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

Wang Tao was the first to rush out and chase the chickens, running all over the yard with the old hens, scattering feathers everywhere.

Li Fang climbed out of the pharmacy window and ran to find a rag.

Wang Jianguo rolled up his sleeves and began wiping the tables in the consultation room.

Liu Wei was hanging a banner at the door, standing on a stool, looking unsteady. Wang Tao ran over to help him steady the stool.

Zhao Guosheng stood in the courtyard, watching all this, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

He walked over to Chen Ping and lowered his voice, saying, "Dr. Chen, why did the Municipal Health Bureau suddenly remember us? It's been so many years since anyone's come here."

Chen Ping shook his head: "I don't know."

"Never mind, it's good that you're here."

Zhao Guosheng rubbed his hands together. "I'll just have to plead poverty with the boss, maybe we can get some funding. Then we can look forward to getting our salaries back."

Chen Ping didn't say anything and packed his things.

Stack the medical records on the table, wrap the acupuncture needles, and hang the stethoscope on the wall.

After doing all that, he stood at the door of the clinic, looking at the door of the accounting office across the street.

The door was closed, and Cui Ying remained inside.

He hesitated for a moment, then walked over and knocked on the door.

"Who?" Cui Ying's voice was muffled.

"I."

The door opened a crack, and Cui Ying stood behind it. Her eyes were still a little red, but not swollen anymore, probably because she had been crying and had washed her face.

She glanced at Chen Ping but didn't say anything.

"The Municipal Health Bureau is coming to inspect tomorrow, and Director Zhao has ordered a thorough cleaning. Do you need any help with the house cleaning?" Chen Ping asked.

"No need," Cui Ying said calmly. "I'll pack up myself."

"Oh." Chen Ping stood at the door, unsure of what to say.

Cui Ying didn't say anything, she just looked at him, her eyes filled with anger, grievance, and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Um... that's not what I meant when I said those things."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I didn't mean you should leave, I meant..."

"You said my parents love me, and that I should think about them," Cui Ying interrupted him. "You're right, I was immature. I should listen to them, go back and get married, right?"

"I did not mean that……"

"So what do you mean?" Cui Ying's voice rose a little. "Do you think I'm in your way? Or are you still thinking about your ex-wife and think I..."

"No, that's not what I meant. I just felt that it's not easy for your parents to come all this way to see you. If you argue with them, they'll be upset, and you'll be upset too. That's what I wanted to say," Chen Ping explained.

Cui Ying looked at him for a while, her lips twitched, it was hard to tell whether she wanted to laugh or cry.

"Chen Ping, do you know why I didn't go back with my parents?" Her voice was very soft.

Chen Ping remained silent.

"It's not because I'm angry, nor because my parents are forcing me. It's because of you." Cui Ying mustered up her courage and said these words.

Chen Ping was stunned.

Cui Ying turned around and closed the door gently, leaving a crack.

Chen Ping stood at the door, looking at the crack, and felt something explode inside him, hot and burning from his chest to his throat.

He reached out to push the door open, but his fingers touched the door panel and he pulled his hand back.

He turned around, took a few steps, then stopped and looked back.

The door was still ajar, not completely closed.

In the courtyard, Wang Tao shouted, "Dr. Chen! Come quick! This banner is crooked!"

Chen Ping responded and ran over to help Liu Wei with the stool.

Liu Wei stood on the stool, hung the banner straight, jumped down, took two steps back, looked at it, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Liu Wei," Chen Ping called out to Liu Wei.

"Um?"

"The salary issue will be resolved."

Liu Wei glanced at him and gave a wry smile: "Dr. Chen, I believe you. But I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

Chen Ping patted him on the shoulder without saying anything.

The health center was bustling with activity all afternoon, just like during the Chinese New Year.

Zhao Guosheng stood in the courtyard, holding a jar, pacing back and forth, saying this wouldn't work and that wouldn't be good, his voice so loud that the whole health center could hear him.

But his eyes were bright, brighter than they had been in decades.

After tidying up his clinic, Chen Ping went to the backyard to wipe the stone table and sweep up the trash in front of Cui Ying's door.

Cui Ying didn't come out, but the door was open, and he could see her wiping the table, folding documents, and organizing account books inside the room.

The two people were separated by the door, neither of them speaking, but both knew the other was there.

As the sun was setting, the health center looked brand new.

The walls are still the same walls, the windows are still the same windows, but they are clean, bright, and even the air is fresh.

Zhao Guosheng stood in the middle of the courtyard, walked around, nodded, and then shook his head.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Tomorrow, dress neatly and speak politely, don't embarrass the health center."

"Got it!" Wang Tao shouted.

The group dispersed.

Wang Tao winked at Chen Ping and whispered, "Dr. Chen, Cui Ying seems to be crying. Go and take a look."

Chen Ping glared at him, and Wang Tao shrank back and ran away.

The courtyard fell silent.

Chen Ping stood at the door of the clinic, looking at the door of the accounting office.

The door was open, the lights were on, and Cui Ying sat in front of the computer, not typing, just sitting there looking at the screen.

There was nothing on the screen except the desktop background, a picture of a blue sky and white clouds.

Chen Ping walked over and stood at the door.

"Aren't you going back yet?"

"I'm going back." Cui Ying's voice was very soft, and she didn't turn around.

Chen Ping stood at the door, watching her back.

A ponytail, a white short-sleeved shirt, narrow shoulders, and a slim waist.

Cui Ying sat there motionless.

Chen Ping knew Cui Ying's thoughts and feelings, but now he dared not accept them, much less could he.

Chen Ping was self-aware; he and Cui Ying were from two different worlds.

"The Municipal Health Bureau is coming to inspect tomorrow, and Director Zhao is overjoyed," Chen Ping said, trying to make conversation.

"Um."

"Why do you think they suddenly remembered us?"

"I don't know." Cui Ying shook her head.

Seeing Cui Ying like this, Chen Ping didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards the backyard.

Cui Ying stood up, watched Chen Ping's retreating figure, bit her lip, and walked out of the accounting office.

She mustered up her courage to say those words to Chen Ping, but Chen Ping did not respond at all.

When Cui Ying passed by Chen Ping's dormitory, she noticed that the lights were off and Chen Ping was lying in the dark.

Cui Ying then cooked the noodles and gently called Chen Ping's name twice.

Chen Ping went over to eat noodles, and this time, the two barely spoke.

After finishing his meal, Chen Ping went to his dormitory to sleep.