Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 171 Helping others is helping yourself

Zhao Da'e said, "Are you stupid? If Doctor Chen agrees, that would be fine, but I'm afraid he won't."

This was what Zhao Da'e feared. She wasn't entirely sure Chen Shuyi would agree. Even if the act was for the villagers' benefit, human nature is complex, and even she had her own selfish motives. However, Zhao Da'e didn't voice them. If the chicken plague spread in Dongtaizi Village, it would inevitably pollute the water source to some extent. Her Kangxi Spring Water originated from Dongtaizi Village. She delivered water to Kuang Shouyi's workplace to gain a good reputation. If the water sales were good, the sales channels would definitely open up later. But she was afraid that something might happen and cause it to fall apart. For example, if the chicken plague spread and polluted the water source, her Kangxi Spring Water would definitely be affected. Even if the spring water was clean, what would people think if it came from Dongtaizi Village? They would think that if there was chicken plague in Dongtaizi Village, then the Kangxi Spring Water couldn't be very clean either. Would they still buy it?

Zhao Da'e asked herself honestly, if she were someone else, she would be afraid. After all, chicken plague is not a clean thing to begin with, and the Kangxi Spring water comes from Dongtaizi Village, which is full of chicken plague. She definitely wouldn't want to touch it.

Therefore, when faced with issues like chicken plague, Zhao Da'e is more proactive than others. She is not as high-minded as she claims to be; she just never says that to others.

To ensure that most villagers would obey and not buy chickens, ducks, or geese with fowl plague from Jurenzhangzi, or catch wild rabbits or pheasants on the mountain that might be infected with fowl plague, Zhao Da'e had to be absolutely sure. So she pulled in Grandpa Village Chief, Xiangzi, and even Doctor Chen Shuyi.

If any problems arise, the villagers will definitely not buy it, which will inevitably affect her ability to sell Kangxi Spring water. Of course, the villagers' health is also very important.

But Xiangzi, with his simple mind, hadn't quite grasped the situation yet. "Why, little aunt? Would Dr. Chen refuse? This is clearly a matter that benefits everyone. Dr. Chen has no reason to refuse. Besides, didn't you say before that Dr. Chen is a doctor? You believe he would agree?"

Zhao Da'e shook his head with a wry smile, "Then let me ask you, Xiangzi, if the villagers hadn't exposed and cursed you for acting, and if you hadn't helped the villagers buy chickens and ducks with fowl plague, and if there hadn't been the risk of having to pay a hundred or so yuan in compensation, would you have helped me act?"

Zhao Da'e stared at Xiangzi, wanting to know his true answer, but Xiangzi answered without hesitation, "I will help my aunt, because it is what my aunt asked for, and I will do my best to help."

Upon hearing this answer, Zhao Da'e was slightly taken aback. She thought Xiangzi would say he wouldn't help, since acting was just a thankless job, and without the risk of compensation for buying chickens and ducks on her behalf, Xiangzi had no reason to help her.

Zhao Da'e was puzzled and wanted to ask Xiangzi why he had answered so firmly that he would help her.

But all Xiangzi saw was a simple, honest smile. "Little aunt, I'm not very capable, but I've read Romance of the Three Kingdoms and know that Guan Yu valued loyalty above all else. You introduced me to Xiao Feng before, which allowed me to meet such a good person. No matter what happens in the future, I owe you a huge favor. And you gave that job to Cai Xiao Feng without hesitation. She has work to do, which allows her to support herself and take care of her mother. It gives her motivation. I've seen her smiling a lot lately. So I'm so grateful to you. If you ever need anything, just say the word, and I'll be there to help you without hesitation."

After saying that, Xiangzi patted his chest and said, "I, Xiangzi, am a man of honor! My aunt has helped me so much. Even if there wasn't that thing about buying chickens and ducks with fowl plague, and there wasn't the risk of having to pay a hundred or so yuan in compensation, I would still help my aunt without hesitation. Aunt, don't be so polite with me."

Xiangzi's generosity made Zhao Da'e feel somewhat ashamed. A large part of her selfishness was for her Kangxi Spring water, but Xiangzi genuinely wanted to help her, yet she thought of him as so selfish.

In an instant, Zhao Da'e felt relieved. As long as her Kangxi Spring water was in good condition, and it sold well in the future, Xiangzi's wages for delivering the water would be increased. She would never mistreat her own people.

Moreover, Xiangzi is grateful and a very good person, which is what Zhao Da'e wanted to see.

After thinking it through, Zhao Da'e put his hands on his hips and looked at Xiangzi with satisfaction. "Good Xiangzi, I didn't treat you badly before. I didn't expect you to be so loyal. When I become the richest man in the future, I will definitely take you with me to enjoy the good life."

Xiangzi chuckled sheepishly, "Little Aunt, let's not think about that too much for now. Let's work hard, save some money, and set a small goal: to become a 'ten-thousand-yuan household' (a household with ten thousand yuan in savings). I feel that the goal of becoming the richest person... is a bit......" He was just bragging...

Xiangzi was self-aware enough. That was the richest man in the village; what did he have that he could possibly be worthy of riding on his coattails? Xiangzi didn't believe Zhao Da'e could ever become the richest man. He'd been out in the world for a long time and understood many things. Becoming the richest man was incredibly difficult. First, Zhao Da'e was born in Dongtaizi Village, her family was destitute, and they had no money for her to venture out into the world. Besides, Zhao Da'e was only six or seven years old; children hadn't seen much of the world, so naturally, they thought becoming the richest man was easy. However, perhaps becoming the richest man in the village was a possibility.

But getting back to the topic, Xiangzi asked, "Little Aunt, how do we find Doctor Chen and get him to act in the play?"

Zhao Da'e smiled mysteriously, beckoned to Xiangzi to squat down, and then whispered something in Xiangzi's ear, "First do this... then do that..."

After saying that, Zhao Da'e winked at Xiangzi, "Did you understand, Xiangzi?"

Xiangzi scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Little Aunt, isn't this a bit inappropriate? This is too..."

Before Xiangzi could finish speaking, Zhao Da'e sighed, "Sigh, Xiangzi, who said they would help me without hesitation? Who gave you the job of delivering water? Who introduced you to Cai Xiaofeng so you could have a girlfriend?"

At the mention of Cai Xiaofeng, Xiangzi's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up. "Little aunt, this is no problem at all. Leave it to me! Although it's a bit unethical, I'll handle it. Trust me!"

Ever since Zhao Da'e introduced Cai Xiaofeng to Xiangzi, the two hit it off and started dating. Xiangzi didn't care whether Cai Xiaofeng was divorced or anything like that; he just liked her as a person. Originally, Cai Xiaofeng was always frowning, but thanks to Xiangzi's connections, she also got a job delivering water. Zhao Da'e even gave Cai Xiaofeng several months' wages in advance, making her previously impoverished life much easier and allowing her mother to have money for medical treatment. Xiangzi saw how good Zhao Da'e was to Cai Xiaofeng. Now that Cai Xiaofeng was his girlfriend, Zhao Da'e's kindness to her was also kindness to him. Xiangzi felt he had to repay this kindness no matter what.

After making up their minds, the two headed towards the village clinic. They deliberately chose noon, as it was lunchtime and many villagers had the habit of taking a nap, so there weren't many people out, which made it easier for Zhao Da'e and Xiangzi to perform.

After exchanging a glance, Zhao Da'e and Xiangzi nodded to each other. Xiangzi whispered, "I'm going now, little aunt."

Zhao Da'e nodded and gave Xiangzi an encouraging look.

Xiangzi immediately clutched his stomach and pretended to have a stomachache. Then, with a cry of "Ouch!", he went over and knocked on the door of the clinic, shouting, "Dr. Chen, are you there? Open the door quickly! My stomach is killing me! Please open the door! I not only have a stomachache, but I'm also dizzy."

With a clang, the iron door of the clinic opened, and Chen Shuyi, wearing a white coat, rubbed his forehead and eyes, clearly having just been woken up. He glanced at Xiangzi, who was crying and complaining of pain, and quickly called out, "Oh dear, come in, come in! What's wrong? Why does your stomach hurt? Did you eat something?"

After saying that, Chen Shuyi closed the iron gate. Zhao Da'e, who was hiding outside, ran over and leaned against the gate to eavesdrop.

Xiangzi clutched his stomach, looking extremely pained. "Dr. Chen, my stomach started hurting today after I bought chickens and ducks for someone from Jurenzhangzi. I heard there's a chicken plague in Jurenzhangzi's area. Could I have been affected? My stomach has been hurting constantly, and it's really uncomfortable."

Upon hearing about chicken plague, Chen Shuyi pressed on, "Hey, Xiangzi, did you accidentally eat chicken or duck meat that had chicken plague? Let me tell you, you can't eat chicken or duck meat that has chicken plague. It'll easily upset your stomach, and it'll also make you dizzy and cause allergies. Let me take a look at your tongue and your eyes. I need to see if it's caused by chicken or duck meat that has chicken plague."

After Chen Shuyi finished speaking, he wanted to go over and take a look, but Xiangzi was a little guilty and immediately avoided Chen Shuyi's examination. He didn't even dare to look Chen Shuyi in the eye. He said directly, "Dr. Chen, my stomach is really upset. This is definitely caused by the chicken plague from the Juren Cangzi area. There's no need to examine it. It's obvious. Just prescribe some medicine for my stomach upset. Oh no, not only does my stomach hurt, but I also have a headache, my hands hurt, everything hurts. I feel terrible. Please prescribe some medicine for me, just painkillers will do."

Seeing Xiangzi speaking so energetically, Chen Shuyi immediately realized something was wrong. Having been a doctor for decades, he could tell at a glance that Xiangzi was faking illness.

Chen Shuyi's lips twitched, his previous concerned tone vanished, and his words became somewhat sarcastic, "I think your illness is quite serious. Don't prescribe any other medicine; it won't cure you. You have to use this."

As he spoke, Chen Shuyi opened the cabinet and took out an oversized syringe. The needle was so thick that Xiangzi was stunned. His mouth gaped open, and he even forgot to cover his stomach.

"Dr. Chen, what... what do you mean by this?" Xiangzi asked, getting goosebumps all over.

Chen Shuyi snorted coldly, "Hmph, what do I mean? Of course I'm treating your illness. You said you're in pain all over, your stomach hurts, your head hurts, your hands hurts, your feet hurt. I have to treat you properly. Don't prescribe any medicine, injections are the most effective, they'll cure you completely. Come on, take off your pants, let me give you an injection."

As he spoke, Chen Shuyi raised the oversized syringe, intending to stab Xiangzi in the buttocks.

Xiangzi jumped up in fear, completely forgetting all the times he'd been faking illness, like his stomach and head aching. His mind was filled with terror at the sight of Uncle Chen holding that enormous syringe. "Ahhhhh, Dr. Chen, what are you doing? All I need is medicine! Why are you using such a huge syringe? The needle is so thick! Are you sure you don't want to kill me with this?"

As Xiangzi spoke, he circled around Chen Shuyi across the hospital bed in the clinic, terrified that Chen Shuyi would actually prick him in the buttocks. The thought of that possibility made Xiangzi so scared that he wanted to cry. He even regretted agreeing to act in the play for his aunt. He didn't want to get a prick in the buttocks.

Chen Shuyi held up the syringe and said coldly, "I just want to use this syringe to kill you right now. You came to see a doctor, but you're still standing here perfectly fine. Didn't you have an upset stomach and a headache? How come you're all better now? I told you, as long as I give you one injection, you'll definitely be better."

When this was mentioned, Xiangzi remembered that he was supposed to pretend to be sick. He immediately clutched his stomach and cried out in pain, "Oh, Dr. Chen, my stomach hurts so much! I'm telling you, this is definitely caused by that 'scholar's cane's chicken plague."

Chen Shuyi's lips twitched. "Keep faking it. You think I won't see through your act, faking illness in front of a doctor who's been practicing medicine for decades?"

Xiangzi still wanted to pretend he didn't know. He pretended to be confused and said, "Dr. Chen, what are you saying? How could I pretend to be sick? I really have a stomachache. I can't even straighten my back from the pain. And you're still saying this to me."

Seeing that Xiangzi was still pretending, Chen Shuyi said bluntly, "Fine, Xiangzi, since you're so sick, I don't think one syringe will be enough to cure you."

After saying that, Chen Shuyi took out another oversized syringe from the drawer. The sight of the two oversized syringes made Xiangzi's scalp tingle. Xiangzi even felt that he didn't need to pretend anymore. As soon as he saw the two syringes, he started to feel a stomachache and wanted to run away.

Xiangzi immediately chickened out and hurriedly said, "Dr. Chen, please put these two syringes back. I'm scared, I'm really scared."

Ignoring Xiangzi's words, Chen Shuyi raised an eyebrow and asked sarcastically, "What's wrong? Why don't you have a stomachache, headache, or hand pain now?"

Xiangzi looked at the gleaming syringe and felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly said, "I'm just pretending, I'm just pretending. Please take it back and don't take it out again, Dr. Chen. I'm really scared."

Seeing this, Chen Shuyi took back the two syringes and put them back in the drawer. He sat on the stool and asked, "Tell me, what exactly do you want to do here? Why are you pretending to be sick? You keep saying it's chicken plague. You're not only pretending to be sick, but you're also pretending so fakely. At first, I was blind and really believed you had a real stomachache."

Xiangzi scratched his head sheepishly and muttered to himself, "Well, my acting was pretty good, huh? I actually fooled you just now."