"No, Doctor, that's not what I meant. Could we talk in private?" The mother of the woman in labor said anxiously.
The husband of the woman in labor was there, showing gratitude towards Xu Qinghuan.
Xu Qinghuan was pulled to the end of the corridor by the mother of the woman in labor. She looked around to make sure no one was there and stuffed a thick red envelope into Xu Qinghuan's hand. "Comrade, this is a token of our appreciation!"
The largest bill these days was ten yuan, commonly called a "big union".
Xu Qinghuan pinched it, estimating it to be around two hundred yuan, which was nearly half a year's salary for an average worker. She pushed it back, "Sorry, Auntie, I can't take it!"
She never accepted money from patients. When she donned the white coat, saving lives became her mission. She loved money but would never tarnish her profession.
Even at this moment, she was so poor that she only had two cents and seven on her.
Despite insistence from the mother of the woman in labor, Xu Qinghuan firmly refused. Later, when people came, the mother did not dare press further and returned to the ward just as the woman woke up and asked, "Mom, did you thank that benefactor?"
During labor, the woman had only partial anesthesia. She knew the attending doctor's skills were lacking, unable to handle the task after a long time, leaving her terrified, thinking she wouldn't make it off the operating table.
It was the young doctor who performed the surgery. For some reason, when the scalpel was in that young doctor's hand, she felt assured.
"She doesn't accept it, no matter what. She says she's not a doctor. If she's not, how could she perform your surgery? Without her, our little one wouldn't have been safe and smooth." The mother of the woman in labor regretted, feeling increasingly respectful towards Xu Qinghuan.
"I wonder if there's anything we can do to help her."
The husband of the woman stood up, "I'll ask Uncle Wu, later we'll bring something to thank her."
"That sounds good!"
After finishing work, Xu Qinghuan went to find Lin Xiaolan, who was working at the supply and marketing cooperative near home, just in time for the lunch break. She grabbed her clothes, "Come, I'll treat you to a meal at the state-owned restaurant."
"Is that so generous?"
Xu Qinghuan didn't hold back, and they headed to the state-owned restaurant together. "You know, I learned some skills from an old doctor at our hospital before. Today, I coincidentally encountered a pregnant woman with massive bleeding, so I helped and was noticed by the hospital director who insisted on keeping me at the hospital, but I kindly declined."
Lin Xiaolan was amazed, "That's impressive, Huanzi! You have such skills; it's a great opportunity!"
She knew Xu Qinghuan had studied under an old doctor before and really liked the profession of being a doctor, not expecting the skills to be so high.
"It's a great opportunity, but I can't afford it right now." Xu Qinghuan had two reasons for telling her this, "I gave your contact information to the director. After I go to the countryside, I'll write to you. If he contacts you, could you help relay the message?"
"Sure, no problem. Huanzi, why not reconsider being a doctor at the hospital? It's great!"
Xu Qinghuan didn't tell her that once she started the job, it would be a Fifth Level Position. There was no need to say such things, or else Xiaolan would feel even more pity and sadness.
"Lanlan, has your sister-in-law still not found a job?" Xu Qinghuan asked.
"No, no, Huanhuan, my sister-in-law knows nothing about medicine. She's just an ordinary high school graduate with no skills. Even if you give her this doctor's position, it wouldn't work." Lin Xiaolan replied.
"No, the hospital offered me an intern nurse position, which upon passing assessments, would become a formal nurse role." Xu Qinghuan said, "If your sister-in-law is willing, I can sell the position to her."
Back then, Lin's mother fancied a daughter-in-law for her elder son, one with a matching social status and work at a state-run restaurant as a waitress, but her elder son insisted on marrying his sister-in-law, his true love.
Her sister-in-law still had a rural household registration, non-commercial grain household registration, without a ration oil book.
After marrying, the family ate frugally to buy high-priced grain for her.
In the book, Lin Xiaolan's sister-in-law was long-term emotionally depressed and hanged herself in the small woods in the family compound six months later, leaving behind a suicide note saying the family was always kind to her, never despising her, but she didn't want to burden them anymore.
However, her maiden family did not accept this narrative, accusing the Lin Family of mistreating their daughter-in-law. Lin's father and mother were investigated; although neighbors testified it was untrue, the public opinion was too overwhelming, so Lin's father couldn't continue as factory manager, nor could Lin's mother serve as director of the educated youth office.
Her elder brother had his legs broken by several brothers-in-law, became permanently disabled, and lost his job.
Lin Xiaolan was overjoyed, "Are you serious?"
"Yes, if you want, I'll keep it for you." Xu Qinghuan wasn't hiding from her friend, "You know my situation, my mom won't give me a penny, nor will my uncle and them. I need money for going to the countryside, to prepare some supplies and for any future emergencies."
"I know, I know, Huanhuan, I really should thank you. Don't worry, I'll definitely help you get more money."
Nowadays, a job was invaluable, even having news about a job could sell for a few yuan. Xu Qinghuan told her about it first without pricing it, which already amounted to offering great help.
After Lin Xiaolan returned, she shared this matter with her mother, "Mom, you definitely need to give more money, and remember the vouchers; Huanhuan is helping our family greatly."
More than just the job issue, having a job meant her sister-in-law could switch to the commercial grain household registration.
"Do you need to say?" Lin's mother gave Lin Xiaolan a glare; she also liked Xu Qinghuan.
Sure enough, the family returned home in the evening, delighted upon hearing the news. Lin Xiaolan's sister-in-law secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her emotions overwhelming her so much that her eyes welled up.
Even profound true feelings couldn't withstand the everyday pressures of living. She had been married into the Lin Family for three years, her son was already two, yet she had no job and felt lacking in confidence, unable to stand tall.
Even though she did all the household chores, at mealtime, the better the dishes, the less she could eat.
If she could do it all over, she wondered if she'd still have the courage to stick to her original choice.
Thank goodness, fate had taken a turn.
Xu Qinghuan returned home, Xu Manman was already back, her head wrapped in a white bandage, her delicate face pale. Seeing Xu Qinghuan push open the door, she weakly smiled, "Sis, where did you go? Why just return now?"
Jiang Chengxu was sitting on the bed with his back to the door. He promptly stood and turned, "Qinghuan, you're back?"
He picked up his coat and said to Xu Manman, "Get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow."
Xu Manman softly replied, closing her eyes, her face filled with loneliness.
Xu Qinghuan couldn't bear to look.
Jiang Chengxu's eyes were fixed only on her, "Qinghuan, I need to talk to you. Can we speak outside?"
Xu Qinghuan thought for a moment, nodded, and turned towards the living room.
Jiang Chengxu closed the door behind them, hesitating a bit, "Qinghuan, do you want to have dinner? I'll treat you outside."
"No need. Just say what you want to say!"
"Then how about downstairs?" Jiang Chengxu's eyes showed a hint of pleading, and Xu Qinghuan had to nod, getting up to follow him outside.
A sudden "ouch" came from the room, followed by Xu Manman's cries, "Chengxu brother, oowee, my head, it hurts so much!"
Jiang Chengxu stood at the doorway, frowning in the direction of the room. Xu Qinghuan clearly saw the struggle and impatience in his eyes.
"I'll wait for you downstairs!" Xu Qinghuan suddenly felt it all pointless and squeezed out past him.