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

The dishes were served, and the group ate and chatted.

"Sister-in-law, how many days are you staying in Siping Township?" Chen Ping asked.

"I need to go back tomorrow or the day after. It was so difficult to get a few days off. Old Zhang couldn't get leave and couldn't go home, so I had to take the leave."

"Having him around is like not having him at all; you hardly ever see him throughout the year."

As Liu Mei spoke, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Alright, stop saying that. You know the nature of my job; I can't just take leave whenever I want."

Zhang Jianmin glared at Liu Mei.

"Yes, your job is different. You're just a deputy secretary of a township, but you're busier than a mayor or governor. You don't even have time for your family."

A hint of anger flashed across Liu Mei's face.

"I……"

"Secretary Zhang, sister-in-law, let's both say less. It's not easy for either of us!"

Seeing this, Chen Ping quickly tried to smooth things over, to prevent the couple from starting a fight.

Hearing Chen Ping say this, Zhang Jianmin sighed, "Dr. Chen, I know your sister-in-law has it tough, it's like she's living like a widow, but there's nothing I can do."

"I can't leave Siping Township, and she works at a pharmacy in the city. We're both busy with our own things, and neither of us has time."

"Secretary Zhang, haven't you thought about having your wife come to Siping Township to keep you company?" Chen Ping asked.

"Your sister-in-law has to work too. Don't be fooled by my impressive title of deputy secretary; my salary isn't much, and it's not enough to support the family. How can your sister-in-law not work?"

"If your sister-in-law comes to Siping Township to live with me, she won't be able to find a job in this place at all."

Zhang Jianmin said helplessly.

He also longed for his wife to be by his side, but the burdens of life wouldn't allow it!

"Sigh, I've wanted to have another child for three years, but I've kept putting it off. If I wait another two years, I'll be an older woman and won't be able to have children anymore."

Liu Mei also sighed, her face full of helplessness.

To outsiders, Zhang Jianmin, as a deputy secretary of a township, must have had an incredibly happy family life.

But every family has its own problems, and what each person sees in others is only the surface.

"Sister-in-law, Secretary Zhang just said you work at a pharmacy?" Chen Ping suddenly remembered something and asked.

"Yes, I've been working for seven or eight years now." Liu Mei nodded.

"Sister-in-law, have you taken the pharmacist certification exam during all these years working at the pharmacy?" Chen Ping asked.

"Yes, I passed the test a long time ago and have been using it ever since."

Liu Mei looked at Chen Ping with a puzzled expression, wondering why he was asking these questions.

"Dr. Chen, why are you asking these questions?" Zhang Jianmin asked curiously.

"Secretary Zhang, our health center is getting busier and busier. There's only one person in the pharmacy, and they can't handle it all. This morning, patients waited in line for almost half an hour to get their medicine."

"I'm discussing with Dean Zhao about hiring an experienced pharmacist. If my sister-in-law is willing to come, the pharmacy will be ready to take over."

"This way, you two won't have to live apart anymore, and it will be easier if you want to have children later."

"We can discuss the salary. Our Siping Township Health Center will definitely be expanded in the future. Once it reaches a certain size, my sister-in-law can also manage the pharmacy."

Chen Ping then explained to Zhang Jianmin.

Zhang Jianmin was taken aback. "Dr. Chen, are you serious? Is the pharmacy at the health center really short-staffed? You can't just say that to take care of your sister-in-law. If you do, I can't let her work there."

"Secretary Zhang, it's true. If you don't believe me, you can call Dean Zhao and ask." Chen Ping said with a smile, "Your wife is certified and experienced, so she can start working right away without having to learn from scratch."

Chen Ping then turned to Liu Mei and said, "Sister-in-law, what do you think? The conditions at the health center aren't as good as the pharmacies in the city, but there aren't many assessments or pressures at the health center. Most importantly, you can be with Secretary Zhang, which saves the couple from living apart."

Liu Mei glanced at Zhang Jianmin, probably wanting him to make the decision.

Zhang Jianmin didn't say anything, but judging from his expression, he also agreed with the idea.

"Dr. Chen, then... can I go to the health center to get a check-up first before making a decision?" Liu Mei asked.

"Of course, you can come for your acupuncture this afternoon. I'll show you around the pharmacy. If you think it's suitable, I'll talk to Director Zhao and get you hired."

"If you feel it's not appropriate, that's fine. If the health center has any staff shortages in the future, I can think of you in advance."

Chen Ping smiled and said.

"Yes!" Liu Mei nodded vigorously.

"Dr. Chen, thank you..." Zhang Jianmin picked up his teacup, toasted Chen Ping with tea instead of wine.

"Secretary Zhang, your wife's abilities have been a great help to us. I should be thanking you and your wife!"

Chen Ping, holding a water glass, returned the toast to Zhang Jianmin and his wife.

The group chatted and laughed, eating most of the dishes on the table and having their tea refilled repeatedly.

With the afternoon approaching and it almost time for work to resume, Zhang Jianmin beckoned Lao Zhou over to prepare to settle the bill.

Old Zhou wiped his hands as he entered the private room, waving his hand: "Secretary Zhang, Dr. Chen has already paid the bill in advance. He just came over and deposited the money."

Zhang Jianmin was taken aback, and immediately looked at Chen Ping: "Hey? How can I let you pay? We agreed that I would treat you to dinner."

He was about to take out his wallet and put it on the table.

Chen Ping reached out and pressed down on Zhang Jianmin's wrist: "Secretary Zhang, it doesn't matter who pays, it's just a casual meal. Don't argue with me about it."

The two men went back and forth a couple of times, with Lao Zhou trying to smooth things over. Seeing Chen Ping's firm attitude, Zhang Jianmin couldn't persuade him otherwise and had to give up.

"Alright, you can treat me this time, but next time I'll have to pay no matter what." Zhang Jianmin reluctantly put his wallet back.

As I walked out of Lao Zhou's restaurant, the sun was already past noon.

The three parted ways on the street. Zhang Jianmin had to go back to the township government to handle some work, so he told Liu Mei to go directly to the health center to find Chen Ping in the afternoon, and then left in a hurry.

Chen Ping walked quickly back to the health center. The courtyard was quiet; everyone had eaten and was taking a nap.

He went straight to Zhao Guosheng's office, knocked on the door, and went inside.

Zhao Guosheng opened his eyes and yawned: "You're back? How was the meal with Secretary Zhang?"

"Dean, I need to talk to you about something."

Chen Ping recounted how he had dinner with Zhang Jianmin and met his wife, Liu Mei.

Zhao Guosheng's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he leaned forward, his face full of joy.

"That's great! Now I don't have to ask anyone for help. These days, not many people with the necessary permits are willing to come here."

Zhao Guosheng remarked with emotion, "It's not just about solving the pharmacy's staffing problem. With Secretary Zhang's wife coming to work here, Secretary Zhang will definitely be more attentive to any needs the township government might have in the future. As long as someone is truly capable, we welcome them wholeheartedly."

"She'll be here this afternoon. I'll treat her migraine first, and then show her around the place," Chen Ping said.

"Okay, you make the decision. As long as she's willing, I'll handle the onboarding procedures." Zhao Guosheng nodded repeatedly.