Chapter 25: The Barefoot Doctor’s Affairs Settled

The news spread from the captain’s house. Tang Banxia, the educated youth, had passed the barefoot doctor’s exam, but someone with a black heart had reported her, which meant their village’s hope for a barefoot doctor might be dashed again.

In an instant, the villagers suspected everyone who’d ever had a falling out with Tang Banxia. If it had been anything else, perhaps they wouldn’t have been so agitated, but this was about a doctor. No one understood better than themselves how convenient it would be to have a doctor in the village. For instance, the neighboring Muzi Village had a doctor, which made matchmaking and everything else much easier for their young people.

Now, because of someone’s selfishness, their village was about to lose its doctor?

The power of the masses is endless—especially when they’re angry. United as one, the whole village managed to root out the culprit before noon.

It was none other than Xu Guiming.

He was escorted to the team headquarters by the leader of the educated youth point, who, in the spirit of sacrificing personal feelings for the greater good, did not hesitate to take him in.

Wang Haijun hadn’t wanted a big scene, but he couldn’t hold back the furious villagers. In the end, he personally escorted Xu Guiming to the team headquarters.

Upon seeing this, Hu Dashan immediately brought people to the commune.

By the time Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai returned from their fruitful trek down the mountain, the matter had nearly settled.

It could only be said that Tang Banxia had underestimated the era’s longing for doctors in the countryside, as well as the villagers’ keen eyes.

Just as the two reached the foot of the mountain, they ran into Sun Wenming, breathless from running over. “Brother Bai, sister-in-law, did you just come down from the mountain?”

“I went to gather some medicinal herbs,” Tang Banxia explained. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

Before Sun Wenming could answer, Hu Chunhua came running from another direction. “Tang, the educated youth—my father wants you.”

Tang Banxia was puzzled. “What’s so urgent?”

“It’s about your approval as a barefoot doctor!” Hu Chunhua called out loudly. “Tang, you’re officially our barefoot doctor now!”

Sun Wenming’s face was full of pride, and Wen Mubai’s eyes curved with delight.

By contrast, Tang Banxia herself was calm. She remembered that there were things in Wen Mubai’s basket that couldn’t be seen: “Let me go home and change first, then I’ll come with you.”

Hu Chunhua opened her mouth, about to speak.

Tang Banxia explained, “I have some herbs that need processing right away, or their medicinal properties will fade. It’ll only take a little while. Come home with me first.”

Hu Chunhua could only follow Tang Banxia home. After making sure the basket was put away, they all headed together toward the team headquarters.

“She’s here, she’s here—Tang, the educated youth, is here!”

The crowd parted automatically, making way for Tang Banxia as she walked through them and entered the team headquarters.

Inside, all the village leaders were present. When they saw her, they greeted her with warm smiles. “Congratulations, Tang.”

“Congratulations, Xiao Tang.”

Tang Banxia nodded her thanks.

“Xiao Tang, here—this is the official document. From now on, you’re our village’s barefoot doctor.” Hu Dashan handed her a document.

Tang Banxia took a look and set it aside. “Thank you, Captain. Thank you all for your support. I promise to do my best to care for our villagers. If anyone feels unwell, come see me—I’ll treat you.”

On the way here, she had already learned everything that had happened. Her words were sincere, without a trace of falsehood. For the sake of the villagers’ goodwill, she would dedicate herself to being a good barefoot doctor.

“Xiao Tang, we believe in you!” Huang Xiaocui, the women’s director, was the first to respond. As the women’s director, she took pride in their village having a female doctor.

After receiving everyone’s congratulations, it was time to talk business.

“Tang, come see the clinic we’ve prepared for you.” Hu Dashan led her to a room next to the team headquarters. “Take a look—see if anything’s missing.”

“For now, this is enough,” Tang Banxia replied. “If anything is lacking, I’ll let you know.”

Hu Dashan nodded and reiterated the barefoot doctor’s terms: “There’s no salary, but you’ll get full work points every day.”

Tang Banxia nodded in understanding.

“You’ll get paid for patients’ medicine, but if they really can’t pay, they’ll have to make it up in work points instead.”

That was the main reason city doctors refused to work in the countryside—the benefits were too poor.

“No problem,” Tang Banxia agreed readily. “I’ll also gather herbs from the mountains, so we can all save some money.”

Hu Dashan was quite satisfied. He reminded her to come find him tomorrow to get a referral slip for collecting medicines at the commune, then let her go home.

Back home, when only Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai remained, she finally broke into a smile.

Seeing her like that, Wen Mubai’s lips curved in response. He walked over to her. “Sister, you’re amazing.”

Tang Banxia leaned her head against his chest, her smile widening with each passing moment.

Becoming a barefoot doctor made her happier than earning a million in her previous life.

Wen Mubai wrapped his arms around her, and the two nestled together in a tranquil, blissful atmosphere.

Until Tang Banxia got hungry.

She pushed Wen Mubai away. “What should we have for dinner?”

“Lamb!” Wen Mubai replied without hesitation.

“All right, then we’ll have stewed lamb ribs.” Tang Banxia agreed at once.

As it was getting late, she took out a two-pound slab of lamb ribs from the basket, chopped it into large pieces, blanched them briefly, then put them in boiling water with scallions, ginger, and garlic, and started stewing over high heat.

After thirty minutes, she sliced a radish and added it to the pot, along with a few goji berries.

In the meantime, she prepared a dipping sauce—the secret to delicious lamb ribs.

She minced scallion, ginger, and garlic, added soy sauce, leek flower sauce, and chili oil, then poured hot oil over it and stirred it well. The result was a mouthwatering sauce.

Just before the lamb was done, she sprinkled in some salt and let it melt into the stew. Lifting the lid, the rich aroma of lamb filled the air.

Wen Mubai couldn’t resist—he quickly snatched a piece of lamb, rolled it in the dipping sauce, and popped it into his mouth.

His eyes immediately lit up.

He swiftly set the table, sat down, and looked at Tang Banxia with eager anticipation.

Tang Banxia chuckled softly and sat beside him. “Go ahead, eat.”

She picked out a piece of lamb for Wen Mubai. As for herself, she preferred the radish, which had absorbed the broth’s sweetness and flavor—it was even tastier than the meat.

By the end, Wen Mubai had even finished off the soup, completely satisfied.

After the meal, he took it upon himself to wash the dishes and clean up, then heated water for Tang Banxia’s bath.

That meal left him wholly content.

But come nightfall, he found himself restless.

With the faint fragrance of Tang Banxia beside him, he curled his finger and inched closer. “Wife, are you asleep?”

Tang Banxia kept her eyes closed and placed her hand on his abs.

Wen Mubai’s body tensed. “Wife?”

Lamb, being warming and highly nourishing, made a healthy young man brimming with energy. That night, he was anything but restrained, again and again...