship.”
“I heard Nurse Gu came here partly to check on her brother and sister-in-law’s situation.”
“She wanted to work as a good nurse in the border areas, but her parents didn’t agree. Now that they know her brother and sister-in-law are here, especially knowing her sister-in-law is here, they feel relieved and are willing to let her come.”
“Nurse Gu is quite serious.”
That day when Gu Xiangyi had dinner with him, they only sat together for a while, and not many people saw them. Later, they didn’t greet each other either, so no one thought “Gu Xiangyi came because of him.”
Gu Xiangyi never mentioned him, and thinking about his own “self-importance,” Wu Jun’s face turned very ugly.
What made him even more unbearable was that Gu Xiangyi got along well with several male doctors, including Zhang Jun.
Zhang Jun often talked about her sister-in-law under the guise of “Zhan Aiping,” saying things like, “Your sister-in-law did surgery before, and I could only assist her on the side.”
“The hospital director even praised her.”
Gu Xiangyi chuckled along, “Zhang Jun, you’re really funny.”
…
Wu Jun also secretly overheard some conversations:
“Do you know the background of the new nurse, Gu?”
“She’s the younger sister of Lieutenant Gu.”
“It seems like Zhang Jun is getting close to her. I didn’t expect him to be average in medical skills, but he’s quite good at entertaining girls. If he can win over Nurse Gu, he’ll be…”
“We’re just not lucky enough. You’re not good at charming girls anyway.”
…
In the past, Wu Jun couldn’t shake off Gu Xiangyi, who followed him like a shadow. People around them talked only about Gu Xiangyi, which annoyed Wu Jun endlessly. Now, another man has replaced Wu Jun as Gu Xiangyi’s partner.
That young doctor named Zhang Jun even dreams of becoming the son-in-law of the commander?
Gu Xiangyi comes from a good family; her father is a commander, and her mother, her older brother… Wu Jun knows more about Gu Xiangyi’s family than Gu Xiangyi herself.
Gu Xiangyi is naive, innocent, and foolish. If Zhang Jun manages to win Gu Xiangyi over… Wu Jun’s face turned pale.
— It felt like someone had stolen something that belonged to him.
Wu Jun found a moment and called Gu Xiangyi out in front of many nurses, “Gu Xiangyi, I need to talk to you.”
In the treatment room, a few young nurses looked at each other.
“Does Xiao Gu still know Doctor Wu?”
“Maybe she does, perhaps they’re from the same hometown.”
“When Xiao Gu arrived, she did ask. They’re probably just old classmates.”
They walked to the lawn outside the ward. Gu Xiangyi wasn’t very eager to talk to Wu Jun because her brother Gu Sheng’s words were too poisonous. Why did he say she had a “dog can’t change its nature of eating shit” personality? With just a wave of his hand, she would go over.
Is she really that contemptible?
Now Gu Xiangyi’s feelings towards Wu Jun are also complicated. After all, it was a dream for many years, and letting go for a once isn’t that easy. But Wu Jun’s importance in her heart has plummeted.
She has made many new friends in the military hospital.
Here, it’s different from being with her parents.
Staying with her parents, she was watched over by familiar uncles and aunts at work. Gu Xiangyi always felt like she was being monitored. Now, with the sky high and the emperor far away, even if her family background sounds impressive, people here take her as an ordinary friend.
— The praise she receives at work is genuine.
Gu Xiangyi feels her progress day by day. Compared to matters of love between men and women, Gu Xiangyi currently wants more to learn to be an independent and outstanding person and to make more friends.
Wu Jun said to her, “I apologize to you for what happened that day.”
“No need, Doctor Wu.” Gu Xiangyi shook her head. “I really wasn’t pestering you. I just thought it was nice to see a familiar fellow townsman here.”
Wu Jun: “Let’s have dinner together tonight as my apology.”
“No need, no need.” People here gossip like a leaking sieve. If she dines with Wu Jun and rumours spread, her brother Gu Sheng will make fun of her again.
Her younger brother’s mouth is extremely sharp: “Right? I didn’t say it wrong. My sister is like a fly, can’t be chased away from someone’s side.”
Gu Xiangyi has already told her sister-in-law that she wants to work seriously and become an excellent nurse, but she keeps being beckoned over by others.
She’s so embarrassed!
Gu Xiangyi also cares about her reputation.
“Dr. Wu, let’s forget about spending time together alone. We wouldn’t want to cause any misunderstandings,” Gu Xiangyi said, then turned and walked away. She felt her current life was quite good and didn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
Watching her walk away, Wu Jun felt deeply humiliated.
If Gu Xiangyi wanted to attract his attention this way, he wouldn’t take the bait.
Wu Jun didn’t believe Gu Xiangyi would give up so easily.
It was also his fault. Every time it came to this, he couldn’t help but give her some hope.
After taking two days off, Zhan Aiping was back at the township hospital for another three-day shift. On this day, as soon as she arrived at the hospital to take over, a couple hurriedly brought in a child, followed by a middle-aged woman with short hair.
The child was a premature baby girl who had just been born and weighed less than two kilograms. The man kept pleading for her to save the child.
The woman beside him was his wife, her face extremely pale, looking equally panicked at Zhan Aiping.
The woman following them was the man’s elder sister, who kept muttering, “She won’t make it, she won’t make it. Such a tiny girl, what’s the use of keeping her?”
During this era, the infant mortality rate was extremely high, exceeding fifty percent, with nearly half dying prematurely. To ordinary people, losing a child was considered normal.
“I told you not to marry her, but you insisted on marrying her. Skinny as she is, obviously not fit for childbirth. After finally conceiving, it’s a disaster.”
The woman looked disdainfully at the frail woman who had just given birth. In the eyes of rural folk, women with broad hips and sturdy shoulders were preferable.
“Which woman in our village acts as delicate as her? Can’t carry things on her shoulder or do any work. After hours of labour, still can’t deliver properly, and now she’s given birth to a sickly child, not even producing milk… I had four children before this, worked in the fields until the last moment. When I saw the signs, I even carried a load on my shoulder. Under the tree, one swing of the leg, and out came a baby boy.” The man’s sister held her head high, clearly very dissatisfied with her sister-in-law.
The frail woman’s face was very pale, her lips trembling.
Zhan Aiping took the child from the man’s hands, called Qin Yanfang over, and the two made a makeshift incubator out of a cardboard box and clean clothes and blankets for the baby, filling an IV bottle with warm water to keep the baby warm.
A few days ago, Zhan Aiping had assisted a woman in labour in the town and knew she had abundant breast milk. She sent the man to fetch some breast milk from that woman’s house, but he hesitated before leaving.
Seeing this, the man’s sister shouted from the side, “Don’t bother with that. We don’t want this child anymore. If she dies in your hospital, it’s your hospital’s responsibility—”
“I know you just want to extort money. The old lady said she won’t make it. Let me tell you, they don’t have a penny.”
The pale-faced woman grabbed Zhan Aiping’s hand, tremblingly pulled out a handful of scattered bills and coins, and said, “Doctor, I still have a few coins here.”
The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened, furious: “I knew you were hiding money—”
She was about to snatch it when Zhan Aiping grabbed her hand. The woman found she couldn’t move at all, staring in horror at the young, beautiful doctor in front of her.
She had thought this young doctor was timid and easy to bully, but she hadn’t expected her to be so strong.
Zhan Aiping said expressionlessly, “Step aside and don’t delay my treatment. I have a bad temper. Do you know why I’m not at the military hospital anymore?”
The woman was stunned, and so was the frail woman beside her.
“Because I have a bad temper and broke a patient’s relative’s leg.”
The middle-aged woman shrank back, “Who are you trying to deceive?”
“Why don’t you try me then? I’ve been fighting with people since I was little.” Zhan Aiping rolled up her sleeves and grabbed the middle-aged woman’s arm, who suddenly found her hand numb.
Zhan Aiping pushed her aside. The middle-aged woman’s face turned ugly, feeling like she was facing some kind of sorcery.
At this moment, a few more people gathered to watch the scene. The middle-aged woman didn’t want to cause more trouble and stomped away, afraid of having to pay medical expenses.
“Thank you, Doctor,” the frail woman hesitantly said.
“You sit down first, let me check on you,” Zhan Aiping had noticed something wrong with this mother. She was running a fever and in a bad condition.
Zhan Aiping and Qin Yanfang had cleared out a vacant tile room a few days ago, placing a simple wooden bed inside to serve as a makeshift ward. She helped the woman there, instructed the pharmacy to prepare medication, and started an IV drip for her.
This woman’s name was Wang Xiaoyue, and her husband’s surname was Zheng, called Zheng Tong. Zheng Tong brought back breast milk, and Zhan Aiping fed it to the baby. He kept murmuring, “Doctor, will she survive? Will she?”
The midwife said that his wife wouldn’t be able to have children again. This was their only daughter, and if something happened to her, his wife would be devastated.
“Carefully taken care of, she can survive.” The baby was premature, with slightly elevated jaundice levels. Zhan Aiping instructed the man to stay and taught him how to disinfect and care for the baby.
During this time, medical conditions were poor, and people’s hygiene knowledge was also worrisome. The high infant mortality rate was related to poor delivery environments for mothers and careless umbilical cord cutting, making it easy for the baby’s umbilical cord to become infected.
Zhan Aiping dealt with the baby, checked on her condition, and after a day, the child was able to breastfeed properly and hang on to life like a resilient grass.
Wang Xiaoyue’s condition also recovered well. Zhan Aiping brought the child to her, and Wang Xiaoyue was both happy and sad, “It would be better if she hadn’t survived, to avoid this kind of suffering in the future.”
Many girls don’t know before childbirth. They think the most painful time is giving birth, but the hardest part is actually breastfeeding the child, which is like dysmenorrhea. Some people have good constitutions, while others suffer piercing pains, repeatedly getting infected. Moreover, people of the same gender will say cold words beside them.
Saying that they never had dysmenorrhea, saying that childbirth was simple for them, and saying that they are the child’s biological mother, but they were so cruel that they didn’t breastfeed the child. In the future, the child’s will have poor health. This is how many mothers start suffering from postpartum depression.
Zhan Aiping told her, “She can survive, she has great blessings and great blessings in the future.”
“You and your wife value her so much, this is also her blessing, and in the future, take care of her well, remind her to read more books, and go see the outside world in the future.”
Wang Xiaoyue looked at the small, thin little baby, and said, “I’ll let her become a doctor.”
“Let her go to college.”
The husband and wife of Zheng Tong and Wang Xiaoyue named the child Xue Mei, meaning that the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the cold. They didn’t have much culture, but they heard someone recite this sentence. After experiencing the severe cold, the plum fragrance is full.
Zhan Aiping taught Wang Xiaoyue to recognize herbs and how to take care of her body and the baby when she returned home.
Little Xue Mei stayed in the hospital for several days and became stronger. Zheng Tong took Wang Xiaoyue out of the hospital, and before leaving the hospital, he thanked Zhan Aiping profusely.
The little baby in the hospital left, and Qin Yanfang felt a little regretful. She thought it was quite fun to play with the child.
Qin Yanfang said to Zhan Aiping, “When I get married and have children in the future, I will definitely find you to deliver them.”
“You are the best at cutting the umbilical cord.”
“I think none of them are as skilled as you. It’s better to have the baby’s umbilical cord cut nicely.”
Zhan Aiping: “…So you’re just asking me to cut the cord nicely? Then you give birth first, and call me in to cut the cord afterwards.”
“Don’t, Ping Ping, I need you by my side to protect my life. Women giving birth really is like passing through the gates of hell. Such a lovely child, yet I’m afraid I won’t be able to raise her.”
“Really, everyone says you cut the umbilical cord well, and the babies you care for grow up strong.”
“You’ve only been here for a few days, but many people in town are already asking for you to assist in childbirth. Oh my, wait another year or two, and all the babies born around here will have their cords cut by you.”
“By then, when a bunch of kids in town are playing around, I’ll shout out, ‘Those whose umbilical cords were cut by Dr. Zhan, stand here. Those who weren’t, stand over there.’ Just look at who’s standing over there? It’s your own child, Ping Ping.”
Zhan Aiping glanced at her sideways.
Meng Xiaoyun ran over at this moment, teasing, “Xiao Qin, you’re not even married yet, and you’re already thinking about having children?”
Qin Yanfang said, “I have a broad vision for the future.”
Zhan Aiping: “You? Full of empty talk.”
One day, Director Xu from the Military Hospital took some time to visit Yanxin Health Clinic. He was quite curious. How did Zhan Aiping, with her talents, willingly stay at a township clinic?
Director Xu had been waiting for her to regret her decision. Honestly, their hospital was short-staffed, and Zhan Aiping was a good seedling. If he could raise a good doctor, he couldn’t ask for more.
Seeing that Zhan Aiping was indeed staying put at the township clinic, obediently going to and from work every day without a single complaint, did she really not yearn for a scalpel?
Director Xu stood at the entrance of Yanxin Health Clinic, clearing his throat a couple of times and even wearing a hat, just to come and inquire about Zhan Aiping’s situation.
It was better not to startle the grass and scare away the snakes. If Zhan Aiping wasn’t doing well at the township clinic, he would then make some slight arrangements to “recruit” her.
Director Xu pretended to be a patient and found someone from the hospital to inquire about the situation. The person he found happened to be Dr. Zhou, who was eating noodles at the door, Zhou Zhonghua.
“I’d like to ask about the situation at your hospital. How are the conditions in your Western pharmacy?”
Dr. Zhou: “I work in the Chinese pharmacy.”
Director Xu: “Has a new doctor arrived at your hospital? Surname Zhan?”
Dr. Zhou was surprised, “Who told you that? Dr. Zhan is clearly in our Chinese pharmacy.”
“What…what?” Director Xu was stunned. He could guess that perhaps Zhan Aiping might also practice Chinese medicine, but wasn’t she supposed to be studying surgical operations before? How did she end up practicing Chinese medicine?
Dr. Zhou praised, “Don’t judge our Dr. Zhan just because she came from a big city. Her skills in Chinese medicine are really not weak. Her acupuncture techniques are also excellent. She’s treated several difficult cases, and I suspect she’s naturally cut out for studying Chinese medicine!”
Director Xu: “…Nonsense!”
How could she possibly be cut out for studying Chinese medicine?
She was clearly cut out to be his apprentice.
“Really, just look at your face, don’t you believe it? Don’t judge Dr. Zhan by her youth; she’s read a lot and has a wealth of experience. Last time she did some bone setting, I even learned a thing or two from her.”
Director Xu frowned, “That’s because your medical skills aren’t refined.”
Dr. Zhou took a sharp breath, “What do you mean my skills aren’t refined? Hey buddy, I see you’ve been quite irritable lately. You should go see Dr. Zhan for some medicine.”
“Seriously, you’re quite irritable.”
Director Xu: “…”
He was indeed quite irritable.
When Director Xu saw Zhan Aiping, his expression wasn’t very good. He stared at her with eyes filled with resentment.
Zhan Aiping: “Director Xu, what brings you here?”
Director Xu replied coldly, “If you regret it, you can leave with me now.”
Don’t waste your time in this township hospital.
Zhan Aiping said, “When I regret, I’ll naturally come find you.”
Director Xu: “…”
Director Xu thought to himself that he had already lowered himself so much, yet she didn’t give him any face at all. “Really not leaving?”
“Director Xu, once I’ve started something, I see it through. At the very least, I’ll stay for two or three years. Don’t you know? Director Hao called back and said they’re planning to set up an operating room in this township hospital soon.” The government is particularly concerned about the development of township hospitals. Although it’s a township hospital now, it might develop into a county hospital or even a city hospital in the future.
This is a process of starting from scratch. Zhan Aiping planned to stay and witness it. She even planned to compile a series of books titled “Surgical Techniques in Township (County) Hospitals.”
After all, since she’s come, she should leave something behind. Zhan Aiping thought she had a small hobby of writing books.
When the college entrance examination is restored in the future, she plans to have future medical students use the books she’s compiled.
She also has the ambition to compile textbooks.
So that medical students tremble at the sight of her name.
If she doesn’t become a famous doctor, then she wishes for her students to prosper.
Director Xu: “…” He thought to himself that this stubborn girl really doesn’t know how to appreciate a good opportunity.
“If you regret it, you can still come to the Military Hospital to find me.”
When Director Hao returned from studying abroad, he immediately called Zhan Aiping into his office for a long discussion.
Director Hao was a thin middle-aged man with dark skin, not looking much like a director; he resembled someone who worked the fields in the countryside. However, he spoke politely and courteously.
“Comrade Zhan, although it’s inappropriate, the hospital still hopes you’ll stay. You’re a treasure.” This time, Director Hao dared to apply for expanding the operating room and inpatient department above, partly because of Zhan Aiping’s arrival, which gave him a bit of hope and courage.
“The township hospital needs to develop, it needs talents, it needs people who have seen more of the world.”
Zhan Aiping said, “I’ll stay here for a few years.” She wasn’t entirely certain herself.
Upon hearing these words, Director Hao was extremely excited. “Rest assured, the position of director will be yours in the future.”
Zhan Aiping: “…” Was he just promising her the moon?
The news brought back by Director Hao excited everyone in the entire health centre. If they could build an operating room and expand the inpatient ward in the future, their hospital would grow, and many new doctors would come.
What excited Qin Yanfang even more was, “Will we be able to build apartment buildings in the future and turn the family houses into apartments? Can we live in apartment buildings?”
Zhan Aiping nodded, “Yes.”
Dr. Zhou teased Qin Yanfang, “You better hurry up and get married.”
“I’ll get married after we move into the apartment buildings.”
With Director Hao bringing back good news, the entire hospital had lunch together. Several families cooked together and gathered around a large table. Of course, there weren’t many people in the hospital itself—only about ten people, plus their families, couldn’t even make up twenty people.
“In the future, our hospital will have not just ten people, but possibly twenty, thirty, fifty, or even sixty!”
“With families included, it could reach over a hundred!”
“Imagine the hustle and bustle. By then, we’ll turn this area into a circle, build all the family houses into apartments, and construct another row of bungalows here. The two rows of houses will face each other, surrounding a large courtyard.”
Qin Yanfang was dumbfounded, “Huh? We’re still building bungalows?”
“Who can eat so much in one go?” Director Hao dangled a carrot in front of Qin Yanfang. “Look, these two rows of bungalows… Imagine a rectangle. These are the two rows of bungalows. This width, here, we’ll leave this space. We’ll build apartment buildings here in the future.”
“Xiao Qin, work diligently for a few years. When our hospital can allocate apartments, those with seniority like you will definitely be among the first.”
“Let’s draw lots first.”
Qin Yanfang: “…”
Zhan Aiping patted her shoulder, “Wait patiently.” They would eventually move into apartment buildings.
Dr. Zhou laughed, “Xiao Qin, if you wait until we move into apartment buildings before getting married, you might become an old maid.”
“Build a two-story operating room next to the pharmacy, with a courtyard around it. Also, a two-story ward building… From here, separate the hospital from the family houses.”
“Build a bungalow here, hang a clock, and when it’s time to work, find someone to ring the bell, so you guys won’t slack off.”
The whole hospital gathered together joyfully, chatting about the future of the hospital. Although conditions were tough now, things were gradually improving.
Zhan Aiping looked at the full table of food, ate for a while, and felt a bit nauseous. After finishing eating, she gave herself two injections.
Zhan Aiping was sure she was pregnant. She calculated the days and confirmed that Gu Sheng would have half a day free the next day. She would ask him to accompany her to the hospital and tell him, “You might become a dad.”
Although she was already sure, it wouldn’t hurt to have modern machines confirm it again.
Gu Sheng came back home late that evening. Before Ai Ping could talk to him about anything, Gu Sheng brought up something: “That guy Wang Youli is coming over. Do you remember him?”
“He’s the one who talks a lot once he got married. He finished his business trip first, took family leave and wedding leave, and only now did he tie the knot, bringing Xiao Shen along.”
Ai Ping replied, “Oh, him. I remember, we met him on our wedding day.”
“Yeah,” Gu Sheng smiled brightly, recalling happily their wedding day.
“He’s bringing people over tomorrow. If you’re curious, you can also come meet them. I should have some free time to join in the fun.” For some reason, Gu Sheng didn’t really want to go, but he couldn’t find a reason not to.
Ai Ping said, “You won’t have free time. I was actually planning to go to the military hospital with you.”
“It’s free to get checked at the military hospital, so we shouldn’t miss this opportunity.”
Gu Sheng asked, “Are you going to see my sister?”
Ai Ping sighed, “Can’t you be a bit smarter?”
Gu Sheng looked puzzled, “…?”
“You brought this upon yourself.”
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