Doctor and His Glamorous Sister-in-Law

After hearing Liu Jingming, Liu Ergou didn't rush to object. Instead, he turned to look at Lu Hongda.

"Uncle Lu, this…?"

Lu Hongda immediately replied, "Er Gou, don't ask me for details. I'm just the village Party Secretary. Old Liu is in full charge of these things!"

"Since he says it's 7,000, then it's 7,000. You can see my hands are tied!"

Hearing this, Liu Ergou's brows furrowed tightly as he stared at the bank card, deep in thought. After several long minutes, he finally spoke.

"Village Chief, let's put aside whether 7,000 yuan is enough for a moment. Let's talk about something else. For example, building a clinic requires a location, right? We can't keep doing things like before, with me working out of my own house or making house calls door-to-door. So, what's the plan for the clinic's location?"

Liu Jingming replied instantly, "That's simple. There's an abandoned tiled-roof house at the east end of the village. I happened to pass by there a couple of days ago and took a look. There's nothing majorly wrong with it; it just needs a new coat of paint. The village will help you with that."

Liu Ergou paused for a moment before raising his second question.

"Alright, Village Chief, since the location is settled, let's talk about the second issue. If the clinic opens, I definitely can't run it all by myself, right? So…"

This time, before Liu Ergou could finish, Liu Jingming cut him off.

"Hmph. Liu Ergou, you certainly like to overthink things! I know what you're thinking. You're trying to imply that I skimmed money from the clinic's construction fund, aren't you? As the village chief, would I do something like that?! Would I sabotage my own future?! You're truly judging a gentleman by your own petty standards!"

Liu Jingming's self-righteous speech made Liu Ergou want to vomit. He knew Liu Jingming's character all too well. When the village poverty alleviation funds arrived that year, thirty percent of it went straight into his pocket. Liu Ergou only knew about this because he'd accidentally overheard it one time when he came looking for Hui Hui. It would be stranger if Liu Jingming *didn't* pocket the money. But Liu Ergou couldn't say any of this out loud.

Having said his piece, Liu Jingming returned to the topic at hand.

"Regarding staffing, the higher-ups will send someone. We don't have to worry about the salary. Any other questions? Liu Ergou, if you have something to ask, say it all at once. Don't ask one question at a time! Asking piecemeal like this just wastes everyone's time!"

Finished, Liu Jingming tilted his head up, looking at Liu Ergou with disdain.

After listening to Liu Jingming, Liu Ergou fell silent. He was completely powerless right now. All he could do was accept it. A gentleman can wait ten years for his revenge.

"No more questions," Liu Ergou muttered sullenly. He picked up the bank card, intending to leave.

However, just as his fingers touched the card, Liu Jingming slammed his hand down on top of his. Liu Ergou looked at Liu Jingming in confusion, not understanding what he was doing. As Liu Ergou stared, bewildered, Liu Jingming let out a cold sneer.

"I almost forgot something important, Liu Ergou. I may have said you could manage the clinic, but at the end of the day, you're just a barefoot doctor. So what if you have a few tricks up your sleeve? Nobody officially recognizes you! If you want to run this clinic, you'd better go get a medical practice license. Of course, you can choose not to. But if you don't get one, this clinic won't be your responsibility!"

These words were undoubtedly pushing Liu Ergou into a fiery pit. His family had been doctors in this village for generations. Before his grandfather passed away, he had personally entrusted this duty to Liu Ergou. Furthermore, Liu Ergou had also received the legacy of his great-grandfather. So, no matter what, he would never give up being a doctor.

Looking at the triumphant, smug look on Liu Jingming's face, Liu Ergou could only grit his teeth and nod.

"I understand, Village Chief. I'll get a medical practice license, but can you…?"

Liu Ergou hadn't finished speaking before Liu Jingming cut him off again.

"I don't know anything about that exam, so don't ask me. You think a village chief like me would concern myself with such trivial matters? If you can pass it, great. If you can't, then just wait for the person the higher-ups send over!"

Liu Jingming's words made Liu Ergou tremble with rage, but he was utterly powerless. He could only nod, snatch the bank card, and turn to leave.

Just as Liu Ergou reached the office door, Liu Jingming suddenly spoke again. "Liu Ergou, we're done with official business. Let's talk about something personal."

"Let me tell you, drop those little ideas of yours. Don't even think about having designs on my Hui Hui! My Hui Hui is destined to marry a man from the city. In fact, a man from the city has already taken a liking to her, and they've already met! The engagement is settled! Before you know it, he'll come to marry my Hui Hui. And when that happens, not only will she be a city person, but my wife and I will be too!"

As the words left his mouth, Liu Ergou, standing in the doorway, froze as if he had been struck by lightning.

What's happening? How could Hui Hui suddenly be engaged? Why didn't she ever mention this to me?

As Liu Ergou stood there in shock, Liu Jingming continued in a slow, deliberate tone, "Looks like you understood what I just said, so I won't have to repeat myself. Let me tell you, from now on, you and Hui Hui are worlds apart. She's a city person, and you're just a country bumpkin. Even if you get a medical license, you'll still be nothing more than a small-time doctor in a village clinic. You can forget about ever marrying my Hui Hui. I've said my piece. Now you can get lost!"

Listening to Liu Jingming's words, Liu Ergou's heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office.

After Liu Ergou left, only Liu Jingming and Lu Hongda remained in the office.

Lu Hongda looked at Liu Jingming in surprise. "Old Liu, when did Hui Hui get engaged? How come I never heard about this? You never mentioned it to me at all! You're being a bit unfair, keeping me out of the loop!"

Liu Jingming chuckled. "Oh, Lao Lu, don't worry. We certainly wouldn't forget you when it's time for Hui Hui's wedding! I just said all that for Liu Ergou's benefit, to make sure he stops getting ideas about my Hui Hui. My Hui Hui did just meet the man from the city, but let me tell you, I'm eighty to ninety percent sure it's a done deal. That city fellow is very pleased with my Hui Hui!"