bookrandom Chapter 280: Things are getting better and better
Chapter 280: Things are getting better and better
The appointed day arrived quickly.
Early in the morning, Li Xiangyang had just finished breakfast when he heard a familiar shout coming from outside the courtyard.
"Brother Xiangyang, are you home?" Wang Ergou stood at the gate of the courtyard, with Ma Hongxia standing beside him, looking neat and tidy.
Li Xiangyang put down his chopsticks and strode out, saying, "You're here! I remembered that."
Wang Ergou chuckled and put his arm around Ma Hongxia's shoulder: "Brother Xiangyang, what do you think of my wife's outfit today? It was her first job interview at the hospital, and she was so nervous last night she didn't sleep well."
Ma Hongxia gave her husband a light push, saying, "What are you saying!" Turning to Li Xiangyang, she said, "Brother Li, thank you so much."
“Hongxia, don’t listen to Ergou’s nonsense,” Li Xiaoyun said as she came out of the house, carrying a package. “It’s your first time there, so it’s good to dress formally.”
"Alright, let's go."
Li Xiangyang immediately went to the yard and got on his bicycle.
Standing at the courtyard gate, Li Xiaoyun smiled and said, "Be careful on the road, and come back soon!"
Throughout the journey, Ma Hongxia was visibly nervous, her eyes darting around nervously.
“Hongxia, don’t be nervous,” Li Xiangyang slowed down and drove alongside them. “Weren’t you always in charge of medical and health work at the educated youth settlement? You’ve always done a great job.”
Wang Ergou immediately chimed in, "That's right, my wife is the most capable! Everyone in the educated youth settlement says she's skillful and meticulous, even Doctor Qian praised her talent!"
When Ma Hongxia was praised by the two men, her face flushed, and the nervousness in her eyes did lessen.
“Here’s what we’ll do,” Li Xiangyang said after thinking for a moment, “since we have connections, when we get there and they have an interview, you can just talk about what you did at the educated youth settlement and what you know. Don’t force yourself to admit what you don’t know; you can always learn from them if you’re really stuck.”
Ma Hongxia nodded: "Brother Li is right."
As they spoke, the three of them arrived at Ma Laosan's timber processing plant.
Upon arriving at the timber processing plant, the workers at the gate greeted Li Xiangyang warmly, saying, "Brother Li, you're here! Boss Ma is waiting for you in his office."
In the office, Ma Laosan was drinking tea. Seeing the three enter, he immediately stood up to greet them, "You're here! Please sit down, please sit down. You've come all this way, have some water first, then we'll go straight to the health center to see Director Wang."
Wang Ergou was so excited that he thanked him repeatedly, but Ma Laosan waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it, we're all family."
The three of them got into Ma Laosan's jeep. Li Xiangyang couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that Ma Laosan's network of connections was indeed quite impressive to have a jeep in this day and age.
The health center wasn't large, but it was considered a fairly good medical institution in the rural areas at that time.
Dean Wang Zhiqiang is a middle-aged man in his fifties with gray hair and wearing round-framed glasses. He looks quite knowledgeable.
Ma Laosan and Dean Wang were clearly very familiar with each other, and they addressed each other as brothers as soon as they entered the door, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.
"Brother Wang, I've brought you a promising young woman today," said Ma Laosan, patting Wang Zhiqiang on the shoulder. "This girl is called Ma Hongxia. She's been a medic at the educated youth settlement for several years. She's quite skilled and wants to work at your clinic."
Wang Zhiqiang adjusted his glasses and looked Ma Hongxia up and down: "Oh? Is that so? Let me ask her and see how good she is."
Afterwards, Dean Wang asked Ma Hongxia some basic medical knowledge and methods for treating common diseases.
Although Ma Hongxia was nervous, she answered clearly and logically, demonstrating a solid foundation of knowledge.
"Excellent, excellent," Dean Wang nodded with satisfaction. "You have a very good grasp of the basics. What kinds of cases did you handle at the educated youth settlement?"
Ma Hongxia answered earnestly, "It's mainly common illnesses, like colds, fevers, bandaging wounds, and simple wound care. Last winter, I also treated a severe burn case."
Dean Wang asked a few more questions, then turned to Ma Laosan: "Lao Ma, this girl is really good. Our clinic is short-staffed. How about this, have her report for duty tomorrow. She'll have a one-month internship, and if she performs well, she can stay on as a full-time employee."
Ma Hongxia's eyes widened in surprise, and she almost jumped up: "Really? Thank you so much, Dean Wang!"
After successfully completing the interview, the four of them toured various areas of the health center under the guidance of Director Wang.
Ma Hongxia listened attentively throughout the lecture, nodding frequently, her nervousness replaced by excitement.
After the tour, Dean Wang led everyone to a nearby small restaurant.
A simple meal tasted especially delicious because Ma Hongxia had successfully applied for the job.
After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Ergou, his face flushed, raised his glass: "Brother Xiangyang, Boss Ma, if it weren't for you guys, how could my wife have gotten into the clinic so smoothly? I'll drink this one, you can drink as you like!"
Li Xiangyang and Ma Laosan exchanged a smile and raised their glasses.
Ma Hongxia hadn't drunk any alcohol, but her face was redder than anyone else's.
Looking at her husband and these two benefactors, tears of gratitude welled in her eyes: "Thank you everyone, I will definitely live up to your expectations."
After the meal, Ma Laosan wanted to drive the group back, but he had to give up because he still had bicycles at his factory.
As they parted, Ma Laosan patted Li Xiangyang warmly on the shoulder: "Brother Li, remember to come to me first if you find anything good in the future. The price is negotiable."
Li Xiangyang smiled and nodded: "No problem, if you need anything, you'll definitely be the first person I think of."
Back in the village, Wang Ergou and Ma Hongxia thanked Li Xiangyang all the way, and only reluctantly said goodbye when they escorted him to his doorstep.
Li Xiangyang pushed open the courtyard gate. Li Xiaoyun was washing clothes in the yard. Seeing him return, she immediately went to greet him: "How did it go? Did it go smoothly?"
Li Xiangyang smiled and nodded: "Everything went smoothly. I'll be starting work tomorrow."
"That's wonderful!" Li Xiaoyun said happily. "Hongxia must be overjoyed."
Li Xiangyang walked over to Li Xiaoyun and helped her wring out her clothes: "Xiaoyun, have you ever thought about taking things further? We do have connections now, like how about you become a teacher in the county town?"
Li Xiaoyun paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "We'll see. I think the village is quite nice."
Li Xiangyang nodded and didn't say anything more.
He understood that Li Xiaoyun had her own ideas, and he couldn't rush to make decisions for her.
At night, before the sweltering heat had completely subsided, Li Xiangyang pulled up an old rattan chair to cool off, taking advantage of the breeze blowing through the courtyard.
Looking back on what happened today, he was genuinely happy.
Wang Ergou and Ma Hongxia will soon be starting a new life together, and their relationship will only grow stronger from now on.
Isn't this exactly the scene he wanted to see after his rebirth?
In this life, what we all hope for is a smooth and happy life?
Right now, everyone around me is living a better life, and my own life is also getting better and better. This is the greatest meaning of living.
Li Xiangyang looked up at the sky full of stars, so many that he couldn't count them all, just like the hope in his life.