Chapter 23: Reported

A week after the exams, Hu Dashan, troubled and anxious, sought out Tang Banxia. His first words were, “Comrade Tang, have you offended someone?”

Tang Banxia was puzzled. “What’s going on?”

Hu Dashan tapped his ever-present pipe. “You passed the barefoot doctor’s exam.”

“But?” Tang Banxia could tell from his expression that there was a catch.

Hu Dashan gritted his teeth. “But I don’t know which scoundrel reported you, saying you’re a bad element, unfit to be a barefoot doctor, and demanded your spot be revoked.”

Tang Banxia’s smile vanished on the spot.

“Don’t worry,” Hu Dashan hurried to reassure her. “I told the leadership that your husband, Comrade Wen, is a martyr’s orphan. The leaders said they’d consider it.”

This matter annoyed not only Tang Banxia but Hu Dashan as well. He’d already found an apprentice, and now, at the last moment, something went wrong. How could he not be angry?

Tang Banxia gave Hu Dashan a grateful smile. “Thank you, Captain.”

At this time, social status was the biggest issue. Even though she’d married Wen Mubai, a martyr’s orphan, someone had seized upon her background, and it was a surefire way to stir trouble.

“Uncle Hu, do you know who reported me?”

Hu Dashan shook his head.

Tang Banxia wasn’t too disappointed. There were only a handful of suspects.

Her most urgent concern now was the barefoot doctor position. “Uncle Hu, do you know which leader disagreed?”

That, Hu Dashan did know. “It’s the commune secretary.”

Tang Banxia nodded thoughtfully.

After a few more words, she bid Hu Dashan goodbye.

Back home, she changed into proper clothes and went to the commune.

Upon arrival, she went straight to the commune courtyard, wandered around a couple of times, and managed to infiltrate the group of elderly women with a handful of sunflower seeds.

She invented a city identity for herself, saying someone had introduced a match for her younger brother, and she was there to check it out.

As soon as she said this, the old ladies’ curiosity was piqued, and they surrounded Tang Banxia, peppering her with questions.

Tang Banxia replied with half-truths, skillfully extracting the information she needed.

Only when dusk approached did she escape the circle of enthusiastic women, then waited outside the commune.

When she saw Secretary Yu emerge with his document case, she steadied herself and stepped forward. “Hello, Secretary Yu!”

Secretary Yu looked at her in confusion. “Hello, and you are?”

“My name is Tang Banxia, a sent-down youth from Guyue Village,” she said directly.

“Oh, it’s you.” Secretary Yu recalled the name. “You’re here about the barefoot doctor position?”

Tang Banxia nodded. “Secretary Yu, I know my background isn’t ideal, but precisely because of that, I want to do something real for everyone.”

“We sent-down youths came here to help the farmers live better lives. I grew up learning traditional medicine from my grandmother. I’m confident I can fulfill the duties of a barefoot doctor.”

“As for my background, I believe Captain Hu has told you—I’m married now, and my husband is a martyr’s orphan. Though I can’t change where I come from, my heart is devoted to the Party. Please give me a chance, and I promise to serve the people wholeheartedly.”

Before coming, Tang Banxia had considered many roundabout approaches, but after circling the commune courtyard, she decided to be straightforward.

This Secretary Yu was a former military man; it was best not to play tricks with him.

However, after she finished, Secretary Yu frowned. “Comrade Tang, I heard you schemed to marry a martyr’s orphan just to change your status?”

Tang Banxia was shocked.

“Secretary Yu, that’s a slander! Wen and I married voluntarily as revolutionary partners, nothing was calculated.”

“If you don’t believe me, I can ask Comrade Wen to come and explain in person.”

Now Tang Banxia understood why the commune secretary was blocking her—it was because of this rumor.

Secretary Yu gave no clear response. “No need.”

He thought for a moment. “I understand your position. Go home and wait for news. I’ll investigate thoroughly. As for the barefoot doctor post, so long as your claim checks out, I won’t deliberately hinder you.”

With those words, Tang Banxia finally felt relieved. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Secretary Yu.”

Secretary Yu nodded, then strode past her.

Tang Banxia remained where she was, watching his figure fade before she shrugged and returned to the village.

Back in the village, she happened upon Wen Mubai rushing out. She called, “Xiaobai, where are you going?”

Wen Mubai saw her and changed direction, stopping before her. “Banxia, I’ve heard everything.”

“Let’s talk at home,” Tang Banxia stopped him, pulling him inside. “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

“Secretary Yu is a reasonable man. I explained everything to him clearly. He won’t make trouble for me.”

Once home, Wen Mubai poured her a glass of water. “Do you know who reported you?”

“Who else? Just those few people,” Tang Banxia said, well aware.

She hadn’t offended many, only those at the sent-down youth dormitory.

A shadow flickered in Wen Mubai’s eyes.

“Enough about me. Didn’t you go up the mountain today? Any luck?”

Throughout, Tang Banxia remained calm.

Wen Mubai shifted the topic cooperatively. “Yes!”

He dashed outside and retrieved a rabbit from the firewood stack. “Wife, look, a rabbit!”

“Rabbit! Braised is the tastiest.” Tang Banxia smiled. “Are we having rabbit tonight?”

“Of course!” Wen Mubai nodded eagerly.

“I’ll skin it.” He squatted beside the water jar, deftly peeling the rabbit. “Banxia, don’t worry. If you can’t be a barefoot doctor, then so be it.”

“I’m learning how to set traps from the local hunter. Soon I’ll be able to hunt and sell at the black market. You’ll never go hungry.”

Wen Mubai feared Tang Banxia would be upset and tried to comfort her.

“All right, our family will rely on you from now on,” Tang Banxia replied, playing along.

For a man, encouragement is best.

Wen Mubai was crouched with his back to Tang Banxia, so she didn’t see his ears quietly turn red.

From childhood, this was the first time Wen Mubai had tried to build a long-term intimate relationship with someone.

After this period of living together, he found himself attached to the feeling—having someone to dine with, someone to care for him, someone to accept him. He liked it and didn’t want to lose it.

Rabbits are so adorable, they simply must be braised!

The rabbit was chopped into small pieces, green onions, ginger, and garlic were prepared, and everything was put into a pot of cold water to