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

Chen Ping slowed down as he passed the pharmacy window.

Sun Xiaoyan was putting the boxes of medicine back in their original positions according to the labels, her face still showing some anxiety.

Chen Ping stood outside the window. "Xiao Yan, hang in there. Li Fang will be at work tomorrow. She knows the pharmacy well, so you don't need to cover for her anymore."

Sun Xiaoyan turned her head, the redness in her eyes had faded, "Dr. Chen, I know, it's okay, I was just too slow today."

Chen Ping didn't say anything more, nodded, turned around and walked across the yard to the poplar tree.

It was quiet under the tree; the wind rustled the leaves, blocking out much of the noise from the distance.

He took out his phone, found Zhang Jianmin's number, and dialed it.

He answered after two rings, and Zhang Jianmin's voice came through the receiver, somewhat casually: "Dr. Chen? What made you think of calling me? Didn't you go to the provincial capital with Old Song?"

Chen Ping smiled. "Secretary Zhang, you're really well-informed. I got back yesterday."

"I have something I need to discuss with Secretary Zhang. I plan to build a five-story building in the backyard to make room for an elevator, so that the expansion of the health center can be completed in one go."

There was a two or three-second silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhang Jianmin's voice became noticeably more serious, "Five stories? Building a five-story building in Siping Township is not common. There are no problems with the procedures. You just build it, and I'll keep an eye on the process for you. No one will stop you."

"But have you solved the funding problem? The township government is also in a difficult situation right now and doesn't have the capacity to allocate funds to the health center. It will probably be difficult to get money from the municipal health bureau as well."

"You know the current situation. Governments at all levels and departments are short of money, and they're all just robbing Peter to pay Paul."

"Secretary Zhang, there's no need to worry about the money. We've already raised it. During this trip to the provincial capital, the Provincial People's Hospital reached a counterpart assistance agreement with our Siping Township Health Center, and they've allocated five million yuan in funds." Chen Ping said.

"What? You've reached an agreement with the Provincial People's Hospital?" Zhang Jianmin's voice was filled with disbelief. "Dr. Chen, you're not kidding me, are you?"

"Secretary Zhang, how could I joke about this with you? The Provincial People's Hospital will send people to hold regular consultations, and we will also send people to study there." Chen Ping smiled.

"That's great, that's really great! This is a fantastic thing for Siping Township. I'm going to have a meeting soon to share this good news."

Zhang Jianmin's voice was filled with excitement.

The Provincial People's Hospital is a cash cow; if you're talking about the organization that's least short of money these days, it's the hospital.

Now, the Siping Township Health Center has reached an agreement with the Provincial People's Hospital to provide counterpart assistance.

This is of great significance to the economic development of Siping Township.

"Secretary Zhang, that building..."

"Go ahead and build, build as many as you want, even ten layers won't hurt, I'll cover for you," Zhang Jianmin said generously.

"Secretary Zhang, that's not what I meant. I was saying that the Siping Township Health Center is too small, just a little empty space in the backyard."

"Once the building is completed and the equipment and staff are in place, we'll also need to build dormitories, a canteen, and plan parking lots..."

Chen Ping's meaning was clear: the health center was currently too small.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Jianmin said, "I'll remember this. We'll discuss this issue at the township party committee meeting later."

"Don't worry, there shouldn't be any problem getting the land approved for the health center. We'll clear out the area around the health center for its expansion."

"Thank you, Secretary Zhang." With Zhang Jianmin's words, Chen Ping felt relieved.

"I should be thanking you!"

Zhang Jianmin sighed with emotion, then said, "Dr. Chen, are you free at noon? Let's have lunch together. I also have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"I have time!" Chen Ping said.

"See you at Lao Zhou's restaurant at noon!" Zhang Jianmin said and then hung up the phone.

Chen Ping put his phone back in his pocket and turned to walk towards the examination room.

In the examination room, Wang Tao was sitting behind the examination table, with an old lady sitting opposite him, rolling up her sleeves as he took her blood pressure.

Wang Tao's movements were much more nimble than at the beginning. After taking the blood pressure and checking the value, he asked the old lady a few questions about her recent diet and sleep. He then wrote a few lines in the medical record book.

Chen Ping remained silent, standing at the doorway watching.

When Wang Tao finished writing the prescription and handed it to the old lady, he said, "Auntie, take this medicine once a day on an empty stomach in the morning." The old lady nodded, took the prescription, and left.

Wang Tao looked up and saw Chen Ping standing at the door. He quickly stood up and said, "Master, you're back."

Chen Ping walked over and picked up Wang Tao's medical record book to take a look.

The old lady had chosen the right medicine and the dosage was correct, so he put the medical record book back.

"The dosage is fine, but when you see patients with high blood pressure in the future, ask them during follow-up visits if they have experienced dizziness or blurred vision recently, and whether they can walk steadily. Some people's blood pressure drops too quickly, which can easily cause problems," Chen Ping advised.

"Okay, I've got it!"

Wang Tao quickly jotted it down in his notebook and nodded.

Zhou Jie's footsteps echoed down the corridor. She came out of the treatment room carrying a stainless steel tray containing used IV bottles and needles. She walked quickly, the hem of her white coat swaying at her knees.

She turned into the treatment room, put down the tray, then turned around and went into the ward. When she came out, she had changed her blood pressure monitor and quickly walked towards another examination room.

In less than ten minutes, she had already run back and forth three or four times. A thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, and a strand of hair stuck to the side of her face. She didn't bother to wipe it away; she just raised her hand to brush it off and continued walking.

Chen Ping stood at the door of the clinic watching her back and forth. He was familiar with her movements, but when she did it alone, her pace was noticeably slower than when she did it with someone else. Sometimes, she would just put something down on one side and someone else would already be waiting on the other.

He watched for a while, then turned to Wang Tao and said, "I'll keep an eye on the examination room. Go help Zhou Jie; she's so busy."

Wang Tao was stunned for a moment, then jumped up, his face beaming with excitement, and said, "Master, you're like my own father..."

"Alright, stop joking around. Remember to get your medicine. When you're giving me the injection, be serious and don't just chat and flirt with Zhou Jie."

Chen Ping gave Wang Tao some instructions.

"Master, don't worry, I know!"

After saying that, Wang Tao ran out quickly.

He seemed anxious, after all, seeing how busy Zhou Jie was, and unable to get away himself, how could Wang Tao not be anxious?

"Zhou Jie, how many people are still receiving IV drips in the ward?" Wang Tao asked, catching up with Zhou Jie.

Zhou Jie paused to catch her breath. "There are three more. One was just put on, one is almost finished dripping, and the other won't start until this afternoon."

"Another elderly lady's IV catheter needs changing, but I haven't had a chance to take care of it yet."

Wang Tao nodded. "You can rest. I'll take care of the rest. Look how busy you are, sweating all over."

After saying that, Wang Tao took the tray from Zhou Jie and walked quickly toward the ward.