Chapter Ninety: The Clinic Was Crowded With Visitors

At dawn the next day, Li Chao woke from his dreams, washed and tidied himself, prepared a simple breakfast, and set out for the clinic.

The moment he gently pushed open the courtyard gate, the sight before him made him freeze.

The morning stillness had been shattered by the villagers’ eager arrival. Standing or sitting, they had already gathered in a dense crowd before his home.

Even Li Xitian, the usually steady village head, was squatting off to the side with a cigarette between his fingers, looking unusually conspicuous.

“So many of you are up this early. Is something urgent?”

Li Chao asked in mild surprise, bewilderment filling his heart.

At his words, Li Xitian quickly flicked away the cigarette butt, crushed it out beneath his toe, then came forward with a broad smile, his gaze unable to resist drifting toward the gleaming Porsche parked at the entrance.

“Xiao Chao, this car... is it your new ride?”

His voice was full of disbelief and curiosity.

“It looks incredibly expensive!”

The surrounding villagers echoed him at once, their eyes bright with fascination and envy for such a luxury car.

Indeed, the car’s appearance had been like a stone cast into a calm lake, sending ripples in every direction.

In a small place like Lijiabao, the most eye-catching vehicle in the past had been nothing more than the village head’s domestic car worth a little over one hundred thousand. But now, the luxury parked before Li Chao’s door had easily surpassed it, its opulence enough to make one gasp.

The villagers talked among themselves. Even those who knew nothing about cars could feel its extraordinary value from its appearance and aura.

The shock was like a dazzling mountain of gold suddenly revealed in the village, drawing everyone over to see it for themselves.

And so the lively scene before him came about naturally.

Seeing this, Li Chao curved his lips into a gentle smile and said softly, “It’s only a car. There’s no need to make such a fuss. In the future, if anyone needs to go to the county town and I happen to be on the way, I can give you a lift.”

His words were modest and friendly, and the villagers present all felt a warmth rise in their hearts.

At that, Li Xitian laughed heartily, patting Chen Shan on the shoulder as he said, “Xiao Chao, you really are still a good child from our village—never forgetting where you came from! But I came today for another matter I wanted to discuss with you.”

His expression grew serious. Glancing around at the gathered villagers, he went on, “You know our village’s situation better than anyone. These past years, everyone has been living very hard. Now that I see how promising you’ve become, I started wondering whether you could lead our village toward a better future and help everyone live a decent life.”

He paused there, then looked at Chen Shan with hopeful eyes. “I’ve already spoken with the villagers. Everyone fully supports you. If you’re willing to lead our village to prosperity, I’d even be willing to step down from the village head position and give it to you.”

At this, Li Chao raised his brows slightly, thinking it over in silence.

He understood that Li Xitian’s words were not spoken lightly, but represented the hopes and expectations of the entire village.

He smiled. “Village head, that is too heavy a thing for you to say. What I have today, I owe in no small part to the support and help of the people in the village. As for leading everyone to prosperity, of course I’m willing to do my best and give it a try. Still, as for the village head position, you should continue to do your duty as the one leading the way. Let’s work together and make Lijiabao better and better!”

With that, Li Chao gave a gentle shake of his head, the corners of his mouth lifting in a warm smile.

“Treating illness and saving lives is my duty. But when it comes to managing a village, I’m a complete outsider. Still, regarding the village’s development, I do have an idea I’d like to discuss with you.”

He then carefully explained his plan to cooperate with the Jiangnan Spring Restaurant and establish a production base around the village.

His words were full of hope for the future and thoughtful planning, and Li Xitian’s eyes lit up as he listened, his face glowing with expectation and trust.

“Xiao Chao, then go ahead and do it without worry! The whole village supports you!”

Li Xitian said emotionally, patting Li Chao’s shoulder, his eyes shining with determination and gratitude.

“If this really succeeds, then you’ll be the great benefactor of our Lijiabao, our true savior!”

After their fervent conversation, the villagers gradually dispersed, though the heated atmosphere born of hope lingered for a long time.

A few bold farmers even gathered enough courage to carefully touch the luxury car, as if they were laying hands on a precious treasure for the first time, their faces full of curiosity and reverence.

Just as Li Chao was about to close the courtyard gate and continue with his daily affairs, an unwelcome presence approached quietly—Liu Juhong and her daughter Xiao Yali.

The arrival of this mother and daughter was like a sudden dark cloud, making Li Chao frown inwardly.

Yet unexpectedly, Liu Juhong was not as domineering and unreasonable as usual. Instead, she was carrying a heavy basket of eggs, which made the whole thing seem rather unusual.

“Xiao Chao, good morning!”

Liu Juhong glanced at the vehicle parked not far away, then turned back to Li Chao with a smiling face, her eyes crescent-shaped with delight.

Faced with the warmth and gift-bearing arrival of an elder, Li Chao naturally could not be too distant.

He looked at Liu Juhong gently and asked, “Second Aunt, do you need something from me?”

Liu Juhong quickly set down the eggs and moved closer to Li Chao, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness and pleading.

“I had no other choice but to come shamelessly ask you for help. Looking back, the things I did before really were wrong, but it was because our family was poor—there was nothing to be done!”

She sighed and continued, “It’s fine if I suffer a little and work a little harder, but I can’t let my child spend her whole life suffering from poverty because of me. You have connections now, and know plenty of people—could you help Xiaomei find a job in the county town?”

Standing nearby, Xiao Yali seemed rather uninterested in the conversation. She was fully absorbed in a makeup tutorial on her phone, not even bothering to lift her head.

Li Chao had already roughly understood why they had come, so he asked, “Xiaoli is still young. It shouldn’t be difficult for her to find a job on her own. There are plenty of opportunities out there now.”

At this, Liu Juhong hurriedly waved her hand in explanation. “Oh, you don’t understand. These days, jobs are either sales or waitressing—busy from dawn to dusk, serving people all day long. For a child like Xiaoli, I want her to have something more stable and respectable.”

“My Xiaoli may come from the countryside, but she has never even laid a hand on farm work since she was little. She absolutely can’t do hard labor.”

Liu Juhong added, her tone full of maternal indulgence.

“If I let her apply for those kinds of positions, wouldn’t that just be wasting her youth? How could those jobs possibly be worthy of my Xiaoli?”

Her words were filled with longing and worry for her daughter’s future.

Xiao Yali then joined the conversation as well, lifting her head to look at Li Chao and saying bluntly, “Forget about suffering or working hard—even the salaries for the jobs in the county are only two or three thousand a month. What can that do? It isn’t even enough for a few sets of my cosmetics!”

She casually expressed her dissatisfaction and disdain.

“I’d never lower myself to do that kind of work!”

After hearing this, Li Chao could not help but laugh silently, shaking his head inwardly.

She had no princess-like birth, yet she had picked up all the vanity and pickiness of one. That was indeed a mindset in need of correction.

Liu Juhong seemed not to notice Chen Shan’s subtle mood. Still full of hope, she said, “Yes, the ordinary positions really are beneath our notice. Xiao Chao, could you help speak to your friends in the county and see whether there are any easy, well-paying jobs? Maybe introduce Xiaoli to one? At the very least, it ought to be at manager level, and the salary... it should really be over ten thousand a month!”

Her tone was full of yearning and desire for a better life.

Li Chao gently shook his head and said earnestly, “In a provincial capital, even among white-collar workers, a monthly salary of over ten thousand is no easy thing to get. Here we’re only in a county town; our economy and job opportunities naturally can’t compare with those of the big cities. Second Aunt, your request is indeed somewhat unrealistic, and I’m afraid I can’t make it happen.”

Having said that, he was about to turn and leave, but Liu Juhong hurriedly grabbed his hand, saying anxiously, “Xiao Chao, how can you say that? We’re family—relatives bound by blood! You’ve helped so many villagers; can’t you also extend a hand to your cousin?”

At that moment, Xiao Yali also put down her phone and looked at Li Chao eagerly. “Brother Xiao Chao, I heard you’re very close with the Jiangnan Spring Restaurant. Could you put in a word for me and let me go there as a manager? That should only be a small favor for you, right?”

At her words, Li Chao frowned slightly. He understood the expectations and pressure hidden behind that “small favor,” but he understood even more clearly the rules of the workplace and the cruelty of reality.

He slowly said, trying to make the two understand, “Lili, the management positions at Jiangnan Spring Restaurant are not assigned casually. They require ability, experience, and opportunity. Though I do have some connection with them, I can’t ignore those basic principles. Besides, everyone must rely on their own efforts to win the life they want.”

“Don’t worry, Xiao Chao. If there really is a chance, I’ll definitely do my best and handle the work well.”

Hearing Li Chao and Liu Juhong talk, she also quickly voiced her position, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Seeing this, Liu Juhong held Li Chao’s hand even tighter and said emotionally, “Xiao Chao, you don’t want to see Auntie stay this poor and down on her luck forever, do you? Xiaoli is young and full of drive—just give her a chance! If she can really make a name for herself out there, our whole family will be honored! Auntie is begging you here!”

As the two were talking, Li Chao’s phone suddenly rang, cutting off their conversation.

He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Liu Lele, so he answered.

From the other end, Liu Lele told him that Wang Lan’s matter had already been perfectly resolved, and he need not worry about it anymore.

The two then chatted casually about a few domestic matters.

Just as he was about to hang up, Li Chao glanced at Liu Juhong and Xiao Yali beside him, and after a little thought, he still asked Liu Lele, “Sister Liu, is your restaurant still short-handed lately? I have a cousin who’s looking for work and wants to know whether you have any suitable openings.”

At that, Liu Lele laughed heartily. “That’s easy! Tell her to come directly over, and I’ll arrange a suitable position for her.”

“But speaking of which, if my cousin doesn’t have much experience, maybe we should start her with the most basic work and see her ability and adaptability before deciding whether she stays. What do you think?”

When Liu Juhong heard the last few words from Li Chao that seemed to allow for some flexibility, warmth surged in her heart. She knew very well that Li Chao was a principled person, and for him to agree to help was already rare.

So she quickly pulled Xiao Yali forward and thanked Li Chao with gratitude. “Xiao Chao, thank you so much! Auntie knows you’re a child with both feeling and loyalty, and we’ll remember your kindness.”

But Xiao Yali seemed not to appreciate it. Her lips curled slightly as she muttered in dissatisfaction, “With my status, if I go to a restaurant, shouldn’t I at least be given a manager-level position? How can you have me start with the most basic work?”

Li Chao’s expression instantly turned cold, and he said sternly to Xiao Yali, “Lili, what kind of talk is that? No matter what the job is, everyone starts with a probationary period at the grassroots level. You have no experience at all, so why should you expect to become a manager right away? I’ve already arranged it for you. As for whether you can handle it, that will depend on your own performance. If you don’t want to go, then forget it. No one is forcing you.”

Seeing this, Liu Juhong hurriedly tugged at Xiao Yali’s sleeve, signaling her not to say anything more.

She knew Li Chao had already done all he could, and if they kept making a fuss, things would only get worse.

So she gave Li Chao a grateful look, then quickly led her daughter away from the scene.

A slap from her mother, Liu Juhong, brought Xiao Yali back to reality. Rubbing the spot that had been struck, the dissatisfaction on her face gradually faded, replaced by a faint smile of sudden understanding.

She whispered, “Mom, you’re really smart! How did I not think of that?”

Liu Juhong smiled smugly, her eyes flashing with shrewdness.

“Silly girl, in this world, connections matter more than anything else. Since Li Chao is willing to acknowledge you as his cousin, then we have a backer at Jiangnan Spring Restaurant. You go first and get familiar with the place, then behave yourself and perform well. When the time is right, I’ll have Li Chao say a few good words for you. Wouldn’t a promotion then be a matter of course?”

The mother and daughter exchanged a smile, as though they could already see Xiao Yali’s bright future unfolding at Jiangnan Spring Restaurant.

Meanwhile, Li Chao had already left that place and was walking toward the clinic.

These past few days had indeed been hectic, with one matter after another arriving in quick succession, leaving him almost no time to breathe.

No matter how busy he was, he never forgot his true calling—as a doctor, relieving the suffering of his patients was his greatest mission.

Even before he reached the clinic, he could already see a long line forming at the entrance from afar.

People stood or sat; some looked anxious, while others appeared relatively calm.

But without exception, their eyes kept drifting toward the clinic entrance, hoping to be seen by Li Chao as soon as possible.

At the sight, a warmth rose in Li Chao’s heart.

He knew that these people waiting in line were all placing their trust in him and recognizing his medical skill.

Today, the clinic was busier than usual, crowded with patients who had come from villages and hamlets in all directions after hearing the news. Their faces, anxious or hopeful, wove together into a vivid picture of ordinary life.

Yu Xin, that gentle yet capable woman, had long prepared a stack of neatly ordered number slips and handed them one by one to each patient, as though distributing seeds of hope. Her eyes were full of tenderness and resolve, as if she could soothe the unease in people’s hearts.

Her movements were soft yet swift, and every detail showed her love for and respect toward this work.

Sun Peng, tall and straight like a pine guarding this patch of peace, stood to one side, occasionally reminding everyone to keep order with his steady, powerful voice. His gaze was sharp without losing warmth, ensuring that this small world remained orderly and harmonious.

Inside the consulting room, Li Chao sat upright behind the desk, dressed plainly, his expression serene, as though separated from the world at large.

He raised a hand lightly, signaling the next patient to come in, and that gesture carried an indescribable composure and confidence.

For the ailments before him, they were nothing more than scenery along the physician’s path. Each pulse taken was a conversation with the soul, an exploration of life’s mysteries.

“The pulse is steady, though somewhat sluggish. It should be the result of prolonged overwork.”

Li Chao spoke softly, his fingertips moving over the patient’s wrist like a spring breeze brushing the surface of a lake, ripples gently spreading.

At once, he had already formed a course of action: perhaps using refined massage to clear the meridians;

perhaps gently twisting thin needles, using acupuncture to harmonize qi and blood;

or perhaps prescribing a few herbs, to be taken with the slow patience of nature’s own power.

Every treatment was the truest expression of his care and respect for life.

Time slipped by quietly. Outside the consulting room, the line remained long, yet orderly. People either bowed their heads in thought or spoke in low voices, the air filled with a faint sense of expectation and trust.

And just then, a luxury sedan slowly came into view, breaking the stillness.

The door opened, and several young men stepped out one after another. Leading them was Ma Ying, with his striking blond hair, glittering earrings, and deep-set eyes, revealing both a certain recklessness and a trace of weariness—clearly the marks of long-term indulgence.

His arrival subtly shifted the atmosphere around them, but Li Chao remained as calm as ever, as though nothing in the world could disturb his composure.