Chapter 53: Demanding a Spot

No words were spoken throughout the night.

At dawn the next day, Zhou Yichen opened his eyes promptly. After dressing and washing up, he stepped into the courtyard.

The winter morning air was sharp as a blade, chilling to the bone with every breath. Zhou Yichen inhaled deeply, his body slightly sinking as he assumed the opening posture of the Eight-Section Brocade qigong.

As he moved through the forms, a subtle warmth blossomed from his dantian, swiftly flowing through every limb and sinew. His breath crystallized into a straight white line in the cold air, lingering long before dispersing.

After two rounds of the exercise, his whole body felt steamed with heat, refreshed and clear-headed. The immense medicinal power of yesterday’s ginseng meat soup had thoroughly transformed into his inner strength.

“Yichen! Up so early practicing like an old man again!” Jiang Xiaoman pushed open the courtyard gate, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she teased him. She wore a thick cotton jacket; her short hair was a bit tousled, and her rosy, doll-like face looked utterly adorable.

Zhou Yichen finished his routine and smiled back. “The early bird catches the worm.”

“Then you bird better get cooking or you’ll be late for work!” Jiang Xiaoman urged.

Zhou Yichen chuckled and shook his head. Together, they prepared a simple breakfast — corn porridge with pickled vegetables — which felt especially comforting on such a frigid morning.

When they arrived at the brigade headquarters, Gao Jianjun was already waiting. The leader of Xiangyang Brigade had changed into a nearly new blue Zhongshan suit and combed his hair neatly. His weathered face, etched with deep lines from years of hardship, carried a solemn seriousness.

After the assembly, Gao Jianjun held a brief morning meeting. When it ended, he wheeled a bicycle over to Zhou Yichen.

“Secretary,” Zhou Yichen greeted.

Gao Jianjun nodded and pointed to the back seat of the bike.

“Get on.”

Zhou Yichen hesitated, “Secretary, I should ride. You sit behind — I’m young and strong.”

Gao Jianjun’s eyes flashed, and with a sweeping gesture of his large hand, he said firmly, “You sit quietly in the back! Don’t argue with me!”

Seeing Zhou Yichen about to reply, he cut him off abruptly.

“When we get to the commune and the quota is decided, Secretary Liang and Director Ma might test whether you’re qualified as a health worker!”

“You need to save your energy and strength for that!”

A warm feeling surged in Zhou Yichen’s heart. This gruff but sincere man was genuinely looking out for him.

He said no more and promptly climbed onto the bicycle’s rear seat.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you, Secretary.”

“That’s the spirit!”

Gao Jianjun nodded approvingly, pushed hard on the pedal, and the bicycle shot forward like an arrow.

---

The winter dirt road was bumpy and uneven, but Gao Jianjun rode steadily. His broad back was like a mountain, shielding Zhou Yichen from the biting cold wind.

Sitting behind, Zhou Yichen grasped the frame with calm eyes.

He was well prepared mentally for the assessment.

After all, this was a formal health worker position, not some informal barefoot doctor title handed out casually in the village.

If he succeeded, he would effectively become an unofficial staff member of the commune health clinic.

As a formal health worker, he would receive a monthly allotment of essential supplies from the commune health center!

Though modest, these were critical items — compound aminopyrine for pain relief, known locally as “An Tong Ding” injections, berberine tablets for diarrhea, gauze, thermometers, stethoscopes, iodine-soaked cotton balls.

Without the health worker title, no matter how much money or influence one had, these supplies were inaccessible.

More importantly...

Though the commune did not pay salaries or offer official positions, health workers received a small monthly allowance.

It wasn’t much, but it was extra income nonetheless.

All of this had been explained to him just yesterday by Doctor Sun at his home.

Without him, Zhou Yichen might never have understood these nuances.

The icy wind, like countless tiny knives, slashed at his face.

Gao Jianjun pedaled energetically, the bicycle chain creaking rhythmically as if cheering his high spirits.

After more than half an hour, a row of blue-brick buildings appeared at the horizon.

They had arrived at the commune.

Above the red-brick gatehouse, a bright red five-pointed star stood out vividly against the winter’s gray sky.

Gao Jianjun leaned the bicycle against the wall, locked it, and beckoned with a grand gesture.

“Come on, follow me!”

Clearly a regular here, he led Zhou Yichen through a courtyard emblazoned with a “Serve the People” slogan, heading straight to the innermost office.

The wooden door was ajar. Gao Jianjun knocked, then pushed it open without waiting for a reply.

“Secretary Liang, busy?”

Behind the desk, a bespectacled, refined-looking middle-aged cadre looked up.

Seeing Gao Jianjun, he smiled.

“Old Gao, busy man, what wind blows you here?”

Gao Jianjun chuckled and strode inside, pulling Zhou Yichen forward.

“Secretary Liang, I’ve brought you some talent!”

Secretary Liang’s gaze finally fell on Zhou Yichen.

He appraised the young man from head to toe.

Tall and upright, with a calm countenance and clean cotton jacket, the composed aura set him apart from the rustic village youths.

“Oh?”

Secretary Liang adjusted his glasses, intrigued.

“This one is... unfamiliar. Doesn’t look like from your Xiangyang Brigade.”

“He’s a new sent-down youth in our team!”

At the mention, Gao Jianjun’s voice rose eight tones, as if presenting a treasure.

“Zhou Yichen! Young as he is, he’s quite capable!”

“Not long ago, Doctor Sun from the neighboring Hongqi Brigade had facial paralysis that lingered for days. With just a few injections from young Zhou, he improved on the spot!”

“And there’s Old Zhang from our team, who drives the horse cart. He suffered angina and was near death, but young Zhou saved him with his skill!”

Gao Jianjun grew more animated, spittle flying.

Zhou Yichen stood quietly, smiling modestly but confidently, nodding to Secretary Liang.

“Greetings, Secretary Liang.”

Having lived two lifetimes, such scenes were nothing new to him; his heart remained steady.

Secretary Liang admired the composure beyond his years and nodded in response.

Seeing this, Gao Jianjun sensed an opening and leaned close to the desk, lowering his voice but brimming with excitement.

“Most importantly, Secretary Liang, yesterday our team’s big yellow ox had a difficult labor. It looked like a tragedy was imminent, but young Zhou managed to save both mother and calf! Both are safe and sound!”

“What?”

Now Secretary Liang’s interest was fully piqued; he straightened in his chair.

The previous feats were medical skill, but this last one was entirely different!

His gaze fixed on Zhou Yichen.

“Oh? So young and already this capable?”

His tone was one of undisguised surprise.

A newly sent-down youth who also knew veterinary obstetrics — this was skilled work!

He turned to Gao Jianjun, his voice serious.

“Old Gao, you’ve brought me wonderful news!”

“The team’s cattle are vital labor force. Now with a new calf, that’s collective property saved! Avoiding such a loss, Comrade Zhou has truly earned great merit!”

In the era of collective economy, saving a cow was worth far more than curing one person’s illness — it earned leaders’ respect.

Zhou Yichen remained calm and modest.

“I just happened to know a bit and did my best to help.”

“Well said! Well said!” Secretary Liang praised him, already forming plans in his mind.

Sensing the moment, Gao Jianjun seized the opportunity eagerly.

“Secretary Liang, given the great merit Comrade Zhou has done for the team, surely the commune must show some recognition, right?”