Chapter 42 Be a pair of lotus flowers, never a parasitic vine.

Commander Jia sighed. Xue Shan had always been one of his soldiers, and he had watched Xue Shan rise to his current position step by step. His abilities were beyond question. A team needs both top-notch new talents like Pei Jiuyan and conservative talents like Xue Shan. Only by balancing both can it achieve steady and long-term progress.

Moreover, Xue Jiao from the Xue family has been sentenced to two years of labor reform, and Yang Rucui has been sentenced to eight years in prison, after which she will also have to undergo labor reform. The child is still sick in the hospital, and Xue Shan's family is essentially broken.

"Even though you didn't do these things, you do bear responsibility for failing to properly manage your family. After discussion within the organization, it has been decided to suspend you from your duties and without pay for one year. You should take this time to clean up your family's conduct."

Xue Shan understood that the organization had already shown him leniency. He solemnly saluted the leaders, then walked out with his head held high. But as soon as he stepped outside, his shoulders slumped. The organization had been lenient with him, but he couldn't get over his own conscience.

When Qin Suisui returned home and took a shower, she found that the three large snakeskin bags she had packed the night before were gone, the wardrobe was full of clothes again, and the things on the dressing table had been rearranged neatly.

Qin Suisui's lips slowly curved upwards. Recalling the scene that happened in the hospital ward that afternoon, she couldn't help but raise her hand to touch her lips.

Pei Jiuyan had just finished showering and entered the room. Seeing her staring at the wardrobe, he coughed slightly, feeling a little awkward. "Um, I've put all your clothes back. Are you sleepy? Do you want to sleep..."

"Not sleepy!" Qin Suisui suddenly shouted, and deliberately stretched. "I slept all day, and I'm full of energy now. If you're sleepy, go to sleep first!" After saying that, she pretended to pick up the quotes on her desk and started reading them seriously.

Pei Jiuyan couldn't help but laugh, knowing that she was embarrassed. He had kissed her and said those things during the day, which could be considered as "breaking the ice" in their relationship. Now that they were sharing a bed, the girl was probably a little uncomfortable. But she would have to get used to it slowly. He didn't plan to restrain himself anymore. After going through this, he knew that he had to give her enough security. If he continued to restrain himself, they would really have to get a divorce!

Listening to the gradually even breathing sounds from the bed, Qin Suisui gently put down her book and tiptoed to the bedside, secretly tracing Pei Jiuyan's face. Beneath his sharp brow bone, though his eyes were closed, one could still see the slight upturn at the corners. Such eyes, on others, would either convey affection or tenderness, but on Pei Jiuyan's icy face, they seemed to be tempered with ice. Everyone said they dared not look directly at him, but Qin Suisui felt that when he looked at her, his eyes were clearly as clear as ice crystals.

Her little hand circled around his forehead, then slowly slid down. Her hand accidentally touched his nose—it was all because his nose was so high and straight; even though she had slid down from above his eyebrows, she still managed to touch it. She quickly raised her hand, but her face suddenly flushed red.

Back in Jiangcheng, she had a few close girlfriends. When the girls talked, they were sometimes even more outspoken than the boys. Thinking of what they said, Qin Suisui couldn't help but glance down at his crotch. As if she had been burned, she quickly turned back, got up and ran back to her desk, picked up a collection of quotes and read them silently, trying to cleanse her mind of all the filth.

After a long while, Pei Jiuyan finally sighed softly, slowly opened his eyes, and looked at the little girl who had fallen asleep on the desk. Half of her face was distorted by her arm, and a trace of drool was still dripping from the corner of her mouth... Really! He shook his head with a smile, gently carried her back to bed, and held her in his arms as he fell asleep...

The next morning, when Qin Suisui woke up, Pei Jiuyan had already gone to morning training. As usual, she went into her space, jogged on the grass for a while, picked up the eggs and duck eggs from her space and took them back to the kitchen, boiled the milk she had squeezed, drank a cup herself, ate some fruit, and then put another cup of milk in Zanzan's room.

When I finished washing up and went downstairs, Pei Jiuyan had already returned. Dr. Zhao also came back with him.

Dr. Zhao, who was in his thirties, about the same age as Aunt Tang, couldn't help but tease Qin Suisui as she came downstairs: "It's good to be young. After such a big ordeal, you've slept it off and are full of energy again!"

Qin Suisui couldn't help but laugh. With her grandmother taking care of her since she was a child, her constitution wasn't bad. In addition, with the nourishment from the stream in the space during this period, her physical condition was getting better and better.

"Dr. Zhao, you're joking. I'm fine, just really tired. You and Ayan have something to talk about, I'll go to the kitchen and cut some fruit." Qin Suisui said, turning and walking towards the kitchen.

"No need, I came to see you this time!" Dr. Zhao quickly called out to the person.

Qin Suisui turned around, somewhat puzzled: "Is there something you need from me?"

Dr. Zhao, no longer in a relaxed mood, stood up straight and solemnly saluted Qin Suisui: "Comrade Qin Suisui, first of all, on behalf of our hospital and myself, I would like to express my apologies for the undeserved disaster you have suffered."

Qin Suisui quickly waved her hand, but before she could speak, Dr. Zhao continued, "In addition, I am here today on behalf of our hospital to invite you to serve as a 'special expert'."

"Special expert?" Qin Suisui was a little puzzled, but Dr. Zhao had already started explaining to himself.

"I'm sure you've noticed since you came to Qionghai Island that we're separated from the mainland by the Qiongzhou Strait, so transportation isn't very convenient. Also, this place is relatively less developed than the mainland. In the event of a sudden outbreak like the Japanese encephalitis epidemic, we often can't wait for the medicine to be transported over. If it weren't for the traditional Chinese medicine prescription you provided, this epidemic wouldn't have been brought under control so quickly."

"But as you may have noticed, although Qiongtan Island is somewhat backward, its natural conditions are exceptional. Therefore, we decided to adapt to local conditions and cultivate our own medicinal herbs. Moreover, the government is currently promoting the 'barefoot doctor' system, mainly to alleviate the lack of medical care and medicine in vast rural areas of China. Our decision coincides with the government's policy."

"Although the Japanese encephalitis virus is under control now, it is still showing a slow growth trend. Especially with the arrival of summer on Qiongtan Island, mosquitoes are even more rampant. If we don't control it properly, the virus may sweep in again. So we decided that the first batch of medicinal herbs we want to plant are mosquito repellent herbs. We have also selected the types of herbs, which are the mosquito repellent prescriptions you left in my office before."

After Dr. Zhao finished speaking, he observed Qin Suisui's expression. Seeing that she didn't seem to object, he continued, "Since you know this prescription, you must also understand the habits of these herbs. Therefore, we're planning to invite you to be our hospital's 'special expert,' specifically responsible for the cultivation and maintenance of these herbs. Of course, this position doesn't require daily attendance, and although you're a non-staff member, the corresponding position, salary, and allowances will not be reduced, and you'll enjoy the same benefits as our regular employees."

To be honest, Qin Suisui was somewhat tempted. Although she had never been interested in studying medicine since childhood, she had a natural talent for dispensing and preparing medicines. Consequently, she remembered the medicinal herbs in medical books exceptionally quickly. In addition, now that she had the spatial stream, she had a natural advantage in cultivating medicinal herbs.

She now lives on Qiongtai Island and doesn't want to rely on Pei Jiuyan for everything. Her mother had always taught her that women can rely on men, but not completely. They need to have their own lives and careers, and not revolve around men all day. They can be calla lilies, but never dodder. The older she gets, the more she realizes her mother's words make sense: a woman who lives with only men will initially lose herself and ultimately lose everything. She doesn't want to be that kind of person.

And Dr. Zhao just said that she doesn't have to work regular hours. Heaven knows how painful it is for her to clock in and out on time every day. When she was in school, she was often late because she couldn't get up. Not having to work regular hours means that she can allocate her time freely and can still take care of Zan Zan.

Qin Suisui raised her head and looked at Pei Jiuyan sitting to the side. Pei Jiuyan smiled slightly and, seeing the light in her eyes, knew that she was willing and was just asking for his opinion.

"I've said it from the beginning: you can do whatever you want, as long as you're happy."

Upon hearing Pei Jiuyan's words, Qin Suisui's eyes shone even brighter. She turned to look at Dr. Zhao and nodded solemnly.

Dr. Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. When she came, she was worried that Comrade Qin Suisui would refuse because of their mistake and the injustice she had suffered. She didn't expect her to agree so readily! What a good comrade!

After discussing work matters with Dr. Zhao, Qin Suisui went directly back to the hospital with him to have her personal information entered. When she received her newly issued "work permit," Qin Suisui felt an indescribable joy. She could finally live in this land no longer solely because of her identity as "Pei Jiuyan's lover"!

Pei Jiuyan invited her to have a celebratory meal at the state-run canteen in town, but Qin Suisui declined, and her reason was quite valid: "Now that I have a job, I need to focus on my work and not just think about eating all day long. I need to raise my awareness!"

She was so adorable that Pei Jiuyan couldn't help but pinch her cheek and burst out laughing.

After lunch, while it was still lunch break at the educated youth settlement, Qin Suisui rode her bicycle and took Zanzan to Guangmingding Brigade.

Su Yunyi visited her yesterday when she was in the hospital. She still doesn't know she's been discharged and is probably worried. I should go see her to put her mind at ease. Grandma Mai was also brought a lot of good food yesterday; I should go see her to put her mind at ease.

Of course, most importantly, she still needed to go to the village to investigate the soil conditions. She had discussed it with Dr. Zhao and the others at the hospital that morning. Qiongtan Island is hot and rainy, so the medicinal herbs needed to be selected from varieties that are resistant to moisture and high temperatures. Ultimately, they chose to plant lemongrass, mugwort, patchouli, rosemary, angelica, and basil. Of course, the specific planting location would be decided after she investigated the soil conditions.

It was another sweltering, humid midday, and the same familiar grove of trees. Because of what had happened before, Qin Suisui couldn't help but peek inside every time she passed through this grove.

Zan Zan noticed the situation before her: "Mom, that uncle you smelled smelly is burning something in the woods. The teacher said we can't play with fire in the forest!"

Qin Suisui turned her head and saw Zhou Zecheng squatting there, burning something.

Qin Suisui didn't stop her bicycle and went straight to the educated youth settlement. It was lunchtime for the educated youth, so Qin Suisui kept her voice down as much as possible. After parking her bicycle in the yard, she and Zanzan tiptoed towards Su Yunyi's room.

Just then, the door to a nearby room suddenly opened, and a short-haired, rather robust female educated youth stormed out, holding a roll of paper. She yelled at Qin Suisui and Zanzan, "Who are you! Don't you have any manners! It's lunch break time, making such a racket, can't a person get any sleep? Are you here to steal something?!"