Chapter 11 This doctor is very dedicated
After finishing breakfast, Lin Xili went outside the gate to take a motorcycle taxi to the health center.
Just then, a car stopped in front of her. She recognized it; it was the car Huo Nanchen had driven her home yesterday.
Huo Nanchen rolled down the car window, leaned out, and asked her, "Are you getting ready to go out?"
"Okay, I'm going to take a motorcycle taxi to the health center."
"Health center?"
"Yes, I want to see you for a checkup and decide to get iodine-131 treatment."
Huo Nanchen was stunned for a moment, because he had to make a trip to the health center just to inform her of the decision.
Then, recalling her hesitant manner that morning, he instantly understood.
"It's decided. Just do as we said yesterday: stop taking methimazole, strictly avoid iodine, and go to the health center to have your iodine intake tested in a month. You don't need to make another special trip."
"Mm," Lin Xili replied.
Just as the car window was about to roll up, Lin Xili blurted out, "Dr. Huo, when... do you take a day off?"
After asking the question, she paused for a moment, then felt a little uncomfortable.
Why did she ask that?
Huo Nanchen was clearly a little surprised. He rolled down the car window, which was halfway up, and looked at her again. "I go to work every day."
He paused, then asked, "Is there something you need?"
His directness made Lin Xili a little embarrassed, so she quickly made up an excuse, "No... nothing, just asking, so that next time I go there, it won't be a wasted trip if you're on break."
This reason sounds reasonable.
"The health center is open every day, but the iodine-131 solution needs to be approved and distributed by the province, so it's not always available. Before you come, you can call the clinic in advance to ask if the solution has arrived, so you don't make a wasted trip. The contact information is on the first page of the report."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you."
Lin Xili nodded, but felt a little annoyed by her abrupt question earlier.
"Um."
Huo Nanchen gave her one last look, rolled up the car window, and drove away.
Lin Xili stood there, watching the car disappear into the distance.
Going to work every day... this doctor is almost too dedicated.
Doesn't he need to rest?
Or is this small town clinic really so short-staffed? After all, rural medical resources are scarce.
Or perhaps... he simply fills all his time with work?
She shook her head, stopping herself from continuing these pointless speculations.
They were simply doctor and patient, nothing more.
Choosing iodine-131 is like opening a door to the unknown.
There is a 98% chance of a cure, but also a 2% chance of needing lifelong medication.
Huo Nanchen's confidence gave her some courage, but who could really predict the final outcome?
She looked up at the sunrise in the sky; a new day had officially begun.
One month.
She has a month to adjust her mindset, adapt to life here, and then face that decisive moment.
Now, the first thing to do is learn how to drive an electric car, since there are no ride-hailing services or buses here, making travel very inconvenient.
She found a shop that rented out electric bikes. The shop was small, but it was clean and tidy, with various models of electric bikes lined up in brand new, shiny rows.
A kind-looking proprietress in her forties was wiping the car seats with a rag.
Upon seeing a customer arrive, they immediately greeted her warmly: "Young lady, would you like to look at electric scooters? Rent or buy?"
Lin Xili nodded and asked, "Boss lady, do you sell your cars here?"
She originally intended to rent one, but considering the at least one month of recuperation and possible follow-up appointments, owning her own vehicle seemed more cost-effective and offered more freedom.
"For sale!" The proprietress smiled even more enthusiastically and stepped forward. "What style would you like to see? For commuting or to stock up?"
"I just use it for daily commuting, to the health center or for a stroll around the neighborhood."
Lin Xili answered truthfully, "By the way, do I need a driver's license to ride this kind of electric bike?"
She had always driven a car in Hong Kong and was unfamiliar with the regulations for electric vehicles, fearing that driving without a license here would cause trouble.
The proprietress laughed upon hearing this and waved her hand, "Don't worry, all our electric bikes meet the new national standards and don't require a driver's license. Once you buy one, we can get the white license plate on you right away. The procedures are very simple, and you can drive it away very quickly!"
Hearing this, Lin Xili felt much more at ease.
She spotted a sleek, light green electric scooter of a suitable size and pointed at it, asking, "So...madam, could you teach me how to drive it?"
She added somewhat embarrassedly, "I've never used it before."
"No problem, this is easy, I can learn it in no time!"
The proprietress was happy to help after making a sale.
She deftly pushed the car out and patiently explained to Lin Xili: "Look, this is the keyhole. Turn it on to turn on the power, or you can use your phone to sense it. I'll help you bind it with NFC later. Just twist the handlebar on your right and it will move."
"Don't twist the handlebars all the way at first. Adjust your speed according to the road conditions. When you stop, release the handlebars. This is the brake, available in both hands. Remember to use the left rear brake first for more stability..."
Lin Xili listened attentively and, under the guidance of the proprietress, tried riding around the open space in front of the shop twice.
She hadn't expected that electric bikes would be so simple and convenient to operate, saving her effort and being faster than bicycles; they were indeed an excellent mode of transportation in this small town.
Considering that it was quite a distance from the guesthouse to the health center, and walking would take too much time, she inquired about the battery life.
The shop owner recommended this model with a range of 80 kilometers, which was more than enough for her, as she only stayed in and around the town.
"This one will do." Lin Xili said without further hesitation.
The price also surprised her; at only 2,800 yuan, it was quite affordable compared to the cost of living in Hong Kong.
After paying, the proprietress asked her to show her ID card, and then she went through the system.
After finishing the file upload, she quickly and efficiently installed the license plate while saying:
"There's a designated parking area for electric vehicles behind your guesthouse, with a charging station. Just charge it when the battery indicator shows only one bar left. If you have any problems, feel free to come and find me!"
"Okay, thank you, boss lady!"
Holding her own electric scooter key, Lin Xi felt a strange sense of security welling up inside her.
This is not just a means of transportation; it's more like a sense of independence and control that she has fought for in this unfamiliar town.
She climbed onto the car seat, took a deep breath, and tried using her phone to unlock it. Sure enough, the lock opened, and she drove smoothly towards the guesthouse.
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