Zhang Xiaoshan’s second demand made Wu Daming very uncomfortable.
Because the position of the village health worker was meant to be reserved for his precious daughter, Wu Lingling.
Wu Lingling was the daughter of Wu Daming and his deceased wife, nineteen years old now, studying at the medical vocational school in the city, and she was about to graduate in about a year.
After the previous health worker left, Wu Daming deliberately had Zhang Xiaoshan come in as a temporary worker, planning to hold onto the quota until his daughter Wu Lingling graduated; then, he could directly fire Zhang Xiaoshan and have his daughter take up the position as a permanent staff member.
To Wu Daming, Zhang Xiaoshan’s demand was very difficult to accept.
"Little Shan, this, the health workers in the village are uniformly selected by the county health department, and frankly speaking, I don’t have a say in making it permanent. Look, how about I give you an extra three thousand yuan, and we consider this matter closed?"
Wu Daming showed a troubled expression.
But Zhang Xiaoshan wasn’t buying what Wu Daming was selling.
"Uncle Daming, at this point, let’s just be clear with each other. I’ve already looked into this matter thoroughly. The health worker’s position might be under the county health department, but our White Dragon Village is in such poor condition that no one wants to come here. Basically, if you recommend someone, there shouldn’t be too much trouble."
"Moreover, why would the county health department refuse me, a bona fide top student from Medical University, wanting to be the village health worker?"
Zhang Xiaoshan’s words embarrassed Wu Daming.
He really wanted to refuse Zhang Xiaoshan because Wu Lingling was his only daughter, and he was hoping that she would stay in White Dragon Village to take care of him in his old age. If Zhang Xiaoshan took over the health worker’s position, what would his precious daughter rely on for a living in the village?
But then he thought, since Zhang Xiaoshan could articulate the inner workings so clearly, it was obvious that Zhang Xiaoshan had premeditated this. If he didn’t agree with Zhang Xiaoshan, there might indeed be disastrous confrontations.
"Uncle Daming, if you really have no control over this matter, I won’t force you. After all, my medical skills are quite decent. I could open a small clinic elsewhere; I don’t have to stay in White Dragon specifically."
Zhang Xiaoshan made a gesture as if he was about to leave.
"Don’t, Little Shan, let’s talk this out. Don’t rush off," Su Xiangmei held onto Zhang Xiaoshan’s arm and wouldn’t let go.
"Wu Daming, are you blinded by greed? You better weigh what’s more important," Su Xiangmei shouted at Wu Daming again. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩
"Woof, woof, woof..."
"Woof, woof, woof..."
At that moment, the stray dogs in the village seemed to have heard something and started barking wildly.
Wu Daming’s heart pounded with worry, fearing that he might attract other villagers.
He gritted his teeth and said to Zhang Xiaoshan.
"You’re tough, kid. I agree. But even if I recommend you, the county health department will still organize an exam. If you can’t pass it, don’t blame me."
"Also, I warn you, if tonight’s events get out to anyone else, you’ll have me to answer to."
Having said his piece, Wu Daming stormed off in a rage.
To think, cheating this one time, he had just smashed the iron rice bowl prepared for his precious daughter; what an unjust situation.
"Hey, don’t rush off, what about the welfare assistance you promised me..."
Su Xiangmei hurried after him, but Wu Daming was too incensed to pay her any attention and stormed off, now suspecting that tonight’s events might have been a set-up by Su Xiangme in cahoots with Zhang Xiaoshan; otherwise, how could it have been such a coincidence?
"You old thing, how can you be so heartless, pulling up your trousers and denying everything?"
Su Xiangmei chased after him discontentedly, her large buttocks swaying seductively, a sight that was tempting to onlookers.
Though, she still fell a bit short compared to Jia Lanhua’s figure.
"If only I could get a taste of Jia Lanhua someday..."
Zhang Xiaoshan wickedly fantasized for a moment.
Then he entered the health room to tend to his wound.
He cleaned the wound with iodine, applied some antiseptic and anti-inflammatory medication simply, and then lay down on the sickbed.
After a day of turmoil, he was utterly exhausted and soon drifted off to sleep.
The next morning dawned.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
Just past six o’clock in the vaguely light morning, someone knocked on the door of the health room.
Zhang Xiaoshan was woken by the noise.
"Little Shan, are you there?"
A woman’s anxious voice came from outside the door.
"Is that you, Sister Xiue?" Zhang Xiaoshan asked.
Ge Xiue had some education and worked as the accountant for the village. Her husband taught in a town school; their household was more affluent than most villagers’, though it seemed her marital relationship wasn’t that great. Her husband seldom came home, and she lived alone in the village.
"It’s me, it’s me. Hurry up and open the door, I need to talk to you urgently," Ge Xiue replied from outside.
"Did Wu Daming send her to give me money?" Zhang Xiaoshan speculated, then quickly got out of bed to get dressed.
As he pulled on his trousers and saw the skin on his leg, he paused.