Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 38: Caught My Eye

Elder Ren turned his head to look at Yi Roujing, his eyes full of consideration. Yi Roujing looked straight back without any evasion, her eyes carrying a hint of determination. Elder Ren smiled and shook his head.

"I’m old now. Although I used to want to save lives, fate has played me hard. Now, I just want to live a stable life."

"Elder Ren, it will pass quickly. I firmly believe you will soon stand in your rightful position again," Yi Roujing stated confidently.

Elder Ren’s expression changed as he glanced around, "You’re quite bold, young lady, saying such things."

"I may be daring, but I’m not foolish. I know who to speak to and where," Yi Roujing smiled, curving her lips.

Hearing this, Elder Ren also smiled, pointing at Yi Roujing for a deeper smile, "Before the doctors and nurses start their shift, why don’t you come sit in my gatehouse?"

Ding Anmin’s face lit up with joy, pulling Xia Xingchen along to follow Elder Ren and Yi Roujing inside.

"It’s you, young girl, right? Sit down, I’ll check your pulse first." Elder Ren invited Xia Xingchen to sit and carefully took her pulse, "Open your mouth, let me see your tongue... change to the other hand, let me check the pulse again..."

"Very weak," Elder Ren slightly pursed his lips, "Let me see the medicine you have."

Xia Xingchen took out the medicine wrapped in kraft paper from a black bundle and handed it to Elder Ren. Elder Ren opened it and examined it carefully, even sniffing a few ingredients.

"Most of these are slightly inferior Chinese medicines. You were right about the cold-natured ones. This pack contains many herbs but doesn’t consider the interplay of their properties—it won’t kill but won’t cure either." Elder Ren looked at Yi Roujing with a hint of appreciation.

"What’s your name?"

"Yi Roujing."

"Who taught you about pharmacology?" Elder Ren continued to ask.

"I picked up some basics from my family before," Yi Roujing replied honestly. In her previous life, her family was in the traditional medicine business, and she was the only one who switched to western medicine; plus, the original body’s grandfather was an old practitioner too.

Ding Anmin gave Yi Roujing a curious look. As far as she knew, there was no one like that in the Yi family—possibly from further back generations?

"Your body can’t handle this medicine. I’ll prescribe something to warm and replenish your energy. Take it for a month, then return to me for a check-up, and I’ll adjust the prescription. After half a year, you should improve." Elder Ren advised.

"Thank you, Elder Ren." Xia Xingchen’s heart sank hearing the old practitioner’s words, her last hope slowly fading regarding her stepmother.

From now on, she would strive to return to the city and directly ask why they treated her this way. Did they really covet what her mother left her? How much did her father know? She was his biological daughter.

As Xia Xingchen pondered, Elder Ren, who listened to Yi Roujing’s words earlier, understood the situation and handed the prescription to Yi Roujing.

"Take a look, how is my prescription?" Elder Ren asked Yi Roujing with a smile.

"It mainly regulates the spleen and stomach deficiency cold. Once they are adjusted, the qi and blood deficiencies can be slowly nursed. Is this a medicinal meal on the side?" Yi Roujing observed at the bottom right corner of the prescription.

"Yes." Elder Ren’s eyes gleamed with surprise at this young girl’s strong foundation in traditional medicine.

"You have night sweats," Elder Ren confidently stated to Xia Xingchen.

Xia Xingchen came back to her senses and nodded slowly. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Yam and mutton might be hard to find, but wheat porridge should be easier. Drink it for a while; once the night sweats stop, you can stop," Elder Ren suggested.

"Okay." Xia Xingchen nodded, "But now there’s no place to get Chinese medicine."

"You all head out for a walk. After an hour, go directly to the back door of the supply and marketing cooperative and find Zhang Qiuyan. She will give you the medicines," Elder Ren said.

"Thank you," Yi Roujing and the others thanked him. Xia Xingchen paid for the herbs, but Elder Ren refused to accept any consultation fees.

"I’m not a formal doctor now, not qualified to charge," Elder Ren self-mockingly said, "I don’t see patients anymore; today, you caught my attention."

Elder Ren smiled at Yi Roujing, "If you do get better, would you like to learn traditional medicine under me?"

"I plan to go to college in the future," Yi Roujing replied with a smile, "Though I know traditional medicine, I intend to study Western medicine too. I want to master both."

Elder Ren was somewhat taken aback, "You sure aim high, young lady."

Yi Roujing took out a paper-wrapped bar of peach crisp from the basket, "Elder Ren, try this; it tastes good."

Elder Ren chuckled, "Then I won’t be polite, feel free to come to ask if you have any questions."

Yi Roujing nodded in agreement. After bidding farewell to Elder Ren, the three of them left the clinic’s gatehouse.

"Xingchen, don’t be upset," Ding Anmin patted Xia Xingchen, saying, "That wicked woman isn’t worth your distress."

"That Gu Shizhao is a good person. He specifically had someone tie you up to warn you," Ding Anmin now completely trusted Gu Shizhao, sighing at his appearance, "Really, you can’t judge a book by its cover."

"Honestly, hearing Elder Ren’s answers relieved me," Xia Xingchen replied, "But eventually, I must return to ask her why she treated me this way."

"What’s the point in asking?" Yi Roujing rolled her eyes, "What you need to do is reclaim what’s yours and live well. The better you live, the more unsettled those who wish you ill will be."

"Xingchen, I think she’s right. She knows best how to make others uncomfortable," Ding Anmin agreed.

Yi Roujing shot a glare at Ding Anmin, while Xia Xingchen laughed upon seeing them.

"Roujing, Anmin!" A cheerful pink figure ran towards Yi Roujing and the others. Looking up, it was Hao Zhixin.

"Zhixin." Ding Anmin waved her right hand high.

Yi Roujing saw Hu Heping, supported by Hao Zhijian, holding her belly behind Hao Zhixin.

"It’s such a coincidence; I was just thinking about you. My brother had planned to take us to the Dingping Production Team to see you, didn’t expect to run into you here." Hao Zhixin chattered away.

"Mr. Yi (Rourjing)." Hao Zhijian and Hu Heping caught up, calling out with smiles all over their faces.

"Mr. Hao, Heping," Yi Roujing responded with a smile.

"Come over to our house to sit down; have lunch with us." Hu Heping warmly clasped Yi Roujing’s hands, "No excuses."

"I’m afraid today’s not possible," Yi Roujing apologized, "I told my family I’d return to work soon, they’ll be worried if I don’t."

Hu Heping looked a bit disappointed.

"We’ll send you back later," Hao Zhijian replied, "We intended to visit Mr. Yi’s family personally, and since you’re here, you can guide us, and we can see your place for future visits."

Hu Heping’s face lit up with joy at this, "Yes, yes, Zhijian’s right, we’ll go to your home."