Chapter 7: I Cannot Accept This Money

“Not at all, Doctor, I didn’t mean it that way. Could we have a word in private?” the mother of the new mother said anxiously.

The new mother’s husband was there, watching, and his eyes were full of gratitude toward Xu Qinghuan.

Xu Qinghuan was pulled to the far end of the corridor by the mother. She glanced around to make sure no one was near, then slipped a thick red envelope into Xu Qinghuan’s hand. “Comrade, this is just a small token of our gratitude!”

In these times, the largest denomination was ten yuan, commonly called the ‘Great Unity’ bill.

Xu Qinghuan squeezed the envelope—about two hundred yuan inside, nearly half a year’s wages for an ordinary worker. She pushed it back. “Thank you, ma’am, but I can’t accept this.”

She never took money from patients. Once she donned the white coat, saving lives and healing the wounded became her mission. She loved money, but she would never tarnish her profession.

Even now, she was so poor she had only twenty-seven cents to her name.

The mother insisted, but Xu Qinghuan’s face remained firm and resolute. Eventually, someone else arrived, and the mother dared not press further. She returned to the ward, just as the new mother woke up and asked, “Mom, have you thanked the kind person properly?”

During the delivery, the new mother had been under partial anesthesia. She knew the attending doctor was incompetent; the procedure dragged on endlessly, and she was terrified, fearing she might never leave the operating table alive.

It was that young doctor who stepped in to perform the surgery. For some reason, the moment the scalpel was in that young doctor’s hands, she felt a surge of confidence.

“She wouldn’t accept it, no matter what. She said she wasn’t a doctor. But if she weren’t, how could she have operated on you? If not for her, our little treasure wouldn’t be safe and sound like this,” the mother said regretfully, her respect for Xu Qinghuan growing even deeper.

“I wonder if there’s anything we can do to help her,” the husband said as he stood up. “I’ll ask Uncle Wu and bring something later to thank her properly.”

“That sounds good!”

After settling those matters, Xu Qinghuan went to find Lin Xialan, who worked at the local supply and marketing cooperative nearby. It was just lunchtime; Xu Qinghuan grabbed some clothes and said, “Come on, I’m treating you to a meal at the state-run restaurant.”

“Really? That good?”

Xu Qinghuan didn’t hesitate. The two of them headed to the state-run eatery. “You know, I learned a bit from an old doctor at our hospital. Today, there was a pregnant woman with severe bleeding, so I stepped in and saved her. The hospital director was impressed and wanted me to stay on, but I declined.”

Lin Xialan was astonished. “Wow, Huanzi, you’ve got skills! That’s great news!”

She knew Xu Qinghuan had trained under an experienced doctor before and loved the medical profession, but she hadn’t expected her skills to be so advanced.

“It is good news, but I can’t afford it right now,” Xu Qinghuan explained. “There are two reasons I’m telling you this. I gave him your contact info. After I go to the countryside, I’ll write to you. If he contacts you, could you help pass the message along?”

“No problem. Huanzi, have you thought about staying on as a doctor? It’d be great!”

Xu Qinghuan didn’t tell her that if she joined officially, she’d be a level-five staff member. There was no point in saying more, lest Xialan felt more regret and sadness.

“Xialan, hasn’t your sister-in-law found a job yet?” Xu Qinghuan asked.

“No, no, Huanhuan, my sister-in-law knows nothing about medicine. She’s just an ordinary high school graduate with no particular skills. No one would want to give her a doctor’s position for free,” Lin Xialan said.

“No, actually, the hospital offered me an intern nurse position. If I pass the assessments, I can become a full nurse. If your sister-in-law wants it, I can transfer the position to her.”

Years ago, Lin’s mother had picked out a bride for her older brother—someone from a comparable background with a job at the state-run restaurant, but her brother insisted on marrying his true love, Lin’s sister-in-law.

Her sister-in-law was still registered as a rural resident, without the necessary ration card for grain and oil.

After marrying in, the whole family scrimped and saved to buy her expensive grain.

In the story, Lin Xialan’s sister-in-law suffered from long-term emotional repression and took her own life six months later in the small grove near the family compound. She left a note saying the family was good to her and never resented her, but she didn’t want to be a burden anymore.

However, her natal family refused to accept this explanation and accused the Lin family of mistreating the daughter-in-law. Lin’s parents were investigated. Although neighbors testified there was no abuse, the public outcry was overwhelming. Lin’s father, a factory director, was forced to resign, and Lin’s mother stepped down as head of the youth work office.

Her brother was beaten by several uncles, breaking his legs and leaving him disabled for life, without a job.

Lin Xialan was overjoyed. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. If you need it, I’ll keep it for you,” Xu Qinghuan said without hiding anything. “You know my situation—my mother won’t give me a penny, nor will my second uncle. Once I go to the countryside, I need some money to prepare supplies and have a reserve for emergencies.”

“I know, I know, Huanhuan. I should be the one thanking you. Don’t worry, I’ll try to get more money for you.”

Nowadays, just news about job openings could fetch a few yuan. Xu Qinghuan had told her immediately, without trying to profit from it, which was a great help.

After returning home, Lin Xialan told her mother about it. “Mom, you must give more money. Also, there are tickets—the whole thing is a big help from Huanhuan.”

It wasn’t just about the position. With a job, her sister-in-law could switch to a ration card for commercial grain.

“Do I need to be told?” Lin’s mother rolled her eyes at Xialan. She quite liked Xu Qinghuan herself.

That evening, when the family returned and heard the news, everyone was overjoyed. Lin Xialan’s sister-in-law secretly sighed in relief, her emotions swelling until tears welled up.

No matter how deep the love, it often cannot withstand the relentless grind of daily life. She had been married into the Lin family for three years; her son was already two. Without a job or confidence, she couldn’t hold her head high.

Though she did all the household chores, the better the meals, the less she could eat.

If she could do it all over, she wasn’t sure she’d have the courage to make the same choice.

Fortunately, fate was taking a turn.

When Xu Qinghuan returned home, Xu Manman had already come back, her head wrapped in a circle of white gauze, her delicate face pale as porcelain. Seeing Xu Qinghuan enter, she gave a weak smile. “Sister, where did you go? Why are you just now back?”

Jiang Chengxu sat on the bedside with his back to the door. He quickly stood and turned around. “Qinghuan, you’re back?”

He picked up his coat and said to Xu Manman, “Rest well. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

Xu Manman gave a faint “hm” and closed her eyes, looking forlorn.

Xu Qinghuan couldn’t bear to watch.

Jiang Chengxu’s eyes remained fixed on her. “Qinghuan, I need to talk to you. Can we go outside?”

Xu Qinghuan thought for a moment, nodded, and turned to the living room.

Jiang Chengxu closed the door behind them and hesitated. “Qinghuan, do you want to eat? I’ll take you out.”

“No need. Just say what you need to say.”

“Then downstairs?” Jiang Chengxu’s eyes pleaded. Xu Qinghuan reluctantly nodded and followed him toward the door.

From the room came a sudden cry of pain, and Xu Manman’s voice called out, “Brother Chengxu, wuwu, my head hurts so much!”

Jiang Chengxu frowned and glanced toward the room. Xu Qinghuan clearly saw the struggle and impatience flicker in his eyes.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs!” Xu Qinghuan suddenly lost interest and slipped past him to leave.