CHAPTER 107: CHAPTER 107 XUE FAMILY’S CONCERNS

The Xue family in the village had the strongest reaction to Yunyi starting work at the village health clinic.

When Zhang Qiufen, the second daughter-in-law of the Xue family, heard that the team leader and Branch Secretary had arranged for the new arrival, Chu Zhiqing, to work at the health clinic, she was beside herself with worry.

After all, her sister-in-law, Lin Fang, worked at the health clinic where she could earn eight work points a day. If Lin Fang lost that job, given her delicate nature, she would hardly be able to compete for even five work points.

She glanced around the room. "Dad, Mom, can’t Lin Fang really come back earlier?"

Old Madame Xue lifted her eyelids slightly to look at her second daughter-in-law. "Hasn’t this matter already been settled? Why bring it up again?"

Zhang Qiufen added some vegetables to her bowl. "You all must have heard about the village cadres assigning that new Chu Zhiqing to the health clinic, right?"

Old Madame Xue gave her second daughter-in-law a cold look. "Didn’t the team leader say that it was just temporary? What are you so anxious about?"

Zhang Qiufen couldn’t care less about her meal. "Mom, that Chu Zhiqing truly has medical skills. This morning, she even saved Yaya, the daughter of your third daughter-in-law’s second elder brother."

Xu Hongzao disagreed. "Second Sister-in-law, her working at the health clinic and treating people is her duty. What’s all this talk of saving lives? It’s as if my family owes her a debt of gratitude."

Zhang Qiufen disliked Xu Hongzao’s attitude the most. "Whether it’s her duty or not, she saved your little niece, and that’s a fact. After all, the doctors at the commune health center didn’t cure your little niece’s illness."

Xu Hongzao said, somewhat displeased, "Second Sister-in-law, after all that, are you just trying to make me feel indebted to Chu Zhiqing?"

Zhang Qiufen couldn’t be bothered with her sister-in-law anymore and turned to her mother-in-law. "Mom, I’m just worried that if Chu Zhiqing wins people’s hearts, and if the villagers want her to stay in the health clinic, then what will happen to our Lin Fang?"

Upon hearing this, Mother Xue also furrowed her brows.

Just then, her third daughter-in-law, Xu Hongzao, scoffed, "When Little Sister-in-law had the chance to learn from Doctor Gong, it was all thanks to my uncle’s help. Since my uncle already stated it’s just Chu Zhiqing temporarily filling in, he’ll keep his word. Second Sister-in-law, are you doubting my uncle?"

Sitting next to Zhang Qiufen, Xue Jianguo tugged at his wife’s sleeve. "Qiufen, Mom and the others will worry about these things. You just eat your meal."

After speaking, he cast a displeased glance at his third sister-in-law. This third sister-in-law is getting more and more overbearing, he thought. Just because she has an uncle who’s the team leader, she really thinks she’s someone important, always trying to lord it over my wife.

At this point, Old Master Xue intervened. "Old woman, call Jiandang and see if Lin Fang can come back earlier. We can’t afford to lose the job at the health clinic."

Old Madame Xue naturally understood her husband’s intentions. Her daughter was not one for hardship, and the health clinic job was the most suitable for her; it really couldn’t be lost.

She knew in her heart that if Chu Zhiqing truly won over the villagers, it wouldn’t necessarily be possible to oust her even when her own daughter returned. After all, her daughter had only ever assisted Doctor Gong and didn’t actually know any medicine.

It was obvious whom the villagers would choose; there was no need to guess.

Besides, Chu Zhiqing had once saved Doctor Gong. Owing to this life-saving deed, he would likely side with Chu Zhiqing. Therefore, her second daughter-in-law’s worries weren’t entirely unfounded.

Yunyi had no idea that her merely filling in for a few days had caused the Xue family so much deliberation.

She was getting ready to finish her shift when she heard someone entering the health clinic.

Looking up, she saw Gong Baotong and Xie Juanzi coming in, carrying something.

Yunyi couldn’t help but ask, "What brings you two here?"