After sitting for a short while, Shen Xiaochuan and Shen Xiaoxiao slowly walked down the mountain, chatting and laughing.

They were carrying bamboo baskets on their backs, filled with various herbs.

"Mom and Dad, I'm home! Is dinner ready? I'm starving!"

Before Shen Xiaochuan even entered the door, that loud voice started blaring, as if he wanted the whole village to know that he was starving.

From inside the house came Shen Zishan's slightly reproachful voice: "What are you yelling about? You're such a grown man, yet you're still so immature."

Although he said that, Shen Zishan's face was full of doting smiles.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Zishan said to his daughter who had just entered the courtyard, "Xiaoxiao, the brigade leader is here to see you. He's waiting for you inside right now."

“Okay! I’ll be right there,” Shen Xiaoxiao replied, then deftly took the heavy basket off her back and handed it to Shen Zishan, before walking briskly toward the hall.

Hearing the commotion outside, the captain hurried out to greet her, smiling kindly as he said, "Little girl, you're back! You went up the mountain to gather herbs again!"

"Grandpa Captain, you're here! My dad said you wanted to see me, is there something you need?"

Shen Xiaoxiao blinked her big, bright eyes and looked at the captain with curiosity, asking him a question.

The captain chuckled, took a piece of paper out of his pocket, and carefully handed it to Shen Xiaoxiao, saying, "Little girl, I have good news for you. Take a look at this."

Shen Xiaoxiao happily took the paper, and upon closer inspection, she realized it was a certificate authorizing the establishment of a health center.

She read the text carefully, and a feeling of joy welled up in her heart.

"Grandpa Captain, you are really amazing! Things that others find difficult to handle can be approved by you without any problem."

Shen Xiaoxiao's eyes were filled with admiration and praise as she sincerely complimented him.

Upon hearing this, the captain smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand, saying, "Oh, Xiaoxiao, your grandpa hasn't actually done anything particularly remarkable."

"I submitted my application, and they approved it without saying a word! Haha..."

As he spoke, the captain couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, which echoed throughout the room.

"Alright, now that the documents have been approved for you, my task is complete! There's nothing more for me to do now."

"By the way, Xiaoxiao, starting tomorrow, you will be our village's official barefoot doctor! But there's one thing you need to be careful about: you'll have to go to town to get those medicines, but I heard that you can only get a limited quantity."

"So, in critical moments, we still have to rely on ourselves to collect some commonly used herbs." At this point, the captain shook his head helplessly, sighed softly, and said with emotion, "Alas, these days everyone is short of medical care and medicine, there's nothing we can do about it."

Shen Xiaoxiao nodded earnestly and comforted the brigade leader, saying, "Don't worry, Grandpa Brigade Leader."

Even without Western medicine, I would try my best to treat and save lives with traditional Chinese medicine first. Many illnesses can be cured with Chinese medicine, and the ingredients are readily available; the effects might even be better.

As she spoke, Shen Xiaoxiao carefully helped the captain walk towards the door.

"Okay, okay, it's good that you know what's going on. Don't see me off anymore, child, go back inside quickly!" The captain patted Chen Xiaoxiao's hand, signaling her to stop.

Then, he turned around and walked steadily toward the door.

"Uncle Captain, don't go! Please stay and have a meal with us. I've already prepared the food."

Hearing footsteps, Ma Aning quickly put down the spatula in her hand and hurriedly ran out of the kitchen, calling out to the captain who was about to leave with a big smile.

The captain waved his hand and said with a smile, "Oh, no, no, my wife at home has probably already cooked dinner. She's probably eagerly waiting for me to come home and eat."

"Enjoy yourselves at your leisure, I need to hurry home. Otherwise, once it gets dark, the road will be difficult to walk on."

After saying that, he not only spoke those words, but also unconsciously quickened his pace, as if he were truly afraid of being caught up by the darkness.

Watching the captain's retreating figure, Ma Aning shook her head helplessly and turned back into the house.

At this moment, Shen Xiaochuan excitedly approached his younger sister Shen Xiaoxiao and said happily, "Little sister, this is really great! Now you're the barefoot doctor in our village, and you won't have to do those heavy farm chores with everyone anymore."

"Look at your delicate skin, you don't look like someone who can withstand wind and sun." Her words were full of tenderness and love for her younger sister.

Hearing her brother's words, Shen Xiaoxiao felt a warm glow in her heart. She gently took his arm and said softly, "Brother, don't worry, your dream will definitely come true in the future." As she spoke, her bright eyes shone with determination.

Shen Xiaochuan nodded heavily and replied, "Yes, of course! With my little sister's words, I believe I can definitely do it."

Then, the brother and sister smiled at each other, and a tacit understanding that needed no words to convey filled the air.

At that moment, they seemed to see a bright future beckoning to them from not far away...