Chapter 304: The Pancake Plan Succeeds
“Xiyue, I heard the sesame balls you make are very good for health. Could you trade some with me? You know my stomach isn’t great. I could take some back and eat them when I’m hungry, help my digestion, and it would give Brother Zhou one less thing to worry about.”
Bai Yu’s voice was so soft that Ning Xiyue had to strain to hear it, almost as if she were whispering a secret. If someone didn’t know, they might think she was sneaking around.
Could it be that this was the real reason she came today, and all the previous talk was just a prelude? Ning Xiyue thought to herself.
But that was just her personal speculation. She had always been cautious about the sudden job offered out of the blue. Though outwardly appearing convinced, a small doubt lingered deep in her heart.
Still, Ning Xiyue happily agreed. Trading sesame balls with her would do no harm—it was just like seeing patients or dispensing medicine. Many people on the team had already eaten her sesame balls.
“Sure, I happen to have a jar in my bag. You can take it back with you.”
Ning Xiyue reached into her small bag and handed a jar of sesame balls to Bai Yu.
“Thank you.”
Bai Yu’s eyes lit up visibly as she accepted the jar. She opened it, inhaled the fragrant aroma of sesame, and a bright smile spread across her face.
After the trade, the jar of sesame balls officially belonged to Bai Yu. She reopened the lid and tried one.
“The taste is wonderful, Xiyue. You could make more next time, and I’ll trade for them again.”
Ning Xiyue’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. “That depends on fate. It’s not guaranteed. These may be small, but they’re made with a lot of ingredients—all healthy, beneficial things.”
“I’ll have to ration this jar then,” Bai Yu said, putting the jar away. She chatted with Ning Xiyue a while longer before leaving the clinic.
But not even half an hour later, she returned—this time accompanied by the team leader.
Bai Yu hadn’t lied: the team leader had indeed agreed to have Ning Xiyue serve as an external doctor for the mining team. They had settled the details: from now on, medical costs for purchasing herbs and medicines would be split evenly between the mining team and their own team, and herbal ingredients would be gathered according to Ning Xiyue’s needs.
Ning Xiyue’s original work remained unaffected; only the workload increased slightly, as she now had to prepare seasonal preventative tonics for the mining team.
The mining team would pay her separately, and her team’s benefits remained unchanged.
In other words, she now had her work points, an extra salary, and meals at the canteen.
This was truly a desirable arrangement.
From her perspective, it was like another small team merged into their Daliu team—a few extra people, but it didn’t affect her much.
It was clear that the authorities paid extraordinary attention to coal mining here. Energy was one of the nation’s most scarce resources, and the reserves here were enormous. This was also why there was a secret underground laboratory nearby. The authorities took this place very seriously.
Ning Xiyue’s contribution—both in medicine and in other accomplishments—had put her on the authorities’ radar, so receiving this opportunity was no surprise.
Bai Yu knew a little about this but couldn’t speak freely.
Although Ning Xiyue had initial doubts about the sudden job offer, she was mostly happy. With the team leader’s agreement, she had nothing to fear—one word: perfect.
The three reached a consensus, and the matter was officially settled. In the presence of the team leader, Ning Xiyue became an external member of the mining team.
With her covert work in the background, she now had three jobs.
Truly, a skilled person is valued wherever they go.
Bai Yu took the handwritten agreement back to have it stamped, so the team leader remained.
Ning Xiyue poured him a glass of water while her mind contemplated something.
Since meals were now guaranteed, she didn’t need to worry about food rations. There was no need to earn extra work points or overexert herself. She could enjoy life, learn when she wished, and help patients with minor ailments leisurely—how wonderful.
Her eyes brightened as she looked at the team leader.
“Team Leader, do you think I can skip morning work now?”
Sitting beside him, Ning Xiyue explained her idea carefully.
“Here’s my thought: with the mining team’s support, I won’t have to worry about food anymore. I can spend more time collecting herbs, learning medicine, and improving my skills—becoming a better barefoot doctor. I’ll still earn work points, but instead of ten for full work, just five. How about it, Team Leader?”
The team leader agreed without hesitation:
“Sure, let’s do that. Work was always just for food. Since you don’t need to worry about eating, I see no reason to stop you. The team doesn’t lack you. Starting tomorrow, we’ll follow your plan—five work points per day.”
Zhang Dawei thought this was actually better. Letting educated youth utilize their strengths to help the team was far more practical than forcing them into farm labor they weren’t suited for.
With Ning Xiyue’s improved medical skills, the team could only benefit. Her food rations were covered by the mining team, so there was no loss—only gain.
The more Zhang Dawei thought about it, the more pleased he became. He patted Ning Xiyue’s shoulder encouragingly:
“Xiyue, work hard. Our team clinic relies on you. The health of all our members is in your hands.”
Ning Xiyue saluted happily:
“Thank you, Team Leader. I will study diligently and safeguard the health of our team members and the miners.”
Ah, the “pancake plan” was a success! She no longer needed to worry about farm work during busy seasons.
From now on, whether it was planting season or idle season, fieldwork was no longer her concern. She could sit in the clinic at ease and focus on her work.
