Chapter 302: The First Visitor After the Clinic Opened
After lunch break, it was time for afternoon work.
Ning Xiyue walked slowly to the clinic, carrying a water bottle and a small bag.
By the time she arrived, Li Xiuxiu was already inside the clinic, wiping the tables with a cloth. Seeing Ning Xiyue arrive, she ran a few steps to the door, calling out happily:
“Xiyue, you’re here!”
“Hmm, you came early. Everything’s already tidied up… wow, so much done, very proactive,” Ning Xiyue commented, casually brushing the table. It was clean, no dust, and other areas showed signs of being wiped; water marks were visible on the countertop.
She probably came straight after lunch to clean. This little girl was really enthusiastic about work—unlike Ning Xiyue, who preferred to arrive as late as possible, just on time, never a minute early.
Li Xiuxiu smiled delicately. “I had nothing to do, so I thought I’d come early to tidy up.”
Ning Xiyue grabbed a cloth, wrung it out in water, and joined her: “Xiuxiu, what else hasn’t been cleaned?”
“I’ve cleaned all the outer rooms. Only the inner room is left. The cobwebs on the ceiling and the floor have been cleaned, just haven’t wiped the surfaces yet,” Li Xiuxiu said, squatting to wash the cloth before pointing to the rest area at the bottom left.
“Okay, I’ll wipe it,” Ning Xiyue replied, walking inside with the cloth. Li Xiuxiu carried her basin in after her.
The two worked together and within about ten minutes had wiped the entire room clean.
Then Ning Xiyue and Li Xiuxiu took a dustpan and brought out the slightly damp medicinal herbs from the cabinet to air them out in the yard.
While they were airing the herbs, the clinic received its first visitor since opening this year.
“Excuse me, is Dr. Ning available?”
Ning Xiyue froze mid-motion, looking up. A pair of small, polished leather shoes caught her eye. In this dusty rural area full of mud, the shoes were spotless, looking almost new.
Shoes could reveal something about their owner—clean, meticulous, attentive to details.
Ning Xiyue’s first thought was that this person wasn’t from the team; they were likely connected to the mining team—probably an officer.
Her gaze moved up to see the person standing at the door.
At the clinic entrance stood a female in a khaki uniform, her hair neatly combed, around thirty years old. She leaned slightly forward toward Ning Xiyue, wearing a polite smile. Her gentle features made her smile feel sincere, while a faint firmness in her expression gave the impression of a pure, noble character, like a white plum blooming in the cold winter.
Two pens were tucked into her right pocket. Her clothing was standard but her demeanor stood out.
It was clear she had military training or came from a military family—a cultured and intellectual person.
Ning Xiyue wondered when their team had gained such a naturally authoritative officer—she had never seen her before. Perhaps she arrived today?
Though many thoughts raced through her mind, Ning Xiyue’s body reacted immediately. She set the dustpan on the rack to the right and, standing with composure, said, “Hello, I’m Ning Xiyue. How can I help you?”
She glanced at Li Xiuxiu, still frozen with surprise, signaling her to bring out a bench.
Li Xiuxiu, as if waking from a dream, carried a long bench from the clinic and placed it in front of Ning Xiyue. “Please sit, comrade.”
“Thank you,” the woman replied politely, adjusting her clothing, and sat gracefully. Her face maintained a gentle smile as she introduced herself:
“Hello, Dr. Ning. My name is Bai Yu. You can call me Sister Bai or Sister Yu. I am currently a geological survey engineer for the local mining team. I came to discuss something with you—may I have ten minutes of your time? Sorry for disturbing you.”
Indeed, she was a cultured professional. A geological survey engineer was an impressive position—truly a role model for women.
Ning Xiyue smiled unconsciously at her profession.
“Of course, Sister Bai. Let’s go inside to talk,” Ning Xiyue said, standing and inviting her into the clinic.
Judging by her identity, the matter was likely related to the mining team—it wasn’t convenient to discuss outside.
They entered the consultation room to talk. Li Xiuxiu respectfully went out into the yard to air herbs, not disturbing them.
Inside, Ning Xiyue grabbed a clean cup and poured water for her guest.
Once seated, Ning Xiyue spoke first:
“Sister Bai, please tell me what brings you here. No one will disturb us here.”
She was genuinely curious about why this mining team officer had come to see her today.
