Chapter 27: Difficult and Complicated Cases

Chen Yunchao gazed at the joy on his mother's face reflected in the mirror, feeling as though she looked ten years younger. That a mere wool sweater could bring her such excitement and satisfaction stirred a deep sense of guilt within him.

Over the years, his mother had endured every hardship and skimped on everything to support his education, yet now, he secretly resented the eighty yuan he sent her each month.

"Taohua seems like a different person lately—prettier and more sensible. I’m sure she’ll earn even more money in the future. I think we should go with what you suggested before; bringing her to the county seat might be better. It’s hard to charge much in the village, but the county is a different story. There are more people, and the rates are higher."

Fan Lihua spoke to her son as she finished admiring herself in the mirror, then reluctantly took off the sweater.

Chen Yunchao frowned, remaining silent. He had once intended to bring his wife to live with him, but that was purely to qualify for company housing. Now that he had already secured the housing allocation using their marriage certificate, whether she lived with him or not was no longer significant.

Besides, An Qi’s dormitory was right upstairs. If he brought Li Taohua over, the two women would inevitably cross paths. With both of them wanting him to finalize a divorce, his life would become unbearable.

Things were fine as they were: he enjoyed the romance of his affair while maintaining a stable relationship, all while keeping up a good reputation in front of the folks back home. He had never placed much importance on the bonds of marriage; his life’s pursuit was peace of mind and personal pleasure.

"The weather is getting warmer. I’m thinking of renovating the house this year so that when Haichao comes back, he'll have a place to bring a bride. If you take Taohua with you, it will clear out that storage room, which can be used as temporary quarters during the renovations."

"I'll arrange it when I go back."

Chen Yunchao nodded. If he truly had to take his wife to the county, he should probably start distancing himself from An Qi. The longer it dragged on, the more dispensable the relationship became...

***

Li Tian'er had been home for less than five minutes when a patient arrived.

The visitor was Sister Xie from the east end of the village. Not yet thirty, she was far more sophisticated and assertive in her ways than Fan Lihua. She had married into Xiaowu Village at eighteen and given birth to a sturdy son that same year. She had had three children in five years, and had it not been for strict family planning, she would have had even more. Her status in her husband's family was absolute; even her mother-in-law had to tread carefully around her.

"My boy told me you were back, and I was so worried I’d be beaten to the punch by someone else."

"There aren't that many patients!" Li Tian'er laughed at Sister Xie's remark.

"Oh, there are! Everyone says you have to keep a close watch to get an appointment. My name is Li Hong—we’re actually of the same clan. Since your father became village head and arranged for my husband to work as a security officer at the village office, my man has been strutting around like a peacock. Everyone in Xiaowu Village calls me Sister Xie. My husband’s family is of a higher generation than yours, and I’m only a few years older than you, so you don’t need to call me 'Auntie'."

As if I wanted to!

Li Tian'er had no intention of calculating seniority with Li Hong. In fact, she didn't even consider herself one of the people of Xiaowu Village.

Li Hong kept glancing out the window, as if afraid someone might walk in. Li Tian'er assured her that if there were sensitive visitors, she would have other patients wait outside the courtyard or return later to ensure confidentiality.

"That's good." Li Hong breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on her face.

"Actually, I told your mother-in-law yesterday that I wanted to come for a consultation. She said you’d be charging fees now. I don’t know how much you charge, so I brought a hundred yuan—is that enough? Your mother-in-law originally said she’d open the storage room door to the outside to make it convenient for everyone, but for some reason, she didn't. Now, to see you, one still has to walk through your courtyard, and it feels like being watched by her every step of the way."

"Do you have to give all the money you make to her? I’ve heard for a long time that your mother-in-law is a tough one. Let me tell you, women like her, widowed young, treat their sons like their own lives. Taking a wife feels like having her son stolen away, so she’ll never be truly kind to her daughter-in-law; some won't even keep up appearances."

"I don't think it's that bad; people should always be polite and courteous to one another," Li Tian'er felt that Li Hong was trying to sow discord between Li Taohua and her mother-in-law. Even if their relationship wasn't pleasant, there was no need for an outsider to know.

"I suppose you're right."

Li Hong sat on the edge of the *kang*, then suddenly jumped up as if burned. Li Tian'er thought perhaps there was a nail on the edge, but leaning over to look, the surface was perfectly smooth. The problem, clearly, was that Li Hong’s ailment was in a sensitive place.

Realizing the "fairy healer" had guessed her problem, Li Hong chuckled twice. She thought that since Li Taohua was also a married woman, there was no need for bashfulness. However, she didn't want to discuss her illness immediately, preferring to chat first in hopes of getting closer to the healer and perhaps paying a smaller fee later.

"I came by your courtyard twice yesterday, but the door was locked. People said Chen Jiangchao was sick... what happened? What kind of illness could you not treat? You even cured his 'foolishness,' and that was supposed to be incurable!"

"Oh, I'm in such agony..."

A sudden wave of pain caused Li Hong’s face to twist like a bitter melon. She doubled over, biting her lip to endure the pain, only straightening up slowly after a long moment.

"Sigh, I've had this gynecological trouble for over half a year. It's been terrible lately. I started bleeding last night. I really can't take it anymore. I’m too embarrassed to go to the hospital. You wouldn't believe those doctors at the county hospital; they don't treat patients like women at all, and they’re so rough. Old Wang’s wife had a similar issue, went to the county hospital, and only got worse. Fairy, take a look and tell me if you can cure me? If you can't, I don't want to live anymore. It’s been ruining my mood for too long."

Though Li Hong’s words were perhaps exaggerated, the torment of such an ailment for a woman was indeed difficult.

"Tell me specifically what symptoms you're experiencing, and I'll take a look."

Speaking openly, with no one else around, Li Hong began to pour out her heart. Listening to her vivid description, Li Tian'er lowered her head, hiding her flushed face.

"My man talks about this every single day..." Li Hong tugged at the corner of her shirt, hesitating, a meaningful smile on her face. Truly "afraid of him."

"It's not hard to treat; don't be too nervous." Li Tian'er cut her off, fearing what she might say next.

"How can I not be nervous? I'm dying of misery. If it's something serious, my children are still young—they’d have to suffer under a stepmother."

"Don't be so pessimistic."

Li Hong let Li Tian'er examine her. Li Tian'er took a quick glance and immediately looked away; it was truly a sight hard to bear.

"Can you cure me? Oh, it’s so painful and itchy... If you can't cure me, I might as well be dead." Li Hong began to curse her husband for his lack of tenderness.

"Don't worry, it's just an infection. Take some anti-inflammatory medicine and use a medicinal steam bath every day; you’ll be better soon."

"It's that easy to fix?" Li Hong was skeptical.

"Just pay more attention to hygiene from now on..." Li Tian'er couldn't be more explicit.