Chapter 81 Chapter 81

"Isn't that the old man?" Wen Yanxi stared at her arm, breathing slightly faster.

Chen Zhaoyue nodded: "So I felt his pulse and bones, and I can confirm that he is not as old as he looks! Not a real old man!"

Wen Yanxi's eyes glared, and he leaned forward slightly: "Are you sure?"

"It's absolutely true." Chen Zhaoyue said firmly: "I have studied medicine for so many years. I can fake rickets and staggers, and I can use makeup to make wrinkles, but the elasticity of the skin and the age of the bones cannot be deceived."

The sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting tiny spots of light on her serious profile.

Wen Yanxi looked at her determined eyes as she was so close to him, and he had already made up his mind.

"Is he the man you saw on the mountain?" After a long silence, Wen Yanxi spoke again.

Chen Zhaoyue shook his head: "Although he is disguised, I can confirm that he is not the person I saw on the mountain."

Wen Yanxi's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, and he suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the small room.

If this old man is also an enemy spy, it means that they are facing not only a lurker, but most likely a lurker group.

These people may have scattered and hidden in the village, which may make the search much more difficult.

"What should we do next?" Chen Zhaoyue looked up and asked, the sky outside the window reflected in his clear eyes.

"Don't alert the enemy yet!" Wen Yanxi stopped and said in a low and serious voice.

It was a pleasant surprise that we were able to find clues in just two or three days in Kangzhuang Village.

But thinking that Chen Zhaoyue had already had direct contact with the suspect, his brows unconsciously knitted.

Once the other party becomes suspicious, it is likely to harm her.

"Don't walk around anymore. Finish the free clinic and leave as soon as possible!" Wen Yanxi made the decision.

He, Jia Zheng and Sun Xingxing can continue to follow the clue left by Old Zhang. There is no need to let Chen Zhaoyue stay in the village and take risks.

The sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on his tense profile.

Chen Zhaoyue opened her mouth to refute, but when she saw the unquestionable determination in his eyes, she finally just nodded slightly.

"Okay, but I have to be consistent so as not to arouse suspicion. I will tell the village chief after seeing the doctor tomorrow that I will leave the village in two days." Shen Zhaoyue thought about it.

It is indeed suspicious that she, an educated youth who was providing free medical treatment, had been staying in the village all the time. The duration of the free medical treatment itself should not be too long.

Wen Yanxi nodded, his brows furrowed, still thinking about how to catch the enemy spy as soon as possible.

After staying for about a quarter of an hour, Wen Yanxi suddenly stood up and walked towards the door: "I won't come in the evening."

He lowered his voice and instructed: "Lock the door yourself and be careful!"

Staying here with Shen Zhaoyue for too long will inevitably increase the risk of exposure.

Chen Zhaoyue nodded in understanding and watched his tall figure disappear outside the courtyard gate.

She closed the door gently and inserted the bolt carefully. When she turned around, her eyes swept over the food box left by Wen Yanxi on the table.

It was filled with steaming food and exuded a familiar aroma.

These are just right. Johnny will heat them up for her in the evening.

On the other side, after Wen Yanxi left Chen Zhaoyue's residence, he took advantage of the break in farm work to pass a secret signal to Jia Zheng and Sun Xingxing.

After finishing their farm work, the two of them came to find Wen Yanxi with their arms around each other.

"Wang Dazhi, you promised to treat us to dinner when you came back, so we are free tonight!" Jia Zheng deliberately shouted at the top of his voice, his rough voice echoing on the stalks of the field.

Some people looked over curiously. The Wang family had a lot of land, and Jia Zheng and Sun Xingxing came to help every day. They didn't find it strange at all that they were invited to dinner.

"Okay, let's go together!" Wen Yanxi agreed readily, and the three of them walked towards Wang's house talking and laughing.

When they arrived at Wang's house, Wen Yanxi skillfully lit a fire and cooked.

When the meal was ready, Old Wang tactfully brought his own portion into the house and left the main room to them.

After Wen Yanxi confirmed that the door was closed tightly, he also closed the door to the main room. Then he lowered his voice and told Chen Zhaoyue about his findings one by one.

"Doctor Shen found an enemy spy just by touching a bone?" Sun Xingxing widened his eyes, forgot to move the chopsticks in his hand, and his face was full of disbelief.

This is even more mysterious than the stories told by storytellers in teahouses. Is there really anyone who can do this?

Although Jia Zheng was also surprised, he did not find it strange when he thought about the way Shen Zhaoyue interrogated the enemy spies on the train.

He took a mouthful of rice and said, "What do you know? Doctor Shen is a regular graduate and has touched more bones than you have eaten salt."

As he spoke, he nudged Wen Yanxi with his elbow: "Isn't that right, Captain?"

"Ah?" Sun Xingxing was stunned by what he said.

Wen Yanxi didn't respond, but just glared at Jia Zheng warningly.

Jia Zheng smiled ingratiatingly and suggested in a low voice, "Captain, since we've already found the traces of the enemy spies, why don't we just arrest them and interrogate them?"

Wen Yanxi shook his head: "He disguised himself as an elderly man with limited mobility. He must be just an accomplice responsible for gathering information in the village."

A shadow fell between his deep brows, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "A hasty arrest will only alert the enemy, allowing other spies to hide deeper or even escape directly into the mountains."

Jia Zheng nodded in sudden realization: "So we can't afford to waste time. We must strike them right away and wipe them out!"

"The mastermind behind the telegram has not yet been found." Wen Yanxi added.

Jia Zheng continued, "So this old man might be the 'eye'?"

"Yes." Wen Yanxi nodded and took out a simple village map from his pocket: "Next, you will secretly follow him and focus on finding out who he has contact with."

He drew a circle around Old Zhang's house with a charcoal pencil. "Pay special attention to whether anyone brings anything to his house. Food, firewood, anything that seems ordinary should be recorded."

"Okay." Jia Zheng agreed immediately.

Sun Xingxing also nodded heavily, with a gleam of eagerness in his eyes.

————

The next morning, before daybreak, there was already a line outside the yard.

In the hazy morning light, the villagers were talking in low voices in groups of three or four, occasionally looking towards the closed courtyard gate.

As soon as Chen Zhaoyue opened the door, the enthusiastic villagers spontaneously helped her set up the tables and chairs.

Several aunties stuffed steamed buns into her hands without saying anything, "Little doctor, fill your stomach first!"

"Thank you, auntie." Shen Zhaoyue took it with a smile.

In the past few days, she has gradually become accustomed to the enthusiasm of the villagers.

After treating two patients, Shen Zhaoyue saw the village chief of Kangzhuang Village, who was also in the queue.

"Comrade educated youth!" The village chief came over with a smile and sat down at the table. "I've come to join in the fun, too."

As he spoke, he deliberately raised his voice so that everyone around him could hear: "Your medical skills are truly amazing. I've heard the villagers praising you a lot these past two days!"

…

The village chief turned to the villagers in line and said with a smile, "Don't you agree? The silver needles used by this educated youth doctor are more effective than the pills at the county hospital!"

The surrounding villagers echoed and expressed their gratitude.

Chen Zhaoyue smiled modestly and gently placed his fingers on the village chief's pulse.

The village chief suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Does the educated youth have a partner? My grandson is 22 years old and works at the county grain station..."

He thought Shen Zhaoyue was a good girl, and it would be even better if she could come to his home.

Chen Zhaoyue's hand trembled and his fingertips pressed the wrong pulse point.

She forced herself to remain calm and adjusted her gestures, but she could still hear the village chief's enthusiastic sales pitch: "My grandson is quite good-looking, tall and strong! He's a regular employee at the grain station, and he gets grain coupons every month..."

The morning light shines through the gaps in the pear tree leaves, casting mottled shadows on the old man's expectant face.

Chen Zhaoyue pursed her lips and smiled, her voice soft but firm: "Village Chief, I already have a partner."

"Ah?" The village chief was stunned, then smacked his lips regretfully. He pressed on, "Is it the educated youth who went to the countryside with you guys?"

I was thinking that if it was the educated youth who came with me, maybe I could try harder.

Just as Chen Zhaoyue was about to answer, the village chief suddenly added, "Comrade Zhiqing, my grandson can earn money! He earns thirty-five and eighty yuan a month! We hand over all his wages. Would you like to consider it again?"

The village chief spoke with great sincerity, his wrinkled face full of anticipation, and he looked at Chen Zhaoyue eagerly, as if she could immediately call her grandson back from the county to worship him with just a nod.

"Village chief, I really have a girlfriend!" Chen Zhaoyue didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Fearing that the old man would continue to sell her, he quickly changed the subject.

She withdrew her hand from taking the pulse and said seriously, "There's nothing serious wrong with your body, just some strain on your muscles and bones from years of hard work."

Then he took out some herbs from his bag and said, "I'll prescribe two prescriptions of blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing medicine for you. Just boil them and take them for three days."

"Okay, okay." The village chief hurriedly stretched out his rough hands to take the medicine bag, as if he was holding a treasure.

He opened his mouth and wanted to mention his grandson again, but Chen Zhaoyue spoke first: "By the way, Village Chief, I have been here for a few days for the free clinic. I will be leaving in two days."

She deliberately raised her voice so that everyone around her could hear: "I don't know when the next free clinic will be. Please tell everyone in the village who needs medical treatment to come as soon as possible."

"So fast?" The village chief was a little surprised.

It was rare to see a doctor in the village, and he thought Shen Zhaoyue could stay a little longer!

"There's still some time." Chen Zhaoyue smiled: "Young people can also come. They work in the fields all year round, and it would be beneficial for them to come and take a look. After all, if you miss this opportunity, you will never have another chance."

The village chief slapped his thigh and said, "Okay! I'll go and notify them right away!"

This opportunity is hard to come by, and everyone really needs to take a look. If you are sick, treat the disease; if you are not sick, prevent it!

He immediately stood up, picking up the medicine bag and about to leave, but suddenly stopped and said to Shen Zhaoyue with some reluctance: "My grandson..."

"Village chief, please don't delay the young doctor from treating us!" The aunties waiting in line behind him had been waiting impatiently and interrupted him with their chatter.

The village chief then shut up in frustration and walked away, looking back every few steps. Before leaving the courtyard, he shouted at the top of his voice: "Comrade educated youth, remember to come to our house for dinner before you leave!"

Chen Zhaoyue accepted the village chief's invitation with a smile, and then plunged into the busy diagnosis and treatment.

In order to observe as many villagers as possible, she made an exception and did not observe only twenty people as originally planned, but stayed in the yard the whole time.

The courtyard was still bustling in the afternoon.

After word of mouth spread by the village chief and the villagers in the morning, many people who had not come before came one after another, and there were many young and strong men in the team.

"Doctor, I don't think I'm sick." A dark-skinned young man scratched his head, but his eyes were fixed on Shen Zhaoyue.

Does this angel-like girl really know those mysterious medical skills?

Chen Zhaoyue calmly arranged the silver needles, her voice gentle but unquestionable: "You have been bending over and working all year round, so your shoulders, necks, and waists are most likely to have problems."

As she spoke, she motioned for the young man to stand up and said, "Stand up and turn around so I can see you."

Although the young man was full of doubts, he still did as he was told.

When he turned around, Shen Zhaoyue carefully examined his back.

Not this person!

Chen Zhaoyue calmly withdrew her gaze and continued, "Does your elbow often feel sore? Does it wake you up when you sleep at night?"

"Amazing!" The young man's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"

Chen Zhaoyue smiled without answering, and took out the silver needle to treat him.

The afternoon passed in a busy manner, and Chen Zhaoyue treated dozens of villagers in succession.

Whenever young people came, she would ask them to turn around and bend over under the pretext of checking their bodies, and use this opportunity to carefully observe their body shape and walking posture.

There were a few figures whose backs were quite similar to the enemy spies seen on the mountain, so Chen Zhaoyue took the opportunity to chat with them a little more during the medical consultation and calmly wrote down their names and addresses.

The sunlight gradually set in the west, stretching her shadow long and casting it on the mottled earthen wall.

Chen Zhaoyue rubbed his sore wrist. Although he hadn't found the suspicious lame figure today, at least he had narrowed the scope of his investigation.

On the other side, Wen Yanxi and the other two were not idle either. They split into two groups, one secretly monitoring the strange old man's house, while the other secretly inquired about the situation in the old man's house.

When dusk fell, Wen Yanxi still carried the lunch box and walked towards Chen Zhaoyue's courtyard in the last rays of sunset.

Although Shen Zhaoyue is now quite popular in the village and has food sent by villagers almost every meal, he still comes here every day without fail.

From a distance, he saw Chen Zhaoyue leaning against a pear tree waiting for him.

The evening breeze blew gently, ruffling the loose hair on her forehead, casting a soft glow in the setting sun.

"Comrade Wang Dazhi!" Seeing him approach, Shen Zhaoyue winked cunningly and deliberately raised her voice to call out his pseudonym.

Those bright eyes sparkled in the twilight, just like the first stars appearing in the night sky.

Wen Yanxi's lips curled up unconsciously, and he walked quickly to her. While handing her the lunch box, his fingertips gently brushed her wrist: "Little Doctor, you've worked hard today."

Chen Zhaoyue took the still steaming food box, and casually stroked his palm with her fingertips. At the same time, she handed him a packet of herbs: "Thank you for bringing me food every day. These herbs will help you to heal your body!"

Her voice was clear, but her eyes were meaningful.

Wen Yanxi understood and took the medicine bag, and his fingertips immediately touched the note inside.

"Young doctor, you are so thoughtful." Wen Yanxi calmly put the medicine bag into his arms.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a faint halo on his angular profile?

…

In the setting sun, the shadows cast by Wen Yanxi's eyelashes seemed particularly deep, which made Chen Zhaoyue's heart move slightly.

I kind of want to tease!

Unfortunately, it’s not the right time now, I can only wait until I complete the mission and go back.

"Comrade Wang Dazhi, remember to come and get your bowl tomorrow!" Chen Zhaoyue smiled brightly, raised the food box in her hand, and turned to walk into the yard.

Next, the investigation of those suspicious persons was handed over to Wen Yanxi and others.

And she has to continue to play the role of "barefoot doctor" and wait for the big fish to surface by itself.

Wen Yanxi watched her figure disappear behind the mottled wooden door, then stood there for a moment, and after confirming that there was no one around, he turned and left.

In the twilight, his tall figure quickly blended into the night.

In the Wang family courtyard, Jia Zheng and Sun Xingxing had been waiting for a long time.

"Captain, the villagers have almost no contact with that old man. The information we've gathered is similar to what Comrade Shen heard—all old stories." Sun Xingxing scratched his head and reported somewhat dejectedly, "No one in the village can even remember exactly when his family moved in."

Jia Zheng also nodded. "That old man is indeed very strange. I watched him all day, and he only came out once to collect clothes. The rest of the time he locked himself in the room.

He lowered his voice and said, "The windows are covered tightly with rags. I can't see what's going on inside at all."

Wen Yanxi frowned, and the dim light of the oil lamp cast a heavy shadow between his deep eyebrows and eyes, reflecting a solemn look.

"The only useful information is probably that we know his name is Zhang Qing and he is now a lonely old man." Jia Zheng scratched his head, with a hint of frustration in his voice.

Sun Xingxing nodded silently beside him, looking a little depressed.

They were soldiers, but they didn't hear as much information as Chen Zhaoyue, a military doctor.

Wen Yanxi didn't say anything, but took out the medicine bag from his arms and opened it under the two people's puzzled gazes.

A neatly folded piece of paper was hidden among the herbs, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

"Captain, this is..." Jia Zheng's eyes lit up and he immediately came forward.

It was obvious that this thing was given by Chen Zhaoyue. Did she find new information?

Sun Xingxing was also curious and stared at him from the opposite side, but he didn't dare to get closer like Jia Zheng did.

Wen Yanxi quickly scanned the contents on the note, and his stern brows gradually relaxed.

There were five or six names and addresses neatly written on the note. They should be the villagers that Shen Zhaoyue found suspicious.

"We'll adjust our deployment tomorrow," Wen Yanxi said solemnly, handing the note to the two men. "I'll keep an eye on Zhang Qing, and you'll investigate the people on the list."

As he spoke, his voice lowered: "The focus is to verify whether they have had any contact with Zhang Qing, especially their recent interactions."

The flame of the oil lamp suddenly jumped, casting the shadows of the three people on the mottled earth wall.

Jia Zheng and Sun Xingxing looked at each other and saw excitement in each other's eyes.

This clue may be the key to breaking the deadlock!

Wen Yanxi's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a dull sound. "Remember, the action must be secret. Zhang Qing has been lurking in the village for so long, so his vigilance must be very high."

"Yes!" Jia Zheng responded in a low voice.

Sun Xingxing quickly memorized the information on the note, then moved closer to the oil lamp and watched the flames devour the note bit by bit.

At dawn the next day, the three of them acted separately according to the plan.

When the sun rose to noon, Jia Zheng squatted on the edge of the field, pretending to rest, but actually reported to Wen Yanxi in a low voice: "Captain, everyone on Doctor Shen's list has been checked."

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and frowned: "The strange thing is, these people have no connection with Zhang Qing at all!"

Wen Yanxi paused as he was pulling out weeds: "No intersection?"

"Yes!" Jia Zheng leaned closer and lowered his voice. "There are two people who live far away. We checked and found that they haven't even walked the road to Zhang Qing's house!"

He drew a line on the ground with his hand: "One is working as a blacksmith in the west end of the village, and the other is growing vegetables in the south. They usually don't come here at all."

Wen Yanxi narrowed his eyes and looked at the old house belonging to Zhang Qing's family in the distance.

Jia Zheng scratched his head, confusion written all over his dark face. "Captain, are we going in the wrong direction?"

As he spoke, he unconsciously pulled at the weeds on the edge of the field: "Do you want to change your approach?"

Although Chen Zhaoyue does have some abilities, their current pace is really being led by her.

It would be fine if the direction was correct, but if it was wrong, their operation would be in vain.

"No." Wen Yanxi said in a deep voice: "You continue to focus on Zhang Qing."

Jia Zheng opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but swallowed it back after seeing Wen Yanxi's eyes: "Okay, I'll call Xingxing to watch together!"

On the other side, Chen Zhaoyue got up early in the morning as usual to start the free medical consultation.

Just as Chen Zhaoyue had set up the table and chairs, he saw two young men approaching with a strange man.

The man was tall and looked like an ordinary adult man, but he had a lollipop in his mouth, a silly smile on his face, and he was jumping as he walked, just like a child who had not grown up.

"Didn't you come here yesterday?" Chen Zhaoyue frowned slightly and looked at the two young men.

In order to screen out enemy spies, she remembered the appearance of every patient clearly.

"Yes, yes, we've been here!" The two young men were overjoyed to see that Chen Zhaoyue actually remembered them, and smiles broke out on their dark faces: "Young doctor, you have a really good memory!"

The man they brought was completely unaware of this and was licking his lollipop, with crystal saliva flowing down the corners of his mouth.

As Chen Zhaoyue was observing, the man suddenly came up to her, staring at her with a pair of innocent big eyes, and muttered incoherently: "Sugar...sweet..."

Seeing this, the two young men hurried forward and grabbed Shadan's arms on the left and right.

The foolish man staggered a bit after being dragged, but he still stubbornly stretched out his hand towards Chen Zhaoyue, mumbling incoherently: "Candy... I want candy..."

"Don't be afraid, little doctor. He won't hurt anyone!" One of the dark-skinned young men hurriedly explained, patting Shadan's back soothingly with his rough hands. "His name is Shadan. When he was a child, he had a high fever that damaged his brain. That's why he's so stupid."

Chen Zhaoyue nodded thoughtfully, but his eyes scanned Shadan imperceptibly: "You brought him here, do you want me to take a look at him?"

She deliberately softened her voice and pretended to ask about the patient's condition seriously.

"Right, right, right!" Another young man nodded repeatedly, his sunburned face full of anticipation. "Our village has never had a doctor, and Shadan's family has no one. It's rare for you to come for a free clinic, so I was thinking..."

He rubbed his hands and was too embarrassed to continue.