Chapter 54: Sister Xin, A Medical Prodigy

The afternoon sunlight poured through the clinic’s windows, casting a golden glow over the busy figures and infusing the quiet space with warmth and vitality.

In the midst of his work, Li Chao took a moment to ask about Yuxin’s studies that morning, never expecting to be so pleasantly surprised by the answer. He gazed at Yuxin with gentle eyes and asked softly, “Yuxin, how did your studies go this morning? Have you memorized all the acupoints?”

His voice was full of expectation, as if hoping for an answer that would affirm her diligence.

Hearing his question, a faint blush crept over Yuxin’s fair cheeks. She lowered her head, a glimmer of confidence in her eyes, then nodded slightly and replied in a soft yet resolute voice, “I tried to memorize them. The main names and locations of the human body’s acupoints—I believe I’ve committed them all to memory.”

Her gentle but determined tone seemed to assure Li Chao that her efforts had not been in vain.

Li Chao was stunned by her response, unable to suppress the wave of amazement that surged within him. He knew well how numerous and complex the acupoints were, each with precise locations—a slight misplacement could affect the outcome of treatment. He had followed his father in studying medicine since childhood, yet it had taken him countless hardships and much time to barely memorize them all.

The fact that Yuxin had achieved such a feat in just half a day was both astonishing and delightful.

“You really remember them all? There’s nothing missing or mixed up?” Li Chao asked again, almost afraid he had misheard.

Yuxin nodded lightly, her tone unwavering: “Yes, I remember them all.”

Li Chao secretly marveled, unable to stop himself from praising her: “Yuxin, you’re truly remarkable. How did you manage to do it?”

The blush on Yuxin’s face deepened. She bowed her head and spoke softly, “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because I’ve been interested in traditional medicine since I was a child, so learning it comes especially easily to me.”

Li Chao was filled with emotion, grateful that he had chosen Yuxin as his assistant.

Looking at her, he couldn’t help but ask, “Yuxin, how did you become interested in traditional medicine?”

Yuxin raised her head, her eyes alight with passion for her chosen field: “When I was young, my grandfather was often ill. He saw many doctors, but none could cure him. Later, a traditional doctor came, and with acupuncture and herbal remedies, cured my grandfather. From that moment, I developed a deep interest in traditional medicine. I wanted to become a doctor who could heal and save people, too.”

Li Chao was even more moved by her words. He knew that Yuxin’s love for medicine came from the heart, which explained her rapid progress.

He encouraged her, saying, “Yuxin, your dream will come true. I’ll do everything I can to help you become an excellent doctor.”

Yuxin looked gratefully at Li Chao. “Thank you, Chao. I’ll work hard.”

Li Chao smiled and said, “With your determination and perseverance, I’m certain you’ll become outstanding.”

Yuxin nodded firmly. “I will, Chao. I’ll keep studying and improving my medical skills.”

Li Chao admired her in his heart. He was convinced that with Yuxin’s dedication, she would surely become an extraordinary physician. And with her by his side, his own medical skills would only improve.

Yuxin smiled and nodded, her serenity and confidence further affirming Li Chao’s judgment.

He thought to himself: What a prodigy in medicine! Talent like this is truly enviable. As the saying goes, “Heaven favors some with gifts.” Clearly, Yuxin was one of fate’s chosen.

Feeling fortunate to have met her and welcomed her into the clinic, Li Chao believed that in the near future, Yuxin would shine brilliantly in the field of medicine and become his invaluable assistant and partner.

He resolved to nurture her even more attentively—not only teaching her more knowledge but also encouraging her to practice and reflect, transforming her natural talent into true medical ability.

Yuxin did not disappoint his expectations. She devoted herself to her studies with growing enthusiasm, constantly challenging herself and striving for greater mastery.

With careful training, she might one day join the ranks of renowned physicians. Then, their modest clinic could transform into a grand medical hall, recruiting several elegant and skilled nurses to cultivate the tree of medicine until it flourished—a worthy continuation of his father’s legacy.

At this thought, a knowing smile curved Li Chao’s lips.

At midday, the clinic was especially quiet. With no patients to disturb him, Li Chao was able to rest for a while, while Yuxin hurried home to prepare lunch.

She was gone only a short while before returning in haste, a look of urgency on her face.

“Chao, something’s happened!” Yuxin exclaimed, breathless, pointing toward the village committee office. “There’s trouble in the village!”

Li Chao frowned. “Trouble? What happened?”

Yuxin answered anxiously, “I’m not sure. I just saw a crowd gathered at the committee and heard people arguing.”

Li Chao’s heart tightened. He knew the villagers sometimes quarreled over small matters, but such tension was rare.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’ll go see. You stay and watch the clinic.”

Yuxin nodded. “Be careful, Chao.”

He offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

“But it’s different this time—Jiang Shiren is here!” Yuxin added, her tone carrying a hint of gravity.

Jiang Shiren? The name swept through Li Chao’s mind like a gust of wind, scattering his calm. He froze, then a playful smile tugged at his lips. “So that’s it—I really should see this ‘show’ for myself.”

In the past, Jiang Shiren had ordered the ancient pagoda—standing for centuries—demolished to expedite his plans to lease the back mountain. In the process, Li Chao was injured, left half paralyzed and immobile. Yet, fate intervened, and this misfortune became a turning point, preventing him from being bedridden for long.

As the one responsible, Jiang Shiren showed little concern for Li Chao’s plight, treating it as a minor inconvenience. Only after repeated urging from the village did he reluctantly pay a few tens of thousands in compensation—a mere drop in the bucket compared to Li Chao’s medical bills.

Li Chao had long resolved that, should the chance arise, he would confront Jiang Shiren—not out of greed or a desire for more compensation, but out of outrage at Jiang’s callous profiteering, longing for fair treatment and an explanation.

Unexpectedly, before he could act, Jiang Shiren had come to him.

This sudden development left Li Chao surprised but also sensing an opportunity—at least he wouldn’t have to go looking for Jiang himself.

“What does he want?” Li Chao muttered under his breath.

“What else? He must have heard you’ve recovered and is afraid you’ll cause him trouble!” Yuxin said, glaring at Li Chao. “Are you really going to see him?”

Li Chao smiled. “I want to see what he’s up to.”

He reasoned that Jiang Shiren had come either to avoid being held accountable or for some other scheme.

But he was no longer the same Li Chao who could be bullied. He wanted Jiang Shiren to see that he was not to be trifled with.

Taking a deep breath, Li Chao said, “Of course I’ll see him. He must know that his debt will be repaid, sooner or later.”

Yuxin looked at him, worry flickering in her eyes. “Be careful. Jiang Shiren is not easily dealt with.”

Li Chao nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

He was well aware that Jiang, though wealthy and influential, would find him no easy mark now.

Locking the clinic’s door, Li Chao led Yuxin toward the village committee office.

Lijia Fort was a small village, and soon they arrived at the committee building. A crowd of villagers had already gathered, talking in tense groups.

Li Chao and Yuxin slipped through the throng and listened. Gradually, the situation became clear.

“This Jiang Shiren is going too far!” one villager fumed.

“Indeed! This contract is so unfair,” another agreed.

Li Chao’s anger rose as he listened, recalling his own suffering at Jiang’s hands.

Half a year earlier, Jiang Shiren had signed a contract with the village to lease the back mountain, planning to build a factory and offer jobs to the villagers. The village chief had agreed without much thought, and the rent set was shockingly low.

But Li Chao’s unfortunate injury became a turning point.

Jiang Shiren, believing the accident an ill omen, unilaterally canceled the contract. Time passed, and the volatile furniture market and soaring raw material costs left Jiang facing heavy losses.

Now, his eyes returned to the back mountain, hoping for a comeback.

“Chief, we’re not signing this contract!” a villager shouted.

“That’s right! We can’t let Jiang Shiren take advantage of us,” others echoed.

Their indignation left the chief helpless. He knew the contract was unfair, but felt he had no other options.

This time, even lower rent was proposed, and the promise of a factory was gone—Jiang merely intended to use the mountain as a raw materials base.

Worse still, villagers discovered the contract did not explicitly forbid private logging, a far cry from the “factory-for-jobs” plan they’d initially understood.

“Jiang Shiren is too cunning—he never cared about the villagers,” Li Chao said angrily.

“Yes, he just wants to profit from our mountain,” Yuxin agreed.

The villagers, hearing this, were furious. They had hoped to find work and improve their lives. Now, all hope seemed dashed.

Li Chao’s gaze swept over the barren mountain, scarred by ceaseless logging and trucks raising clouds of dust, and a wave of worry surged within him.

“If this continues, our once tranquil village will never be the same. To sacrifice everyone’s well-being for self-interest—such behavior cannot be tolerated!”

A cold smile curled his lips as he realized more deeply the nature of Jiang Shiren’s ruthlessness.

“It’s time to settle old and new scores together,” he resolved, gently patting Yuxin’s hand and meeting her worried gaze with reassurance. “Don’t worry, I’ll go inside and have a good talk with Jiang Shiren.”

He put special emphasis on “talk,” suggesting this encounter would be anything but easy.

Yuxin’s concern deepened. “Jiang Shiren has connections in the county. Be careful,” she cautioned softly.

Li Chao shook his head with a grateful smile, his confidence shining through.

“Connections?” he mused. “Sometimes, true strength lies not in external support, but in inner conviction and justice.”

With that, he strode resolutely into the committee office.

Standing outside, Li Chao peered through the half-open door, taking in the scene within. “It seems Li Fugui is determined to win, even resorting to bribery,” he thought with a sneer of contempt.

Inside, the village chief, Li Xitian, spoke with a voice tinged by both helplessness and resolve. “Mr. Jiang, your terms are truly hard to accept. The villagers are deeply attached to the back mountain, and logging would irreversibly damage the environment. As village chief, I must consider everyone’s interests—I can’t sacrifice the future for short-term gain.”

Jiang Shiren’s face quivered slightly at these words. He squinted, pushing a black bag across the table toward Li Xitian. “Chief Li, this isn’t our first partnership. I know you’re reasonable. Take this as a little compensation for everyone. As for the villagers, I trust your reputation and skill will smooth things over.”

Li Xitian stared at the bag, brows tightly furrowed, torn by inner conflict.

He knew his responsibility was great and could not betray his principles for personal gain. Yet Jiang Shiren’s offer was tempting, leaving him caught in a dilemma.

“These funds could solve many problems—improve infrastructure, raise living standards,” he thought. “But if I agree, the mountain will be stripped bare, the ecosystem destroyed, and the villagers’ future irreparably harmed.”

His voice trembled slightly as he replied, “Mr. Jiang, I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t betray my principles. The back mountain’s trees are our village’s treasure and spiritual support. I cannot let them be cut down. It would be too unfair to the villagers.”