No one expected that Jin Bao would actually be saved.
The onlookers from the village marveled one after another:
“Youth Shi is truly amazing; he actually managed to bring little Jin Bao back!”
“Exactly. You came late so you wouldn’t know—when Jin Bao was first pulled up, he was barely breathing, with more air going out than in.”
“For real? Youth Shi could still save him even in that state? That’s incredible!”
“…”
The crowd swarmed toward Shi Yan all at once.
Someone asked curiously, “Youth Shi, are you a medical student?”
Others wanted to take advantage of the situation.
“Youth Shi, could you take a look at me? Lately, I’ve been feeling tight in the chest and short of breath. Do I need a massage like the one you just gave?”
Someone nearby, unable to stand her behavior, shot back:
“Widow He, I don’t think you’re unwell; you’re just suffering from a lack of a man. Look at how flirtatious you’re being, wanting Youth Shi to give you a massage. You’ve certainly got it all figured out, haven’t you?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd burst into laughter.
Widow He’s face turned shades of blue and white.
To be honest, she really did feel unwell lately, but she couldn’t bear to spend money on a doctor. Her husband had died early, and she had to raise her children alone, so her life was naturally quite frugal.
Of course, she didn’t deny that Youth Shi was indeed very handsome.
Ever since he arrived in the countryside, let alone the young maidens and wives in the brigade, even the female educated youths at the station had their eyes practically glued to him.
If something were to actually happen between her and Youth Shi, she would, of course, be more than willing.
Although that’s what she thought in her heart, having her intentions exposed in public made her feel incredibly embarrassed.
Furthermore, gossip follows a widow’s doorstep. No matter how flirtatious she might be, she didn’t want men climbing over her wall every day!
Fortunately, everyone’s attention was currently on Youth Shi. Aside from a few men staring lustfully at Widow He, everyone else was waiting for Youth Shi to answer.
You see, although their brigade had a barefoot doctor, he could usually only help with minor ailments like headaches or fevers.
If there were any other problems, the barefoot doctor would be helpless, and they would have to go to the commune health center or the county hospital.
But the villagers were poor and had almost no money, so they couldn’t afford to see a doctor at the hospital.
So most people just got a couple of prescriptions from the barefoot doctor when they were sick and toughed it out. Only if they couldn’t hold on would they consider going to the commune.
Usually, elderly people who couldn’t pull through simply waited for death; their families didn’t have the money for treatment, and they themselves couldn’t bear the expense.
This was why everyone was so excited.
If Youth Shi really understood medicine—and if his skills were even quite high—then their Tashan Brigade would be blessed with medical care in the future.
Lin Ran also looked curiously at Shi Yan, who was surrounded in the center of the crowd.
Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, his figure appeared tall and upright. Perhaps because he had just come out of the water, his clothes and pants clung tightly to his body, faintly outlining his firm muscles.
His wet hair was somewhat messy, with a few strands hanging over his forehead, dripping water.
Droplets of water traveled down his high nose toward his tightly pursed thin lips.
His skin was already fair, and now with his face damp, it appeared even more translucent.
Honestly, his looks would likely make many women feel inferior, though this didn’t include herself.
Once upon a time, she was the number one beauty in the capital, and her looks had completely overshadowed her reputation as the top talented woman.
Her classic features, combined with the unique mark on her forehead, made her position as the top beauty as steady as Mount Tai.
Although her skin in this life hadn’t been meticulously cared for, it was still enough to outshine everyone else!
Just then, Shi Yan spoke, pulling Lin Ran’s attention back.
He casually wiped his face, drying off the water, then looked at everyone and spoke in a cool, distant voice.
“Everyone, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not a medical student. What I just did was only a form of first aid that a teacher taught me at school. I only tried it because the situation was an emergency.”
Hearing this, everyone was instantly disappointed.
“Oh, so you don’t know medicine? What a waste of excitement; I thought our Tashan Brigade would finally have its own doctor!”
“Exactly. It seems Jin Bao waking up was entirely due to a miracle from the heavens. Sister-in-law Zheng’s kowtowing earlier must have worked!”
“I think so too. Youth Shi probably just happened to be a blind cat bumping into a dead rat!”
“…”
Suddenly, the tone of the crowd shifted, and no one praised Shi Yan anymore. The crowd began to disperse.
Seeing this, Lin Ran was somewhat speechless; these people really changed their faces faster than turning pages in a book.
Although she didn’t understand medicine, she could see that Shi Yan pressing on Jin Bao’s chest stimulated his breathing. How did it become a miracle from the heavens?
She originally thought Shi Yan would be upset by these words, but when she saw those calm black eyes… well, he probably didn’t care at all.
Whether facing the previous praise or the current indifference, this person seemed to maintain a calm and unruffled posture, neither flattered nor disheartened.
Even though he didn’t care, someone else was indignant on his behalf.
Lin the Third couldn’t stand it anymore and jumped out, shouting:
“You people are so heartless! Youth Shi kindly saved someone, and if you won’t thank him, fine, but why are you here babbling and spreading feudal superstitions?”
“Since kowtowing to the heavens is so useful, then don’t go to the doctor or take medicine when you’re sick from now on. Just stay at home and kowtow!”
“From now on, I’ll be responsible for watching you. Whoever goes to see a doctor is a grandson!”
The crowd’s pride was wounded, and they began to criticize him:
“Lin the Third, how can you talk to your elders like that? Who’s your grandson? Who are you trying to make your grandson?”
“Exactly. I’m going to ask the brigade leader if his son thinks he’s above everyone else!”
“…”
But there were also sensible people who agreed:
“I think Lin the Third’s words are right. Youth Shi did put in the effort to save the boy, so what’s with you people standing around making snide remarks when you didn’t even lift a finger?”
“Precisely. For people as ungrateful as them, I’d like to see who helps them if they ever run into trouble. They might end up getting blamed despite their efforts.”
As soon as these words were said, no one dared to speak up again.
What a joke; no one could guarantee they wouldn’t face difficulties in the future. What if people really refused to help them?
Even those who had shouted the loudest about Shi Yan being a “blind cat bumping into a dead rat” began making excuses for themselves.
“Oh, we arrived late and didn’t see what was happening with Jin Bao. We just saw that Auntie Zheng’s family didn’t show any gratitude.”
At this point, everyone turned their gaze toward the Zheng family.
By now, Accountant Zheng, along with Zheng Daya and Zheng Erya, had already hurried over and were fussing over the newly awakened Jin Bao.
Meanwhile, Auntie Zheng was excitedly hugging Jin Bao, pouring out her maternal love with “my heart” and “my soul.”
Who still had time to care about Shi Yan?
Seeing this, Lin Ran suddenly thought of Zheng Sanya.
Right, where was Sanya?