Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

After finishing his meal, Zhao Guosheng pushed away his bowl and chopsticks, stood up, wiped his mouth with his hand, and looked at everyone.

"Tomorrow, our health center will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking its official opening and a phoenix-like rebirth. Does anyone have any objections?" Zhao Guosheng asked.

Nobody objected.

Wang Tao was the first to raise his hand in agreement, Liu Wei nodded in agreement, Li Fang said, "We should have had a ceremony a long time ago," and even Wang Jianguo said, "It would be good to have some fun."

Zhao Guosheng glanced at Chen Ping, and Chen Ping nodded.

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, in the courtyard. Wang Tao, you'll prepare the banner, firecrackers, and red silk." Zhao Guosheng began to make arrangements.

"Okay, leave it to me." Wang Tao patted his chest and took out a small notebook from his pocket, where he scribbled a few lines in a crooked manner.

"Liu Wei, you're in charge of sweeping the yard clean, pulling out the weeds in the flower beds, and moving those potted green plants by the door to the clinic entrance and arranging them neatly."

Liu Wei nodded.

"Li Fang, you're in charge of the pharmacy. Make sure all the medicines are neatly arranged, and don't keep any expired ones. Throw away what needs to be thrown away, and replenish what needs to be replenished. If anyone comes to visit tomorrow, the pharmacy is our storefront; we can't afford to embarrass ourselves."

Li Fang responded with a "Don't worry."

"Dr. Wang, you're in charge of the examination room. Make sure the patient records are laid out properly, change the sheets, and wipe down or change the stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, and other equipment that need wiping or changing."

Wang Jianguo adjusted his reading glasses and nodded.

Zhao Guosheng smiled and then continued to assign tasks.

"Cui Ying, you're in charge of the backyard, the dormitory, the canteen, and the flower bed. Keep it tidy. Some villagers might visit tomorrow, and the backyard needs to be visible to everyone," Zhao Guosheng said.

Cui Ying nodded and said "Okay," then took Zhou Xiaohe's hand and said, "Xiaohe, you have to help me, right?"

"Mm!" Zhou Xiaohe nodded.

"Sister Li, please prepare a few more dishes tomorrow, just in case someone stays for dinner, we can't be too stingy."

Aunt Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dean Zhao, I'll go buy groceries before dawn tomorrow and make sure I can prepare a decent meal."

After making the arrangements, Zhao Guosheng clapped his hands and was about to adjourn the meeting when Wang Tao spoke up again.

"Dean, it's not good for just the people at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to have a good time, is it? We need to invite a leader to help make it more impressive. Someone from the township or the county, if they come, it will make us look good too."

Liu Wei nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, it would be more formal to have a leader cut the ribbon."

Li Fang also said, "It would be best to hire someone who can speak effectively, so that we can speak up if anything happens at our health center in the future."

Zhao Guosheng glanced at Chen Ping and pondered for a moment.

"As for this matter involving leaders, asking someone from the county is a bit too far, and they might not even come. Secretary Zhang from the township is the most suitable."

"He has always had a good relationship with our health center, and Secretary Zhang is very familiar with Dr. Chen, so it's most appropriate for Dr. Chen to go and invite him."

After Zhao Guosheng finished speaking, he looked at Chen Ping, seeking Chen Ping's opinion.

Chen Ping didn't refuse and nodded, "Okay, I'll go talk to Secretary Zhang this afternoon and ask him to come for the ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. I'll also mention the clinic to him."

Zhao Guosheng paused for a moment, then asked, "What kind of medical center?"

Chen Ping briefly explained his idea for a youth mental health center: to build a small building on the open space in the backyard, specifically for treating teenagers with mental health problems, using acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and psychological counseling, with the costs borne by himself and not involving the health center.

After listening, Zhao Guosheng leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Dr. Chen, your idea is good, I support it. But although the land in the backyard belongs to the health center, if we really want to build a house, we need the township's approval."

"The government is now strictly regulating rural housing construction. It's not like before when you could just build a shed anywhere. Ask Secretary Zhang first and see what he has to say."

Although Zhao Guosheng is the director of the health center, he has no say in building a new building for the health center.

Chen Ping nodded, stood up and said, "I'll go now."

The afternoon sunlight was gentler than at noon, and the wind had died down.

Chen Ping walked along the street he had walked countless times toward the township government. As he passed the barbershop, Sister Zhang was sitting at the entrance eating sunflower seeds. Seeing him, she called out, "Dr. Chen, I heard your health center is opening tomorrow?"

Chen Ping nodded. "Yes, we'll have the ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow. Sister Zhang is welcome to come and join in the fun."

Sister Zhang said with a smile, "I'll definitely go."

The tofu stall was closed, Old Zhou wasn't there, and a puddle of water remained on the ground, glistening in the sunlight.

Zhang Jianmin was in his office, typing materials on his computer, his fingers tapping the keyboard quite forcefully.

When he saw Chen Ping come in, he stopped, took off his glasses and put them on the table, and rubbed his eyes.

"Dr. Chen, when did you get back?" Zhang Jianmin asked.

"I came back early this morning. The health center has been renovated and is scheduled to open tomorrow. I hope Secretary Zhang can come and show his support."

Chen Ping sat down in the chair and explained his purpose.

"That's great, I'll definitely go. I don't have many meetings tomorrow morning anyway."

Zhang Jianmin agreed without hesitation.

"Secretary Zhang, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

Chen Ping also talked about the youth mental health center.

He wants to build a building on the vacant lot in the backyard of the health center, specifically to treat teenagers with mental health problems. It won't take up the health center's funds; he can find a way to pay for it himself.

After listening, Zhang Jianmin's smile remained unchanged, but his brows furrowed slightly.

"Dr. Chen, I support your idea. It's a good thing. Many children are under a lot of pressure and are developing psychological problems. They really need a specialized institution to help them."

"But building houses is not like it used to be. The state has strict regulations on rural housing construction, especially on land belonging to units like health centers. To build a new house, you have to go through a whole process of planning, land use, and approval. It's not something I can decide on my own; the township party committee has to hold a meeting to discuss it."

He paused, looked at Chen Ping's expression, and added, "But don't worry, your project is semi-public welfare, and it's on land belonging to the health center. I'll put in a good word for you at the meeting. Wait for my news; I'll call you when I have the results."

Chen Ping nodded. "Alright, then I'll trouble Secretary Zhang."

After Chen Ping finished speaking, he stood up to leave.

Zhang Jianmin stopped him, took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, opened it, took out one, and handed it to him.

Chen Ping waved his hand and said he wouldn't smoke, but Zhang Jianmin put one in his mouth himself, lit it with a lighter, took a puff, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Dr. Chen, you mean well, but sometimes you're too impatient. Building a house isn't like treating a patient, where one injection will do the trick. It has to be done step by step. Don't worry, I'll keep that in mind."

Chen Ping smiled and said, "No rush, I'll wait for Secretary Zhang's news."

Chen Ping walked out of the office and went downstairs.

Sunlight shone on the walls of the township government compound, turning the white walls a pale yellow, and the national flag on the wall fluttered in the wind.

Chen Ping walked out of the township government compound and along the street for a while before suddenly stopping.

He slapped his forehead; he had been so focused on the clinic that he had forgotten to set a specific time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Zhang Jianmin.

What if something happens to them at 10 a.m. tomorrow?

We need to find out.

He turned around and walked back.