Merchant and doctor

Chapter 1994 Another Case of Cirrhosis
The second branch of the "New Concept" Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic has been operating relatively well recently. Dr. Ning is in charge, but Nurse Ye is the one who actually takes charge most of things. However, Dr. Ning still has to make the major decisions for slightly bigger matters.

As always, my colleagues are very attentive. Liang Xiangyin, Dr. Ning, and Luo Zhanqi have basically formed a specific customer base. Dian Shuhua did a private calculation and found that they can basically cover their monthly expenses just by relying on those old customers.

Dian Shuhua and Luo Zhanqi usually lived and ate there. The two storage rooms on the top floor, one large and one small, were converted into temporary staff dormitories by Sanqiangzi. Luo Zhanqi lived in the larger room, and Dian Shuhua lived in the smaller one. As Luo Zhanqi's income gradually increased, he naturally became too lazy to cook and usually ate on the street. Perhaps considering returning to his hometown to open a clinic, or intending to buy a small second-hand house in Lijin City, Dr. Luo always ate quite frugally and kept a record of how much he spent each day.

Dian Shuhua rents a liquefied gas cylinder and cooks for himself. Occasionally, when he is too busy, he will go out with his colleagues to grab a bowl of noodles or a rice bowl. He insists on cooking his own breakfast and dinner upstairs. Sanqiangzi said that Dian Shuhua is a good cook and eats quite well without spending much money!

However, during a casual chat, Nurse Ye mentioned to Bian Mu that Dian Shuhua and Luo Zhanqi seemed to have a bad temper. When they met, they would at most nod and smile. They had never been seen discussing any difficult issues together. In addition, no one had ever seen the two of them go out for a meal together. They lived next door to each other, and Dian Shuhua never offered Luo Zhanqi any food when she cooked.

Bian Mu disagreed with this. Life is hard, and both of them are grown men who will have to buy houses and start families in the future. They only have so much time each day, and they are already exhausted after finishing their work. Both of them are the type of people who take things to heart, and they really don't have time to be polite and perfunctory with each other. A gentleman's friendship is as light as water! It's really good to be simple and peaceful.

That evening, without even having dinner, Bian Mu took the subway to the Second Department as soon as he got off work. The sky was overcast, and it looked like a strong wind might come. He thought about treating Dian Shuhua and Luo Zhanqi to a nice meal. The two of them worked quite hard on duty at the Second Department all day long. On the surface, it did save them the money of hiring security guards to stand guard at night, but that wasn't the case. Putting aside everything else, the two of them would mop every place after dinner and work up a sweat. Moreover, Dian Shuhua kept wiping the windows and other things, busy whenever he had a spare moment. This made Luo Zhanqi feel embarrassed to watch, so he would occasionally join in and do a little something.

Bian Mu later made it clear that cleaning the windows was a bit too strenuous and that they could hire a professional cleaner to come once a month, which finally made Luo Zhanqi give up.

Dian Shuhua readily agreed, and whenever he had free time, he would still try his best to wipe the glass, doors and windows spotless. He said that as long as he did a little bit every day, the inside and outside would always be clean, so it wouldn't tire him out. Bian Mu had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

As soon as Bian Mu entered, he saw Pharmacist Mei carrying a non-woven bag and walking out with her head down, indicating that she was going home after get off work.

"Dr. Mei! Are you getting used to things here?" Bian Mu greeted her politely.

"It's great! It's just that since both sides' customers all come here to get their medication, there's bound to be some delay. Sometimes, we inevitably encounter one of the more short-tempered customers who complains a bit, but Dr. Zhang is very good at talking, and we can always get through it!"

"At the beginning, this is the only way we can do it. Let's get used to each other for a while and then talk about it! Is everything alright at home?" Bian Mu didn't mention adding more people at all. That's not something you can just say casually. Adding people means paying salaries, which would immediately add an expense to the clinic.

Only when you're in charge do you realize how difficult everything is!

"Thanks to you, boss! It's great, great! What are your plans, boss?"

"Nothing's wrong, go home quickly! It might get windy tonight, why are you still riding an electric bike?"

"Yes, wherever is more convenient."

"Take the subway when it's cold! Attendance isn't strictly enforced here anyway, so Sister Ye won't say anything if you're late," Bian Mu said with a smile, showing her concern.

"I'm used to it! Compared to the days I used to live, things are so much better now. I'm a very content person."

"Go back now! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

"Then you go ahead with your work, bye-bye!" With that, Pharmacist Mei hurriedly left.

Inside the pharmacy, Zhang Jinsi was still working overtime to dispense medicine for customers, while Dian Shuhua, dressed neatly, was helping him out.

"I'm busy right now! Is there anything I can help with?" Bian Mu greeted her with a smile from outside the door.

"That's all, don't get involved anymore. There's some tea brewed over there, we'll seal the pot now!" Zhang Jinsi quickly said a few polite words, not letting Bian Mu get involved.

Dian Shuhua smiled at Bian Mu, waved, and continued counting the pills.

Bian Mu waved to the two of them, then wandered around upstairs and downstairs. Hmm... it was quiet, much better than he had expected.

Luo Zhanqi wasn't there; he'd probably been called away for dinner by some fellow villagers.

Bian Mu plugged the vacuum cleaner into the power source and cleaned a few places that were prone to dust accumulation. Dian Shuhua was so capable; after working for half a day, there was hardly any dust left in the vacuum cleaner hood.

Bian Mu went to the front door, picked up a mop, and mopped the area in front of the door again... "Don't bother, Dr. Luo just mopped it." Zhang Jinsi and the other man had finished their work and had changed into their everyday clothes. Seeing Bian Mu mopping the floor, Zhang Jinsi greeted him with a smile.

The three of them sat together and drank two or three cups of tea. Zhang Jinsi said that it was his mother-in-law's birthday that night, so he wouldn't be going out to dinner with her.

……

Bian Mu treated Dian Shuhua to Little Sheep hot pot at the "Liu Yidao" chain hot pot restaurant. The atmosphere was unique, with steaming hot pot and a bustling crowd around.

"Isn't the workload at the pharmacy a bit too heavy? Do you think we should add another person?" Bian Mu asked casually.

"It's alright! Everyone helps out when they have time. Adding more people would mean paying them, right? And your requirements are so high, so let's not do it for now!"

"Does Dr. Zhang have to work overtime every day?"

"Pretty much! The income of the residents in this area is not much different from that of the main clinic. Even those who have never been treated here come here to get their medicine. They all know that our medicine is of high quality!"

"Does Dr. Mei usually leave right on time like today?" Bian Mu asked.

"How could that be! Dr. Zhang is so kind! She has an elderly person and a young child in her family, so everyone can understand. When there's nothing going on at home, Dr. Mei is sometimes the last one to leave work. Today was just a coincidence."

Bian Mu nodded slightly and said nothing more.

"You've worked the hardest here! We can't give you a raise for now, so here! Let's toast with tea instead of wine!"

"Boss, you're too kind! Compared to those years before, I feel like I'm in heaven now! Really! By the way, this morning Dr. Liang saw a patient with cirrhosis. The patient didn't come in person; the family asked on his behalf. I was updating Dr. Liang's medical record at the time, so I overheard a bit. Dr. Liang asked a few simple questions, said he wouldn't see the patient unless he saw him in person, exchanged a few polite words, and then sent him away."

Did you notice the patient's name?

"It seems his surname is Feng, like the Feng in wind and rain!"

Upon hearing that the patient's surname was Feng, Bian Mu raised his eyebrows slightly, and his expression seemed to fluctuate slightly.

"What's so special about it that makes you so concerned?" Bian Mu asked, glancing at Dian Shuhua.

"Before I became homeless, I focused on liver diseases in my spare time. When I heard it was cirrhosis, I couldn't help but take a closer look."

"Then...did Mr. Liang upload the patient information?"

"No! The registration fee was refunded to that woman as well."

"What do you think of that woman's clothes and appearance?"

"Refined and elegant style!"

"Oh! How old are you?"

"She looked to be in her early forties, and had a very elegant demeanor, unlike the average wealthy person."

"Really? That person probably knows about Elder Liang's lineage and came here specifically to consult him. You know, Senior Situ Jianqing was an absolute master at treating liver diseases back in the day!"

Upon hearing this, Dian Shuhua immediately perked up, and his eyes brightened considerably.