Chapter 107: Cooperation
After helping Ji Yanming put his clothes back on, Ning Xiyue took the chance to give him a few reminders.
“Comrade Ji, I know you’re busy and have a lot going on, but you really need to pay attention to your injuries — especially that arm. It’s only a minor fracture, but you mustn’t overuse it before it’s fully healed.”
“Oh, right — how’s my big brother?”
“He’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”
Ning Xiyue nodded, then rummaged through her bag and pulled out a bunch of jars and bottles. She selected two of them and said, “These two are for you and Gangzi. If you can’t find time to come here, just apply this to your wounds. As for the rest, please give them to my big brother. When he runs out, tell him to let me know, and I’ll make more.”
Seeing all the injuries on Comrade Ji, she couldn’t help but wonder whether they had been fighting in the mountains or caught in a landslide. Just looking at the wounds made her nervous — she definitely needed to prepare more medicine for her brother.
When Ji Yanming looked at the two small jars on the right side of the table — meant for him and Gangzi — and then compared them to the large pile of bottles and jars on the left meant for Old Ning, his heart sank.
He suddenly realized that, in Ning Xiyue’s mind, he and Gangzi were weighted equally.
That pile on the table clearly represented the difference between “family” and “outsiders.”
Ji Yanming fell into deep thought — how could he win this woman over and raise his standing in her heart?
When Ning Xiyue noticed his silence, she added, “Of course, this whole batch is for all of you to use together. If you run out, just come find me.”
“Gangzi, stand guard outside,” Ji Yanming said seriously, his expression turning solemn as he looked at his comrade.
“Yes, sir.”
Gangzi, who had been watching the scene like it was a show, instantly switched into work mode. With perfect posture, he headed for the door. Once outside, he pretended to be just another patient and pulled Li Xiuxiu aside to chat or ask about medical procedures.
“Comrade Ji, do you have something to say to me?” Ning Xiyue asked curiously. His overly serious expression made her wonder what this was about.
Ji Yanming waited until he was sure the environment was secure before speaking.
“Mm, sit down. We can talk slowly.”
Ning Xiyue sat down calmly, watching Comrade Ji with composure as she waited for him to speak.
Ji Yanming pulled a roll of cash from his pocket and pushed it across the table toward her.
“We’ve all used your medicine. It’s excellent — works fast and heals well. It’s been a huge help to our team. Here’s 100 yuan as a reward. Please accept it.
“Also, I’ve already reported your medicine to the organization and even sent some samples back. We hope to establish a long-term cooperation.”
He looked at Ning Xiyue sincerely and seriously.
“If we were to hire you as an external health worker for our unit, would you be willing?”
Ning Xiyue felt a surge of happiness inside — so he had come to give her money and a job.
But outwardly, she remained calm and glanced at the money on the table without a hint of emotion. “Comrade Ji, there’s no need for a reward. I made this medicine for my big brother — I can’t accept payment for that.”
This money was probably from Ji himself — unofficial and likely not by the book. She wasn’t about to take it so easily. But if phrased differently, she could accept it.
“However, if your unit is hiring me as an external health worker, I’d be more than happy to accept. And if this money is considered my salary and stipend, then I’ll gladly take it,” she said with a smile. She didn’t hide the fact that she liked money — but only when it was rightfully earned.
“Then let’s go with that. Take it,” Ji Yanming said with a small, warm smile.
Once he received an official reply from the organization, he was sure she’d be even happier. He wasn’t worried about approval — he was 90% confident it would go through, and he had already received instructions from a superior.
Seeing Ning Xiyue happily accept the 100 yuan made Ji Yanming even happier than if he had gotten a promotion himself.
Holding the money, Ning Xiyue continued, “But you know, aside from making some simple medicine, I’m only at the level of a barefoot doctor. I can’t do much beyond that — just provide you with these homemade ointments. Whenever I make something new, I can send you a batch. But my skills aren’t very stable — they fluctuate a lot. So I just wanted to ask, are there any requirements for this external position? I’m worried I might not be qualified.”
“Don’t worry. All we need from you is the medicine you make. You don’t have to handle anything else. Like you said, just send us new medicines whenever you make them. There won’t be any restrictions — you can continue doing things exactly as you are now.”
What he valued most was the effectiveness of Ning Xiyue’s medicine. Their tests had shown that her remedies were significantly better than the ones their internal system provided. Even though they were a bit rough in preparation, the results were impressive — at least 20% more effective than their existing treatments.
This was a major breakthrough — one the higher-ups wouldn’t ignore. That’s why he wanted to secure her cooperation in advance.
“That’s fine by me. Don’t worry, Comrade Ji — I’ll do my best as your external team member, keep everything confidential, and provide the best medicine I can.” That was exactly what she wanted.
After speaking, Ning Xiyue pulled out half of the stockpile from her bag and piled it onto the table. “Take these back with you. It’s better to have more on hand. I’ll gather more herbs and make a new batch soon. You can come pick it up when you have time.”
Ning Xiyue felt happier than ever — she had cast her fishing line far, and now the fish was halfway hooked.
She knew no one could resist effective medicine, especially those devoted to serving their country.
She was earning money, contributing to the nation, and helping her big brother — she was more than happy to do it all.
“Comrade Ji, I look forward to your good news.”
Ji Yanming gathered up the medicine and nodded. “Mm. As soon as the organization has a definite answer, I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you.”
With that, their business was concluded. Since they still had matters to attend to in the mountains, Ji Yanming and Gangzi didn’t linger any longer. They slipped away quietly, avoiding the crowd as they headed back.
[Ding! Mission complete: ‘Saving a Life Is Greater Than Building a Seven-Story Pagoda.’
Sign-in successful. You have gained 1,000 system points.]
[New system feature unlocked: You can now check in at previously visited locations directly from the system map without physically going there.]
[Note: You have two direct map check-ins per day, with no cooldown.]
What a powerful new feature!
Since she hadn’t used her three sign-in opportunities yet today, Ning Xiyue split a bit of her consciousness and opened the icons of locations she’d already checked into.
She selected Yangzhi Nectar at the Big Willow Tree and Yue County People’s Hospital near her home.
[Ding! Sign-in successful. At the Big Willow Tree, you obtained an upgraded version of Yangzhi Nectar. New effect: Brain Enhancement.]
[Ding! Sign-in successful. At Yue County People’s Hospital, you obtained a set of silver needles. Acupuncture skill infusion complete.]
Wait — the rewards from this new feature were different from last time!
Ning Xiyue felt a rush of joy as acupuncture and massage techniques flooded into her mind.
What a pleasant surprise — she now knew how to do it without ever studying.
Her heart blossomed with happiness.
Even explaining basic tasks and common knowledge to the clueless Li Xiuxiu suddenly felt enjoyable.
“Xiuxiu, that’s pretty much the workflow and main tasks. It’s all small stuff — once you’re familiar with it, it’ll be easy. Look over the existing records on your own first, and if you have any questions, just ask me. We’ll handle the rest step by step.”
“Okay, Xiyue. Go do your work — I’ll read on my own.”
Full of enthusiasm, Li Xiuxiu grabbed the old documents from the clinic and buried herself in them.
Seeing her so motivated, Ning Xiyue picked up some herbs, went into the consultation room, and brought out the medicine pot and some basic tools. Then she headed into the courtyard to start making medicine.
