Chapter 161: I’ll Make Her Leave Right Now!
Hearing this, Ye Jiamei’s lips twitched, and she smacked Yu Luo on the chest.
“You little brat, teasing your mother? Why don’t you do it yourself?”
Yu Luo shrugged. “I thought Mom had improved after traveling through time. Clearly not. Dad’s calligraphy is way better than ours, yet you insisted on doing it yourself.
Honestly, we should just take that sign down and use it for firewood. It’s so bad that it might scare away potential patients. Let’s just have Dad write a new one.”
“No! I like it just the way it is! A medical clinic isn’t judged by calligraphy skills—if someone is so shallow that they care about my handwriting, then they can go find another doctor!”
Stubborn as always, Ye Jiamei refused to back down.
Seeing her father dutifully assisting their mother without a word of complaint, Yu Luo realized she had been meddling unnecessarily.
The next morning, before their family could even approach the other villagers, several families showed up at their cave entrance.
Originally, they wanted to discuss the work arrangements, but as soon as they arrived, they noticed the newly erected wooden sign.
“What’s Ye Jiamei up to? Is she planning to start charging us for medical treatment?”
Liu Mingxia’s wife, Zhao Qiuyue, could read. While Liu Lan was still squinting in confusion, Zhao Qiuyue read the sign aloud and seemed surprised.
“What did you say? You mean she’s charging us for medical treatment?”
The moment Liu Lan heard anything involving money, she became instantly anxious.
Out here in the wilderness, even wild herbs were scarce. If anyone in her family got sick, they’d have no choice but to rely on Ye Jiamei.
Now she was panicking.
Liu Lan pushed forward, pressing Zhao Qiuyue for details.
Zhao Qiuyue frowned, disgusted by Liu Lan’s greed. She smirked and said, “The sign only has four words. Do you really think it contains everything you just said?”
Liu Lan ignored the mockery, still obsessed with whether or not she’d have to pay.
“Then what does it say?”
“Meijia Medical Clinic.”
Zhao Qiuyue had barely finished speaking when Zhang Yuan, unable to tolerate Liu Lan’s attitude, chimed in.
“Even if she starts charging for treatment, that’s only fair. Medicine isn’t free. When we were exiled together, she gave us medicine without asking for anything in return. She’s already done more than enough.”
“Exactly!”
“But this family is obsessed with money! First, they charge us for food—and now this? That sign is clearly meant to warn us that they’ll be charging for treatment. I’ve never seen a family so stingy. And to think I’m even related to them!”
“Do you hear yourself, Liu Lan? Why should she treat you for free? It’s one thing to offer free consultations, but why should she give you medicine for free too?
You never even properly thanked her for delivering your grandson! Instead, you act entitled! You expect her to take care of you and your family forever?”
Zhao Qiuyue had had enough. She unleashed a brutal verbal smackdown on Liu Lan.
Of course, Liu Lan wasn’t one to back down—she immediately started arguing back.
Inside the cave, Yu Luo’s family heard everything.
Ye Jiamei’s expression darkened.
“This sign was never about them. But since they want to make it about themselves, fine—we’ll do everything by the book from now on. Liu Lan actually thinks I’m obligated to treat her?”
“Don’t be mad, wife. Most of them appreciate you. Liu Lan is just one bad apple. Remember, you didn’t even let her stop you from delivering Huang Xiaoju’s baby. You’re a doctor with integrity—there’s no need to stoop to her level.”
“Dad, stop trying to calm Mom down. Of course, she’s angry! But she’s right. From now on, we do things properly. We’re already giving them work opportunities—they earn their silver. If they constantly bring up past favors to guilt-trip us, it’ll be exhausting. Consultations should be free, but medicine costs should be paid. That’s only fair.”
Ye Jiamei glared at her husband before relaxing slightly.
“My daughter is absolutely right. Stick to the rules, avoid unnecessary trouble. We’re giving them jobs, which means they’re earning their own money. But some people will never be grateful—they just want to take advantage. This way, they won’t be able to complain.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll do whatever you two say. I never said she shouldn’t charge for medicine, did I? Charge away! But first, let’s go outside—they’ve been waiting long enough.”
When the family of three opened the cave door, the bickering outside immediately stopped.
“Liu Lan, if you want to argue, go somewhere else! It’s bad luck to hear your voice first thing in the morning!”
Ye Jiamei had put up with Liu Lan for long enough.
Now that she had crossed the line, Ye Jiamei coldly ordered her to leave.
“Apologies! That’s my fault—I’ll make her leave right now!”
Yu Shanhai had just arrived, confused as to why his wife had angered Ye Jiamei.
Seeing the situation, he immediately forced Liu Lan away.
The moment he reached her, he grabbed her arm and dragged her from the crowd.
“Alright, everyone’s seen the sign. It’s actually meant for all of the wilderness, not just for you. But since you’re now earning silver, I won’t tolerate another Liu Lan situation. I’ll treat everyone’s illnesses for free, but you must pay for medicine. Medicine takes resources to make—it doesn’t just fall from the sky.”
Hearing this, the crowd grew even more annoyed with Liu Lan.
But they understood Ye Jiamei’s reasoning.
“That’s completely fair!”
“Honestly, Ye Jiamei, you’ve already done so much for us. Paying for medicine is only right.”
Liu Mingxia nervously agreed, afraid that his wife might also say something wrong.
“You’re here to discuss work with my husband and daughter, right? Go outside and talk there. Our cave isn’t big enough for all of you.”
