Gao-Yuan remained silent for a moment. This was yet another child who had grown up in hardship.

He asked, "Do you enjoy being a doctor? Do you like studying traditional Chinese medicine?"

Li Shengli shook his head. "There's no such thing as like or dislike. It's all about whether the people need us. When I was demobilized, the commander knew I had worked in a pharmacy before, so he said there was a shortage of doctors in rural areas and asked if I was willing to come here. I didn’t think much and agreed. Afterward, I attended a training program for traditional Chinese medicine and practiced at the clinic."

He continued, "Back then, the training program mostly covered Western medicine. The only Western doctors we had were in the county hospital, and even Western medicine was hard to come by in rural areas. In the end, I came out of the program confused, learning bit by bit from Comrade Liu Sanquan while treating patients. That’s how it’s been until now."

Gao-Yuan nodded. "If you're willing, you can study medicine with me."

Li Shengli, however, fixed his gaze on Gao-Yuan and asked, "Did you really betray us?"

Gao-Yuan asked in return, "What do you think?"

Li Shengli thought for a moment before slowly saying, "I’ve met spies before. They hide their true selves very well. Sometimes, they even behave better than the rest of us. They're more proactive, less concerned about personal gains, more passionate with the people, and often get recognized as outstanding individuals."

Hearing this, Gao-Yuan fell silent.

Li Shengli looked into Gao-Yuan's eyes and added, "But once they’re found out, they no longer bother to hide or pretend."

Gao-Yuan raised his head, a little taken aback.

Li Shengli smiled and said, "Why would you want to help? me?"

Gao-Yuan smiled back and replied, "Because I see you as a comrade."

...

That afternoon.

Gao-Yuan checked in on Aunt Wei again. After finishing her second dose of medicine, most of her symptoms had subsided. Her pulse was steady, and her body temperature had returned to normal, even though Gao-Yuan didn't have a thermometer to measure it.

However, Aunt Wei still felt weak and lacked appetite.

Uncle Wei, on the other hand, was practically ready to dig up the ground with his head out of gratitude.

Gao-Yuan advised, "Don’t overwork yourself for the next few days. As for food, stick to light meals, like porridge or noodles, to nurture your stomach. You should be fine after that."

"Got it," Aunt Wei agreed.

Gao-Yuan glanced at Uncle Wei, who was secretly peeking at them from the side. "This kind of acute illness comes on quickly and can also be treated quickly, but it’s hard to expect just one dose of medicine to work entirely. Fortunately, two doses should be enough."

Aunt Wei smiled, "Listen to you! If any other doctor heard you, they'd be furious. When I’ve been sick before, it sometimes took half a month of medicine before I felt better. No one else is as amazing as you."

She then shot a glance at her husband and said to Gao-Yuan, "Don't mind him. My man’s got a screw loose!"

Uncle Wei was already groveling with his head to the ground.

"It’s fine," Gao-Yuan said. "Uncle Wei was just worried about you. Take care and rest well. I’ll be on my way."

"Sure, sure," Aunt Wei responded quickly.

As Gao-Yuan stepped out, he called out to Uncle Wei, "I'm heading off, Uncle Wei."

Uncle Wei, with an awkward grin, looked like a complete fool.

...

Next, Gao-Yuan went to check on the Zhang family’s only child. After administering a dose of Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Bluegreen) Dragon Decoction, which relieved his external wind chill and internal water retention, the results were swift. By the afternoon, the boy’s shortness of breath had stopped, and his bowel and bladder function had returned. Gao-Yuan advised them to give him another dose the next day, and he should be nearly recovered. From then on, they just needed to protect him from the cold.

The Zhang family’s grandparents couldn’t thank Gao-Yuan enough.

Gao-Yuan walked through the village, although most people still avoided him and refrained from speaking to him; a few would nod in acknowledgment when they passed by.

Compared to the previous life, where he had been treated like a venomous snake for years, this life was off to a much better start.

Gao-Yuan exhaled deeply, gaining a little more confidence for the future.

...

After dinner, Gao-Yuan visited the Yang family again to check on Grandpa Yang’s condition. Though the swelling had gone down, it still took a long time to fully recover.

Yang Xiuying still avoided Gao-Yuan.

Yang Degui stood there, arms crossed, looking defiant and disgruntled but too afraid to say anything.

Yang’s father was sitting at the entrance, smoking his pipe silently, lost in thought.

After Gao-Yuan left, Grandpa Yang walked over and asked, "Ping, did the leaders decide not to let Xiao Yuan join the commune?"

Yang’s father shook his head.

Grandpa Yang asked worriedly, "Is there no way around? it?"

Looking ahead, Yang’s father replied, "Compared to being a farmer in the village, working as a doctor in the clinic suits him better."

Grandpa Yang pressed on, "Did you talk to the party? Secretary? Ask him to raise Xiao Yuan’s case again and see if they can investigate what really happened back then."

Yang’s father exhaled a puff of smoke and bitterly smiled. "I’ve brought it up before, many times. Now people avoid me whenever I mention it."

"Father," Yang’s father looked at Grandpa Yang, wanting to say more but hesitated.

Grandpa Yang gripped his cane tightly and said, "Don’t give me any excuses. No matter what, I’ll never believe that Xiao Yuan is a bad person. You've seen how he's been these past few days. Who else is in this village? could do what he’s done?"

Yang’s father remained silent, focusing on his cigarette.

Grandpa Yang glanced at his granddaughter, Yang Xiuying, who was sulking nearby. He sighed, "If only things had worked out between Xiao Yuan and Xiuying back then..."

Yang’s father interrupted, "If that had happened, our family would be ruined."

Grandpa Yang clutched his cane tighter, sighing wordlessly.

...

The next day, Gao-Yuan returned to the joint clinic.

He had already heard about being rejected from the advanced commune. Having gone through this in his previous life, it didn’t come as a surprise.

Around noon, Gao-Yuan arrived at the clinic and spotted Liu Sanquan at the entrance.

"Hello, Doctor Liu," Gao-Yuan greeted him.

Liu Sanquan quickly stood up and said, "Oh, Doctor Gao. Is there something I can help you with today?"

"I’m here to see Li Shengli. Is he in?" Gao-Yuan asked.

"He’s inside," Liu Sanquan turned and called out. "Shengli... Comrade Shengli, Doctor Gao is here to see you."

Li Shengli emerged from the consultation room, holding an enamel cup in his hand. He greeted, "Doctor Gao."

Gao-Yuan nodded slightly, "Hello."

Li Shengli lifted the enamel cup and said seriously, "This was awarded to me by my commander when I was in the army. It’s my most treasured possession. I believe that if I could win battles on the battlefield, I could win them in the medical field as well."

He extended the cup toward Gao-Yuan and said, "Now, I’m entrusting this cup to you for safekeeping. When you believe I’ve become a qualified doctor, return it to me."

Liu Sanquan was stunned, "Are you serious? This is your most prized possession. You never even let me touch it!"

Li Shengli said, "Doctor Gao, this is my resolve."

Gao-Yuan nodded and solemnly accepted the enamel cup from his hands.

Li Shengli smiled.

Liu Sanquan, still in disbelief, looked at them. Just a few days ago, Li Shengli had been giving Gao-Yuan the cold shoulder. How had they suddenly become so close?

According to He Yu, the two had gone home together a couple of nights ago. What exactly had happened that night?

Liu Sanquan blinked, utterly confused.

But soon, he realized something else—his own position as second-to-last in the clinic was now in serious jeopardy.

Just then, an old man reeking of alcohol stumbled into the clinic. His eyes half-closed, he glanced at everyone and slurred, "Oh, you're all here. I just got back from the village. Am I on duty this afternoon?"

Seeing the man, Li Shengli immediately flew into a rage. "You lazy old fool! 'Just got back from the village'? More like you slept in until noon!"

Liu Sanquan quickly moved aside.

Gao-Yuan glanced at the newcomer and let out a soft sigh. his face showing a complicated expression for the first time.