RYEY -Chapter 278 Everyone’s Leaving (Part 1)

Ye Jun laughed. “Keeping it a secret, huh? It’s just that the higher education exams are about to be reinstated. That naughty girl will use the exams as an excuse to go to the capital. That way, it’s completely legitimate.”

A week later, two people arrived in Xiangyang Village, driving a black sedan to the village entrance. However, the road from the village gate to the interior was narrow and rugged. The driver worried that the car’s undercarriage might be damaged, so they left the car at the gate and walked to the village committee.

Only then did the villagers realize that these people had come to take Dr. Ye away. It stirred up quite a hornet’s nest, considering that over the years, without Ye Jun, who knows how many lives would have been lost in Xiangyang Village.

Especially during the flood two years ago, several villagers, including Chen Tiezhu, were infected with the plague. Thanks to Ye Jun’s miraculous skills, they recovered within a week. His medical ability was nothing short of extraordinary.

So the villagers immediately surrounded the two strangers. The idea of taking Ye Jun away? Impossible.

Li Huan and Cheng Qiao had just returned from outside. Cheng Qiao, taking advantage of having some free time, went to the grocery store she had bought in Spring City a few years ago.

The previous owner had passed away two years prior, and Cheng Qiao had helped arrange the funeral. This time, she planned to renovate the store so it could open for business once the economic reforms of the coming year took effect.

But as soon as she returned to the village, she saw it in chaos. Chen Weidang, seeing Li Huan back, immediately grabbed him, urging him to hold firm and not let Ye Jun leave.

Li Huan waved his hand. When the villagers saw the village chief had returned, they quickly stepped aside. The visitors handed Li Huan their credentials and letters of appointment, proving their identities.

Li Huan sighed inwardly. Those who had to leave would leave. He couldn’t stop them; to do so would violate regulations and hurt both Uncle Ye and Cheng Qiao’s feelings.

“Villagers, think carefully. Uncle Ye is so talented—how could he remain trapped in our small mountain village? If he can help your children get into university and then leave, who wouldn’t want that?”

The villagers lowered their heads. Indeed, back then, everyone had eagerly awaited those few recommendations to work-study universities. But now that it was happening, they seemed lost and unsure.

Ye Jun stepped forward and shook hands with the two visitors. Then he picked up a megaphone and announced that he would give free medical consultations to the villagers today before leaving.

Cheng Qiao quickly invited the two guests back into her home. As long as there was food, drink, and a place to rest, they could wait patiently.

Sure enough, upon hearing that Ye Jun would offer free medical consultations, everyone got excited. From the youngest to the oldest, they wanted him to check their health.

Ever since the last plague outbreak, villagers who took Cheng Qiao’s pills from her space felt much healthier. So who would refuse Ye Jun’s diagnosis?

The children, from infants onward, were mostly healthy. Only a few had intestinal worms; they were given deworming medicine and instructed to avoid drinking untreated water and to maintain hygiene.

The elderly were generally in good health as well. Any age-related ailments could be managed with some herbal remedies, as long as they rested properly.

Middle-aged villagers, however, had endured famine and carried the burdens of both older and younger family members. Their bodies were somewhat overtaxed, so the wellness pills were handed out freely.

Cheng Qiao sensed that her space was about to level up. She finally understood its true principle: as long as one practiced medicine and saved lives using the space’s medicine on a sufficient number of patients, the space would upgrade.

As the sun’s last rays bathed Xiangyang Village, Ye Jun, exhausted, stood up. Apart from the Li family, he had examined every villager’s pulse.

“Master, let’s eat first. I’ve prepared your luggage. Also, this is the Siheyuan my mother left me. When you have time, please help me take care of it too.”

Cheng Qiao had not only prepared Ye Jun’s luggage but also gave him a key. Ye Jun accepted it with a helpless smile. That naughty girl was always finding things for him to do—didn’t she worry that his old bones might get worn out?

“Master, when you get to the capital, call me. Also, you must send a letter every week.”

“No, one letter a month is more realistic.”

Ye Jun rolled his eyes. He was going to the capital to become the hospital director, not retire. He had no time to write weekly letters with so many things awaiting him.

Cheng Qiao nodded and led Ye Jun inside. On the table lay dozens of wooden boxes, including three made of white jade. Ye Jun recognized them instantly—they contained the Rebirth Pills.

“Cheng Qiao, we already have this many Rebirth Pills?”

“Yes, there are three. The Rebirth Herbs grow too slowly, so after all these years, we only have three. Master, you must promise me to keep one for yourself.”

Ye Jun nodded. He took out a military-style backpack and carefully packed the three white jade boxes. Then he filled another bag with the remaining medicine pills. These pills would be the torches lighting the bright future of the Ye family.

Mother Li, Cuihua, and Auntie Wang were in the kitchen, continuously cooking. Dr. Ye was about to return to the capital, a long journey ahead, so they wanted to prepare the best food for him to take along.

Uncle Niu put on his best clothes and brought a small wooden suitcase he had made. It was intricately designed, lockable, and made of golden-thread nanmu wood.

“Old Ye, today we part. I wonder if we’ll meet again. I really can’t bear it.”

Ye Jun took out two gold pens from his backpack and handed them to Uncle Niu—pens he had wanted for a long time. Though he was illiterate, owning these pens made him feel like a cultured man.

“Really giving them to me?”

“Take them. A keepsake is a good thing.”

The two shared a mutual respect before stepping out of the yard. They climbed onto the ox cart. Li Huan hurriedly helped load luggage and food onto the cart, then took Cheng Qiao and the children aboard as well.

“Huan, you must properly educate my grandson. Don’t show favoritism, understand? Or I’ll spank you!”

Li Huan: “……”

Was Uncle Ye mistaken? Ye Jing, although surnamed Ye, was his biological son. Who would ever mistreat their own child? Really overthinking it.

Uncle Niu also shook his head in disagreement. “Old Ye, you’re being petty. Ye Jing may have the surname Ye, but he’s truly a Li family member at heart.”

“Master, don’t worry. Next year during the Lunar New Year, we’ll come to the capital to celebrate. You better prepare our rooms.”

Hearing Cheng Qiao’s promise, Ye Jun’s deeply reluctant heart finally eased. He patted each child’s hand and even kissed Ye Jing’s cheek, before reluctantly stepping down from the ox cart.

“Wow, such a beautiful car! If I could sit in it, I’d die happy.”

“You little brat, dreaming about riding such a car—dream on!”

“Dreaming isn’t wrong! I didn’t know Dr. Ye was originally from the capital!”