Chapter 251: Making a Name for Themselves in Yongchuan Commune
During their casual chat, the group had already arrived at the ward door.
Ning Xiyue saw Taotao peeking with his little head, looking toward the door. When he saw her, his eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his face.
But as soon as she stepped into the room, Taotao’s expression changed. His smile vanished, he pursed his lips high like he could hang an oil bottle on them, and turned his head to the side with a slightly haughty, tsundere-like expression, refusing to speak.
Was the little boy mad at her? How adorable.
“Taotao, long time no see. Have you missed your sister? I’ve been thinking about you every day.”
Ning Xiyue wanted to tease the child a little. Taotao finally had a normal childlike demeanor, even throwing little tantrums — progress indeed.
Compared with the last time she saw him here, he was very different. His family had clearly cared for him with attention and patience, giving him enough security to open up so quickly. His change was remarkable.
“Hmph!”
Taotao didn’t answer Ning Xiyue’s words. He snorted twice through his nose and turned away again, but his eyes never left her. His little expressions were irresistibly cute.
“This child was just thinking about you,” Li Jie said embarrassedly to Ning Xiyue, who shook her head, signaling it didn’t matter. She probably understood why the child was upset.
Mayor Huang walked over, crouching slightly to coax Taotao: “Taotao, don’t you think about your sister every day? Why won’t you answer her now that she’s talking to you? We can’t be rude children, you know.”
Ning Xiyue pulled from her bag the small cat she had promised to make for Taotao last time. It was sewn from blue cloth, stuffed with cotton. It was a little ugly, but it was made with her own hands.
“Taotao, look what sister brought you — a little cat.”
She sat beside him with a smile, placing the doll in his lap and apologizing:
“Sister had to leave today and say goodbye. Don’t be mad at me. Can you forgive me?”
Seeing the little cat, Taotao couldn’t hold back anymore. He turned his head toward it, eyes glancing at the doll, and smiled: “Then I forgive you for the sake of the little cat.”
After saying that, he buried himself in playing with the cat, holding it carefully with his much-improved arms. He gradually moved the cat to sit next to the little bear, arranging them in a line. Once placed, the child’s smile was radiant.
Since the child was soothed, Ning Xiyue spoke no more and began today’s acupuncture session.
With the experience from last time and her extensive practice on the trial-robot, this session was quicker and less exhausting than before.
Comrade Li once again brought out a bag of medicinal powder, performing the same routine as last time. No one asked questions this time; everything went smoothly — done in one go.
This time, Taotao didn’t need to sleep. He watched Ning Xiyue’s acupuncture and medicine application energetically, showing no pain or fear, eyes wide open, completely focused.
Ning Xiyue was amazed at his reaction.
During her time at the health station, other children often came for treatment. While taking medicine was fine, once injections were involved, they cried miserably, as if she were some kind of monster.
This had made the kids who liked her at first now terrified of her. Somehow, her needle reputation had spread from one child to another, exaggerating her image into some kind of fearsome figure.
Now, whenever children from the team saw her, they ran away shouting, “Doctor Ning’s here, run!”
Some parents even used her to scare disobedient children at home — very effective.
Ning Xiyue was a bit frustrated; she might be the only female sent-down youth whose arrival made all the team’s children tremble.
Only Gou Dan seemed unafraid. The rest had even made a rhyming chant mocking her — infuriating.
So seeing Taotao fearless and earnest brought her great relief. Finally, another child besides Gou Dan wasn’t afraid of her.
A wave of emotion surged — weirdly touching.
Shaking off the feeling, Ning Xiyue reminded herself not to let those brats affect her. From another perspective, she was unbeatable — the most feared woman in the entire team.
Being invincible was lonely, but… also a little satisfying.
Ning Xiyue happily continued playing with Taotao for a while. Ning Qingyuan gradually joined in, and Taotao didn’t resist. By the time they left, Ning Qingyuan had become familiar with Taotao.
Mayor Huang’s attitude toward Ning Qingyuan also changed significantly — from mere polite greetings to chatting and laughing as they left the hospital.
Despite their age difference of just seven or eight years, Ning Qingyuan handled the conversation well. Mayor Huang not only remembered him but also treated him like a brother.
Whether sincere or not, it was a very good start.
Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan left satisfied.
For the next two months, Ning Xiyue always had her brother accompany her when treating Taotao — perfectly normal for a young woman going out with family.
By the end of the first month, Mayor Huang helped Taotao complete discharge procedures, returning home.
In the second month, Ning Xiyue only needed to treat Taotao in the commune’s family housing behind the hospital — much more convenient.
She and her brother also met more local officials of the commune and their family members, thanks to Li Jie introducing them — valuable connections.
Her relationship with Mayor Huang’s family progressed rapidly, becoming very good friends. She had essentially made a name for herself in Yongchuan Commune.
The two months flew by. Without realizing it, it was early spring — a season of revival.
This also marked Taotao’s final acupuncture session. Mayor Huang’s family was excited, watching Ning Xiyue attentively as she worked.
When it was finished, Taotao’s parents cried with joy, tears streaming as they looked at their child.
“All done. Next time sister comes, she won’t bring needles, and Taotao can play freely. I hope you can be happy every day.”
Ning Xiyue patted Taotao’s fuzzy head, genuinely happy for him. The child had finally regained his joy and normalcy.
“Thank you so much,” Li Jie said, rushing over to hug Ning Xiyue, constantly expressing gratitude.
“Xiyue, Qingyuan, today you two should stay for lunch — let’s celebrate Taotao together,” Mayor Huang said, inviting the siblings.
Seeing Taotao’s eager little gaze, Ning Xiyue smiled and accepted: “All right, we’ll join you.”
“Thank you, Brother Huang, Li Jie,” Ning Qingyuan said, smiling and saluting politely.
“I’m so glad! Now my brother and sister can stay and play with me a while,” Taotao exclaimed, jumping up, holding Ning Xiyue’s hand with one hand and Ning Qingyuan’s with the other, swinging excitedly.
“Look how happy Taotao is,” Li Jie said cheerfully. “But first, let’s eat. After that, you can play.”
Li Jie had already prepared lunch — not just to celebrate Taotao, but also as a thank-you meal.
At that moment, Comrade Li arrived. Li Jie went to fetch dishes from the kitchen, while Mayor Huang led the group to the living room.
During the meal, chatting at the table, Mayor Huang shared some news that greatly excited Ning Xiyue and her brother.
