The villagers would surely come to regard Su Mi as one of their own.
From then on, not only would Su Mi earn the respect of the villagers, but when it came to selecting candidates for institutions like the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, she would undoubtedly be the first to be recommended.
“It’s just a girl who loves to show off so much. Being a barefoot doctor is nothing special, yet she’s already putting on a performance on the very first day. She clearly isn’t a good person, nothing like our Xianxian—adorable and generous.”
Li Fan chimed in from the side, nodding in agreement.
Of course, these people understood basic hygiene knowledge, so they paid it no mind.
They simply thought Su Mi was being ridiculous for making such a fuss over something as trivial as boiling water, gathering everyone together just to talk about it.
Zhao Kai was standing a bit farther away from the two. Curious, he had followed along earlier to watch, and now he was feeling disgusted.
Gu Mo hadn’t come at all; he was still helping Bai Xianxian complete her tasks.
They had agreed to take turns helping Bai Xianxian with her tasks each day, so at this moment, Gu Mo was still laboring in the fields.
The jealous and disdainful look in Bai Xianxian’s eyes had long been picked up by Su Mi’s Mental Power.
It made her uncomfortable, but since Bai Xianxian hadn’t actually done anything yet, she couldn’t just slap her and send her flying.
For now, she could only set aside the matter of this neurotic female protagonist.
Next, Su Mi planned to share small hygiene tips with everyone every three or four days, which would naturally include some preventive measures and common-sense solutions.
Especially regarding women’s issues—people nowadays were too reserved, never speaking about private matters, not even mentioning them.
As a doctor, if Su Mi didn’t notice a problem, that was one thing, but if she did, she naturally had to address it.
Although she longed to lie back and live as a carefree idler, reality didn’t allow it, so she did her best to look after the health of those around her.
Some habits were truly unbearable to witness, and the poor hygiene of certain individuals was so appalling that the stench they emitted made others reluctant to approach.
Of course, not everyone neglected hygiene, but most women, especially those managing large households, simply didn’t have the “spare time” to care for their own or their family’s hygiene. After all, they were too exhausted from daily labor to even think about it.
“Village Chief Uncle, here’s some repellent powder I made to ward off snakes and insects. Please distribute it to everyone and have them sew small sealable pouches to carry on their person. Especially the children who go up the mountain to cut pigweed—they must carry it every day.”
The next day, after Village Chief Niu had finished assigning tasks, he heard Educated Youth Su calling for him as soon as he arrived at the village committee.
“That’s wonderful! Little Su, you’re truly capable and thoughtful. You know, every year in our village, there are always one or two people bitten by snakes. If it’s non-venomous, it’s fine, but if it’s venomous, it’s always too late by the time we get them to the hospital.
A few years back, there was a hunter who knew how to treat snakebites and repel snakes and insects, but he went into the mountains three years ago and never came back. He’s probably gone now.
These past few years, I’ve been on edge, but those destined to be bitten by snakes always end up that way. Now that you’re here, it’s truly a blessing for our village.”
Village Chief Niu spoke the truth. Every year, several people in the village died from snakebites, but he could only watch helplessly. Even his own family members ran around the hillsides every day, and all he could do was worry.
As for suggestions like sometimes not letting people go up the mountain—where would the pigweed for raising pigs come from? Where would the wild vegetables and berries for people to eat come from? Where would the firewood for cooking and heating come from?
It could be said that a large portion of the family’s daily expenses came from the mountains.
“No need for polite words. When you distribute it to everyone, make it clear that the amount in a lump this size is enough. More would be wasteful, and less would be ineffective.”
Su Mi pointed to the sachets placed separately, which contained pre-measured medicinal powder.
It was already generous of her to provide the powder—she couldn’t be expected to portion it out and make every sachet herself!
She had no intention of putting in that effort.
Village Chief Niu naturally thanked her repeatedly, then left with the medicine packets, his face filled with gratitude.
Of course, he still needed to inform the brigade leader and the others.
Then, he would have his wife gather a few women from the village to share the task of making the sachets. They would be distributed the next morning when everyone gathered for work assignments.
“Ding-ling… ding-ling…”
The sound of a bicycle bell rang out.
Hearing the bell in the courtyard, Su Mi curiously stepped outside and saw it was the postman.
“Excuse me, are you Comrade Su Mi? This is your letter and remittance slip. There’s also a package at the post office that you’ll need to pick up at your convenience.”
The postal worker was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, riding a bicycle and covered in sweat. He had inquired at the village entrance earlier.
This Comrade Su was a newly arrived educated youth and now served as the village doctor. As soon as she stepped out, he recognized her by the white coat she wore and knew he had found the right person.
“Thank you, comrade! I am Su Mi. Please come in for some water. It’s getting hot, and I have some herbal tea.”
“No need to trouble yourself. Just sign here. I brought my own cool boiled water, so I won’t inconvenience you.”
The postal worker wiped his sweat with the towel draped over his neck, then pulled out the letter, remittance slip, and a notebook for recipients to sign from his satchel.
Su Mi took the letter and remittance slip and signed her name using his pen.
“I also have cool boiled water. Let me refill your bottle—no need to be polite. I boil plenty of water every day.”
“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. Thank you!”
Hearing that she boiled plenty of water daily, the postal worker accepted without further hesitation. Even so, he didn’t leave his bicycle.
Su Mi naturally understood why, so she took his water bottle, went inside to fill it up, and even poured a cup of herbal tea for him.
Since it was already poured, he didn’t refuse again and drank it down in a few gulps.
He thanked her once more before riding off on his bicycle.
Su Mi returned to her designated seat in the clinic and opened the letter.
Inside, she was greeted with warm greetings and caring words from the original host’s mother.
Reading the letter, which was filled with a mother’s longing and concern for her daughter, Su Mi felt a twinge of guilt while also feeling sorry for the original host.
With such loving parents and two doting older brothers, the original host had truly made a terrible move. This time, when given the chance for rebirth, she had voluntarily given it up.
This had happened not long ago, when the original host appeared in a dream to bid Su Mi farewell. It was then that Su Mi learned the truth.
The original host had already moved on to reincarnation. Before leaving, she had specifically visited Su Mi in a dream to ask her, as a favor for taking over her body, to look after her parents.
From the original host’s memories, Su Mi knew that this couple, along with the two older brothers, had cherished the original host deeply—they were a truly loving family.
Encountering such parents and family, Su Mi naturally had no reason to object, so she gladly agreed to the original host’s request.
Now, seeing the letter from the original host’s mother, Su Mi couldn’t help but miss her own biological parents.