After Lin Zhen and Song Wei’s engagement, the two openly spent time together without drawing any gossip from the villagers. Their marriage was a foregone conclusion.
Meanwhile, the off-season vegetable greenhouse was yielding its first harvest, and the villagers who had invested in it were visibly excited.
The brigade leader had begun preparing for the sale of the vegetables, selecting a few people to handle external sales. Several educated youths from the dormitory eagerly volunteered.
Li Juan hesitated. She wanted to join, but she knew her introverted nature made it difficult to interact with people, let alone negotiate sales orders outside the village.
Liu Linlin, on the other hand, enthusiastically signed up, her quick wit and fearless demeanor making her a good candidate.
Gao Le and Zhao Su, however, declined outright, unwilling to brave the cold. They were content to sit back, survive the winter, and collect their share of the profits.
In the end, Liu Linlin, Su Fang, and three male educated youths were chosen to try their hand at selling the vegetables.
Song Wei opted not to join. Instead, she approached the brigade leader to request an introduction letter so she could visit her brother at his military post during the New Year.
Lin Zhen and Heidan would accompany her on the trip, but the two wolf pups would stay behind.
By now, the wolf pups had started eating supplemental food, but being wolves, they required special care. Song Wei struggled to decide who could look after them while she was away.
“Why don’t we just take them with us?” Lin Zhen suggested.
“They won’t allow wolves on the train,” Song Wei replied.
“No problem. We’ll take a freight truck. I’ve already found one heading south.”
Lin Zhen had been networking during his trips to the city. His strong social skills and straightforward personality quickly helped him establish connections. Northeasterners were known for their warm and hearty nature; a shared meal or a few bottles of liquor could forge lasting relationships.
Although Lin Zhen could no longer return to the military, he had built a reliable network in the local area, earning Song Wei’s admiration for his social prowess.
“Alright then,” she agreed.
With the plan set, Song Wei began preparing for the trip.
That afternoon, the brigade leader visited with news about Doctor Ji.
“The higher-ups have agreed!” the brigade leader announced, smiling brightly. “I pestered them for a while, following Song Wei’s advice to play the sympathy card. I sent some of our vegetables and explained the situation with our sick villagers. After several meetings, they finally approved it.”
Lin Zhen smiled in relief. “Thank you, brigade leader. Please keep an eye on things with Doctor Ji going forward.”
Doctor Ji’s agreement to provide free medical care for the entire Ping’an Brigade might seem like a thankless job at first glance, but in the long run, it would benefit him.
The villagers, grateful for his help, would likely repay him in small ways—offering vegetables, firewood, or assistance during tough times. For Doctor Ji, practicing medicine was far better than the backbreaking work of shoveling manure.
The only challenge was the lack of medicine.
The brigade had agreed to purchase some basic supplies, using public funds rather than asking Doctor Ji to bear the cost. To ensure transparency, the brigade leader held a meeting to explain the situation to the villagers.
“None of us can guarantee we or our families will never fall ill,” he reasoned.
Most people supported the idea, though a few grumbled selfishly before the brigade leader silenced them.
“Brigade leader, buying medicine is fine, but can we trust someone who lived in the cowshed?” one villager asked skeptically.
The brigade leader replied firmly, “He’s not charging us. Right now, he’s the only doctor we can find. Even the commune clinic is struggling to hire one. Do you have a better solution?”
The village secretary proposed a compromise. “How about this? If anyone is sick, let them try his treatment. Since it’s free, we’ll only be paying for the medicine. If his skills are good, we’ll accept him. If not, we’ll stop the arrangement.”
The villagers agreed to the proposal, and it wasn’t long before a few patients were identified: an elderly man, two middle-aged villagers, and a twelve-year-old child.
On the appointed day, curious villagers gathered to watch Doctor Ji work.
Despite his weathered appearance, Doctor Ji exuded an air of professionalism and integrity. His demeanor inspired confidence.
The first patient, an elderly man suffering from rheumatism, had been plagued by severe pain in his legs, especially during cold or rainy weather.
Doctor Ji treated him with acupuncture and massage. His massage techniques were precise, passed down through generations. Within minutes, the man felt significantly better, even falling asleep in his chair.
The man’s son was moved to tears. “My father hasn’t slept properly in ages because of the pain. This is incredible!”
The treatment wasn’t easy for Doctor Ji. His frail body lacked the strength for such exertion, and he was only able to manage thanks to Lin Zhen’s secret support, which included ginseng-infused wine to bolster his health.
“I’ll prescribe two treatments—one for internal use and one for external application, including foot soaks,” Doctor Ji explained patiently, detailing the cause of the pain and how the treatment would help.
The elderly man’s children listened attentively, nodding and taking notes. The surrounding villagers, impressed by Doctor Ji’s expertise, began to trust him more.
By the time the other patients had received treatment and reported noticeable improvements, confidence in Doctor Ji’s skills soared.
Soon, more patients came forward, eager for his help.
The brigade leader stepped in to calm the crowd. “Alright, everyone, let’s give Doctor Ji a break. He’s elderly himself, and treating patients takes a lot of energy. If he falls ill, who will treat us?”
The villagers reluctantly dispersed, and a meal was brought to Doctor Ji.
This time, it wasn’t just sweet potatoes—it included cornbread, flatbreads, fresh vegetables, and a warm soup.
Though simple, it was far better than the meager meals of corn and sweet potatoes he was used to.
The brigade leader said firmly, “We can’t pay him a consultation fee, but we must make sure he’s well-fed.”
Doctor Ji’s eyes reddened with emotion. For the first time in years, he was eating an honest, filling meal, provided openly and without shame.
Although Lin Zhen had secretly given him food in the past, this gesture, born of collective gratitude and respect, moved him deeply. After enduring so much hardship, this moment felt like a small but significant triumph.
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