Chapter 86 - Apprenticeship
Chapter 86: Apprenticeship
Lu Jiao had no intention to conceal information from Baohe Tang’s owner. After she witnessed how loyal Qi Lei was to the owner, she was sure that even if she lied, Qi Lei would tell the truth.
Lu Jiao checked out the man sitting across from her. This man had outstanding looks. Though his demeanor was cold, his natural gracefulness made it clear that he grew up in a wealthy and educated family.
Lu Jiao found this strange. If he was born extraordinary, why would he open up a shop in this small town?
Lu Jiao dropped her curiosity and turned to Qi Lei, “Dr. Qi, does tomorrow work for you?”
Qi Lei glanced at Zhao Lingfeng, who agreed, “That’s fine. But since we are helping you, you have to help us in return.”
Lu Jiao asked, “Please speak of it.”
“Come work here. And teach Qi Lei how to perform surgery.”
Lu Jiao laughed, “Owner Zhao, that’s two things.”
Qi Lei figured that Lu Jiao didn’t want to teach and was suddenly greatly disappointed. However, he didn’t want to give Lu Jiao a hard time.
Gently, he said, “Lady Lu, that’s okay. I don’t need to learn from you if you treat patients here at Baohe Tang.”
Lu Jiao gawked at Qi Lei. This person was born to be a doctor. He was kind, friendly, and always smiling at his patients. Lu Jiao could tell that he was a good doctor and this was why she didn’t refuse to teach him.
“I didn’t say I don’t want to teach.”
Qi Lei froze. The next second, he respectfully greeted, “I pay my respect to Master Lu.”
Lu Jiao was dumbfounded. Master Lu?
He was older than her, right? And now she was his master?
Lu Jiao originally wanted to reject this title but remembered that in this era, relationships between men and women were scrutinized. If they didn’t establish their master and apprenticeship here today, many rumors will arise if they’re seen together. If they do establish their relationship, however, nobody would be able to say anything.
Lu Jiao brandished her hand, “There’s no need for such formality.”
Qi Lei was in a great mood as he sat down. He didn’t feel at all insecure because of his age or gender.
On the contrary, he was over the moon. He was soon going to learn surgery and that was great news.
He was so ecstatic that he didn’t even notice Zhao Lingfeng glaring at him.
Lu Jiao said to Zhao Lingfeng, “It’s not that I don’t want to work here. It’s just that I have a wounded husband and four children at home. I cannot come into town on the daily to work.”
Lu Jiao thought of her pending separation from Xie Yunjin. Before, she figured she would go back to the Apricot Village and stay with her mom. However, after her fight with the Lu family, she gave up on that idea. It was better for her familial relationship if they were somewhat apart.
Once she separates from her husband, her reputation will go down the drain. If she went back home, her family would be pointed at and laughed at.
To be a doctor at Baohe Tang was a great opportunity. She could form close ties with this place and it would be convenient for her to get things done in the future.
Lu Jiao then added, “It’s not realistic for me to come in every day. But I can come in occasionally.”
Zhao Lingfeng silently accepted Lu Jiao’s suggestion. Qi Lei was regularly here and Lu Jiao could be consulted when rare diseases come up. This was a pretty good situation.
Zhao Lingfeng wanted to speak but Lu Jiao got ahead of him, “If you want me to see patients, you have to follow my rules.”
Zhao Lingfeng’s eyes caved in, “What rules?”
Lu Jiao explained methodically, “I won’t treat anyone who makes me unhappy. I won’t treat anyone with an evil heart. I won’t accept money from the poor and for those who are rich, my fee is 2,000. For the filthy rich, my fee is 20,000.”
The two men stared at her with dark lines on their faces. They could understand the first three rules but why did the last two points make her sound like a burglar? The rich need to pay her 2,000 or 20,000 to get treatment?
Lu Jiao was confused at the silence, “What’s the issue?”
Qi Lei said, “You want thousands and tens of thousands. They may not pay it.”
Lu Jiao smiled, “You think that’s a lot? You think that’s the value of a life?”
The men were speechless. Most people were willing to pay their entire life savings for a life-threatening illness.
Lu Jiao continued, “I will split every patient fee 50/50 with Baohe Tang. How is that?”
Of course, that was okay. The numbers that came out of her mouth were so large that Baohe Tang would make a lot of money working with her.
Zhao Lingfeng pondered a little before he agreed, “Okay, then we’ll do it according to your rules.”
“It’s settled then.”
To have struck such a deal during her visit today was such good luck. Of course, this also meant she was now tied with Baohe Tang.
This owner obviously had a strong background. To be tied with him meant she too, will have a strong background even after her separation. Nobody could easily take advantage of her then.
Lu Jiao looked over to Qi Lei, “Then let’s discuss the matter of my husband’s operation tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Lu Jiao started to plan for tomorrow. She asked for an independent room and an operation bed. If that didn’t exist, then they must find a small bed that was similar in size to an operation bed. The room also had to be disinfected properly.
Lu Jiao carefully instructed Qi Lei, who responded diligently, “Don’t worry, Master. I will do everything accordingly.”
This guy truly started to treat her as if she was the master. There was absolutely no sign of disrespect in his eyes.
Not bad at all.
“Then, thank you for the trouble.”
Lu Jiao took out the disinfectant from her basket and said to Qi Lei, “Tomorrow morning, before we get here, disinfect the room and ban everyone else from entering.”
“Okay, Master.”
Qi Lei took over the disinfectant while Lu Jiao stood up and said bye to Zhao Lingfeng.
“Owner Zhao, I will leave then.”
Zhao Lingfeng simply said, “Zhao Lingfeng.”
Lu Jiao was perplexed so Zhao Lingfeng added, “Call me Zhao Lingfeng. You don’t need to be so formal with me. Call me by my name.”
Lu Jiao didn’t do as asked and remained courteous, “Owner Zhao, goodbye.”
Zhao Lingfeng watched her leave with a raised eyebrow. She was chubby yet she did not show a trace of unconfidence. When she spoke to him, she was poised and assured. Plus, she was a woman from the countryside who somehow had extraordinary medical knowledge. Against someone like himself, she didn’t make an effort to get on his good side.
This woman was different from the city girls – she didn’t judge people by their status.
Zhao Lingfeng pondered while Qi Lei walked Lu Jiao out.
As they strolled, they discussed tomorrow’s surgery. Qi Lei had asked to be an observer during tomorrow’s operation.