Chapter 3

Chapter 3 The car stopped and started along the way, finally pulling up beneath a tall building. Actually, it wasn't just one building—it was one of many in a whole street, with houses densely packed together.

Su Jueming said happily, “We're home, we're home.” Su Fuling got out of the car and looked up at the building, unable to help marveling at how many people must live here.

Looking at the crowded street, there were so many people here. If she practiced medicine here, business should be good. Su Fuling felt delighted, full of hope for her future career.

Li Siping waved from the car window, “A Ming, I'm going to pick up passengers.” Su Jueming smiled, “Come over for dinner tonight; I bought char siu pork.”

“Okay, I'll bring some white-cut chicken.” As they were talking, someone came over, opened the car door, and got in. Li Siping was overjoyed, “Looks like today's lucky—my niece is blessed.”

Then he stepped on the gas and drove off to find passengers. Su Jueming chuckled, “He's always so lively. You couldn't understand us, could you?

You'll have to learn Cantonese. I tell you, you have to speak the local language to live here.” Su Fuling immediately replied in Cantonese, “Little Uncle, I understand.

I learned from the educated youth. The educated youth were young intellectuals who came from the cities to support construction in our countryside.

They knew so much. I learned a lot from everyone.” Su Jueming looked at his niece in surprise, “Then just now when A Ping and I were talking, you understood everything?”

Su Fuling nodded with a smile. Su Jueming: “...You're really capable, better than me. It took me a long time to learn. I was worried you wouldn't be able to communicate here.

It'll be convenient now. Let's go home first.” His niece being smart was certainly a good thing. Smart people live more easily.

He had been too honest back then and suffered a lot. With these thoughts, Su Jueming led Su Fuling upstairs. As soon as they passed the building entrance, they saw a middle-aged man supporting a white-haired old lady coming down the stairs.

As a doctor, Su Fuling was naturally attentive to patients, and now her attention was even more heightened. She secretly scrutinized the old lady, who seemed to belong to her “target group.”

The old lady probably had joint problems, and from the way she walked, it wasn't an injury but more like a bone disease, such as rheumatism... Su Fuling actually had some experience with this.

In her hometown, the elderly often suffered from rheumatism due to years of farming. If she could get her hands on it, she might even prescribe some folk remedies to alleviate it.

As for a cure, Su Fuling had no way; she wasn't at that level yet. But she wouldn't foolishly rush up and offer to treat rheumatism.

She had self-awareness—at her age, she wouldn't gain most people's trust. Ah, what a pity... The old lady also glanced curiously at Su Fuling, but after one look, she saw Su Jueming beside her and immediately lost interest in the unfamiliar face, instead looking embarrassed.

Su Jueming was also a bit embarrassed. He stepped aside to let them pass first. Neither side spoke; they simply passed each other.

After they had gone, Su Jueming continued upstairs, “Come on, it's on the third floor.” Su Fuling looked back at the two and then at Su Jueming, thinking to herself that there must be some story there.

As soon as they went upstairs, they heard a child crying from inside the house, accompanied by a woman's somewhat frantic voice, “Stop crying! What do you want me to do to make you stop?”

Su Jueming felt awkward now. He turned to Su Fuling with a smile, “Your little cousin is still young; she's been a bit fussy lately.

All kids are like this.” Su Fuling said, “Kids in the hometown are the same. Aunt must be very tired.” Su Jueming nodded quickly, “Yes, yes, very tired.

Three kids—thanks to her.” Then he hurried upstairs, trying to get the house quiet before his niece entered and saw such a chaotic scene.

Su Fuling deliberately slowed down. When she reached the door, the house had quieted down, and she went inside. Standing with her uncle was a woman with short hair at ear length.

She was thin, with a pointed chin, pale complexion, and a worried look on her face, giving an impression of hardship. This was the look of someone troubled by life.

According to medical theory, it was a sign of disordered qi and blood imbalance. It seemed she had been in a bad mood for a while.

Beside them was a wooden baby walker, and a child with sparse hair, who looked just over a year old, looked up at her with tears in her eyes. This was probably the youngest daughter Susan mentioned in her uncle's letters.

When her grandfather passed away last year, this child had just been born, and her aunt was still in confinement. That was why her grandfather hadn't notified her uncle to come back.

Besides this one-year-old cousin, there should be two younger cousins, Su David and Su Xiaowei, aged eight and six respectively. Their names were a bit Westernized, which had made their grandfather quite dissatisfied, but since her uncle wasn't around, he hadn't brought it up.

Grandfather had even been flipping through books at home, wanting to name them after herbs to continue the family tradition. But that was just a thought; now the old man was gone.

Uncle Su Jueming laughed and introduced, “This is your aunt.” Su Fuling quickly greeted, “Hello, Aunt. I'm Su Fuling.” Zhou Huijuan forced a nod and a smile.

She felt uncomfortable that her disheveled appearance was seen by her husband's niece. “Your uncle has told me about you.

Just settle in here.” Su Fuling smiled, “Thank you, Aunt.” Zhou Huijuan said, “Go into the room and change clothes. I'll make you something to eat.

You probably haven't eaten much on the way. When I came by boat, I couldn't eat anything.” Su Jueming's home was small—just a one-bedroom apartment.

Zhou Huijuan led her into the only room and pointed to a small bed, telling her she would sleep there from now on. “You'll sleep here at night.

Shanshan and I will sleep on the bed next to it. Your uncle and your cousins will sleep outside.” Su Fuling knew there was a bunk bed in the living room.

Su Fuling: “...” It seemed her arrival had squeezed her uncle out of the room. Zhou Huijuan closed the door for Su Fuling to change, then went to the kitchen to prepare food.

Su Jueming followed her into the kitchen, which was so small that two people made it cramped. Zhou Huijuan pushed him, “Go watch Shanshan.

Why are you crowding in here?” Su Jueming laughed, “A Juan, don't you think my niece is pretty? I plan to find her a good husband with a Thousand-Square-Foot Mansion among our clinic's clients.

Take her to buy some clothes and dress her up when you have time.” When Zhou Huijuan heard about buying new clothes, her expression darkened.

The clinic business was bad, and raising three children was very expensive. The household was barely getting by. If not for the savings from years of hard work and frugality, they wouldn't be able to manage.

But thinking of Su Fuling's obedient and pretty appearance, she felt that buying her a nice outfit and marrying her into a good family would be a win-win. A woman's marriage determined her whole life.

“I understand. Let's settle her in first.” In the room, after changing clothes, Su Fuling looked at the cramped space and thought about the family's situation.

She immediately regretted coming here. It seemed her presence wasn't just an extra pair of chopsticks—it was a real burden on this family.

If she had known, she shouldn't have come to her uncle. She was just causing trouble. But since it was done, she couldn't regret it; she had to solve the problem quickly.

She had no other choice now. The bed was made, and the sheets and quilt cover smelled of sunshine. It showed that her aunt was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Su Fuling hadn't planned to stay long, so she had brought little—just a bundle. She took out the local specialties she had brought, and the rest were just a few clothes, which she put under the bed.

When she came out, the noodles were ready, with eggs and shrimp. To Su Fuling, this bowl of noodles was a very delicious meal.

At least the taste was fresh; her hometown was inland, and it was hard to get sea shrimp. While Su Fuling ate the noodles, Su Jueming looked at the hometown specialties she had brought, feeling deeply nostalgic.

They were all memories of his childhood. These were the tastes of home: salted fish, pickled vegetables, and dried goods from the mountains.

All childhood flavors. “You're thoughtful. Here, I've been craving this taste.” Su Fuling smiled, “The uncles and aunties in the hometown prepared them.

They said there's nothing precious at home, but at least there's a bit of hometown flavor for you to taste.” Su Jueming put the things down and smiled, “The folks back home are good.

It's a pity your grandfather is gone, and your mother doesn't live there anymore. We won't have many chances to go back.

It's getting late. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to get your identity papers. The policy has been good these years; as long as you come here, you can get an ID.

Settle down here soon, and send word back home so everyone can rest assured.” Su Fuling said, “Uncle, can I not get it? I'll just live here temporarily.”

She intended to return to the Mainland eventually. “That won't do. You need it to live conveniently,” Su Jueming firmly opposed.

Su Fuling asked, “Then if I want to go back to the hometown later, will it be convenient?” “Why would you go back? There are no relatives left there.”

Then he remembered the family graves. “We'll go back every year to pay respects at the ancestral graves. Don't worry; even if you transfer your household registration, I'll take you back.”

Su Fuling: “...” Aunt Zhou Huijuan said, “Since you're here, don't think about going back. You need a local household registration to live here long-term.”

Su Fuling could only nod, “I'll follow your arrangements.” She had to survive first. Maybe changing her household registration would bring her one step closer to changing her fate.

After finishing the noodles, Su Jueming saw that his niece was settled and it wasn't too late, so he thought about going to his clinic. Since the clinic opened, he had never closed it, no matter the weather.

“You stay home with your aunt. I'm going to the clinic.” At the mention of the clinic, Zhou Huijuan was a bit annoyed, “What's the rush?

It's not like anyone goes there anyway.” Su Jueming felt embarrassed but stubbornly said, “The neighbors still trust me.

Don't talk nonsense.” Zhou Huijuan said, “Before, you treated A Qiang's mother's leg for such a low fee, and now they'd rather spend more money at the clinic across the street than go to yours.

Behind your back, they say your medical skills are poor and you delayed her condition. If you're going to the clinic, at least don't be such a soft touch from now on.”

Su Jueming was left speechless, then finally blustered, “It's not like I didn't get paid. Some people paid more. Ah, I'm not going to argue.

I need to get to work.” Su Fuling cleared the dishes and saw her uncle about to leave for the clinic. She wanted to go along and take a look.

The only skill she could use now was her medical knowledge. If she could treat patients at her uncle's clinic, she could also accumulate Merit Points on the side.

So she suggested, “Uncle, let me come and help.” Su Jueming looked at her, “You? What can you do? You just arrived today.

Rest at home. The journey wasn't easy.” Su Fuling smiled, her eyebrows arching, “I studied medicine with Grandpa for a long time.

I used to be a doctor at the village clinic. I'm in good shape; I don't need rest. I used to run around with Grandpa all the time.

Since I'm going to live here long-term, I need to be able to do something.” Su Jueming thought of his old father. Back then, his father didn't want him to leave home; he wanted him to study the family's medical tradition.

But he was determined not to stay in the countryside and instead went to the city to apprentice. And now, after all these years of mediocrity...

“Alright, come along and take a look. It's good to get familiar with the environment. Since you're here, you need to adapt quickly.”

He didn't expect his niece to actually do anything—what could such a young girl do? Aunt Zhou Huijuan said, “You might as well rest at home.

His clinic doesn't need help.” She didn't treat Su Fuling as an outsider; since the niece would be living with them long-term, she would learn about the family situation sooner or later.

Su Jueming insisted, “When it's busy, we need help. A Ling, let's go.” He waved and left. Su Fuling quickly waved to her aunt, “Aunt, I'm going out.”

Then she followed him out. Zhou Huijuan sighed and continued to tend to the child. When the child saw her father leave, she started crying again.

Zhou Huijuan said, “Can't get a moment's peace.” She already had two children and hadn't planned to have a third, but she got pregnant.

Since the child was born, she had to raise it. With the family's circumstances, they wouldn't have a very good life in the future.

But looking at this house, she felt they could still get by. No matter how hard, it was better than before. At least they had a place to call home.

Zhou Huijuan was a woman with a hard life. She was a descendant of Nanyang Chinese laborers. Her parents, as laborers, were lucky just to be alive.

They raised her until she was about ten, then both died of illness. She was left to follow a group from Nanyang to work in Harbor City.

Young and helpless, she was often bullied and almost tricked into being sold. Fortunately, she met Su Jueming, who was then an apprentice doctor.

He knew some well-off families and introduced her to work as a maid, giving her a place to stay. Later, two similarly helpless people started a family and used their savings to move into this home.

She patted the child gently, “Don't cry. You were born into our family, and your fate is hard, but it's still better than mine.

When you're older, I'll go back to being a maid, and I won't let you suffer.”