Chapter 320: Thin-Skinned
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Wenxiu said thoughtfully, “The consultation and medical herb fees are typically separate things. The more capable the doctor is, the higher the fees sometimes are.
“However, Doctor Wu is a good person. He charges normal rates for wealthier people and sometimes refuses payment from the less fortunate.”
Su Binglan had not thought about these things. She said, “The people in our village can decide how much they can pay us for the consultation fees. As for those in other villages, I’ll leave that to you.”
Su Wenxiu was stunned when he heard his sister’s words. “You want me to decide on the fee, Sister?”
Su Binglan nodded in response, “That’s right, you can decide the price.”
After some thought, Su Wenxiu said, “If you don’t want to charge too much, we can put it as two coins for the fees. But if the patient’s condition worsens, we can’t charge too low. Do you think this will work, Sister?”
He almost impulsively said he wanted to omit the consultation fee, but it was unreasonable. If that were the case, doctors could not make a living.
Su Binglan had asked Su Wenxiu to set the price because she wanted him to treat his patients according to that. However, Su Wenxiu had never thought of that and only felt his sister could not treat the patients for free.
The people in the other villages could not afford consultations if the price were too high. Therefore, Su Wenxiu did some calculations and decided on two coins per person.
The people from Su Teng Village could enjoy a discount as they could get free consultations but would have to pay for medicinal herbs. Then after Su Binglan gave them their prescription, they could go to pharmacies to get the medicine.
Su Binglan said smilingly, “Of course.”
She knew her second brother would become a fine doctor because he possessed the benevolent heart that all doctors had.
When Su Binglan agreed, Su Wenxiu was thrilled and smiled brilliantly.
Su Binglan noticed her second brother’s smile and thought he looked like a teenage schoolboy in modern times. He appeared sunny and handsome whenever he smiled.
When she looked closer, she realized Su Wenxiu’s skin had become fairer and looked more handsome after being back in the village for a long time.
Perhaps it was because he ate well or because of the spiritual spring water that his skin had become fairer and appeared much healthier.
It could also be because Su Wenxiu had been studying and fiddling with medicinal herbs. Even the herbs’ smell would linger on his body from time to time.
Su Binglan thought her second brother would be popular with the ladies and that if he were in a modern era, he would cause girls to go crazy for him.
Su Wenxiu was excited to tell everything to Old Madam Su but felt something was amiss when he looked into his sister’s eyes. He lowered his head to look at his clothes and then touched his face before asking, “Is there something on my face, Sister? Or is there something wrong with my clothes?”
Su Binglan shook her head but revealed an enigmatic smile. “Have you met any cute girls in town lately, Second Brother?”
Her question stunned Su Wenxiu, but he quickly responded, “What are you talking about, Sister? I’m usually busy with my daily studies and gathering medicinal herbs. I don’t have time to pay attention to girls.”
He had never thought in that direction. He only wanted to work hard to improve himself, be helpful, and help his family.
After all, Su Wenzhe, Su Wenwu, and Su Binglan worked hard to improve, and he did not want to drag them down. Moreover, they were always busy, and Su Wenxiu did not want to sit idly by.
He would write notes every night by the oil lamp and memorize whatever he learned in the mornings. Whenever he had spare time, he would flip through everything he had written and constantly recite them.
Su Binglan said he had to review the past to learn new things, and Su Wenxiu had kept that in mind.
Su Binglan noticed his thoughtful expression and said softly, “Don’t be so nervous, Second Brother. I was just asking, that’s all. Still, you should pay more attention to that.
“You can always take the initiative if there’s a girl you like. There’s nothing to feel embarrassed about.”
Su Wenxiu blushed when his sister told him these things. He lowered his head and said, “I-I’ll go and talk to Old Madam Li about the consultation.” He ran off as he spoke, and Su Binglan shook her head, sighing.
‘The people in this era are so thin-skinned. Even Wenxiu, who’s typically carefree.’
Su Wenxiu only had a shy expression with no negative emotions when Su Binglan mentioned these things to him. Su Binglan remembered him looking sad when she talked about such things.
Su Wenxiu would think of the past and look hurt, but he no longer seemed that way. It only meant that he had gotten over what had happened back then.
Su Wenxiu ran to the main hall and told Old Madam Li what his sister had said.
Old Madam Li was thrilled with what she had heard. “Truly? Your sister said
Su Wenxiu nodded. “It’s true, Old Madam Li. We won’t charge the people in our village consultation fees. Instead, we will only charge them for the medicinal herbs should they need them.
“If we have enough herbs at home, the villagers can buy them from us. After all, the ones I grow aren’t expensive. In any case, everyone can decide for themselves. Our primary purpose is to heal people.”
Those were Su Wenxiu’s sincere words, as he did not study medicine to earn money. He only wanted to help and save people. Still, he would accept the money if everyone were to buy medicinal herbs from him.
Of course, his prices would be lower compared to the pharmacies in town, making it more affordable for the people of Su Teng Village. He would not use this as an excuse to make a profit.
At the moment, he was living and eating for free, so he would feel like a burden to his family if he gave away his herbs for free. Moreover, everything had its rules, and Su Wenxiu did not want to break them.
Old Madam Li grinned from ear to ear. “You and your sister are good people, Wenxiu. The villages will be delighted once they hear this news. Everyone has benefited much from your family, and many families’ lives are improving.
“Some even earn money by working in Su Zhengde’s construction team and the tofu factory. Everyone also knows your sister wants to open a shop between our village and town. I wonder what kind of shop it’ll be.”
Su Binglan did not spread the news about her embroidery shop yet. The villagers had only heard little of it but did not know any details.
However, the villagers kept a close eye on Su Binglan and wanted to get more information. Everyone wanted to work for the Su family.
Su Wenxiu said softly, “I don’t know what my sister is planning, Old Madam Su. Still, she will tell the villagers if she needs help. My sister will always prioritize our village.”
He knew his sister would build an embroidery shop, but Su Binglan did not want to tell the villagers yet, so he could not say much about it..