The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 146 Business Fails, Physical Check-Up_1

Chapter 146: Chapter 146 Business Fails, Physical Check-Up_1

The post office hasn’t opened yet, He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan are waiting at the door.

Even if they both felt like taking a stroll, burdened with so many pine nuts, they could only mail their items first, then go for a walk.

It wasn’t just He Tiantian who needed to send things; Qi Xiaoyan also had some pine nuts and dried sour dates to send to her eldest brother.

Just as they were listlessly waiting, the ringing of a bicycle bell approached; He Tiantian thought it was a postal worker, but when she looked up, she saw Niu Lili.

"It really is you two; I thought I was mistaken and didn’t dare to call out, so I just rang the bell," Niu Lili said crisply. "Right, it’s pretty cold here; you’ll probably have to wait a while. Come on, let’s go to my place to warm up."

He Tiantian, having to mail her items, couldn’t easily bring them along to Niu Lili’s place, and declined, "Sister Lili, you go ahead to work. After we’ve mailed our items, we’ll come by your place to eat. I need to send some pine nuts home, this way we don’t have to carry them back and forth."

Niu Lili’s eyes lit up, "Are these the same pine nuts you had your cousin bring me last time?"

"Yes, how did they taste?" asked He Tiantian. "If you’ve finished them, I’ll bring you some more next time."

"No need; those can be sold for money," laughed Niu Lili. "I won’t say more now. You two wait here, and after you’re done with the mailing, be sure to come to my place for a meal. Eating a bowl of lamb stew with bread on a cold day is especially warming."

"Mm, we’ll definitely come," He Tiantian and Niu Lili agreed.

After about half an hour, the postal workers finally arrived. They were the first in line since they had arrived early and quickly filled out the forms, weighed their items, paid, and received their receipts. The whole process took just over ten minutes.

He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan went to Niu Lili’s restaurant to eat.

It was past the rush hour now, and Niu Lili wasn’t busy. She personally saw to He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan. Shortly after, two bowls of lamb stew with bread arrived, brimming with meat and exceptionally good value.

After finishing the meal and catching Niu Lili’s significant glance, He Tiantian pretended to go to the bathroom.

Niu Lili pulled He Tiantian aside to a secluded spot and whispered, "Sister Tiantian, I’m sorry about before when I said I would help you sell game. But it’s been strictly monitored in the county city recently, and I don’t dare to handle it anymore."

So it was about that! He Tiantian had never really counted on it. If they could make money, great, but if the business couldn’t be done, no big deal! If they couldn’t sell, they could still eat it themselves!

"It’s no problem; it’s too cold for hunting now anyway, safety comes first," He Tiantian said indifferently. "You wanted to help me out, and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful. I wouldn’t blame you at all."

Seeing He Tiantian react this way, Niu Lili breathed a sigh of relief. As long as He Tiantian wasn’t angry, it was all good.

"Under Secretary Qi’s leadership, our village went hunting in the mountains and caught quite a lot of game, which we’ve already taken to the purchasing station to sell," He Tiantian explained. "It’s legal there, and although the prices are somewhat lower, it’s safe."

Niu Lili nodded in agreement, "You’re right; Secretary Qi is highly capable and operates on strong principles. My father often praises Secretary Qi at home, and sometimes when I hear it, I have a lot of respect for him!"

Niu Lili’s father was Niu Dajun’s uncle, Niu Peng!

As the two of them walked outside, He Tiantian continued, "Right, during this year’s harvest season, thanks to Village Chief Qi’s thorough consideration, not a single grain went to waste in our village. Now he’s leading everyone in hunting to improve the villagers’ standard of living. He’s a good secretary indeed."

"By the way, what are you two planning to do next?" Niu Lili asked. She didn’t have time to take them out, as she was busy.

He Tiantian smiled and said, "It’s okay, our village is far away, and I’d like to go to the hospital to buy some iodine, cold medicine, and things like that. For minor issues, taking some medicine is enough."

He Tiantian didn’t reveal the real reason, which was for Qi Xiaoyan’s medical check-up. Niu Dajun and Qi Xiaoyan were starting to show signs of a relationship, and neither of their parents knew about it yet. Once it was out in the open, the families would undoubtedly need to discuss it. Niu Dajun’s family, being prominent figures in the county town, would be concerned if they knew about Qi Xiaoyan’s health issues. This could complicate the marriage prospects, so He Tiantian made up an excuse instead of telling the truth.

"Okay, the hospital is just a little over two miles away. Go out and turn left," Niu Lili said. "I still have work and can’t accompany you."

"We’re all adults, we can go by ourselves. Sister Lili, you go ahead with your work, we’ll be going now. We’ll come and see you another day. When you have a holiday, you are also welcome to visit us in the village," He Tiantian said, bidding farewell to Niu Lili.

He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan walked along the road to the hospital. He Tiantian said, "Xiao Yan, if someone asks why we are going to the hospital, just say we’re there to buy medicine. Don’t say it’s for a medical check-up."

"Why?" Qi Xiaoyan asked puzzled, "People know I used to be unwell. And now that I’m better, I don’t see why I should hide it."

"Rumors can be dreadful. Even if you’re better now, if word gets out that you were unwell before, and considering how small the county town is, what if it reaches Brother Dajun’s family? What if they have a bad impression of you?" He Tiantian pointed to Qi Xiaoyan’s ear, "You used to have a heart problem, and even though it’s better now, it’s still there inside of you, unseen by others, and surely not something you can show off. Just because you say it’s fine, does that mean it is?"

After hearing this, Qi Xiaoyan had a sudden realization and said, "Sister Tiantian, you’re so thoughtful!"

Chatting and laughing, the two reached the hospital, took their referral letters, registered, and waited in line.

Qi Xiaoyan was a bit nervous. She really hoped she had a healthy body, not only to alleviate her parents’ worries but also to be able to continue her singing career.

She had come to deeply understand the saying her parents often told her: health is the capital of revolution. Without good health, everything else is in vain!

Before long, it was Qi Xiaoyan’s turn. She was very nervous and pulled He Tiantian to enter with her.

The doctor there was a woman in her fifties, dressed in a clean, neatly pressed white lab coat.

"Young lady, have a seat. Which one of you is feeling unwell?" the female doctor said as she looked at He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan, who did not seem ill, and so she asked them softly.

Qi Xiaoyan was nervous and looked to He Tiantian.

He Tiantian stepped forward and said, "Doctor Chen, hello. This is my younger sister, and she’s the one who’s unwell. Here’s her medical history. She’s been feeling better recently and wanted to come for a check-up to see if she’s truly recovered?"

Doctor Chen looked at Qi Xiaoyan, pointed to a stool in front of her, and said, "Young lady, please sit down. Don’t be nervous; let me see your medical records."

Qi Xiaoyan sat in front of Doctor Chen, waiting for her diagnosis.

After carefully reviewing the medical records, Doctor Chen had a good understanding but didn’t rush to examine her. Instead, she asked, "You two girls are quite pretty. Are you real sisters?"

This was a heart condition, and it was best to diagnose in a calm and composed setting, which would be more accurate.