Chapter 163: Why didn't Educated Youth Xu play by the rules and expose her shortcomings?

Ignoring the quiet squabbling between the couple, Xu Lin walked briskly to Granny's bedside.

First, she checked Granny's complexion, then examined her pupils, and finally observed her tongue.

After a careful and thorough examination, Xu Lin let out a sigh of relief. Although the elderly woman was unconscious, her life was not in danger.

Furthermore, as long as the treatment was administered promptly, there would be no lingering paralysis as a sequela.

Having confirmed the condition, Xu Lin first retrieved a slice of ginseng from her medical box and slipped it into Granny's mouth, then took out her silver needles, preparing for acupuncture.

Upon seeing the slice of ginseng, the village doctor's pupils constricted. Ginseng—that was a precious herb used to sustain life in critical moments.

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask a question, but fearing that he might disturb Xu Lin, he silently closed it again.

The villagers crowded around the doorway also let out soft gasps of astonishment upon seeing this, their eyes filled with gratitude as they looked at Xu Lin.

Willing to use ginseng to save someone—it seemed that the educated youth Xu was truly determined to save Granny.

Oh, the educated youth Xu was indeed as wonderful as the legends said! As long as Granny could be saved, they would gladly take care of all of Xu Lin's farm chores from now on.

Xu Lin was halfway through her acupuncture treatment when Wang Fachai, Qian Li, and the other educated youths finally hurried over. Seeing Xu Lin's intense and focused expression, everyone tactfully kept their mouths shut.

While administering the needles, Xu Lin quietly channeled a portion of her Wood-element supernatural energy into Granny's body to nourish her vital internal organs.

Once the acupuncture session concluded, Xu Lin observed Granny's condition once more and discovered that the elderly woman's complexion had already begun to improve.

Her originally pale, bloodless face had regained a faint flush, and color was returning to her skin.

The speed of this recovery left the village doctor and his wife dumbfounded, utterly unable to believe that such miraculous medical skill existed in the world.

Was this a legendary divine physician reborn in their midst?

The treatment took effect far too quickly.

If anyone ever dared to say that Traditional Chinese Medicine was useless, damn it, they would punch them right in the mouth until it shattered.

If Traditional Chinese Medicine was useless, then what on earth was useful?

"Educated Youth Xu, how is Granny's condition?"

"Granny's condition has stabilized. She will wake up once the silver needles are removed."

Xu Lin tilted her head to look outside. Seeing Wang Fachai waiting by the door, she beckoned to him and invited him inside.

"Educated Youth Xu, do you have any instructions for us?"

Wang Fachai walked up to Xu Lin like an obedient grandson, lowering his head, offering a ingratiating smile, and asking in a hushed voice.

"Granny is advanced in years. Although she usually appears quite healthy, she is actually the most vulnerable to the onslaught of illnesses, especially with a fainting spell like this one. If it hadn't been discovered and treated in time, she might very well have fallen into an endless sleep."

Xu Lin explained Granny's condition to Wang Fachai. Her original intention was to hope that the production brigade could arrange for someone to move in and take care of Granny at close quarters.

That way, if any unexpected situation arose, it could be promptly detected and medical help could be sought immediately.

However, as soon as Xu Lin voiced her suggestion, she was met with Wang Fachai's bitter, helpless smile.

"Educated Youth Xu, we understand all of this, and none of us want Granny living all alone either. The brigade has long wanted to arrange for someone to come and live with her, but Granny simply refuses. The old lady has been strong-willed all her life, and even in her old age, she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone."

At this, Wang Fachai let out a long sigh, his emotions deeply complicated.

Granny was a veteran hero, a veteran hero worthy of the utmost respect and filial piety from every single one of them.

With Granny around, those troublemaking demons and monsters did not dare to run amok in the brigade.

Wang Fachai wished more than anyone that nothing would happen to Granny, yet he did not dare to forcefully arrange for someone to move in with her.

Granny had a fiercely stubborn temperament; once she made up her mind, no one could change it.

Seeing the team leader's dilemma, Xu Lin shrugged her shoulders. She had said everything she needed to say; if the brigade couldn't make it happen, there was nothing she could do either.

However, during her morning jogs from now on, she could take a detour around this place before heading up the mountain, and use her spiritual perception to check on Granny's condition as she passed by.

Having made up her mind, Xu Lin dropped the subject and looked at Wang Fachai, asking, "Uncle, Granny will wake up once the silver needles are removed. Do you want me to continue treating her, or should we send her to the hospital?"

"This?" Wang Fachai hesitated, torn. After a moment of deep thought, he asked in a low voice, "Give me an honest answer, Uncle: Can you cure her?"

"Naturally I can. If you choose not to let me treat her, then I suggest you send Granny to the county hospital and ask Dr. Sun Huaisheng to treat her."

Xu Lin named a specific person, believing that with Sun Huaisheng taking over, Granny's illness would undoubtedly receive excellent care.

Wang Fachai knew who Sun Huaisheng was; he was a brilliant veteran TCM doctor, though a few years ago he had been relegated to cleaning toilets.

It seemed he had only been reinstated to a medical position last year, and currently, he was still just an ordinary doctor, not even holding the rank of attending physician.

Yet anyone who knew the truth was well aware that the man possessed genuine skill, and many people still preferred to seek out Dr. Sun for medical consultations.

Wang Fachai hadn't expected Xu Lin to even know Dr. Sun, and couldn't help asking, "You know Dr. Sun?"

"Mm-hm." Xu Lin nodded calmly, thinking to herself that they were far more than just acquainted—they were friends across generations.

"Then what does Granny need to pay attention to from now on?" Wang Fachai asked, quickly adding an explanation, "As for whether to go to the hospital, I need to consult with a few of the village elders, and it also depends on Granny's own wishes."

Xu Lin nodded in understanding. When it came to matters of caution, there were simply too many things to look out for with elderly people.

Combining this with Granny's actual condition, Xu Lin listed them out one by one. Wang Fachai listened intently, even pulling out a small notebook to jot everything down, looking remarkably like an elementary school student.

From this alone, it was evident how deeply Wang Fachai valued Granny's well-being.

The village doctor and his wife pricked up their ears to eavesdrop. The more she listened, the more Miao Lingzhi felt that her own husband was rather useless, having failed to notice so many of those issues.

At the same time, she felt that the position of village doctor was getting a bit too hot to sit on comfortably.

Perhaps she should just let Educated Youth Xu take over as the village doctor, and have her husband study under Xu Lin's guidance.

By the time Educated Youth Xu returned to the city, her husband would not only still be the village doctor, but he would have truly mastered genuine medical skills.

Knowledge acquired and mastered would become her husband's own means of making a living in the future.

The more Miao Lingzhi thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed, and her mind grew increasingly active.

Whether it would work out or not, she would just have to slowly plot it out in the future.

After waiting the span of an incense stick, Xu Lin stepped forward and removed the silver needles. Just as she had predicted, Granny slowly opened her eyes.

Xu Lin stepped aside, leaving whatever needed to be said to Wang Fachai and Granny.

Seeing Xu Lin retreat to the side to clean her silver needles, Miao Lingzhi scurried over to her, wearing a flattering, ingratiating smile.

"Hehe, Educated Youth Xu, busy?"

Xu Lin shifted her body slightly to dodge Miao Lingzhi's leaning head, gave her a head-to-toe inspection, and asked, "Something the matter?"

"Well, yes. Didn't we agree that as long as you woke Granny up, the position of village doctor would be yours? When are you planning to start your shift?"

"Are you really willing to let it go?" Xu Lin stared suspiciously at Miao Lingzhi. "You aren't going to regret it later and come running over to the educated youth courtyard to curse us out for three days and three nights, are you?"

That single remark caused Miao Lingzhi's face to flush red with embarrassment, instantly reminding her of the days when she used to block the gates of the educated youth courtyard and hurl abuses at Qin Fang.

Oh dear, they always said hitting a person didn't involve striking the face and exposing secrets didn't involve raking up the past—why did Educated Youth Xu have to disregard the rules of martial virtue and bring up her embarrassing history?