Chapter 271: Finding a Pig Castration Master
Ning Xiyue carefully put away the acceptance certificate in her hands and curiously looked toward the unfamiliar man at the door. She didn’t recognize him — he wasn’t from their production team.
The team leader, Zhang Dawei, who had still been smiling just a moment ago, immediately straightened his expression when he heard the voice. Seeing a familiar face outside, he stood up and greeted warmly:
“Oh, Old Huang! What brings you here today? What’s the matter? By the way, are you willing to trade one of those calves your team’s cow just had? Give one to our team!”
The middle-aged man at the door walked in, readily agreeing:
“Sure thing, come by later to get it. I actually came to ask you something.”
Seeing the man had business with the team leader, Ning Xiyue tactfully said, “Captain, I’ll head off first.”
“Yue girl,” Zhang Dawei called out just as she reached the door, “Don’t go too far. Wait for me in the next room. Once I finish here, I want to talk to you about your brother’s situation.”
“Alright, Captain.”
After Ning Xiyue left, Zhang Dawei poured the visitor a cup of water and pulled over a stool.
“Alright, Old Huang, tell me — what brings you here?”
“It’s our piglets,” the man surnamed Huang sighed, face full of worry. “They still haven’t been castrated, and it’s already been over a month and a half. I’m worried sick! Uncastrated pigs don’t put on fat no matter how much they eat — they’ll never meet the target weight by year-end!”
He sighed again. “Normally, you castrate piglets around thirty days old. I’d already made arrangements with that old master from Dahuai Team, but just before the scheduled day, he fell ill. It’s been half a month now and he’s not getting better — worse, actually. I went to see him myself. He can barely walk, just lying on the heated brick bed. His family said his brief recovery a few days ago was probably just a last flare — he doesn’t have much time left.”
Zhang Dawei frowned in sympathy. “Last year when one of our sows couldn’t give birth, we called him over. He was already ill then, but still full of energy. How’s he wasted away so fast in just a few months?”
He shook his head. Such a pity — the old veterinarian had been famous in the area since Zhang was a boy. Time really flew; the man must be over eighty now. Once so strong and vigorous — now fallen overnight.
“Like they say, illness strikes like a landslide,” Zhang muttered.
“Apparently he fell one night while getting up, and that made it worse,” Huang sighed. “And I don’t trust his son’s castration skills. He helped the neighboring team recently, and within two days, three piglets died — infection, they said. That’s no good! We only have eight piglets surviving this litter. If any die, we won’t meet our year-end quota.”
His eyes filled with desperate hope. “So I came to ask — I heard your team already finished castrating your piglets, and not one got hurt. Old Zhang, who did you hire? Can you recommend that master to me?”
He had heard from nearby teams that Dayu Team’s piglets were thriving — healthy, fat, and well-grown. They’d even traded a few piglets to neighboring teams, and anyone could tell at a glance they’d been properly castrated. That’s why he hurried here — his own pigs couldn’t wait any longer.
Zhang Dawei chuckled. What a coincidence. He set down his cup and jerked his chin toward the next room.
“You’ve come to the right place. The person who just left — that’s her. We call her for all the livestock issues in our team. Her pig castration work is quick, precise, and clean — as good as that old vet’s!”
“Really?” Old Huang stared in disbelief. “Zhang, don’t joke around. I’m about to lose my mind here. How could such a young girl possibly know how to castrate pigs? Be honest — who’s the real master? I’ll trade you that calf cheap if you tell me.”
He had seen the young woman just now — pretty, delicate, and clearly a city-educated youth. Pig castration was rough, bloody work that would scare most girls half to death. How could she be better than the old vet’s son? It seemed impossible.
Zhang Dawei scowled, clearly displeased. “You don’t believe me? That girl’s amazing. She’s our team’s barefoot doctor. In just half a year, her reputation here has surpassed mine. Whether treating people or animals, she’s first-rate.”
He grew more animated as he spoke, proud of Ning Xiyue. “Ask around Dahuai Team — everyone knows this girl’s got real skill. She’s smart and diligent, and her medical knowledge improves every day. If you don’t believe it, that’s your problem. Go hire whoever you want. But between you and me, her technique’s the best.”
Old Huang still looked doubtful, but Zhang’s sincere expression and confident tone made him hesitate. He thought of Dayu Team’s healthy pigs, and how people had indeed mentioned their barefoot doctor was capable. Finally, he decided to give it a try.
Seeing the man nod, Zhang felt a surge of satisfaction. Stroking his nonexistent beard, he took a sip of water and stood.
“Wait here. I’ll call her over.”
He walked away with pride swelling in his chest — he felt like he’d just outshone another team leader.
Leisurely entering the next room, he found Ning Xiyue by the window, smiling softly. He grinned. “Yue girl, you really did me proud today. That Huang fellow was so stunned he didn’t know what face to pull. Nearly made me laugh to death.”
“Huh? Captain, what are you talking about?” Ning Xiyue looked puzzled. She hadn’t a clue what he meant — how had she made him proud?
He chuckled mysteriously. “That man was Huang Dacai, team leader of Darong Team. He came looking for a pig castration master. I told him it was you.”
Lowering his voice, he leaned closer. “Didn’t you say a few days ago you wanted to raise three hens for eggs? Their team’s sideline is poultry farming. Most of the chicken sold at the town’s food counter comes from them. And I heard they just hatched a new batch of chicks. We’ll go talk to him about getting you three.”
“Alright. Thank you, Captain.” Ning Xiyue immediately understood and nodded. Buying already-hatched chicks was much safer than trying to incubate eggs herself.
“Let’s go then — no need to keep him waiting,” she said.
“It’s fine to let him wait a bit,” Zhang replied with a proud snort. “He didn’t believe us at first anyway. We’re not people he can just hire on a whim.”
He gave a satisfied humph — like an old rooster protecting its chicks.
Ning Xiyue couldn’t help but laugh; she’d never seen this playful side of her captain before. Clearly, sharing a few drinks earlier had changed the rapport between them.
Then Zhang turned serious again. “About your brother — since your educated youth dorm has plenty of empty rooms and no new arrivals, he can move in there soon. Once he starts working, just have him register at the brigade office.”
“Got it, thank you, Captain! I’ll tell him as soon as he’s back.” She was overjoyed — this was wonderful news.
“It’s nothing — would’ve happened sooner or later anyway,” Zhang waved it off. “Alright, let’s go meet Old Huang. Just follow my lead when we talk. Your three chicks — guaranteed. And that calf for our team — also as good as done.”
“Okay!”
The captain strode out first, with Ning Xiyue following closely behind, her heart full of anticipation for what was to come next.
