Chapter 23: The Medical Tome

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The pages of the books had grown somewhat brittle, and many of the corners were curled, clearly showing that they had been read over and over again.

Zhou Yichen accepted them solemnly with both hands, his gaze settling on the covers: *Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine*, *An Explanation of Acupuncture*, and *Handbook of Common Chinese Medicinal Herbs*.

They were only introductory texts, but for him at present, they were exactly what he needed most.

More importantly, these books carried an elderly physician’s earnest hopes and selfless assistance. Such a bond was worth more than gold.

He could tell that the books were most likely cherished personal possessions of Director Zhou himself.

After a round of instructions and expressions of gratitude, Zhou Yichen finally took his leave, reluctant to part.

The female employee who had quietly stood in the background all this time now smiled at him and said, “Comrade Zhou, come with me. I’ll take you to collect your silver needles.”

Zhou Yichen nodded and followed her to the pharmacy.

The formalities were simple. Director Zhou had already spoken to them, so all he needed to do was pay.

A brand-new set of silver needles, varying in length and thickness, lay neatly arranged inside a small cloth pouch. It had a satisfying weight in his hand.

Zhou Yichen inspected them carefully. Once he had confirmed that everything was in order, he took the money from his pocket and handed it to the woman.

“Thank you, Comrade.”

She accepted the money, gave him his change, and continued smiling amiably. “You’re welcome. If you ever need any help, just ask.”

…

When Zhou Yichen stepped out of the clinic, his mood was as warm and comfortable as though he had drunk a bowl of hot mutton soup in the depths of winter.

A smile he could barely suppress lingered at the corners of his mouth, and even his footsteps felt lighter.

He had obtained the silver needles!

He had also unexpectedly made the acquaintance of Director Zhou, a senior physician!

More importantly, he had received three medical books he had dreamed of owning from Director Zhou himself!

It was as though someone had sent him a pillow just as sleep overcame him.

Zhou Yichen knew perfectly well that, given Director Zhou’s undisguised appreciation of him, all he had to do was say that he wished to become a formal health worker recognized by the commune clinic, and the matter would be settled without question.

After all, according to regulations, the health workers in each production brigade were supposed to receive training and undergo examinations organized by the commune clinic. Only after passing could they officially take up their posts.

However, Zhou Yichen did not care much about it.

Whether he was officially recognized as a health worker or not made little difference to him.

When he had voluntarily displayed his medical skills in the first place, it had merely been to secure a relatively easier life in Sunrise Brigade—to gain a little autonomy, do less backbreaking labor, and have more time to improve himself.

Now, that goal had been perfectly achieved.

Brigade Secretary Gao Jianjun had personally appointed him as a health worker and even assigned him an independent little courtyard. Compared with the other educated youths, such treatment was the difference between heaven and earth.

As for the official title, having it would merely be the icing on the cake. Not having it would do him no harm.

He, Zhou Yichen, was a transmigrator blessed with the heaven-defying talent known as Heaven Rewards Diligence. How could he possibly be constrained by the trifling status of a formally certified health worker?

What a joke!

With his learning ability and rate of progress, as long as he was willing to work hard, his medical skills would improve at rocket speed.

In another year or two, his medical expertise might well surpass that of Director Zhou at the commune hospital, and he could even become more capable than the specialists at the county hospital.

When that time came, with the world so vast, where could he not go?

Whether he wanted to enter a major hospital and become a respected doctor or open a small clinic of his own to heal the sick and help the needy, it would all be up to him.

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At present, the small Sunrise Brigade was merely a brief stop along his journey through life—a place to accumulate experience and improve his abilities, nothing more than a stepping stone.

Having thought things through, Zhou Yichen felt even more at ease.

He gently set aside the idea of becoming an officially certified health worker, but he did not stop moving. Once again, he mounted the sturdy black bicycle.

As the wheels rolled on, he rode back toward the supply cooperative.

The two most important matters—obtaining the silver needles and the medical books—had been settled perfectly. Next, it was time to deal with the necessities of daily life.

He planned to buy some meat to take home and help Jiang Xiaoman restore her strength. It was her first time doing such strenuous physical labor, and he was genuinely afraid that she would exhaust herself.

Following the familiar route, he returned to the supply cooperative and headed straight for the meat counter.

Reality, however, was often less than satisfactory.

When he approached the counter full of anticipation, he was disappointed to discover that all the fatty pork was already gone. Only a few pieces of lean meat with substantial bones remained, along with several racks of ribs that held very little meat.

“Damn, I’m a step too late,” Zhou Yichen lamented inwardly.

In this era of material scarcity, fat and cooking oil were especially precious.

Fatty pork was far more popular than lean meat. Not only did it taste better, but it could also be rendered into lard, improving a family’s meals for several months.

Clearly, during the brief time he had been delayed at the clinic, the supply cooperative’s fatty pork had already been bought up.

Zhou Yichen smacked his lips and settled for the next best thing.

Pointing at the ribs that still looked reasonably substantial, he asked loudly, “Comrade, how much are the ribs?”

The saleswoman was middle-aged. Without even looking up, she quoted him a price.

“Seventy-two cents a pound.”

Ribs were considerably cheaper than fatty pork, though not by much.

Zhou Yichen did not hesitate. “All right. Give me two pounds.”

Only then did the saleswoman look up and size him up. With practiced efficiency, she weighed out two pounds of ribs, wrapped them in coarse oiled paper, tied the parcel with straw twine, and handed it over.

Zhou Yichen paid and accepted the ribs.

Although he had failed to buy the fatty pork he had been longing for, two pounds of ribs was still a decent outcome.

Rib soup was nutritious and delicious. For a laborer like Jiang Xiaoman, who had spent the entire morning exhausting herself and needed to replenish her energy, it would be wonderfully restorative.

Unfortunately, the sun was already beginning to slant westward. There was no way they could enjoy the soup at noon.

“So be it. I’ll save it for tonight and give that girl Xiaoman a pleasant surprise.” Zhou Yichen made his plans, another smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Every major purpose of his trip to the commune had been accomplished, and he had even received an unexpected surprise.

He had obtained the silver needles, the medical books, and some meat—though not the ideal fatty pork, it was better than nothing.

More importantly, he had unexpectedly won Director Zhou’s appreciation and assistance. That would undoubtedly be a tremendous help on his future path in medicine.

Perfectly satisfied, Zhou Yichen placed the ribs, wrapped in oiled paper, into the wire basket mounted at the front of the bicycle. Then he rode briskly toward Sunrise Brigade.

As he pedaled along, the bicycle wheels swept up several withered yellow leaves from the roadside, and Zhou Yichen felt exceptionally refreshed.

With a thought, he summoned his talent panel.

[Medicine, Level 1: 702/1000]

Seeing the figures on the panel lifted his spirits even further.

That brief exchange with Director Zhou had actually increased his proficiency by more than forty points!

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With the Heaven Rewards Diligence talent and guidance from a renowned teacher, this was truly twice the joy.

At this rate, he would level up before long.

By then, although his Level Two medical skills might not be enough to cure Uncle Zhang’s angina, easing it would certainly be no problem.

Given enough time, he would be able to cure it completely sooner or later.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yichen felt even better and pedaled with greater vigor.

The bicycle tires rolled over the dirt road at the village entrance, making a light creaking sound.

Before long, the familiar little courtyard came into view.

Zhou Yichen jumped off the bicycle and opened the gate.

The house was silent. Jiang Xiaoman was still out working and had not yet returned.

Ordinarily, everyone brought their own meals to work. Since this was their first day on the job and there had been no vegetables at home, however, they had not prepared anything in advance.

He glanced at the sky. The sun had already begun to slant westward, and he estimated that the commune members would soon finish work.

He had to return the bicycle quickly, then come back and cook. Otherwise, Xiaoman would go hungry when she returned.

He took out the ribs and medical books, then left the courtyard and rode the bicycle to the brigade office.

The brigade office was not far away; it took only a few minutes to reach.

Accountant Li was wearing reading glasses and rapidly clicking away at his abacus. When he saw Zhou Yichen enter, he looked up and greeted him with a broad smile.

“Back already, Yichen? Did everything go smoothly?”

Zhou Yichen smiled and nodded. “Very smoothly. Thank you, Accountant Li. I’ve brought the bicycle back.”

“Don’t mention it. If you need it again, just let me know beforehand.” Accountant Li waved dismissively, then lowered his head over his account book once more.

Feeling light and unburdened, Zhou Yichen started walking home.

When he was almost at the entrance to his courtyard, his sharp eyes caught sight of a nearby household whose chimney was sending up wisps of smoke.

Someone was already cooking?

Zhou Yichen stopped and suddenly remembered.

He had been so focused on buying meat that there were no fresh vegetables at home at all.

Ribs stewed into soup would be absolutely perfect with some homemade pickled cabbage, or fresh Chinese cabbage and radishes.

He only had to find out whether anyone was willing to trade.

With that thought, Zhou Yichen changed direction and walked toward the smoking house.

The courtyard gate was ajar.

He raised his hand and knocked on the weathered wooden door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Who is it?” A young woman’s voice came from inside—clear and pleasant, yet carrying a hint of caution.

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