Little Cotton-padded Coat
The daughter-in-law personally brewed the traditional Chinese medicine, and it was impossible to refuse.
Gu Ze’an and his wife sat in the traditional Chinese medicine room, with two bowls of medicine in front of them, dark and indistinguishable. The smell was even more uncomfortable. Gu Ze’an pinched his nose and gulped it down.
Encouraging Qin Ying to drink as well, “Wife, it’s your turn. Couples share blessings and burdens together.”
Qin Ying wasn’t eager to drink initially because traditional Chinese medicine takes time to show effects. She had tried many medicines before, none of which seemed to work. However, this time… Well, it was her child’s filial piety after all.
She also drank the medicine, commenting, “The taste isn’t bad.”
Besides feeling a bit nauseous, she couldn’t discern any particular flavour. The most difficult part about traditional Chinese medicine was its peculiar smell. At first, you couldn’t taste it, but then it spread, making one feel like throwing up.
Gu Ze’an: “…”
He touched his nose, thinking mainly it’s the smell that’s unbearable.
Dr. Zhou Zhonghua saw the couple drinking the medicine and chuckled. He said to Zhan Aiping, “Your in-laws are quite amusing.”
Gu Ze’an said, “You doctors are even more interesting. The smell in this traditional Chinese medicine room is quite strong. Aren’t you tired of it every day?”
Dr. Zhou Zhonghua replied, “You get used to it after smelling it for a long time.”
“The aroma of traditional Chinese medicine is fascinating.” Dr. Zhou Zhonghua took a deep breath. In front of others, he had to maintain the image of a reliable senior Chinese medicine practitioner.
Gu Ze’an said, “Aiping, next time, bring some coffee for this senior doctor to taste. I tried some coffee and it felt like drinking Chinese medicine. Initially, I didn’t want to buy it, but your mother-in-law said, ‘You young people might like it.’”
“Think about it, as someone studying traditional Chinese medicine, how could you not like it?”
“Maybe you doctors just like the smell of medicine.”
Zhan Aiping couldn’t help but say, “The coffee is actually grown here.”
Bringing coffee from the north back to its place of origin was quite challenging. Gu Ze’an and his wife had brought many things for their son and daughter-in-law this time, including candies, powdered milk, canned fruits, canned beef, and other foods, as well as some hard-to-find coffee.
Since locals don’t enjoy drinking coffee, most of the coffee produced here is mainly for use by foreigners or for export to earn foreign exchange.
Gu Ze’an was stunned, “Is that so?”
“Forgot to mention.”
“No wonder the Chinese medicine here is also very bitter.”
Zhan Aiping smiled, “The fruits here are sweet. When your taste buds recover, you must try the fruits here.”
Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying exchanged glances, thinking it might not be that optimistic.
Seeing them finish the medicine, Zhan Aiping suggested, “Let’s go to the acupuncture room. It has a better atmosphere.”
Although acupuncture could be done anywhere, doing it in a dedicated acupuncture room seemed more formal. They wanted to give the best treatment to their parents-in-law, to make them believe in her medical skills.
“Dad, Mom, I can also give you a massage.”
Gu Ze’an swallowed, “No need, no need. That filial son massaged my back and shoulders yesterday.”
Qin Ying said, “I want to see filial piety between father and daughter. Aiping, give him a few more needles.”
Gu Ze’an replied, “You give her the needles! Your mother-in-law’s condition is more serious!”
Qin Ying retorted, “You’re the one losing hair at home…”
…
Zhan Aiping intervened, “Stop arguing. Let’s take turns to administer the needles…”
The couple lay there, taking turns getting needled. It wasn’t particularly painful, but the needles looked quite menacing, making the experience uncomfortable.
Chinese medicine needles came in various sizes and shapes, some so intimidating that they made one’s mouth water. Not to mention, there were even needles for the tongue, eyes, and head.
It was a chilling thought.
After the treatment, Gu Ze’an was skeptical, “How many days until it takes effect? Will I be able to taste tomorrow? Aiping, have you really mastered medicine?”
“Don’t doubt Aiping, I’m starting to feel something…” Qin Ying rinsed her mouth.
“Really?”
Qin Ying said, “It would be great if I could taste something.”
After the acupuncture, Zhan Aiping packed up the medicine bundle and returned to the camp with Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying. Qin Ying couldn’t help but comment on the way, “It seems like there’s some effect. I taste bitterness in my mouth now.”
Gu Ze’an replied, “Tasting bitterness is nothing to be happy about.”
Zhan Aiping smiled, “Mom, when you get back, try the dishes cooked by Gu Sheng.”
“Alright, I need to eat more of my own son’s cooking.”
Gu Ze’an snorted, “Men from our Gu family never pursue delicacies nor care about taste.”
Qin Ying asked, “Then why don’t you like my cooking?”
Gu Ze’an retorted, “Since there’s a canteen, why cook by yourself? Isn’t it easier to save some effort?”
Listening to the couple bickering, they returned to the camp. Gu Ze’an made a call to his old comrade-in-arms, Old Zhang, who lived next door.
Old Zhang was more eager than him, “Old Gu, did you go see your grandson? How is it? Is it true that she’s pregnant?”
“She’s pregnant, she’s pregnant, with twins.”
Old Zhang exclaimed, “You’ve been through a lot. You’re sixty years old, finally having a grandson.”
“What sixty years old? I’m not even sixty yet.”
Gu Ze’an sighed.
Old Zhang was puzzled on the phone, “Now that you have a daughter-in-law and a grandson, why sigh?”
“Old Zhang, in the future, don’t let your son marry a doctor.”
“What?”
Gu Ze’an sighed, “It’s complicated.”
Their family visit turned into a treatment, with more medicine drinking and acupuncture.
*
In the evening, when Gu Sheng returned home, he diligently cooked again. Gu Ze’an stood by, not understanding anything, but still giving orders randomly, “I think you haven’t chopped finely enough.”
“Do you really need to prepare the fish like this?”
“Why so many seasonings?”
…
Gu Ze’an observed his son Gu Sheng cooking. He pretended to give orders while secretly wanting to learn a thing or two. He planned to show off in front of Qin Ying after retiring.
“Old Fifth,” Gu Ze’an whispered to Gu Sheng, “Your mother’s cooking is so terrible. Now, with your cooking talent, it must be inherited from your old man.”
Gu Sheng covered the pot and turned back, “Maybe it’s my innate talent. You had five sons, but only produced someone like me.”
“How is that possible?” Gu Ze’an patted his shoulder, “There’s no such thing as something from nothing. Your old man, me, is more capable than you.”
Father and son busied themselves at the stove while Zhan Aiping accompanied Qin Ying, chatting with her. Qin Ying asked her many things, showing concern for her and Gu Sheng’s life here, and Zhan Aiping answered them all.
Qin Ying smiled, “You and Old Fifth are destined to be together. Have a good life together in the future.”
Zhan Aiping nodded with a smile.
“Are the babies in your belly causing trouble?”
“When I was pregnant with Old Fifth, he was quite mischievous, always causing trouble.”
Zhan Aiping rubbed her belly, “These two are okay, but sometimes they kick. They’re quite mischievous. It’s like they’re taking after their father.”
“It’s good to be a little lively. Just like you and Old Fifth when you were kids.” Qin Ying chuckled, “In the future, the two of you will have headaches.”
Zhan Aiping said, “Let Gu Sheng handle it. He claims to be the big tyrant; he should be able to handle two little tyrants.”
“That’s right.” Qin Ying gestured outside, “They’re showcasing fatherly love and filial piety. Let the babies in your belly learn from them.”
Zhan Aiping chuckled at this remark, covering her head, “Oh no, Mom, I have a headache. What if they really are two little monkeys, both like Gu Sheng, performing ‘fatherly love and filial piety’ at home every day? What am I going to do?”
Qin Ying laughed, “I don’t believe you wouldn’t be able to handle it. Old Fifth is a troublemaker; you were even more difficult to deal with when you were little.”
“The big sister in the yard, Zhan Daping, is still afraid of a few kids?”
Zhan Aiping said, “…”
“It’s best if one is like you and the other like Old Fifth, so you two can experience the days your parents had… it won’t be so noisy, just like having a bunch of ducks at home.”
“Ping Ping, you used to talk like a machine gun, rat-tat-tat—your mouth, no one could outtalk you. Your father-in-law said you were like a little sparrow, chirping all day long.”
“He wanted a daughter just like you, especially adorable.”
This is one of the pains of marrying someone you’ve known for a long time. The things you did as children, both sets of parents remember them very clearly, even more so than you do.
“Do you remember playing hide-and-seek with Old Fifth?”
“And that time, when you were a little over a year old, just learning to walk, and Old Fifth was holding you, and you peed on him…”
Zhan Aiping frowned, “Is that really true?”
“Actually, he kissed you when you were little.”
Zhan Aiping said, “…”
Qin Ying reminisced about past events, making Zhan Aiping find it incredulous and wondering if Qin Ying was making it up. Qin Ying got carried away, becoming more enthusiastic as she spoke.
“We used to fight every day when we were kids.”
Qin Ying said, “Fighting is a sign of affection. You two would stand in the corner together as punishment, getting scolded together. When your father-in-law wanted to spank Old Fifth, you would be on the side cheering him on.”
Zhan Aiping widened her eyes, “Was I really that bad? Did I want father-in-law to be harsh?”
Did she really love to stir up trouble like that?
Qin Ying hesitated, “No, you wanted Old Fifth to run faster.”
Zhan Aiping said, “…”
“Then I would definitely have been scolded by my mom.”
“Yeah.” Qin Ying nodded.
Many things Zhan Aiping had long forgotten. If Qin Ying hadn’t brought them up, she wouldn’t have believed it.
“You two, childhood sweethearts, have so many memories. In the courtyard, those uncles and aunts of yours never imagined you two would end up getting married.”
“Do you remember Uncle Wang? He retired long ago. When Old Gu told him you two were getting married, he said he would never believe it even if he was beaten to death…”
Qin Ying talked to Zhan Aiping for a long time, her mouth getting dry, she drank several sips of tea. She felt the Pu’er tea in her mouth becoming sweeter and more refreshing.
Today, Zhang Li and Bai Qian ate their meals in the guesthouse. Only the four of them were in the room. Gu Ze’an and Gu Sheng, father and son, served the dishes. Gu Sheng put down the plates and said to Zhan Aiping and Qin Ying, “When I was cooking, my dad was hovering around me like a fly that couldn’t be shooed away, annoying.”
“You’re the annoying one. Did you think I wanted to be with you?”
Gu Sheng took off his apron, “Being annoyed by my dad, the food might not be very delicious today. Wife, you have to bear with it.”
“You, you, you, you—” Gu Ze’an was so angry he wanted to kick him.
Gu Sheng threw the apron at Gu Ze’an and went back to serving the dishes. Gu Ze’an held the apron, imagining how awkward it would be to wear it himself.
Today, Gu Sheng cooked another table full of delicious dishes. There were also two kinds of wild mushrooms on the table, mainly porcini and chicken of the woods, as well as a few other varieties. He had them picked this morning from the mountain, so they were still fresh.
Zhan Aiping rubbed her nose, “It smells so good.”
She swallowed her saliva forcefully, resisting the urge to eat more wild mushrooms. It was really torturous to have just a few “delicacies from the mountains and seas” and not be allowed to eat too much. When they had a refrigerator in the future, she would fill an entire freezer with wild mushrooms.
Seeing the stir-fried chicken with mushrooms, Qin Ying couldn’t resist and picked up some with her chopsticks. The rich umami flavour exploded in her mouth, stimulating her taste buds and making her salivate, greatly increasing her appetite.
“I can taste it now, and it’s so delicious!” Qin Ying’s eyes sparkled. Usually lacking in appetite, she seemed possessed by a hunger demon at that moment. Having tasted blandness for too long, she now couldn’t stop savouring the delicious flavours.
“There’s still such delicious food!” Qin Ying grew more excited as she ate. “Pingping, you’re really amazing. I can taste it! These local mushrooms are delicious, and Lao Wu’s cooking skills are impressive too.”
While Qin Ying spoke excitedly, she didn’t stop eating. There was no time for talking; she was too busy enjoying her food.
Zhan Aiping, facing a table full of dishes, was also eating heartily. She hadn’t eaten Gu Sheng’s cooking in a couple of days and was missing it dearly.
As for Gu Sheng, being young and robust, he was at his peak eating capacity. Most of the dishes ended up in his stomach. The food he cooked himself seemed to taste even better the more he ate.
As he ate, he didn’t forget to serve his wife some dishes, “Wife, try this, it’s really good.”
“Mhm.”
The three of them ate rapidly, leaving Gu Ze’an as the only one who felt his food was still lacking: “How come I still think it’s bland?”
“Is it really that delicious?” Gu Ze’an saw everyone else enjoying their meal and grew anxious.
Why was he the only one who couldn’t taste anything?
“Pingping, what’s with this medicine? Why can’t I taste anything today? Am I just supposed to watch you eat?”
Aiping tried to comfort him, “Dad, your situation is different from Mom’s. You need a more gradual treatment to recover.”
“Clearly she was worse off, so why do I need to wait longer?!”
Qin Ying interjected, “Pingping, don’t worry about him. Let’s keep eating.”
Qin Ying was enjoying her regained appetite. It had been a long time since she felt this way. After years without taste, she now realized just how important a good sense of taste was.
“Not being able to enjoy these delicious dishes really diminishes the joy of life.”
“People have always said, ‘Food is the sky’! We need to eat!”
Qin Ying’s taste recovered quickly. Once she started tasting flavours again, she couldn’t stop. Aiping then introduced her to the local jackfruit and large mangoes, which Qin Ying thoroughly enjoyed.
When Gu Xiangyi took leave to visit, she brought a chicken and some wild mushrooms. Gu Ze’an was taken aback when he saw his youngest daughter, who he considered too delicate to handle such tasks, carrying a live chicken.
Gu Xiangyi managed the struggling chicken expertly, tied by its wings with a straw rope, its sharp claws flailing as she held it firmly, its beady eyes staring ahead.
Gu Ze’an eyed the chicken.
The chicken stared back at him.
Gu Ze’an was both surprised and amused, “You even know how to show respect, bringing a chicken to your brother’s house.”
“Dad, the local chickens here are delicious.”
“Can there be a chicken that isn’t delicious?”
Gu Xiangyi explained, “The chicken my brother cooks is delicious. When visiting to have a meal, it’s only right to bring something. I brought a chicken to nourish my sister-in-law. The hospital food isn’t tasty; I just want to eat what my brother cooks.”
Gu Ze’an raised an eyebrow, “Is your brother’s cooking really that good?”
“Of course it’s delicious, Dad, haven’t you tried it? Doesn’t my brother like to cook for you?”
“I have,” Gu Ze’an waved his hand dismissively. “It’s just average, not like a restaurant chef.”
Gu Xiangyi: “…”
“You know I’ve tasted everything good there is. Your little brother’s cooking doesn’t interest me at all.”
Curious, Gu Xiangyi asked, “Dad, do you like Mom’s cooking?”
“That’s not it either.”
Gu Xiangyi didn’t continue the discussion and instead called out, “Brother, come and slaughter the chicken!”
Gu Sheng handed her a kitchen knife, “You could have let the chicken come on its own, why even bother coming?”
“Do it yourself.”
Gu Xiangyi replied, “I don’t cook it well; you do it.”
Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow, “You’re ordering me around now?”
“It’s to nourish your wife; of course, you should do it.”
“Fine.” Gu Sheng was persuaded by the mention of his wife, always more agreeable when it involved her.
Knife in hand, he went to slaughter the chicken.
Gu Ze’an, having witnessed the sibling exchange, was highly displeased. He lectured his youngest daughter, “You boss around at home but cower in front of your brother, not daring to say a word. Are you still the fierce girl of our family? Disgraceful.”
“How am I disgraceful?” Gu Xiangyi was cheerful, covering her mouth and whispering, “Dad, let me tell you, my brother is easy to manipulate now. My sister-in-law is his weak spot; he’ll do anything for her.”
Gu Ze’an retorted, “Whatever your mom asks me to do, I do too.”
“Yes, yes,” Gu Xiangyi played along, “That’s because the men in our family dote on their wives; it’s a hereditary fear of the wife.”
“What do you mean hereditary fear of the wife? I’m setting a good example,” Gu Ze’an grumbled. “Look at what your brother said earlier, he still wants to boss Aiping around…”
Gu Xiangyi went inside to chat with her parents.
Meanwhile, Gu Sheng, who took on the cooking duties without complaint, began preparing a large meal. Rolling up his sleeves, he felt like he had become a true chef, the whole family relying on him rather than going to the cafeteria.
“This meal is the last one; tomorrow they’re eating in the cafeteria. I’m only cooking for you from now on.”
“Not letting them act like lords in my house.”
Aiping stood beside him, holding a plate of mango cubes, occasionally feeding him a piece.
“Boy, don’t get so hot-headed,” Aiping advised.
Gu Sheng, with a stern face, pointed at his own cheek, and Aiping understood, leaning in to give him a kiss.
Considering his hard work, Aiping kissed him earnestly, puckering up dramatically.
Just then, turning around, they saw Gu Ze’an, his wife, and their daughter, all three pairs of eyes watching them.
Aiping felt as if she might faint, the whole family had just gone inside to chat, and now they were all out here.
“Did you all see that?”
Gu Ze’an nodded approvingly, “It’s really good. Son, you did well. Keep cooking tomorrow.”
Gu Sheng chuckled, “Tomorrow I’ll get you food from the cafeteria. The guesthouse food isn’t bad; you’re in for a treat.”
Qin Ying was quick to object, “How can that be? Son, I want to eat the food you cook!”
Gu Ze’an agreed, “Exactly, your dad wants to eat your cooking too!”
“I do too, I also want to eat it,” chimed in Gu Xiangyi.
Aiping added, “Your wife and your two kids want to eat it too.”
Gu Sheng, feeling overwhelmed, asked, “Old man, when are you going back?”
Gu Ze’an happily replied, “Of course, we’ll go back after we’ve had our fill. Son, you and your wife make quite the pair, one a great chef and the other a great doctor.”
“What kind of doctor?” asked Gu Xiangyi.
“Before, your dad and I had trouble tasting things,” Qin Ying explained. “Thanks to your sister-in-law, I got treated.”
“I couldn’t taste anything before.”
“What?” Gu Xiangyi was stunned, “Mom, you couldn’t taste? And you still cooked for me?”
“You really are my biological mother!”
Gu Xiangyi was nearly in tears, “I must be the most miserable person in the family. Aiping, sister-in-law, I’m so pitiful. My brother is inhuman, and so are my parents.”
“It turns out that whenever I ate with my parents, they couldn’t taste anything, and I was the only one who thought the food was awful!”
At the time, Gu Xiangyi thought it was strange and even wondered if her taste buds were too delicate. Despite the food being terrible, her parents ate without complaint, so why couldn’t she?
…She often joined her parents for meals.
Gu Xiangyi wailed, “Mom, now that your taste is back, try the food you cook. Is it even fit for human consumption?”
“Why am I so miserable!”
Gu Ze’an remarked, “Who told you not to be smart? Look at your brother, look at your sister-in-law, they realized right away that your parents had taste issues.”
“You, you don’t care about your parents at all. You’ve eaten so many meals and didn’t notice anything.”
Gu Xiangyi protested, “I—”
“My mom’s cooking is so terrible, and I still often ate with her. Am I not a considerate daughter? Am I not caring enough? I’m more wronged than Dou E!”
**Nomad: Dou E is a character from the classic Chinese play “The Injustice to Dou E,” written by Guan Hanqing during the Yuan Dynasty. She symbolizes innocence and injustice, having been wrongly accused and executed, and her story is used to emphasize grave undeserved suffering.**
“Yes, yes,” Qin Ying consoled her, “Good daughter, you’re just a bit naive. Mom told you not to eat, but you still relished it.”
Gu Xiangyi, tears in her eyes, said, “I knew you didn’t want to waste food, Mom. It was so terrible, how could I let you suffer alone?”
“Who knew you couldn’t taste anything? I might as well do the cooking!”
“I’m really too miserable!”
…
Gu Xiangyi’s plight drew sympathy. Gu Ze’an and Qin Ying took the time to comfort her properly. Gu Sheng, as her brother, promised to cook another great meal for her, and Aiping, her sister-in-law, decided to make her double-skin milk.
**Nomad: Double-skin milk is a traditional Cantonese dessert made from milk, sugar, and egg whites, featuring a creamy texture and a delicate layer of milk skin on top. I tried it when I was in Hongkong and I loved it. Kind of like custard.
At night, Gu Xiangyi went to sleep at the guesthouse with her parents, while Gu Sheng cleaned up the house. He took a shower first and then helped Aiping bathe, as her pregnancy made it difficult for her to move around safely.
After the bath, wrapped in a blanket, he carried her straight to the bedroom.
“Is it heavy? Must be a lot heavier than before.”
“It’s not heavy; I could carry two of you.”
Aiping lay on the bed, touching her belly, and laughed recalling Gu Xiangyi’s antics, “It’s better to have a daughter, like her little aunt.”
“Mom’s little cotton-padded jacket.”
“My dad calls her a rabbit, who was always domineering in the nest. You still say she is a little cotton-padded jacket, a caring little cotton-padded jacket? I think she is a black-hearted little cotton-padded jacket.
Gu Sheng looked at her tenderly and rubbed her belly, smiling, “It would be better to have two daughters like you, dad’s warm military coats, one to wear and one to spare.”
Aiping responded, “…Warm military coats? Can military coats even be warm? Why would they be like me?”
“Here, you want two military coats? You’ll overheat!”
“I’m not afraid of the heat; bring on two more military coats.”
Aiping retorted, “I’m afraid of heat.”
Gu Sheng leaned down to kiss her, “When the time comes, I’ll carry three military coats.”
Aiping pushed his face away playfully, “I hope you’re not just talking tough.”
“Definitely not.”
Gu Ze’an and his wife were enjoying their time so much they didn’t want to leave, especially now that Qin Ying’s sense of taste was restored, and they were indulging in everything delicious. During the day, when their children were away, the couple wandered around, grazing and drinking, joining the locals in the mountains to feast on seasonal fruits that were so abundant they were nearly worthless.
They even went mushroom picking early in the morning, loving the simplicity of cooking whatever they gathered—of course, they never cooked themselves, preferring to wait for Gu Sheng’s dinners.
But the good times couldn’t last forever; Gu Ze’an’s vacation was coming to an end.
Qin Ying hesitated, discussing with Aiping, “Your belly is so big now, should I stay with you? When the two kids come, it might be too much for you to handle.”
“If you stay here, then dad will be alone there,” Aiping shook her head. “There’s plenty of support here for military families, and there’s a day-care. I can even bring them to work.”
“Bringing them to work sounds too hard; if only someone could help you with the kids…”
“You’ve already raised six children; it’s too much to expect you to help with the grandkids now. After these two, who knows how many more will come? It could wear you out.”
Qin Ying shook her head, “His oldest brother isn’t attentive, the second and third… forget about them, and the fourth…”
Aiping didn’t want to impose the childcare on Qin Ying. Gu Ze’an wasn’t retired yet, and they would have to live apart if she stayed. That seemed unfair.
At the family housing, if there’s difficulty, young soldiers are available to help watch the children, and there’s day-care. Aiping can even take the kids to the hospital and set up a crib when there are no patients; if patients arrive, Nurse Qin has offered to watch them for a while.
She works one day and is off the next, so it isn’t too busy.
When Gu Ze’an and his wife left, they left Aiping with a thousand yuan.
Holding the thousand yuan, Aiping thought about all the good things she had received since becoming pregnant. Her brother, Zhan Mingzhao, constantly brought her food and milk powder; her father, Zhan Bo, had given her three hundred yuan along with oil and fabric coupons; and Gu Xiangyi frequently brought meat to improve her diet, saying it was to nourish her body.
She had plenty of food and necessities, the only discomfort being her increasingly cumbersome belly.
The hospital’s ward building had reached the second floor, and construction on the operating room had also begun. A courtyard was built first around the operating room, forming a U-shaped layout. On one side was the operating room building, and on the other was the laundry room, used for washing and sterilizing clothes.
A huge date tree stood in the centre of the courtyard, long established and spared by Director Hao, who was reluctant to cut it down, opting to leave it in place.
The hospital recently welcomed a new obstetric nurse, or rather, a “midwife,” as many midwives had been trained by the province and county. This new midwife, Chen Lanlan, was young, having graduated from a medical school not many years ago, and unmarried, she moved into the hospital’s family quarters.
Chen Lanlan was fearless, and her speech was always interesting. “I was terrified during my first delivery. I thought there were two babies, and after the second one came out, I thought that was it, but then, suddenly, I pulled out a third—one! Triplets!”
She could talk about anything during meals: “The first time I assisted in surgery, when I saw the intestines, I actually started to feel hungry…”
The other staff members preferred not to talk with her during meals.
Aiping, now six months pregnant, continued to work at the hospital but only manned the herbal medicine pharmacy. She no longer delivered babies or made house calls.
Director Hao discussed with her about the hospital’s expansion, “Once the hospital is expanded, we’ll keep a separate area for the herbal pharmacy and also establish departments for surgery, internal medicine, gynaecology, paediatrics, and epidemiology…”
“Epidemiology?” Vaccinations and deworming were still mixed in with the pharmacy.
“Deworming medication needs to be rigorously promoted. Parasitic infections are serious, especially among children.”
“Let’s start with separating surgery, internal medicine, and gynaecology.”
During a hospital staff meeting, Direcotor Hao spoke about various issues and afterwards, several doctors gathered to chat. Director Hao mentioned, “Our hospital has been very profitable these past few months.”
The increase in patients had indeed brought in significant revenue, allowing for performance-based pay every three months.
Qin Yanfang commented, “Much of it is thanks to Doctor Zhan and that newspaper article that enhanced our hospital’s reputation. Many people come here specifically to see our scientifically minded Doctor Zhan.”
“Some of the educated youth come all the way just to pick up medicine and see our Doctor Zhan.”
Dr. Zhou joked, “Why not come to see me?”
Director Hao nodded, “The hospital is doing well, which is good for everyone. Although it’s been busy, everyone’s allowances have been increased.”
He hadn’t expected that the hospital could ever afford to increase allowances; the hospital’s income now comfortably covered salaries, with basic wages funded by the government and any surplus split between hospital funds and staff bonuses.
Zhao Jing spoke frankly, “I’m staying for the extra cash.”
No one would complain about extra money. Moving to a remote village hospital with hardly any patients would mean little money and less professional satisfaction.
Though it wasn’t a significant amount, every little bit counted.
Zhao now had no desire to transfer; he was swayed by the financial incentives.
Director Hao said, “Then keep working hard for that little extra, and don’t think about transferring anymore.”
Chen Lanlan asked, “Why has Dr. Zhao always wanted to transfer?”
Qin Yanfang chuckled under her breath.
Zhao Jing banged the table, “You all better not say a thing!”
Zhan Aiping: “Because his way of joining the hospital was not correct.”
Chen Lanlan: “……”
After the meeting, Director Hao went around making promises again. When he came to Aiping, he earnestly said, “Doctor Zhan, you need to keep going. Once you have your child, our new ward building and operating room should also be completed, and that will be your time to shine. You absolutely must not give up then.”
“Among all the staff here, you have the highest qualifications. If you can take charge of the operating room, the position of deputy director is definitely yours. I won’t be around much longer, and eventually, the position of director will be yours as well.”
“Our hospital is now profitable. If we continue this way, we’ll have more funds for expansion, more beds, more patients, and we aim to be the best township hospital in the county.”
…
To aspire to leadership, one must be able to ‘sell dreams,’ Aiping thought. Why not dream a bit bigger and aim to be the best hospital in the county?
Qin Lanfang was recuperating in the hospital, and over time, her condition had improved to the point where she could discard her crutches. Aiping accompanied her in physical rehabilitation, walking together in the courtyard. Being pregnant, Aiping herself needed to walk more, which was good for her upcoming delivery. Qin Lanfang initially could only take a few steps, but later managed to walk alone for up to ten to thirty minutes.
Although she walked slowly and unevenly, she was satisfied to be free from crutches.
Once Qin Lanfang could walk on her own, she took to wearing skirts. She and Commander Jiang had decided to get married. Commander Jiang had already submitted the marriage report, which passed the political review, and they were soon to be wed.
As the wedding day approached, Qin Lanfang grew increasingly anxious.
Commander Jiang was a catch, and Qin Lanfang felt that her old and crippled self did not deserve him. She was very timid and rarely dared to meet Commander Jiang’s comrades.
However, if they were to marry, she would have to move into the military compound, and everyone would be curious about what kind of wife Commander Jiang had chosen. Surely, they would be disappointed if they saw her.
Commander Jiang thus asked Aiping to introduce Qin Lanfang to a few wives in the family compound. Aiping agreed, and on a day she was not on duty, she planned to take Qin Lanfang around the compound.
Aiping had someone fetch Qin Lanfang, who stood at the entrance to the compound trembling, especially when she saw the guards patrolling at the gate. She looked so fearful and guilty as if she was doing something wrong.
Even though she no longer needed crutches, she still worried that people would notice her limping gait. As she limped around town, people often turned back to look at her.
This feeling of being watched made her uncomfortable; Qin Lanfang would rather be an ordinary weed by the roadside than the subject of other people’s discussions.
The more you worry about others noticing you, the more tense your body becomes.
Zhan Aiping reassured her, “Sister Qin, you don’t need to be nervous.”
“Doctor Zhan, maybe… I should just not go.” Qin Lanfang’s expression wasn’t very pleasant. She was afraid of meeting people and worried about embarrassing Commander Jiang.
“Since you’re already here, you should at least meet some people. I’ll first take you to meet the women’s director.” Zhan Aiping wasn’t very good at comforting others, but she knew that experts have their own special fields. Women’s Director Li Yuxia’s job was to help women in difficulties.
“Women’s Director? Oh.”
Zhan Aiping took Qin Lanfang to meet Li Yuxia, introduced them, and Li Yuxia was indeed a bit shocked upon seeing Qin Lanfang. “So, this is the one from Commander Jiang’s family? They’ve been dating for a few months and are about to get married? They kept it so secret, not letting anyone talk about it.”
“Congratulations, congratulations! Good things are coming soon.”
“If you encounter any issues or difficulties in the future, you can come to me, Director Li, for help.”
Seeing Li Yuxia’s warm and friendly attitude, Qin Lanfang nodded, reassured.
“Sister Qin, let me take you to meet a few more people. Shen Liqing, you might have heard of her before; she’s at home every day.”
Shen Liqing was almost praised as an exemplary and considerate military wife because she always gave priority to others for “good work” and currently had nothing to do at home.
Qin Lanfang: “I know, she’s the one who ‘picks chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely sees the southern mountain’…”
Zhan Aiping said, “Yes, yes, she’s the one who ‘grass grows lush but bean sprouts are sparse’.”
…
Li Yuxia watched their departing figures and thought to herself that things were about to get lively. There was a problem—an obvious one.
Commander Jiang had turned down many excellent matchmakers and ended up marrying someone like this?
It seemed that the lady from Commander Luo’s family had been with Commander Jiang before?
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