Chapter 152: Blessed
Following Ning Tang's instructions, she found Grandpa Wang at the gatehouse.
The elderly woman, with her gray hair and reading glasses, readily agreed when Ning Tang's name was mentioned.
"Dr. Ning already explained it before! The dormitory is in the row of bungalows at the very end of the family compound. It's very quiet. It was just cleaned a few days ago, and the bedding is all freshly aired."
Grandpa Wang led Yu Jia over.
Just as Ning Tang had said, the small courtyard was kept very clean.
The three rooms were fully equipped with a stove, water tank, and even several potted plants on the windowsill.
"This was specially instructed by Dr. Ning, who said that the patients who can come are all from afar. You are from the capital, and I guess you are not used to the noise of the guesthouse."
Grandpa Wang handed over the keys with a smile.
"The rent is five yuan a month. If you stay for a longer period, it can be cheaper."
Yu Jia felt warm inside and thanked him repeatedly.
After seeing Grandpa Wang off, she closed the door behind her, and the room instantly fell silent.
She walked to the window, looked at the sunlight in the yard, and suddenly felt that the weather outside was really nice.
The thoughts that I had just suppressed in the consultation room suddenly resurfaced.
They look so alike, so incredibly alike.
Not just the eyebrows and eyes.
And that composed demeanor, and those eyes, they're just like they were made from the same mold.
They all look exactly like my cousin Pei Li from my memories.
Yu Jia walked to the desk and opened the drawer.
Inside were writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, which must have been left behind by the people who lived here before.
A thought struck her, and she turned around to rummage through her luggage, pulling out a stack of letter paper and an envelope. She then ground ink, picked up a brush, and sat down at the table.
The pen tip landed on the paper, but Yu Jia hesitated to write.
How should I put it?
She said that in a small town thousands of miles away, she met a girl who looked exactly like her niece who had been lost for twenty years.
They say this girl is not only about the same age as her cousin, but also has the same personality.
Yu Jia bit her lip, the pen tip hovering over the paper, the ink spreading into a small blot.
She knew all too well the suffering her cousin had endured over the years.
Since the child was lost, Pei Li seems like a completely different person.
The once cheerful and lively career woman is now silent and withdrawn, devoting all her energy to her work.
In the dead of night, she would secretly shed tears while holding her child's old clothes.
Over the years, the family has used countless connections and traveled all over the country, but the child seems to have vanished into thin air, with no trace of him.
If it's all just wishful thinking, if this Ning Tang isn't my cousin's daughter at all, how disappointed my cousin would be.
Yu Jia sighed, finally putting pen to paper; her handwriting was delicate and neat.
"Cousin, I hope you are well."
I have arrived safely in this small northern city. Following the instructions of Director Wang from the Beijing hospital, I've come to see that young traditional Chinese medicine doctor surnamed Ning. Ironically, this Dr. Ning looks exactly like you when you were young, especially your eyes—they're practically identical.
She wasn't very old, only around twenty, the same age as our lost child. Her medical skills were also exceptional; after just taking my pulse, she described my symptoms, which I had kept hidden for years, with perfect accuracy, and the prescription she gave was also very reasonable. She was also very considerate; knowing I was from out of town, she specially arranged for me to stay in the hospital's staff quarters, which was quiet and convenient.
However, I dared not rashly acknowledge her. Firstly, there are many people in the world who look alike, and I feared it might just be a misunderstanding. Secondly, Dr. Ning is already pregnant, and judging from the shape of her belly, she is probably due in only a month, and I was afraid that being abrupt would frighten her.
I want to observe her for a few more days to see what her background is. If it really is... my cousin, that would be wonderful.
Don't worry, I will inquire carefully and write to you as soon as I have any news.
Besides, I'm perfectly healthy. Dr. Ning said I was just overthinking things, and that drinking some herbal medicine and relaxing would be enough. He told me not to worry about it.
Written by my sister, Yu Jia!
After Yu Jia finished writing, she read it carefully again.
After confirming that nothing was missing, he carefully folded the letter.
Put it in an envelope, seal it, and carefully write Pei Li's name and address on it.
She glanced at the sun outside the window, guessing that the post office was still open, then picked up the envelope, locked the door, and walked out onto the street.
The hospital isn't far from the post office; just walk along a tree-lined path and turn a corner.
As Yu Jia walked, she suddenly heard a low voice coming from ahead, and one of the voices sounded somewhat familiar.
She paused, looking in the direction of the sound.
Not far away is a small park, where several tall sycamore trees with lush foliage provide shade.
Two people were sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree.
The man was tall and straight, wearing a crisp military uniform, with handsome features and a calm demeanor.
The woman was wearing a white lab coat, and it was Ning Tang, whom she had just met.
Yu Jia's heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively stopped and hid behind a sycamore tree not far away, her heart pounding.
I don't know what was going on, perhaps it was the inexplicable pull of blood ties.
She stood there, as if possessed, holding her breath.
The man in military uniform reached out and gently placed his hand on Ning Tang's stomach, his voice so gentle it could melt your heart: "You'll give birth in a month. While I'm away, you mustn't work so hard. Push the work in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department to Dr. Li and the others if you can. Don't always think about the patients; your own health is the most important thing."
Ning Tang tilted her head slightly, looking at Xu Qiaofeng with a faint smile on her lips.
That smile was full of tenderness and happiness, a stark contrast to her aloof demeanor in the consultation room just moments before.
"Got it. You too, be careful on this mission."
She raised her hand and gently stroked Xu Qiaofeng's cheek, her fingertips tracing the light stubble on his chin.
“The mountain roads are dangerous, and you’re impatient, so don’t always rush ahead. The baby and I are waiting for you to come home.”
Xu Qiaofeng took her hand, kissed it gently, his eyes filled with reluctance.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. This mission will take a maximum of ten days, and I'll be back as soon as possible."
He paused, then added his instructions.
"Remember to lock the door when you go to sleep at night. If you get hungry at night, go downstairs and find Aunt Zhang. Her chicken soup is delicious. Ask her to get you a bowl."
"Also, you're not allowed to eat anything cold anymore. I know you secretly ate an ice pop the other day."
Ning Tang blushed slightly at his words and gently punched him, saying, "I know, I know, you're even more long-winded than Grandma."
Although it was a complaint, the tone was full of sweetness.
Xu Qiaofeng chuckled softly, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head.
The two then exchanged some sweet words.
As the time to leave approached, they reluctantly parted ways.
——
Ning Tang is due to give birth in a month.
Since I have some free time today, I'm going to go see an OB-GYN.
She's been quite nervous ever since she found out she was carrying twins.
I was afraid something might happen.
In the 1970s, military hospitals were not very crowded, especially the obstetrics and gynecology department. Apart from people from the city, pregnant women from the countryside rarely came.
In addition, Ning Tang is a doctor at the hospital, so she didn't need to queue at all and went straight in for the examination.
When Dr. Zhang saw Ning Tang come in, he quickly stood up with a smile: "You silly girl, you're almost due and you're still not resting, you're still running here to see me."
Ning Tang, supporting her lower back, slowly sat down on the examination chair and smiled helplessly: "I'm pregnant with twins, so I'm always a little uneasy. I came here to have you take a look so I can feel more at ease."
As Dr. Zhang took out his stethoscope, he joked, "You're so meticulous. Don't worry, you're in good health and you take good care of yourself, the two little ones will definitely be fine."
As soon as he finished speaking, the stethoscope was already placed on Ning Tang's stomach.
The examination room fell silent instantly, with only the clear and strong fetal heartbeat remaining.
One sound after another, like small drumsticks, pounded so hard it softened one's heart.
Ning Tang subconsciously raised her hand and gently placed it on her stomach, her smile so tender it was almost overflowing.
Dr. Zhang listened for a while before putting away his stethoscope.
She carefully felt the baby's position again, and her brows gradually relaxed: "The baby's position is very good, both little ones are very well-behaved and developing very well, even stronger than twins of the same age."
She lowered her head and wrote in the medical record book, then instructed, "It's just that you're too stubborn. Try to avoid the work in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department if you can, and don't always push yourself. Twin births are more strenuous than single births, so you need to save up your strength beforehand."
Ning Tang nodded repeatedly: "I know, Sister Zhang, I'll remember. Xu Qiaofeng always talks about me, saying I'm someone who can't sit still."
After finishing writing the medical record, Dr. Zhang looked up at her and said, "By the way, your due date is next month. Prepare your hospital bag in advance to avoid any chaos later. I've already contacted the hospital. Just come over and I'll personally deliver your baby."
Ning Tang felt a warmth in her heart and grasped Dr. Zhang's hand, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Sister Zhang."
"Don't be so polite with me." Dr. Zhang waved his hand, then suddenly seemed to remember something.
"By the way, my sister-in-law came over the other day and said she knows an old craftsman who makes really soft little clothes and blankets, all made of pure cotton, which are perfect for babies to wear against their skin. If you don't mind, I'll bring you a couple of sets later."
"That's great, thank you, Sister Zhang." Ning Tang smiled, her eyes crinkling.
Both of them have finished their checkups.
There were no patients queuing outside the corridor for a while.
Dr. Zhang simply pulled Ning Tang directly into his office.
She first poured Ning Tang a cup of hot water, and then took out the White Rabbit milk candy she had bought some time ago.
This stuff is expensive. Even though she has a respectable job, she can't bear to eat it.
Dr. Zhang adored Ning Tang, this little girl, and naturally didn't feel bad about feeding her.
"By the way, aren't you already the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department? I think our Dean Gou wants to get the doctors in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department settled before you give birth, so that they won't be unruly when you're in postpartum confinement."
"The dean did mention it to me the other day, saying that two new apprentices had recently joined the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Dr. Li and Dr. Wang, whose qualifications are about the same. He wanted me to appoint a deputy group leader so that I could help share some of the workload."
Dr. Zhang pushed the sugar jar towards her, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
“You need to pay attention to this. Your belly is getting bigger and bigger. After you give birth and go through postpartum confinement, you won’t have the energy to deal with these trivial matters. If you choose a reliable deputy team leader, you can worry less about the daily operation of the TCM department in the future.”
Ning Tang unwrapped the candy and put the milk candy in her mouth.
She smiled and said, "I know what I'm doing. Dr. Li is a reliable person with solid medical skills, but he's a bit too soft-hearted and not good at managing people. Dr. Wang is quick-witted, but sometimes he's too eager for quick success and always thinking about going out for consultations to gain fame."
Dr. Zhang nodded in agreement: "That's right. A while ago, Dr. Wang asked me to put in a good word for you, hoping you could take him to the provincial TCM exchange conference. You didn't agree, did you?"
"No response." Ning Tang shook her head gently.
"That exchange meeting is for learning, but his mind isn't on that, so going would be a waste of his spot. On the other hand, Dr. Li, I saw him studying ancient books last time, pondering an old prescription for several days. His dedication is much stronger than Dr. Wang's."
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door, and Dr. Li's voice came from outside.
"Sister Zhang, is Director Ning here? The pharmacy has delivered some new astragalus, and we'd like Director Ning to take a look."
Dr. Zhang called out, "Come in."
Dr. Li pushed open the door and came in, holding an account book in his hands.
Seeing Ning Tang there, he was taken aback for a moment, then gave a simple and honest smile.
"Director Ning, you're here. This is newly arrived astragalus. I've checked it, and the quality is good, but the quantity is two jin less than ordered. The pharmacy would like to ask for your opinion."
Ning Tang took the ledger and flipped through a few pages, pointing her finger at the line of numbers: "It's okay if there are two pounds missing. This batch of astragalus is of very good quality. Let's put it into storage first. I'll have the purchasing department order some more later. In autumn and winter, qi-tonifying prescriptions are used a lot, so we don't want to run out of stock."
Dr. Li readily agreed, then chatted for a few more minutes about the daily routines of the Traditional Chinese Medicine department before turning to leave.
Dr. Zhang sighed as he watched Dr. Li walk away.
“Look at Dr. Li, he does everything himself without a single complaint. This is the kind of person who can truly help you stabilize the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
Ning Tang put down the ledger, her fingertips gently stroking her chin, lost in thought.
"That's what I was thinking too. In a couple of days, I'll talk to the dean about making Dr. Li the deputy team leader."
The two chatted for a while longer, and as the sun began to set, Ning Tang stood up, supporting her back.
"Sister Zhang, I should go back to the Traditional Chinese Medicine department. I still have a few medical records to review."
Dr. Zhang quickly stood up and helped her up: "Slow down, don't rush. By the way, how's your hospital bag preparation going? If you're missing anything, just tell me. My sister-in-law works at the supply and marketing cooperative and can buy a lot of in-demand items."
Ning Tang smiled and agreed: "It's almost ready. Xu Qiaofeng took a vacation recently and has already prepared the baby blankets and clothes. We're just waiting for the two little ones to be born."
Dr. Zhang looked on with envy and joked, "You're so lucky."
"Commander Xu is a handsome and talented man, and he treats you well. After you have children, the family of three, no, the family of five, will surely live a prosperous life."
Ning Tang was quite embarrassed.
She covered her flushed face and jokingly replied, "Your brother-in-law is really good to you. I heard that he carried you through the water when it rained before."
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