Poaching
She was like a top student who muddled through life.
When Zhan Aiping was young, everyone around her told her that she would become an outstanding female soldier, just like her mother. She believed this too and worked tirelessly toward this goal to avoid disappointing her mother.
However, halfway through, rebellion and mistakes crept in. She became a military doctor instead, and later, when she met her mentor, she strived to become an excellent surgeon to meet her mentor’s expectations.
Many times, she never stopped to think about whether she truly enjoyed what she was doing. She just relentlessly pushed herself forward, forcing herself to work hard. If she ever relaxed for a moment, she would harshly criticize herself, and her mind would be filled with scolding voices from her mother, words that had been etched deep into her heart, all pouring out at once.
She constantly drove herself, becoming an accomplished person, yet she sometimes felt lost about it all.
It was as if she questioned why she needed to be so excellent. Why was she running so relentlessly forward? She often envied people standing quietly by the lake, simply watching the water without thinking, their bodies free from fatigue and busyness, just enjoying a peaceful moment.
What was all her rushing about for?
Was this truly what she wanted?
No one is made of iron. The weariness and exhaustion that accumulated over time led her to thoughts of failure and escape. She was incredibly tired, but she couldn’t bear to let down her mother’s wishes or her mentor’s expectations. Yet inside, she felt empty and exhausted.
She just needed that final straw to break the camel’s back. She went through a period of depression, realizing that avoidance wasn’t a solution. Depression, avoidance, and becoming someone without purpose would only bring more inner pain and torment.
After too much idleness, she found herself wanting to do something again, missing the days when she was busy like a spinning top, remembering how fulfilling those times were.
Later, she picked up Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) casually, with no expectations for herself to achieve anything significant. There was no whip behind her urging her forward, no one expecting her to become a good TCM doctor, and no one praised her for having any talent in this area.
The theories and principles of TCM felt like clouds and fog, leaving her frustrated at first. She couldn’t understand it, but she stubbornly persisted. Every time she understood a concept or solved a problem, it brought her immense joy—joy that came from within. She saw herself as a clumsy beginner, no longer the once proud, favoured daughter of heaven. She humbly sought out famous doctors, exchanged knowledge, and stumbled through learning. One day, without realizing it, she had become a remarkable doctor.
Everything came naturally.
Looking back on the whole process, it was full of happiness. She hadn’t set any lofty goals for herself, nor did she constantly push herself, but she still reached a place that most people could only dream of.
“Pingping, sometimes it’s okay to relax. Don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t take on everything yourself. You’re not made of iron. Look at you—taking care of two kids, serving as deputy director, practicing TCM, and still wanting to perform surgeries… Do you think you have that many clones? You’ve never complained to me, but I worry about you.”
Zhan Aiping smiled faintly. She looked at Gu Sheng’s handsome face, a face she remembered from childhood. She reached out and touched his face, “If anyone else told me this, I’d feel comforted, but you’re Gu Sheng.”
Gu Sheng: “?”
Zhan Aiping: “Of course, you’re my rival. You just want to trick me into being lazy so you can surpass me secretly, don’t you?”
Gu Sheng: “…You saw through me?”
**Nomad: They are by far my favourite couple TT*
“When you become a regiment commander or brigade commander one day, and I’m still a deputy director in some rural hospital, you’ll definitely laugh at me.” Zhan Aiping thought to herself, You’re so driven yourself, how can you tell others not to be?
Gu Sheng smiled helplessly, “I won’t laugh at you.”
Zhan Aiping: “Well, if you slack off, I’ll laugh at you. I told you before, I’m very ambitious. I want to be the wife of a regiment commander, a brigade commander, even a general!”
Gu Sheng: “…You’re relentless. We’re an iron couple.”
Zhan Aiping couldn’t help but laugh, “Then let’s be a spring couple, with tension and relaxation in balance. I get it. Don’t worry. Even though I chose to stay in the TCM department, I won’t give up other opportunities. I’ll seize every one that comes my way.”
Whether it’s TCM or Western medicine, whether it’s surgery or internal medicine, aren’t they all doctors in the end?
Learning never ends.
Zhan Aiping leaned into Gu Sheng’s arms, complaining, “Studying medicine is so exhausting and tough. Look at all those balding people—most of them are doctors. Those chief physicians, they’ve all lost their hair.”
Their hair thinning, whitening, and aging, slowly growing into a figure that patients trust more.
Gu Sheng: “Being a soldier is also exhausting and tough. Back when I joined the military academy, I regretted every day stepping through those gates. Why didn’t I join a theatre troupe instead?”
Zhan Aiping nodded, “Yeah, why didn’t you join a theatre troupe?”
Gu Sheng: “Isn’t it because you didn’t go? You said you wanted to be an outstanding female soldier, so naturally, I must be even better than you.”
Zhan Aiping: “Aha! You finally spoke the truth. I won’t give you the chance to succeed.”
“When you face setbacks on the road forward, no one can avoid regret or the temptation to give up. But, Zhan Aiping, you are my driving force. I will surpass you, and next time we meet, I’ll crush you, mock you, and show off in front of you. I’ll reach the goal you once aimed for, and when I stand at the finish line, I’ll make you look up and envy me.”
Zhan Aiping: “I’ve switched to a different track now, so I won’t envy you. You should envy me instead. I’ll become an admired and excellent doctor. Just look around. Who do people know more here, me or you?”
“In the future, I’ll receive so many thank-you banners that our house won’t have enough space to hang them all.”
Gu Sheng crossed his arms: “We’ll see about that.”
Zhan Aiping: “I will work hard and surpass you!”
Gu Sheng smiled: “I’m waiting.”
Zhan Aiping playfully elbowed him: “It feels so good to trash talk with you.”
Gu Sheng sighed: “After trash-talking with you, I need to go take care of the kids.”
Zhan Aiping laughed: “Go ahead, I’m counting on you with the two little ones.”
As Gu Sheng went to take care of the two children, Zhan Aiping left the office and headed to the TCM clinic to see her patients. By noon, something had stirred up the hospital.
The commotion came from the kitchen behind the small cafeteria.
“Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!”
“So much blood?”
“What happened?”
“Oh my god, caught the knife with bare hands?”
Qin Lanfang, who usually helped with the cooking, was still on maternity leave. Today, another cook, Old Li, was preparing large portions of food. While cutting vegetables, his knife slipped off the cutting board and almost hit his foot. Instinctively, he tried to catch it with his hand—unfortunately, grabbing it by the blade. Blood flowed instantly.
While his foot was spared, his hand…
His palm was almost split in two, the wound deep enough to expose bone. Blood flowed down the hospital corridor, accompanied by his agonizing cries.
People outside whispered: “How did he cut his hand with the knife?”
“It scared me just now, there was so much blood.”
“Wasn’t the knife supposed to hit his foot?”
“Well, the foot’s fine, but the hand isn’t.”
Zhan Aiping quickly went over to treat the wound, cleaning and suturing it in an emergency procedure, while Liu Sheliang and another assistant helped her. She worked for hours, missing her lunch.
When the treatment was finally done, Old Li was still groaning: “Will my hand recover? Will I be able to move it again?”
Zhan Aiping replied, “The suturing went well. Don’t worry.”
“I… I can’t believe how foolish I was. I should’ve just let it hit my foot. I didn’t think at all—”
Old Li wasn’t a professional cook; he was a local villager who just came to help with meals, cooking simple dishes. He used to assist Qin Lanfang, and the two of them ran the small hospital kitchen together.
Now, with more hospital staff and an expanded inpatient department, even patients’ family members came to buy meals. The small kitchen had grown into a large one, and Old Li’s mistake happened in the chaos.
Zhan Aiping comforted him briefly and turned around, only to see Gu Sheng standing there with a tray of food.
Zhan Aiping and Gu Sheng returned to the office. The bloodstains on her sleeves had already dried and turned dark. She disinfected herself and changed into a new white coat. Gu Sheng, pushing the baby stroller, still had the hot meal in hand. Zhan Aiping asked, “Is this from the cafeteria? Who cooked the meal today?”
Gu Sheng raised his hand: “I did.”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
She laughed and said, “A soldier who doesn’t want to be a cook isn’t a good general. Ever heard that the strongest combat force is the cooking unit?”
Gu Sheng replied, “Your hospital director asked me to help in the kitchen again tonight.”
Zhan Aiping took a couple of bites and wholeheartedly agreed, “Go ahead, your large-pot meal is delicious.”
In the evening, when they went to the cafeteria, it was packed with people, a large crowd holding their bowls, eager to join the fun. Gu Sheng was holding a big ladle, serving food to everyone. Zhan Aiping also joined the line with her bowl.
People around were talking: “Did our hospital get a new cook?”
“That’s the deputy director’s husband.”
“Really?!”
Qin Yanfang and her husband, Zhao Jing, even skipped cooking at home, bringing their bowls and ration tickets. Zhan Aiping teased, “You guys have gotten lazy too.”
Qin Yanfang replied, “With the deputy director’s husband cooking, we had to come try it.”
Zhao Jing added, “It smells so good!”
When it was Zhan Aiping’s turn, she handed over her bowl. The “chef” scooped two big ladlefuls for her, without the slightest tremble. Zhan Aiping was quite happy and smiled at the chef.
After Gu Sheng finished serving the food, he sat beside her. “Eat more; look how thin you are.”
Zhan Aiping responded, “I only *look* thin in clothes, but underneath, I’ve got plenty of muscle.”
Gu Sheng: “…Be quiet. Keep that talk between us; only I need to hear it.”
“Alright.” Zhan Aiping obediently finished her meal, and together, they took the children back “home.” Instead of returning to the camp, they stayed in the house allocated to Zhan Aiping on the hospital grounds.
Earlier in the day, Gu Sheng had aired the bedding, and now he went to make the bed, placing the two chubby little babies on it. Zhan Aiping, after sitting for a while and working on some medical records, lay down on the bed, motionless.
Gu Sheng busied himself tidying up the house.
“You really have plenty of hidden messes in this place,” Gu Sheng remarked.
Zhan Aiping replied, “Some places that aren’t used often don’t need to be cleaned so diligently.”
“Fair point,” Gu Sheng agreed, picking up a feather duster. “I’ll help you clean it up this time so you won’t have to deal with it later.”
Zhan Aiping, without a hint of guilt, said, “This is your home too. Why is it just you helping me clean?”
“You’re right, I misspoke.”
Gu Sheng quickly tidied up the house. Zhan Aiping picked up the babies, adjusted her position, and nursed them for a while. The two little ones were well-behaved, hardly ever cried, and kept themselves entertained.
“Gu Sheng, I’ve noticed that you seem to be at odds with hospitals. Every time you come to one, you end up being drafted.”
Previously, when he went to the military hospital, he was temporarily drafted, and now, again, he was roped into being a cook.
Zhan Aiping gently stroked the back of the babies’ heads. “Today, Xiao Qin told me that if you weren’t a soldier, you’d make a great chef with a bright future.”
“To be honest, instead of marrying a soldier, I’d rather marry a chef. You could cook three meals a day for me and take care of the kids.”
Gu Sheng tossed the cleaning cloth aside. “You’re dreaming. I’m a modern soldier with goals and ambitions, not someone who’ll stay home cooking for you every day, waiting for you to mock me.”
Zhan Aiping: “When you become the head chef at a state-owned restaurant, the kids and I will definitely be proud of you.”
Gu Sheng: “You can already be proud of me. Go find my service medals at home and count them slowly.”
Zhan Aiping: “Don’t think you’re the only one with medals—I have mine too!”
“And I have my mom’s medals. I grew up playing with her medals.”
Gu Sheng smiled: “You’re really something. Not only do you have your own and your mom’s, but you also have your husband’s.”
Zhan Aiping: “Too bad mine are the fewest. I don’t really care for them. How about we compete with thank-you banners in the future?”
Gu Sheng: “Our regiment has plenty of banners.”
Zhan Aiping: “I’m talking about personal ones. Just the other day, a local township official I treated said they’d bring me a thank-you banner.”
Gu Sheng: “That’s just for show.”
The couple chatted for a while. Gu Sheng cleaned the house, clearing out the cobwebs in the corners. After taking a shower, he comfortably lay down beside Zhan Aiping, watching her and their two children.
Zhan Aiping said to him, “Today the kids bit me. Hurry up and discipline these two little rascals.”
Gu Sheng, with gentle affection, replied: “Don’t call them rascals. What if they really turn out that way?”
Zhan Aiping: “Fine, you discipline them for me.”
Gu Sheng started reasoning with the kids: “Little rascals, don’t bite your mom anymore. When you grow up, if you bully her, I’ll make you write a self-critique.”
Guobao and Tangyuan, sat there, attempting to crawl toward their mother after hearing their father’s words.
Zhan Aiping: “…”
“You really know how to educate them, Comrade Gu.”
Gu Sheng chuckled: “You flatter me.”
Zhan Aiping playfully hit him, “What self-critique? In the future, you can teach them to write: ‘Dear Mom and Dad, with a heavy heart, I’m writing this self-critique…’”
Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow: “Seems like you’ve had some experience with self-critiques.”
Zhan Aiping: “You’re the one with experience. I’ve always just listened to others read their critiques. I don’t write them.”
“Alright, excellent Aiping.”
Zhan Aiping lay down and handed the two kids to him. “Hurry up and get them to sleep. Dad, sing them a lullaby.”
Gu Sheng asked: “Why can’t Mom sing?”
Zhan Aiping: “Mom sings out of tune. We can’t let the kids pick up bad habits.”
Helpless, Gu Sheng began singing softly to lull the kids to sleep. But while Zhan Aiping quickly fell asleep to his soothing low voice, the two babies became more energized, listening attentively.
They started babbling, imitating their dad’s tone and rhythm, waving their little arms and legs. Although they were singing completely off-key, they were clearly enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile, their mom was fast asleep, peacefully and soundly.
Gu Sheng: “…Are you two going to sleep or not?”
This was not the ending he had hoped for.
The two babies were still happily babbling “ba mm hmm” just like Zhan Aiping used to do when she was little—singing out of tune but loving it.
Gu Sheng frowned, “At least one of these kids has to take after me, right?”
It couldn’t be that both of them inherited their mother’s off-key singing.
The next day, when Zhan Aiping woke up, she was refreshed and happily said to Gu Sheng, “Next time, let Daddy sing the lullaby again. I slept so well.”
Gu Sheng refused, “I’m not singing again.”
Zhan Aiping teased, “Even if you don’t want to, I’ll make sure you do.”
While Gu Sheng was making breakfast, Zhan Aiping spent about ten minutes nursing the two babies. Now that they were older, she only nursed them twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. The rest of the time, she fed them porridge, vegetable and meat purees, egg custards, and teething biscuits.
“Once you’re full, say ‘mama,’” she encouraged.
“Ba ba ba papa!” Guobao happily babbled. Ever since his dad came back, he had learned to say “ba ba,” and now his mouth was full of it.
Zhan Aiping commented to Gu Sheng, “Your son is a bit annoying—so noisy.”
Gu Sheng laughed, “But if he says ‘mama,’ then he won’t be noisy, right?”
“Did you secretly teach him to say ‘papa’ again yesterday?” Zhan Aiping asked suspiciously.
Gu Sheng replied, “Well, I’m around, so naturally, I get the first word in. I don’t often get to spend the whole day with them.”
Zhan Aiping said, “Alright, enjoy your time, Comrade Gu. Today’s task is still babysitting. Don’t forget to make more teething biscuits; they finished them yesterday.”
“Got it,” Gu Sheng sighed, “Looks like I’m just here to be the family chef.”
“A great chef, at that. Thank you for your hard work.”
With Qin Lanfang still recovering at home and Old Li injured, the hospital’s small kitchen needed to keep running. If they couldn’t find a new cook, the hospital staff might have to take turns filling in.
Zhan Aiping thought of Jiang Meihui and wondered if she’d be willing to help at the hospital. She brought it up with Director Hao, who was fully supportive. “Is she a good cook? Let’s hope she’s great! Ever since Xiao Qin’s sister left for her maternity leave, the cafeteria’s food hasn’t been up to par. Food is essential, and if the dishes don’t taste good, it’s hard to enjoy the meals.”
“Your husband is a good cook—you’re lucky,” Director Hao added.
Zhan Aiping replied, “I’ll go ask sister Jiang if she’s interested.”
Director Hao smiled, “Recruiting talent for our hospital is now your responsibility.”
That day, they finished work early. Zhan Aiping and Gu Sheng took the kids home ahead of time. Gu Sheng mentioned to her, “An old comrade is coming over for dinner tonight. Let’s make sure to treat him well.”
“An old comrade? Do I know him?” Zhan Aiping asked.
“Sort of. You’ve met him,” Gu Sheng said. “We competed in a contest together back in the day.”
“Really? What’s his name?”
“Liang Haiqing.”
Zhan Aiping shook her head, “Doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t really remember him.”
“You might recognize him when you see him. It hasn’t been that many years.”
“…We’ll see,” Zhan Aiping said doubtfully.
When they got home, Gu Sheng, the ever-dedicated chef, got busy cooking while Zhan Aiping went to visit the Jiang family. She found Jiang Meihui making some hairy tofu, a local specialty with soft, fuzzy mould growing on the surface. Seeing her, Jiang Meihui offered, “Doctor Zhan, wait a moment. I’ll pack some up for you.”
“Thanks, Meihui. You’re really talented,” Zhan Aiping said, even though she wasn’t fond of hairy tofu. She preferred stinky tofu and tofu pudding, with her favorite being five-spice dried tofu.
“Meihui, next time, could you make some five-spice dried tofu?”
Jiang Meihui responded, “Sure, I’ll try it next time. Oh dear, I made too much hairy tofu today. I’ll have to give it all away.”
“Meihui, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Zhan Aiping said, accepting the hairy tofu. “Our hospital’s cafeteria is short a cook. Would you be interested in the job?”
“The cafeteria? I know my way around cooking, but I’ve never worked at a place like that before.” Jiang Meihui said as she popped some beans into her mouth. She always had snacks nearby.
Zhan Aiping smiled, “Well, do you want to give it a try? You can work there for a while and see how it goes.”
Jiang Meihui nodded, “I’d like to give it a try.”
Zhan Aiping said, “Perfect! You can start tomorrow and let everyone taste your cooking.”
“Alright,” Jiang Meihui agreed. Then she whispered to Zhan Aiping, “Do you have any young, unmarried male doctors at your hospital? Not the older, barefoot doctor types.”
Zhan Aiping replied, “You’re in luck. We just got a few young male doctors. I’m not sure if they have girlfriends, but none of them are married yet.”
Jiang Meihui said, “I’ll have to take a look. If I find someone I like, Deputy Director, you’ll have to help me out as a matchmaker.”
Zhan Aiping chuckled, “You check them out first and see if anyone catches your eye.”
“Sounds good. I really want to find a doctor as a partner,” Jiang Meihui said, clearly delighted.
Zhan Aiping smiled and returned home, where Gu Sheng asked, “So, did she agree?”
“Yes,” Zhan Aiping replied. “Your glorious position as the cafeteria cook has been taken.”
Gu Sheng sighed, “I still have to be the cook at home though. When our guest arrives, make sure to help entertain him.”
“Got it.”
Liang Haiqing was tall and lean, stationed in a nearby unit in Yunnan province. He was in town for a business trip and, upon hearing that Gu Sheng and Zhan Aiping were married and had kids, made a point to visit.
Liang Haiqing exclaimed, “You two used to fight like cats and dogs, and now you’re married?”
Back then, the two of them almost came to blows in front of him.
“You two even wrote self-critique letters together, I still remember that,” he added.
Gu Sheng: “…”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
It seemed they not only shared memories of fighting but also of writing self-critique letters together.
Liang Haiqing’s visit stirred up old memories for Zhan Aiping. He had even brought an old group photo with the three of them. Curious, Zhan Aiping said, “I forgot we had this picture!”
“Yep, only Chen and I kept one back then. You two were too stubborn to take one.”
Gu Sheng quickly set down the spatula and came over to look. “The photo turned out well. Why didn’t I want it back then?”
Zhan Aiping shrugged, “Who knows why you didn’t?”
Liang Haiqing explained, “Because you two were fighting at the time, so neither of you took one.”
Zhan Aiping and Gu Sheng: “…”
“Well, Chen and I held on to them. Now that you two are married, I figured it’s only fitting to give you these photos. Consider it a sign of fate,” Liang Haiqing said with a smile.
“Do you two still fight?” Liang Haiqing asked, glancing between Gu Sheng and Zhan Aiping. When he noticed the apron Gu Sheng was wearing, he fell silent. His gaze then shifted to Zhan Aiping, who wasn’t wearing a military uniform. Her skin had become fairer, her long black hair was shiny, and her features were even more beautiful than a movie star’s.
At that moment, he became even more silent.
Gu Sheng responded, “She’s my superior now. How would I dare argue with my boss?”
Liang Haiqing chuckled, “Gu Sheng, you sly dog. You hit the jackpot, marrying such a beautiful and cultured wife.”
“If I had known that fighting could lead to something like this, I would’ve picked a fight with a female soldier too. I wouldn’t have minded writing a hundred self-critique letters.”
Gu Sheng smirked, “I’ve been raising this one since we were kids. You won’t find another like her.”
Liang Haiqing sighed, “Back then, when Doctor Zhan was mad at you, I should’ve comforted her. Maybe the outcome would’ve been different.”
He would’ve loved to have someone like that, someone the organization paired him with.
Gu Sheng responded, “Are you trying to get kicked out?”
“Stop dreaming about my wife.”
“Tsk.” Liang Haiqing clicked his tongue several times, “You’re still as fiery as ever. I bet you fought with her on purpose back then, didn’t you? You’re the sneaky one, using any means necessary to win a wife.”
Gu Sheng grinned, “Of course, I’ve had my eye on her since we were kids.”
Zhan Aiping cut in, “Old Liang, don’t listen to his nonsense. But—what happened to your voice?”
Liang Haiqing’s voice was hoarse, even rougher than a drake’s.
Liang Haiqing cleared his throat and coughed. “After training new recruits a few times, it got like this—chronic throat inflammation. Drinking tea helps, and I always keep tea by my side.”
He loved tea so much that the gift he brought for Gu Sheng and Zhan Aiping was a set of purple clay teapots and cups. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve fallen in love with tea. This tea set is for you two—how about making some Pu-er tea?”
Zhan Aiping accepted the tea set. “Old Liang, you’re not leaving until tomorrow, right? I’ll get some medicine from the hospital for your throat.”
Liang Haiqing waved her off. “No need, it won’t help. Just staying hydrated is fine.”
“I’ll prescribe you some traditional medicine,” Zhan Aiping insisted.
Liang Haiqing glanced at Gu Sheng and smiled, “Your wife practices traditional medicine now?”
Gu Sheng nodded, “Yep, a full-fledged TCM doctor. No joke.”
“Really?” Liang Haiqing turned to Zhan Aiping. “I remember you saying you didn’t believe in traditional medicine.”
“You said it was all superstitious nonsense.”
Zhan Aiping blinked and said innocently, “Did I say that? You must be mistaken.”
She scratched her head, feigning confusion. “Maybe I was just starting to learn back then, and it all seemed so confusing.”
Liang Haiqing laughed, “Yeah, I don’t get it either.”
Gu Sheng chimed in, “Now my wife reads all sorts of medical books, she’s a full TCM doctor with all the credentials. You should see her study, the bookshelf is full of medical books.”
“Really? I’ve never seen a doctor’s study before.” Liang Haiqing went to take a look, and when he saw the rows and rows of medical books, he immediately felt overwhelmed. “This… just looking at them gives me a headache.”
“Your Doctor Zhan here is not only beautiful but smart. I wouldn’t get through these books in a lifetime, even if you beat me.”
Liang Haiqing stayed for dinner and spent the night at their home. The next day, Zhan Aiping packed a few bags of medicine for him and reminded him, “Follow the doctor’s orders.”
Liang Haiqing laughed, “Gu Sheng, look at your wife. If you get sick, she’ll treat you, and you won’t be able to avoid taking your medicine.”
Gu Sheng replied, “Exactly. I can’t even smoke anymore.”
Liang Haiqing grinned, “It’s better not having anyone to control you.”
Gu Sheng smiled, “I actually like it when my wife takes care of me.”
Liang Haiqing teased, “You’re proud, but don’t say it out loud—you’ll make people jealous.”
…
At the hospital, Zhan Aiping went to work, and Jiang Meihui started her new job cooking. She was skilled at making large meals, and after her first one, everyone at the hospital praised her.
“So fragrant, absolutely delicious.”
Dr. Zhou commented, “From now on, we won’t need to cook at home. Let’s just eat at the cafeteria.”
His wife, Meng Xiaoyun, wasn’t too pleased. “What, you don’t like my cooking?”
Dr. Zhou quickly replied, “I just want to make things easier for you.”
With a good cook like Jiang Meihui at the hospital, everyone was happy. Jiang Meihui was also quite pleased and told Zhan Aiping, “I love the climate here. I think I’ll just marry a local, settle down—these mountains are so green, the waters so clear. I saw so many hills on my way here.”
Zhan Aiping laughed, “You can’t just decide these things on a whim.”
She guessed that Jiang Meihui might have her eye on the big-headed surgeon, who matched her taste. But for now, Jiang Meihui was more focused on her cooking duties and wasn’t in a rush to find a partner.
An avid foodie, Jiang Meihui quickly settled in. Since Commander Jiang was back to care for his wife, she had more free time. She made plans with Qin Yanfang and her husband to go into the mountains to pick wild mushrooms and dig bamboo shoots.
“Eating is far more important than finding a man,” Jiang Meihui declared with confidence. While she was interested in finding a partner, she wasn’t in a hurry, having lived so long without one.
Qin Yanfang agreed, “Exactly, food is more important than men.”
Zhao Jing chimed in, “Are you even qualified to say that, given how many years you’ve been eating pumpkin soup?”
Qin Yanfang sighed, “Luckily, we’ve got a great cook now. Let’s just let our kids eat in the hospital cafeteria.”
Zhao Jing laughed, “Good thing I didn’t transfer out last year.”
Qin Yanfang advised, “Meihui, be careful with those mushrooms. Don’t eat anything you’re not sure of. Since you’re not from around here, let Zhao Jing check them for you first. Especially avoid the pretty-looking ones.”
Jiang Meihui replied, “Don’t worry, I value my life.”
Later, Jiang Meihui joked with Zhan Aiping, “It’s great having doctors as relatives. If I get poisoned from mushrooms, Dr. Zhao can treat me right away.”
“Even if I get an upset stomach, I won’t have to worry.”
Zhan Aiping laughed, “It’s better not to get an upset stomach in the first place.”
Jiang Meihui happily went to work, thinking about making some tofu for everyone at the hospital since there were enough people to finish it in one go.
Three days after Liang Haiqing left, he called Gu Sheng to thank him. “Your wife’s traditional medicine worked wonders. After just three doses, my throat is better—it’s miraculous.”
“I’ll send you some local specialties next time.”
When Gu Sheng got home, he shared the news with Zhan Aiping, “Wife, Liang wants you to give him the prescription so he can pass it on to others.”
Zhan Aiping replied, “I can’t just give out prescriptions like that, and people shouldn’t take random medicine. The dosage was specifically tailored for him; it might not work the same for someone else.”
Traditional Chinese medicine requires personalized treatment—what works for one person may not have the same effect on another.
Gu Sheng joked, “Don’t those miracle doctors have remedies for all kinds of diseases? Why don’t you?”
Zhan Aiping laughed, “That’s why those so-called ‘miracle doctors’ are all frauds.”
“Only scammers boast like that.”
She used the purple clay teapot that Liang Haiqing had gifted them to brew some Pu-er tea. Although they had plenty of tea at home, neither Zhan Aiping nor Gu Sheng were particularly fond of it. Her younger brother had even sent them a lot of premium spring tea from ancient trees, but she hadn’t touched it much, planning to store it for ten or twenty years to let it age into valuable vintage tea.
Speaking of tea, Zhan Aiping recalled that a new tea export company had been established locally this year, and they were about to resume production of qizibing (seven-seed cake tea). The tea factory wasn’t far from their home. Even though they didn’t enjoy drinking tea much, they considered buying a few qizibing cakes each year to store. Whether for gifting to friends and family or keeping as a collectible, it seemed like a good idea.
Each tea cake was dated, and preserving them year by year felt somewhat like collecting stamps. When their kids grew up, they could even say, “This tea was produced the year you were born.”
At the moment, good tea wasn’t expensive. For instance, the famous 1988 Green tea from the 1980s originally sold for just four yuan per cake, but later, it could be worth tens of thousands.
“Gu Sheng, come drink tea!” Zhan Aiping called him over. She sipped a small cup lightly, not particularly fond of tea but appreciating the refined ritual of brewing it.
Most of the time, she was too lazy to make tea and preferred drinking milk.
Gu Sheng, not one for subtleties, drank the tea in one big gulp as if he were just quenching his thirst.
Zhan Aiping: “…”
They were truly ruining the elegance of tea drinking.
Their region was known for producing both tea and coffee, yet they didn’t enjoy either.
Jiang Meihui had now started working at the hospital cafeteria. Meanwhile, Commander Jiang, who was on leave taking care of his wife, came looking for Gu Sheng. He had no choice but to pay Gu a visit since Gu Sheng was home.
Commander Jiang pulled Gu Sheng aside to a corner of the courtyard.
Gu Sheng asked, “Commander, what’s the matter?”
Commander Jiang spoke in a low voice, “Your wife has a real talent for stealing people away.”
“I’ve got to give her credit—she’s spot on every time. First, she got Commander Luo’s wife into the hospital, and now both my wife and sister have been stolen by her. They’re all on your wife’s side now.”
“My sister used to praise her big brother every day, but now it’s all ‘Doctor Zhan this, Doctor Zhan that.’ Tell me, what’s going on?”
Gu Sheng chuckled, “My wife was born with a hoe in hand—she’s just great at digging people over.”
Commander Jiang: “…”
Gu Sheng laughed, “You’re not jealous of my wife, are you?”
“Why don’t you keep an eye on your wife? Stop her from luring others’ wives and sisters.”
Gu Sheng was left speechless, “Maybe you should keep an eye on your wife and sister. Don’t drag my wife into this.”
Commander Jiang waved it off, “I’m just joking. In truth, I’m really grateful to your wife.”
He smiled slyly at Gu Sheng, “Now, I’ve got a good assignment for you.”
Seeing that look on his face, Gu Sheng immediately sensed this wasn’t going to be anything good.
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