Chapter 31 The Village's Table Manners

Hearing the hesitation in Aunt Hu’s voice, Tang Banxia paused her work, turned her face, and spoke sincerely, “Aunt Hu, please just say what’s on your mind. Xiao Bai and I came to Guyue Village for our rural assignment, and you and my uncle have looked after us so much. If there’s anything troubling you, just tell me. If I can help, I certainly will.”

Aunt Hu looked into Tang Banxia’s earnest eyes, her face growing even redder. She had come with confidence, but now only felt embarrassed by her own intentions. Yet—ah! Children are always a burden.

“Comrade Tang, I heard the clinic’s been very busy lately. Are you managing all right on your own?” She finished, looking at Tang Banxia with hope.

With those words, Tang Banxia understood immediately. It was impossible not to feel uncomfortable. She shrugged lightly. “It’s a bit overwhelming, honestly. I was just about to ask the brigade leader to find a sharp young person from the village to help me out—preferably a man.”

“There are differences between men and women, after all. Having a male comrade in the clinic would make things a lot easier for me.”

No matter the era, propriety between men and women must be observed. Don’t believe anyone who says doctors don’t see gender—that’s nonsense. In the countryside, men are men, women are women. Just look at her clinic: it's always women coming and going. Even if a man comes in, it’s just for minor illnesses like fever or a cold, and any physical examination requires his wife to be present.

Especially now, when relations between men and women are viewed with suspicion, no one wants to risk scandal for themselves or their family. Of course, those shameless few are a different matter.

Hearing Tang Banxia say this, Aunt Hu’s words stuck in her throat. “A young man?”

“Yes, preferably a male comrade. If there’s something I can’t handle, he can step in.” Tang Banxia knew exactly what Aunt Hu was thinking: she was trying to pave the way for her daughter.

Fine, she understood the give-and-take of human relationships, but she couldn’t just let herself be taken advantage of. There must be boundaries. She was grateful for the help from the brigade leader’s family, but she couldn’t let herself be used at will.

Aunt Hu hesitated. “Tang, let me be honest with you. What do you think of my Chunhua? Could she help you out in the clinic?”

“Chunhua?” Tang Banxia feigned surprise. “Didn’t I hear just a few days ago that you and Uncle were arranging a match for Chunhua’s sister? Why now the clinic?”

Aunt Hu’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I was just thinking, if Chunhua could learn a skill, it’d help with her marriage prospects.”

Tang Banxia couldn’t help but laugh to herself. So she was just being used as a stepping stone.

She looked troubled. “Aunt, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this isn’t my decision to make. Maybe you should talk it over with my uncle?”

“If my uncle agrees, I won’t object.”

Aunt Hu, hearing this, could only smile awkwardly. She opened her mouth, but finally said nothing more. “Alright, Comrade Tang, I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll head home now.”

“Take care, Aunt Hu! Visit whenever you have time!”

Once Aunt Hu had left, Tang Banxia crouched down to resume her chores. She had anticipated the clinic would eventually have more people, and she understood why. She never expected to monopolize the place—it wasn’t anything precious, after all.

But if someone wanted to take advantage, they needed the ability to do so.

Though she had refused Aunt Hu, a few days later, Hu Chunhua appeared in the clinic anyway, accompanied by the brigade leader, Hu Dashan.

Facing Tang Banxia’s clear gaze, Hu Dashan felt a bit uneasy. He puffed his pipe and said, “Comrade Tang, your aunt said you’re overwhelmed in the clinic. I discussed it with the villagers and decided to send two people to help you out.”

“Don’t worry, the village will cover their work points, your pay stays the same, and if there’s any dirty or hard work, just tell them. If they don’t listen, come find me—I’ll take care of them.”

Tang Banxia’s expression softened. “Come in, please.”

Hu Dashan, the brigade leader, let out an inexplicable sigh of relief. “Get inside, and do your best. If you mess up, watch your legs!”

Hu Chunhua kept her head down, silent, while Hu Xiayu beside her looked eager.

Inside the clinic, Tang Banxia gave both a brief test and agreed to let them stay, but added, “Let me make something clear from the start.”

“Since the village sent you to help me, you must listen to me. If I say east, you can’t go west. In the clinic, you may only touch what I allow; everything else is strictly off-limits.”

“Don’t worry, Comrade Tang, I’ll do whatever you say.” Hu Xiayu answered loudly, feeling a surge of pride.

Hu Chunhua nodded silently.

Seeing the two of them like this, Tang Banxia said nothing more, simply assigning each their tasks. Both obeyed without complaint.

The brigade leader watched for a while, then left satisfied.

Back at the brigade office next door, he was surrounded by the old hands.

“Well? Did Comrade Tang agree?”

“She wasn’t upset?”

“How did Xiayu do?”

Hu Dashan pushed them aside and sat down. “She agreed.”

The room lit up with smiles.

Huang Xiaocui snorted, “You old men, really shameless—aren’t you afraid Comrade Tang will just quit? What will you do then?”

The village had finally gotten a doctor, yet everyone was so eager to secure benefits for their own families—weren’t they just taking advantage of Tang Banxia’s good temper?

Her words embarrassed the leadership, especially Hu Dashan.

“We meant well, didn’t Comrade Tang say herself she was too busy?” The scorekeeper defended.

Huang Xiaocui scoffed, unwilling to argue. They were bullying Comrade Tang for being an outsider. If she were a local, would they dare?

“Enough.” Hu Dashan puffed on his pipe, soon surrounded by smoke. “In the end, we’re at fault.”

Accountant Hu agreed, “We should look after Comrade Tang and her husband in future, make sure they get their share of good things, so people won’t say we bully outsiders.”

“That’s fine, but with Comrade Wen’s temperament, how are we supposed to look after him?” said the captain from the first team, troubled.

“Assign him lighter work,” Accountant Hu suggested.

“I’ll think it over.”

Huang Xiaocui felt better seeing them talk like this. She was the women’s director, always hoping for the village’s well-being, but she couldn’t stand how they schemed against Comrade Tang. She couldn’t do much, but at least she could try to get Tang Banxia some benefits.

On the other side, Tang Banxia really didn’t feel particularly wronged. Wherever people gathered, there were always complications—she’d expected it long ago.

Besides, with more hands in the clinic, she had more time for her own affairs. After all, they were all workers—what’s the point in fussing over every detail?

Hu Chunhua and Hu Xiayu were nervous at first, but relaxed once they saw Tang Banxia’s attitude was unchanged. Hu Xiayu, being outgoing, pestered Tang Banxia with questions about the clinic’s medicines.

Tang Banxia wasn’t stingy; she answered whatever he asked.

After a day together, Tang Banxia’s attitude remained calm—neither overly warm nor cold, just ordinary.

By evening, as the sun set, Tang Banxia left early as usual, unchanged by the addition of two helpers.

Hu Xiayu and Hu Chunhua had no complaints; perhaps their families had coached them beforehand.

That day, while Tang Banxia treated patients, the two quietly observed. When there were no patients, they memorized the clinic’s herbs.

All in all, it was easy—like hiring two free assistants. Thinking this way, Tang Banxia felt at ease...