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

The people on the slope gradually dispersed.

Several township government officials were counting the number of people. Zhang Jianmin stood on top, shining a flashlight around to make sure all the wounded had been taken away before sliding down the slope.

He walked up to Chen Ping, the flashlight beam shining on the ground, not in his face.

"Dr. Chen, thank you so much for today."

Zhang Jianmin's voice was a little hoarse, whether from shouting or from choking on dust at the scene, "If you hadn't arrived quickly and handled the situation in time, these seriously injured people probably wouldn't have made it to the county hospital's ambulance."

Chen Ping stood up, leaning on the minibus. His legs were a little weak from squatting for too long. "Secretary Zhang, please don't say that. It's my duty."

Zhang Jianmin waved his hand: "You don't know, if a minibus rollover accident results in death, especially if three or more people die, it is considered a major traffic accident."

From top to bottom, no one in our township government can escape this fate. You didn't just save a few lives today; you saved the jobs of everyone in our township.

He didn't speak harshly when he said this, but Chen Ping could hear the lingering fear in his voice.

"Have they all been sent away?" Chen Ping asked.

"They've been taken away. Two vehicles from the county hospital, one from the city hospital, and the two with minor injuries were taken back to the health center in a van."

Zhang Jianmin turned off the flashlight; the moonlight was sufficient. "Dr. Chen, you should also go back and rest early. The car is still upstairs; I'll have someone take you there."

"OK."

Chen Ping turned around and called out, "Pack your things, let's go back!"

Wang Jianguo gathered the remaining medicines together, then carried two half-empty plastic bags up the stairs.

Liu Wei carried the stretcher, Wang Tao carried the canvas bag, Li Fang held the bundle of bandages that were mostly used up, and Cui Ying carried the only remaining bottle of saline solution.

A group of people walked in a line up the slope in the moonlight, and no one spoke.

The bread truck was still waiting up there. The driver was leaning against the door smoking. When he saw them get on, he put out his cigarette and said, "Get in."

The journey back was much quieter than the way there.

No one spoke, and no one seemed nervous.

Chen Ping remained seated in the passenger seat, clutching the wooden box in his arms. The few drops of blood on it had dried, turning into dark red stains.

The people in the back row were slumped over. Wang Tao was dozing off by the car window, Liu Wei had his eyes closed, Li Fang was huddled in her seat, and Wang Jianguo was staring blankly out the window.

Zhao Guosheng sat at the very back, panting heavily, his hands still trembling.

The bread truck was parked in front of the health center.

Several people got out of the car. The courtyard was dark, and the shadows of the locust trees swayed on the ground.

"Go back and rest."

Zhao Guosheng waved his hand, "You've worked hard today."

"Dean Zhao, you should get some rest too."

Wang Jianguo pushed his bicycle and left.

Liu Wei walked towards the next village, his pace much slower than usual.

Li Fang lived on the street and left with her bag.

Chen Ping stood at his door, took out his key, and inserted it after two tries.

My hands are still shaking, not from fear, but from exhaustion.

I saw more than twenty patients in one afternoon, and then spent more than two hours at the accident scene. My fingers were stiff.

"Dr. Chen."

Cui Ying stood in the doorway next door, the moonlight shining on her face, making it appear radiantly white. "Are you hungry?"

Chen Ping was stunned for a moment before he realized that he had been busy since noon and hadn't even had a few sips of water.

My stomach finally realized what was happening and growled.

Cui Ying smiled and said, "I'll make you some noodles."

"It's too late, don't bother..."

"No trouble at all, it'll be quick."

She had already pushed the door open and gone inside. She pulled the light cord, and a dim, yellowish light shone through the window.

Chen Ping hesitated for a moment at the door before pushing it open and entering his room.

He put the wooden box on the table and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.

The water from the tap was icy cold. When it was rinsed on my hands, the dried blood scabs softened and were washed away little by little, leaving a pool of pale red water in the sink.

He looked at his hands, his ten fingers, blood still embedded in his fingernails, no matter how much he washed, he couldn't get them clean.

I could hear the sound of a running tap next door, followed by the clatter of pots and pans.

After washing his hands, Chen Ping stood in front of the mirror and looked at himself.

The cut on his forehead had scabbed over, and there were bloodstains on his face; it was unclear whether they belonged to the patient or himself.

Needless to say, his clothes were covered in bloodstains. He had already taken off his white coat and left it in the examination room. The clothes he was wearing were covered in bloodstains, with large patches on the sleeves and collar, and several finger marks on his chest.

He sighed as he looked in the mirror.

"Dr. Chen, come over here." Cui Ying's voice came from next door.

Chen Ping pushed open the door and went in.

Two bowls of noodles sat steaming on the small table.

It's still hand-pulled noodles, still bone broth, and still a poached egg.

But this time, I added two more pieces of green vegetables, which looked so appetizing.

"Sit down." Cui Ying was already sitting at the table, her chopsticks on her bowl.

Chen Ping sat down and picked up a mouthful of noodles.

It was served hot, with just the right amount of salt, and the broth was so delicious you could swallow your tongue.

He slurped up a big mouthful, then took a bite of the fried egg, the yolk flowing out and dripping onto the surface.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you," Cui Ying laughed.

Chen Ping ate a few more bites before he recovered and let out a long sigh of relief.

"You've been busy all day, and you still cooked for me," Chen Ping said.

"Didn't you also save people all day?" Cui Ying said, stirring her noodles with her head down. "We're even now."

Chen Ping smiled but didn't say anything.

After eating half of his meal, Cui Ying looked up, her gaze falling on him, and she frowned slightly: "Your clothes are covered in blood."

Chen Ping looked down and said, "Yeah, it was from rubbing against someone."

"Take it off, I'll wash it for you."

"No need, no need, I can wash it myself..." Chen Ping shook his head.

"You wash it yourself?"

Cui Ying put down her chopsticks and looked at him. "You don't even have a change of clothes, what are you going to use to wash this? Besides, this bloodstain can't be left out, it won't come off if you leave it for too long. A breeze in the mountains will dry it by tomorrow morning."

Before Chen Ping could say anything more, Cui Ying had already stood up, walked around the table, and stood in front of him.

"Stand up."

Chen Ping paused for a moment, then stood up.

Cui Ying was half a head shorter than him. Standing in front of him, she reached out and grabbed the hem of his T-shirt, pulling it up.

Chen Ping instinctively shrank back, and Cui Ying's hand stopped.

Both of them were stunned.

Cui Ying's face flushed red instantly, from her neck all the way to the roots of her ears.

Her hand was still gripping the hem of Chen Ping's clothes; she didn't let go or move.

"Um... I can do it myself..." Chen Ping's voice was a little strained.

"Don't move."

Cui Ying's voice was very soft, so soft that it was almost inaudible.

She took a deep breath, lowered her head, and lifted Chen Ping's clothes up.

Chen Ping cooperated by raising his arm, and his T-shirt came off his head, creating a gust of wind.

Neither of them spoke.

Cui Ying held the blood-stained T-shirt, unsure where to look.

Chen Ping stood shirtless in front of her, the moonlight streaming in through the window and illuminating him.

He wasn't particularly strong, but he was sturdy, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and no excess fat on his stomach.