Chapter 7: The Promise

"Doctor! You are truly a great benefactor to our family!"

"Please, you mustn't! Stand up, brother, quick!" Zhou Yichen reached out with strong arms to help him up. "Your cousin's condition still requires subsequent adjustments; we must not be careless."

He turned to Dr. Sun, his tone remaining humble: "Dr. Sun, the patient's condition has stabilized for now. For the follow-up treatment and recovery, I will still have to rely on your rich experience and careful attention."

Although he had performed the emergency treatment, he was, after all, an outsider—an educated youth. The patient belonged to Dr. Sun, and it was naturally more convenient for Dr. Sun to handle the subsequent care.

Hearing this, Dr. Sun’s weathered face flushed slightly, and he nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Yichen, I will certainly do my utmost for the follow-up care. However... I will need your further guidance on the treatment plan!"

This was a sincere request for advice, without a shred of arrogance or pulling rank.

Zhou Yichen did not hold back. He explained his thoughts on the adjustments for subsequent acupuncture points, the formulation of herbal decoctions, and the key points for daily dietary and lifestyle nursing to Dr. Sun in great detail.

His explanation was clear, logical, and accessible.

Dr. Sun nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining with brilliance. From time to time, he would take out a small notebook to jot down notes, looking like a humble student seeking knowledge.

Zhou Yichen's plan was well-reasoned and considered every aspect, far superior to the fragmented methods he had been fumbling with himself.

"Brother, your cousin needs to rest now, so we won't disturb him any further," Zhou Yichen said to the man once he had finished his instructions.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Dr. Zhou! Thank you, Dr. Sun! Thank you, Team Leader Wang!" The man thanked them profusely as he saw them out.

Zhou Yichen and Wang Zhenshan then bid farewell and left Dr. Sun's home.

Once outside the courtyard, Wang Zhenshan could no longer contain his excitement and joy. He grabbed Zhou Yichen’s arm, his dark face flushed with thrill.

"Yichen! You kid, you really were hiding your light under a bushel!"

His voice was very low, yet it could not mask his excitement. "You stunned me just now! I never expected your medical skills to be so incredible!"

Zhou Yichen smiled, maintaining his usual calm and indifferent demeanor. "Team Leader Wang, you are too kind. I just happened to see similar cases in books and was lucky enough to succeed."

How could Wang Zhenshan believe this was just a case of "happening to see it in a book"?

Such extraordinary medical skills could not be learned simply by leafing through books!

He took him for a three-year-old child to be fooled so easily!

He chuckled but did not expose him, saying instead: "Yichen, talent like yours must not be buried! If you are gold, you will shine wherever you go!"

"Let me tell you, I'm going to report this to Old Gao as soon as I get back!"

Wang Zhenshan lowered his voice, sounding conspiratorial. "Is there any vacant adobe house in our brigade? It’s not far past the educated youth dormitory, and the path is easy to walk."

"It has a small courtyard, two main rooms, and a kitchen and toilet already built in. Although it's a bit run-down and lacks decent furniture, if you fix it up, it will definitely be better than those crowded bunk beds at the youth dorm!"

"I’ll make the call—that house is yours to live in alone!"

Zhou Yichen’s eyes lit up instantly at these words.

Having a separate place to live was, of course, the best thing possible! It was not only convenient but also meant he didn't have to squeeze in with the others at the youth dormitory.

Seeing his interest, Wang Zhenshan struck while the iron was hot, his tone becoming serious. "Also, from today on, you are the 'health worker' of our Xiangyang Brigade!"

"Although there are no official documents yet and you aren't a formal barefoot doctor, whenever the folks in the brigade have a headache, a fever, or minor ailments, they will be under your care!"

"As for work points," Wang Zhenshan patted his chest, his tone magnanimous, "I’ll grade you according to our brigade's skilled labor standard! Ten points a day! I definitely won't treat you unfairly!"

The work points for skilled labor were among the highest tiers in the brigade. Ordinary people, even after working themselves to the bone, only earned eight or nine points a day. This compensation was extremely generous, clearly showing Wang Zhenshan's sincerity.

Zhou Yichen felt a warmth in his heart and was very grateful to Team Leader Wang. He knew that Wang Zhenshan was doing him a favor and also giving the highest recognition to his medical skills.

"Thank you, Team Leader Wang!" Zhou Yichen quickly expressed his gratitude.

"I will definitely work hard and do my best to treat everyone, and I won't let your trust or the expectations of the villagers down!"

"Good! Good lad! You have a sense of responsibility! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

Wang Zhenshan patted Zhou Yichen’s shoulder firmly, his mouth stretching into a wide grin, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.

"From now on, our Fifth Team—no, our entire Xiangyang Brigade—will have it easy when it comes to seeing a doctor!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, both in excellent spirits.

Wang Zhenshan calculated that with Zhou Yichen, this "miracle doctor," the health of the brigade members would be well-guarded, and they would have more energy to work. Perhaps it would even reduce sick leave and increase attendance!

Zhou Yichen, on the other hand, was thinking that with an independent residence, the legitimate status of a "health worker," and a stable source of work points, he had finally gained a foothold in this unfamiliar 1970s.

Heaven rewards the diligent; the future is promising!

As the two chatted back and forth, they arrived at the place where the production team members were working.

Although it was the end of October and most of the crops had been harvested, the production team was not resting. Instead, they were taking advantage of the time before the snow fell to collectively go up the mountain to chop firewood, preparing for the winter.

Most of the members and some educated youths were busy working with great enthusiasm on the mountain, the rhythmic chants of firewood chopping echoing one after another.

Wang Zhenshan had sharp eyes; he immediately spotted Gao Jianguo not far away, standing with his hands behind his back, talking to a few men who looked like team leaders.

"Let's go, Yichen, Old Gao is over there. Let's go over!"

Wang Zhenshan felt a surge of energy and, pulling Zhou Yichen along, strode excitedly toward Gao Jianguo. He had to tell Old Gao this great news immediately!

Seeing Wang Zhenshan and Zhou Yichen approaching, a smile appeared on Gao Jianguo’s face, his eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.

Last night, Wang Zhenshan had specifically sought him out to mention that Zhou Yichen was skilled in medicine and that he wanted him to be the brigade's health worker. He had taken note of it then, feeling it was a good thing.

"Old Gao!" Wang Zhenshan’s voice arrived before he did, filled with irrepressible excitement.

"Old Wang, what has you so happy?" Gao Jianguo walked up with a smile, his gaze lingering on Zhou Yichen for a moment.

This young man was indeed as Old Wang had described—looking spirited and not at all like the wilted, dispirited youths who had just come to the countryside.

"Old Gao! Let me tell you, this kid Yichen is truly miraculous!" Wang Zhenshan’s voice was loud, and as he spoke, he proudly glanced at the other team leaders standing nearby.