Chapter 15: Work Hard

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Bai Jiang nodded. “Then I’ll trouble Auntie to bring your daughter-in-law over. It happens that I have some matters to discuss with the village chief, so I’ll chat with him first.”

“Okay, go ahead,” the village chief’s wife happily went to the field to call her daughter-in-law over.

Bai Jiang walked into the living room and saw the village chief sitting there and drinking tea.

“Oh, Jiang Jiang is here!” The village chief happily put down his teacup.

The back mountain was contracted by Bai Jiang, and she was paid 2,000 RMB a month for the contract.

Although 2,000 RMB didn’t sound like a lot, it was a good settlement for that piece of barren land in the back mountain.

The mountain had been abandoned for a long time, so being able to contract it out was a fortunate thing.

“Village chief, I came here to ask for your help. I want to hire some people to pick fruits in the back mountain, but I don’t know many people in the village. Could the village chief help me find a few people? I’ll pay 80 RMB a day, including three meals.”

Upon hearing Bai Jiang’s request, the village chief was momentarily taken aback.

He had heard that Bai Jiang had picked some fruits from the back mountain and sold them in town at a good price.

But were the fruits from the back mountain really that good? Wouldn’t Bai Jiang end up at a loss by paying such a high labor cost?

“Jiang Jiang, we’re all from the same village. Why ask for wages? Just treat everyone to a meal, that would be enough. Do you think twenty people will suffice? I’ll go to the village tomorrow to spread the word,” the village chief suggested.

“The more, the better. Besides, everyone needs to eat, so I’ll pay them for their work. I appreciate your help with this matter, Village Chief,” Bai Jiang politely replied.

The village chief wanted to say something else, but his wife arrived with his daughter-in-law.

“Jiang Jiang, this is my son’s wife, Chun Hua. Please take a look at her,” the village chief’s wife said.

The village chief knew why his wife had brought Chun Hua to Bai Jiang. It was a matter between women, so he didn’t need to stay and listen.

“I’ll go to the village and see if anyone is available. You can continue your conversation,” the village chief said, getting up and leaving.

Bai Jiang examined Chun Hua’s pulse and looked at her tongue.

She said to Chun Hua, “Sister Chun Hua, it’s not a major issue. It’s just some common gynecological inflammation, which won’t cause infertility. However, it can have some impact on conceiving. How long have you been married?”

Upon hearing Bai Jiang’s words, Chun Hua felt a wave of joy, thinking that it wasn’t a serious problem. But when she heard Bai Jiang ask about the duration of their marriage, her excitement vanished.

“We’ve been married for five years. I’ve tried various methods to conceive, but I haven’t had any success,” she said with a hint of distress.

“How about this? I’ll prescribe some medicine for you to cure the gynecological inflammation first, and then you can start preparing for pregnancy,” Bai Jiang said, taking out paper and pen to write the prescription.

“Your gynecological inflammation is mild, and you’ll be cured after taking the medicine for three days,” Bai Jiang explained.

“Really? So, can I get pregnant in three days?” Chun Hua asked excitedly.

Bai Jiang was somewhat speechless. She hadn’t said that Chun Hua could get pregnant in three days.

“Sister Chun Hua, I understand you’re anxious, but you need to listen carefully. Although your gynecological inflammation may affect your ability to conceive, it won’t cause infertility. Even if left untreated, you can still get pregnant. However, since I’m here, I will make sure to treat you,” Bai Jiang clarified.

“Curing the gynecological inflammation doesn’t mean that you will get pregnant. You have to know that there are many reasons for infertility. I don’t think the reason is you.” Bai Jiang said.

The village chief’s wife became even more confused and quickly asked, “People say that having a child depends on fate. Is it because our family has bad Feng Shui?”

Bai Jiang sighed inwardly. She was starting to be superstitious again.

Bai Jiang patiently explained to the two of them, “It’s true that giving birth is about fate, but science can still explain it. I’ve treated Sister Chun Hua. She only has some mild gynecology inflammation, which doesn’t affect her pregnancy. The problem isn’t with Sister Chun Hua.”

“Alright, it’s getting late now. I’ll examine Brother Chang Sheng when I have time in the future,” Bai Jiang said.

Chang Sheng was the village chief’s son, and the ability to conceive was a shared responsibility. If the issue didn’t lie with the woman, it could potentially be with the man.

The village chief’s wife’s heart nearly skipped a beat, and she asked in disbelief, “What? Are you saying there’s something wrong with my son? But it’s my daughter-in-law who can’t get pregnant.”

Bai Jiang inwardly sighed. The belief that “a woman is to blame for not being able to have children” was deeply ingrained in the minds of some rural people. If possible, she truly wished to change everyone’s perspective.

She explained, “Having a child is a joint effort between two people. Without a man, a woman cannot conceive. Since Sister Chun Hua has no issues, let me examine Brother Chang Sheng. That way, we can prescribe the appropriate treatment, right?” Bai Jiang clarified.