Leng Shuizhu originally wanted to ask if she had eaten, but seeing her busy, he couldn't bear to disturb her.
After sitting for so long, he believed what the Xu family said. After all, everyone's adoration and admiration were written on their faces. He didn't know when his sister had learned medicine.
In fact, Wu Caiwei hadn't eaten yet. It was mainly because after she started practicing medicine, many people came to see her. Her patients had increased significantly, including many from the countryside. It wasn't easy for them to make a trip, and judging by their clothing, they were all from poor families. She also wanted to treat their illnesses quickly so they could go home and avoid spending more money.
It was only when things were largely settled that she went to buy food. If more patients came, she would hand them over to the resident doctor at the clinic.
However, there were also those who waited for her specifically to treat them. These people were usually from nearby or within the city. Those from farther away would start their journey before dawn and queue up early. Those who arrived unhurriedly in the afternoon were mostly from nearby. For them, the morning crowd was too large, and since they lived close, there was no need to squeeze with others.
When she encountered such people, Wu Caiwei would ask them to wait a bit longer. Although she wanted to save lives, she also needed to eat and rest. After all, she wasn't made of steel.
In the original body's memory, her family had treated her well, so Wu Caiwei had no intention of abandoning them and being beautiful on her own.
Leng Shuizhu had waited for a long time and was getting anxious. He still had to rush home and work tomorrow. Seeing that his sister was doing well, he was relieved, but he still wanted to say a few words to her.
As soon as Wu Caiwei sat down, he eagerly said, "The Xu family said you're doing great in the city. We didn't believe it at first, but I've seen it today. I'll tell our parents when I get back, and they'll be very happy. Although they don't say it, I know they miss you. Visit them often when you have time. This morning, Xu Yijie's parents wanted to invite me to the city to find you, but I refused. I always felt their intentions weren't pure. You should be careful."
Wu Caiwei smiled and nodded. She remembered her brother as a very shrewd person. It was a waste for such a person to be a farmer, working under the sun and facing the soil. In the future, she wanted to continue her business and would need people. It would be better to promote her own people. When she left the Zhang family and started her own business, she would have people to rely on.
After thinking this through, she looked at him calmly and said, "Brother, have you ever thought about leaving that small mountain village?"
Leng Shuizhu's eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at her. If he wasn't mistaken, his sister meant what he thought. He feigned composure and said, "A man's ambition lies in all directions. If possible, I want to venture out. Unfortunately, we don't have money at home, and I have no connections. If I go out, I can only do manual labor. My parents are afraid I'll overwork myself and have always disagreed."
Wu Caiwei calmly untied her purse from her waist and handed it to him. Leng Shuizhu thought she misunderstood his meaning and quickly waved his hand, "That's not what I meant."
"I know. This money isn't for you. Take it back for Father and Mother to buy some good food and improve their lives. As for your matter, don't worry. I'll go back and talk to Father and Mother after some time," Wu Caiwei said, pressing the money into his hand.
Leng Shuizhu smiled sheepishly, drew out a hand to scratch his head, and said honestly, "I'll have to trouble you then, sister."
Before Wu Caiwei could reply, he slapped his own head, saying with some annoyance, "We've been talking for so long, and I haven't asked you what exactly happened with the Xu family. The Xu family parents said that Xu Yijie wrote a divorce letter before anything happened. How does this seem so strange to me?"
When Wu Caiwei heard this, she sneered, "He's just trying to save face for his family. This is a long story. Xu Yijie isn't dead at all. He's living well in the city, he just doesn't think highly of me."
Leng Shuizhu immediately stood up, indignant, and said, "They were the ones who wanted the arranged marriage with us in the first place. Father hesitated for a long time before agreeing. Now they don't think highly of us anymore. Why didn't they think about that earlier? Besides, if he's alive and well, why doesn't he come home? What kind of life have you had in the Xu family all these years? How much hardship have you endured? Tell me where he lives, and I'll go teach him a lesson."
Seeing his agitation, Wu Caiwei quickly soothed him, "Do I look like someone who would suffer losses? Don't worry, I have him completely under control. If I'm not mistaken, the Xu family parents also want to smooth things over with me. When you go back, pretend you know nothing about this. One day, I'll make him regret it."
Leng Shuizhu, having calmed down, felt a sense of melancholy. He had originally thought of himself as the elder brother who would take care of his two younger sisters and support them in their in-laws' families. He hadn't expected that his sister would be able to stand on her own without him realizing it. He felt a sense of loss, but also relief.
Wu Caiwei wanted to keep him in the city for the night, but he refused, fearing his parents would worry if he returned late. In the end, Wu Caiwei had to rent a carriage to send him back.
As expected, within two days, she saw the Xu family parents at the clinic. Wu Caiwei was busy at the time, and if they didn't approach her, she wouldn't pay them any attention.
Looking at the long queue outside the clinic, the Xu family parents felt a pang of heartache. If Leng Shuixiang were still their daughter-in-law, how much money would they earn in a day? The thought alone made their hearts bleed.
They waited silently on the side, hoping to talk to her properly after she finished her work. To their disappointment, as soon as someone left, another would join the queue. This repeated, and it was estimated that she wouldn't finish until sunset.
Finally, they couldn't bear it any longer and had to brace themselves to walk up to Wu Caiwei. As soon as they stopped, before they could speak, someone impatiently said, "Hey, where are you from? Can't you see we're in such a long queue? Doctor Leng has already instructed that no one is allowed to cut the line."
"Yes, yes, why are you so ill-mannered? If you want to see a doctor, go to the back of the line," another old woman said disdainfully.
Seeing that the two of them had incurred the public's anger, and Wu Caiwei didn't speak up for them, the Xu family parents felt extremely wronged. In the past, they would have proudly declared that she was their daughter-in-law. However, they feared that as soon as they spoke, Wu Caiwei would slap them in the face, leaving them no dignity.
They were in a dilemma, not knowing whether to stay or leave. Wu Caiwei's attitude had clearly indicated that she didn't want to be entangled with them. If it were in the past, they would have turned around and left immediately. However, remembering their son's pleading words, they finally relented and waited obediently.