NOVEL WEB Episode 44 Acknowledging Glances
The next morning.
In the countryside, people wake up very early. As soon as the sky brightened, most were already awake. They looked out their windows and noticed it was still raining. Knowing there wouldn't be any work to rush for today, they decided to go back to sleep for a bit longer.
Just as they lay down, they heard voices outside.
"Hey, the clinic doctors have come to the village for a health check-up! They’re at the main hall. If you're sick, grab your health book and some money and hurry over for treatment. They’ll be leaving by noon!"
The voice echoed, repeating over and over from near and far.
Grandpa Zhang was still feverish. Upon hearing this, he groggily opened his eyes and asked, “Who’s shouting outside?”
Grandma Zhang was busy dressing their puppy and grumbled, “Who else? It’s that kid, Degui.”
Grandpa Zhang squinted out the window and coughed, “Cough. Did the doctors come to the village?”
Grandma Zhang snapped back, “It’s barely dawn. Do you think the doctors flew over? That Degui is so thoughtless. He's grown up, but still talks nonsense!”
Grandpa Zhang let out a disappointed sigh, feeling short of breath. After coughing twice, he said, “Cough... That brat needs a good beating from his father.”
No sooner had he said this than Yang Degui’s voice echoed again.
“The medicine has been brought to the village too! After you see the doctor, you can get your prescription filled right here. No need to travel to the town! The sooner you take the medicine, the sooner you’ll get better!”
Grandpa Zhang closed his eyes in frustration, muttering, “That rascal... his father should really give him a beating!”
...
Yang Degui went around shouting, but no patients came out. The kid was almost on the verge of tears.
“Did you slack off and not shout properly?” Yang’s father was so furious he was about to hit him again.
Yang Degui protested, “I went! I called out to the whole village. You heard me too, didn’t you?”
Yang's father asked, “Then why didn’t anyone come?”
Yang Degui was close to banging his head against the wall. “How should I know?”
Seeing his father’s temple veins bulging, with fists ready to fly, Gao-Yuan quickly interjected, “Maybe it’s because Degui has a reputation for being unreliable, so nobody believes him. Plus, it's not like doctors have ever rushed to our village overnight to treat patients before.”
Yang’s father nodded, realizing the logic, and then scolded, “This is what you get for not doing things properly!”
After chastising his son, Yang’s father took matters into his own hands and called out to the village himself.
Yang Degui stood there, sulking, casting a resentful glance at Gao-Yuan before turning away with a huff.
Once Yang’s father made his rounds, it worked. The sick villagers slowly began to emerge one by one.
Uncle Zhang kept peeking outside, “Are they really here?”
Aunt Zhang, coughing continuously, replied, “Do you think the village chief would lie to you?”
“They really came overnight, huh? It rained nonstop after midnight.” Uncle Zhang couldn’t believe it. He had been so sure the doctors wouldn’t come, yet here they were, braving the rain!
Aunt Zhang struggled to get up, coughing as she said, “I’ll... cough... I’ll get my health book. Finally, the doctors are here. Why are they so enthusiastic this time? They’ve never been like this before.”
Uncle Zhang paused for a moment, then said, “It’s because of Gao-Yuan.”
“What?” Aunt Zhang was surprised.
Uncle Zhang explained, “In the past, we didn’t have Gao-Yuan in the clinic.”
Aunt Zhang was stunned into silence.
The other patients in the village also made their way to the main hall, amazed and grateful for the doctors' efforts.
Everyone was deeply touched.
When the villagers arrived at the hall, they were greeted by an impressive team—everyone was there, except Liu Sanquan. But this time, Gao-Yuan was with them.
Seeing Gao-Yuan among the group, the villagers, who had been full of excitement and gratitude, suddenly hesitated, unsure of what to do.
“What’s wrong?” Li Shengli looked around, puzzled by their reaction.
Zhao Huanzhang also glanced at Gao-Yuan, noticing the subtle dimming in his expression.
At that moment, Grandpa Yang, leaning on his cane, walked out again and spoke up, “You people really ought to thank Gao-Yuan. It’s Gao-Yuan who led these doctors here, braving the rain and trekking over dozens of miles overnight to treat us!”
The crowd looked at him in astonishment.
Zhao Huanzhang gave them a serious nod of confirmation.
The villagers finally began to understand. No wonder things were so different this time—it was because of him!
Grandpa Yang continued, “These doctors arrived just past midnight last night. They’ve barely slept three hours and are already up again. Have you seen all the medicine they brought with them? In the past, we had to walk for miles to town to fill our prescriptions after receiving a diagnosis.”
“But this time, they brought the medicine here. As soon as we get our prescription, we can take the medicine immediately. And that’s all thanks to Gao-Yuan, who went all the way to the county and fought hard to get us this deal with the medicine company.”
The villagers stared at Gao-Yuan, speechless.
Grandpa Yang, thumping his cane in frustration, said, “Do you know how much hardship Gao-Yuan went through for you? And now you just stand here, hesitant? What more do you need to trust him?”
“Would your own sons brave the rain and walk dozens of miles overnight to get you a doctor and medicine? Would they travel all the way to the county, begging the medicine company to extend us credit for so much medicine?”
“Even your own sons couldn’t do that! But Gao-Yuan, he did it for you! Is there anyone better in our village than this young man? Is there? Show me one!”
The villagers, shamed by Grandpa Yang’s scolding, couldn’t lift their heads.
They were moved by his words. It was true—even their own children might not have been able to do what Gao-Yuan had done for them. How could they still hesitate?
Gao-Yuan’s expression remained calm as he said, “When we doctors first begin learning medicine, we take an oath to relieve the suffering of the people. This is nothing; don’t think too much of it. Come on, let’s not waste any more time.”
Grandpa Zhang was the first to step forward, coughing as he spoke to Gao-Yuan, “Cough... Gao-Yuan... You cured our puppy last time, and I didn’t even get to thank you. Now this old body of mine needs your help again.”
Gao-Yuan waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was no trouble.
Grandpa Zhang, moved, said, “From now on... cough cough... no matter what anyone says, I’ll never believe you’re a traitor. You’re a good young man, the best of the best! If you’re a traitor, then what does that make the rest of us?”
Gao-Yuan looked up at the emotional Grandpa Zhang, then at the other villagers standing behind him.
This time, as Gao-Yuan’s gaze met theirs, they didn’t shy away. Instead, they nodded at him, seriously and with recognition.
For the first time, Gao-Yuan felt his nose tingle with emotion. All the hardships he’d endured suddenly seemed insignificant under their acknowledging gazes.
He had finally earned their approval!
Shen Congyun, witnessing the scene, felt a strange pang of dissatisfaction. He muttered under his breath, “I treat the patients with just as much care, but why don’t they look at me like that?”
Li Shengli glanced at him and said, “The people aren’t blind. They know who genuinely cares for them. If you exchange your sincerity for theirs, they’ll recognize it. But if all you do is drone on, they’ll just find you annoying.”
Shen Congyun was left speechless.