In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 187, Section 186: Seeing Opportunity Amidst Crisis. Implementing the Plan. Changing the Diagnosis. Befriending Director Huo.

Yang Guangming sat quietly in the ward for a while, his gaze falling on his second brother's leg, which was in a heavy cast, and then moving to his second brother's still slightly haggard profile as he slept, silently planning the next steps in his mind.

Once his second brother's breathing became deeper and more even, he stood up and whispered to his second sister, "Second sister, I'm going out for a bit to find the doctor and ask him more about the follow-up care for our second brother. I need to know more to feel at ease."

"Okay, go ahead," Yang Xiangmei quickly replied, her eyes full of support. "I'll take care of things here, don't worry."

Yang Guangming picked up his worn-out shoulder bag and walked slowly toward the orthopedic surgeon's large office.

He went to the orthopedic ward not to build a good relationship with the doctor, but to learn some professional orthopedic knowledge.

As he walked, he silently prepared his speech in his mind.

The orthopedics department of the county hospital occupies an area at the east end of the corridor. The door to the large office is open, and inside are several old desks piled with medical records, books, and enamel mugs.

Yang Guangming stood at the door, quickly putting on a perfectly timed smile that was neither humble nor lacking in respect for the medical workers. He gently knocked on the open door.

"Excuse me, is Dr. Lu here?"

Yang Guangming has already inquired around and found that among orthopedic doctors, besides Director Huo, Dr. Lu is also very skilled, kind, patient, and has a good reputation.

A male doctor who looked to be in his early thirties, wearing black-rimmed glasses, looked up in response, his gaze behind the lenses questioning, "I am... you are... Yang Guangyao's family member?"

There weren't many patients in the orthopedic ward these past two days, and he vaguely remembered the bright sunshine coming and going.

"Yes, Dr. Lu, I am his younger brother, Yang Guangming."

Yang Guangming strode into the office, his demeanor natural and confident. He casually pulled two large handfuls of White Rabbit candies from his bulging bag, placed them with a sincere smile on the empty desk closest to the door, and said:

"Dear doctors and nurses, my second brother is hospitalized. We feel really bad that you have taken such good care of him these past few days."

Here are some small candies I brought from Shanghai. Just something to sweeten your palates and refresh you. Please don't mind.

In this era of scarcity, milk candy was an absolute rarity, a coveted item coveted by both adults and children.

The atmosphere in the office instantly became lively. A young nurse exclaimed "Wow!" with a surprised smile on her face; the other two doctors, who had been engrossed in writing, also looked up, their eyes drawn to the scene.

"Oh, I can't accept this! You're too kind!" The slightly older nurse, who was checking the medications, politely declined, but her hand couldn't resist picking up a candy, skillfully unwrapping the blue and white wrapper, and popping the milky white candy into her mouth. Her eyes immediately narrowed with happiness. "Mmm! So sweet! So milky! Thank you, Comrade Yang!"

"You're too kind, it's what we should do." Dr. Lu pushed up his glasses, his smile becoming even more genuine.

It's always a pleasure to see patients' families so generous, polite, and respectful of our work. It's a world of difference compared to those unreasonable families who always feel the hospital owes them something.

Yang Guangming walked over to Dr. Lu's desk, pulled up a stool, and sat down. His tone was sincere, with just the right amount of worry:
"Dr. Lu, to be honest, my family is quite worried about my second brother's injury."

Although Director Huo said a lot during rounds this morning, I'm still unsure and would like to ask you for more advice. How should I care for this fracture afterward? Will it leave any lasting problems?
For example, how can I prevent aches and pains on cloudy or rainy days?

He asked detailed and specific questions, just like a worried and inquisitive family member.

Dr. Lu wasn't too busy in the afternoon, and having just accepted a favor, he felt obligated to help, so he put down his pen and patiently began explaining, his attitude even more amiable than usual.

"Comrade Yang Guangyao's condition is a fracture of the tibia, but the alignment is good and there is no displacement. This is indeed a stroke of good luck amidst misfortune."

Dr. Lu even got up and retrieved Yang Guangyao's X-ray from the medical record cart next to him, pointing it out to Yang Guangming in the light from the window. "Look here, the crack is quite clear, but it's on the normal physiological force axis. The key to treatment, as Director Huo has repeatedly emphasized, is absolute immobilization. The cast must be in place for at least eight to twelve weeks. You absolutely cannot put weight on it prematurely, otherwise all the previous efforts will be wasted..."

Yang Guangming leaned forward slightly, listening intently, occasionally asking key questions, showing that he was truly taking it in, rather than just going through the motions.

"Dr. Lu, besides rest, what other ways can I help this bone fracture heal better and faster in daily life? For example, what should I eat?" He asked very skillfully.

"Nutritional support is very important, especially calcium and protein," Dr. Lu said eloquently. "If possible, drink more bone broth, fish soup, and milk, and eat more eggs and soy products. As for medication, be sure to take the medicine prescribed by our hospital to help callus growth on time. You can also get some sunshine to promote calcium absorption."

"If his leg is always hanging like this, won't his muscles atrophy over time? Does he need any rehabilitation exercises? When would be a good time to start?" Yang Guangming asked with concern.

"You absolutely cannot move now! Early muscle atrophy is inevitable, but it is recoverable."

It's not too late to start rehabilitation training after the cast is removed, such as starting with ankle flexion and leg raises, and gradually progressing.

Moving around now could cause misalignment of the fractured bone ends, resulting in secondary injury and a much bigger problem…

Dr. Lu solemnly warned.

"If... I mean if, the recovery isn't ideal, what's the worst that could happen? Will it affect my ability to walk in the future? Will I be able to do heavy work?" Yang Guangming asked cautiously, as if he were extremely worried.

Dr. Lu hesitated for a moment, then carefully chose his words: "Under normal circumstances, as long as you follow the doctor's advice and regain your daily walking ability, there shouldn't be any major problems. However, there will be some aftereffects... more or less."

For example, the soreness and pain you mentioned on rainy days, or the fatigue that comes with walking for a long time, or even a slight limp, are all possible.

Heavy physical labor, such as carrying loads or digging deep trenches, will definitely be affected and requires extra caution.

Yang Guangming nodded thoughtfully, and the topic seemed to extend unintentionally and naturally:
"I've heard that some serious leg injuries not only damage the bones, but also the ligaments inside the knee? Isn't that even more troublesome? I have a distant relative who seems to have had that..."

He threw out a trigger.

"Of course!" Dr. Lu became more talkative when talking about his familiar professional field. "The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body. Ligament injuries, especially ruptures like the anterior cruciate ligament, rely more on the doctor's experience in physical examination than fractures. X-rays can't really show anything."

That kind of injury is really troublesome. Even if it heals, it can lead to knee instability and habitual sprains. Many movements that require sudden stops, changes of direction, rotations, and jumps become impossible. For manual laborers, it's equivalent to functional disability, which severely impacts their quality of life and ability to work..."

Yang Guangming's mind suddenly clicked; this was exactly the key information he needed!

But his face remained impassive, revealing a thirst for knowledge; he even furrowed his brow appropriately: "Is it that serious? Is this kind of injury easy to treat? Can your hospital treat it?"

"Disaster!"

Dr. Lu shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness, "Even if the diagnosis is clear, the treatment and rehabilitation process is much more complicated and lengthy than a simple fracture, and it is very easy to leave lasting problems."

Our hospital has limited resources, so these kinds of injuries are usually treated conservatively, like putting a long leg cast on to immobilize the leg, but the results... well, often don't go as planned.

He sighed, as if he had seen many such cases before.

Yang Guangming then followed up with several detailed questions about the specific diagnosis, main clinical manifestations, and signs of anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Dr. Lu patiently answered them one by one, even demonstrating a few examination procedures.

He stayed in the orthopedic office for over an hour, and the atmosphere remained harmonious and warm throughout.

He had gathered enough information about the professional knowledge he wanted to inquire about and verify, and the weight on his mind regarding the "feasibility of the operation" was finally lifted. Only then did he get up to leave with satisfaction, and once again sincerely thanked Dr. Lu and the medical staff in the office.

After leaving the main office, Yang Guangming did not immediately return to his ward; he needed some time alone to process and integrate the information.

He walked to the window at the end of the corridor. The courtyard below was sparsely populated, with only the occasional person in a hospital gown being helped by their family to walk slowly. He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and took a slow drag.

The pungent smoke was inhaled into the lungs and then slowly exhaled, forming blurry smoke rings that were quickly dispersed by the cold wind seeping in through the window cracks.

His brain was like a high-speed machine, integrating all the information he had just obtained from Dr. Lu and comparing and revising it with his original plan.

The dispute between the second brother and Li Dongliang has essentially come to an end with Li Dongliang's impending transfer away from Kaoshantun.

But this matter cannot end here.

Crisis is both a danger and an opportunity!

He must make full use of this opportunity and leverage the momentum to secure more tangible benefits for his second brother and sister, and completely change their current predicament.

His goal was very clear: first and foremost, to help his second brother apply for medical retirement and return to the city on the grounds of "disability due to injury or illness and loss of working ability".

Secondly, we seized the opportunity to secure a vacant private school teacher position for my second sister, Xiangmei, at Kaoshantun Primary School.

Although this job requires rural residency, it is relatively easy and respectable. Most importantly, it doesn't require working in the fields, and there are stable work points and a small amount of subsidies. For my second sister, it is currently the best way out.

The second goal is relatively easy to achieve.

Li Dongliang is about to be eliminated, and his second brother, who had already secured a spot, has also withdrawn from the competition due to his upcoming return to the city. With a little maneuvering, if the village secretary Sun Degui and team leader Wang Yuanjun can go along with the flow and give the spot to his second sister, who has always had a good reputation in the village and is also a victim's family member in this incident, there shouldn't be much resistance.

The difficult part is the first goal – returning to the city after medical leave.

The current policy trend still encourages educated youth to "take root in the countryside and carry out revolution".

The slogan, "We also have two hands, we won't be idle in the city," was shouted loudly.

The gates to the city were tightly closed; only in very special circumstances would one be allowed to return.
Moreover, the review process is extremely rigorous.

My second brother's current diagnosis is a fracture of the left tibia. Although he needs to rest for several months and it will affect his work, it doesn't officially qualify him as a "serious illness" or "disability." His application materials will definitely fail at the first hurdle, the "illness assessment," making the subsequent procedures impossible.

But what if the diagnosis could be "changed" slightly?

Dr. Lu's words about ligament injuries undoubtedly lit a crucial light.

Add a small change, such as changing the diagnosis to: "Left tibial fracture, combined with left knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture".

The additional "anterior cruciate ligament rupture of the knee joint," as Dr. Lu emphasized, mainly relies on the doctor's physical examination and experience for subjective judgment and diagnosis, which leaves more room for maneuver.

Once this diagnosis is confirmed, the nature of the situation will be completely different!

This is a medically recognized serious injury that could lead to knee joint dysfunction, sufficient to meet the medical standards required by the policy of allowing disabled retirees to return to the city.

Moreover, there's the injury to my second brother.
If the victim's family makes a reasonable request on this basis to return to the city for treatment and recuperation, they are likely to be willing to "make an exception."

After all, that's human nature; it's better to avoid trouble.

The key to achieving this goal lies with Director Huo.

As the attending physician and head of the department, would he be willing to "help out" on the final discharge diagnosis certificate? This requires a great deal of trust and a substantial amount of personal favor to drive it.

The premise is that Director Huo knows there is no risk involved, and if he is willing to lend a hand, it is just a matter of helping out and will not cause him any trouble.

Only under this premise, after weighing the pros and cons, will Director Huo be willing to help.

It will certainly be difficult to achieve my second brother's goal of returning to the city, but it's worth a try.

This is a rare opportunity. If we miss this chance, it will be many times more difficult to do it again in the future.

The cigarette burned out, the hot butt scalding his fingers. Yang Guangming threw the cigarette butt on the ground and carefully crushed it with his foot.

His thinking was completely clear, and his strategy was also well-defined.

The next step is to figure out how to approach and persuade the most crucial person – Director Huo.

You can't make a direct demand; that would be too foolish. You have to be indirect and make him feel that it's "feasible" and that the "risks are manageable" in order to have any hope of success.

There's no need to rush when trying to win over Director Huo; we can only proceed step by step and take it slowly.

He glanced at his watch; it would soon be time to get off work in the afternoon.

He composed himself, reverting to his usual calm, humble, and slightly worried demeanor as a patient's family member, and walked towards Director Huo's office at the other end of the corridor.

Director Huo's office was relatively private and quiet, with the door ajar and light shining through.

Yang Guangming stood at the door, took a deep breath, and then gently knocked.

"Please come in." A slightly tired voice came from inside.

Yang Guangming pushed open the door and entered. Director Huo was sitting behind his desk, carefully examining several X-ray films under the light of a desk lamp.

Hearing someone come in, he put down the film in his hand, looked up, and saw that it was Yang Guangming. A look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Director Huo, I'm sorry to bother you." Yang Guangming smiled and spoke sincerely. "I saw that your lights were still on, so it seemed like you were almost done with your work. I wanted to come over and thank you in person. I've really caused you trouble these past few days."

He adopted a very humble posture and his attitude was extremely sincere.

"Oh, it's Comrade Yang. No need to be so polite, it's all part of our job." Director Huo gestured to the chair opposite him, his tone still quite gentle. "Please sit down. Your second brother's condition is stable. As long as he rests peacefully and attends his check-ups on time, there shouldn't be any major problems. Don't worry." He habitually reassured the family member.

Yang Guangming didn't sit down, but took two steps forward and stood in front of the desk, his attitude becoming even more sincere, even carrying a hint of gratitude that couldn't be refused:

"Director Huo, it is because of your dedication and proper treatment that my second brother has recovered so well. We, his family, are extremely grateful."

It's almost time to get off work, and you must be tired after a long day. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to a simple meal nearby as a small token of my appreciation.

He specifically emphasized "casual meal" and "nearby".

Upon hearing this, Director Huo waved his hand in refusal almost without hesitation, his expression becoming somewhat serious.

"No need for a meal! I appreciate your kind offer, Comrade Yang."

The hospital has regulations and rules that prohibit accepting meals from patients' families.

You family members have it tough too. It would be most practical and necessary to spend the money and food stamps on the patient's nutrition in the later stages.

I appreciate the thought, but I'll skip the meal.

He refused decisively; it was a matter of principle.

Yang Guangming had expected to be rejected; it would be strange if the other party readily agreed to the first invitation.

He remained calm and composed, his smile unchanged, but his tone became even more resolute, carrying the persistence and sincerity unique to young people:
"Director Huo, please don't misunderstand. It's really just a simple home-cooked meal, absolutely nothing extravagant. We'll find a quiet little restaurant near the hospital, so you won't be put in a difficult position and no one will see us or gossip."

I just wanted to express my gratitude to you in person on behalf of my family.

If you don't come, I'll feel really bad. If my parents find out, they'll scold me for being impolite, unable to even treat them to a meal.

He spoke very sincerely, even mentioning his parents, and his expression was warm and open, as if he were truly expressing pure gratitude without any other ulterior motives.

Director Huo looked at the young man in front of him. He spoke clearly and logically, and his attitude was calm and proper. He came from a big city and had a strong sense of knowledge and propriety. He didn't seem like the kind of person who would cause trouble or have ulterior motives.

He hesitated for a moment, then refrained from uttering any further words of refusal.

Strictly speaking, as a doctor, he should try to avoid accepting meals from patients' families.

However, in a society based on personal relationships, it is sometimes difficult to completely avoid this.

Given the other party's warm hospitality and earnest words, it would seem rather cold and unreasonable to refuse repeatedly.

He glanced out the window; it was completely dark now, and the streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow. His work would soon be finished.

"Sigh, you family members..." Director Huo sighed, his tone softening slightly but tinged with helplessness. "I really appreciate your kind intentions. But this meal... really doesn't need to cost you any money. You have many other expenses related to taking care of the patient."

"No need to spend money, no need to spend money. We'll just order some home-style dishes. How much can two people eat at a small restaurant?"

Seizing the opportunity, Yang Ming noticed a softening in the other person's tone and immediately offered a concrete plan: "There's a small restaurant across from the hospital that looks quite clean, and the food is alright. Let's go there, have a quick bite, and chat. How about that? It's not far, and you can go home and rest earlier afterward."

Director Huo hesitated for a few more seconds, his gaze lingering on Yang Guangming's sincere face for a moment. Finally, as if unable to resist the younger man's earnestness, he nodded, his tone somewhat reluctant:
"Alright then. But Comrade Xiaoyang, we've agreed that we'll just have a simple meal, enough to fill our stomachs, and absolutely no extravagance! I won't allow it if we order too much."

He deliberately changed how he addressed her to make things closer, but he had to state the principles first.

"Don't worry! It's absolutely simple! I guarantee not a single grain of food will be wasted!" A joyful smile immediately appeared on Yang Guangming's face, as if he had completed some important task. "Then you go ahead and do your work. I'll go and reserve a table and wait there."

"Okay, I'll be right there after I finish organizing these medical records," Director Huo replied.

Yang Guangming then politely took his leave and gently closed the door behind him.

He walked out of the hospital building, the evening wind carrying a biting chill, yet he felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The first step, the crucial one, was a success!

If Director Huo were willing to come out and sit in a relatively private space, many things would be much easier to handle.

He didn't go back to the ward, but walked straight through the deserted streets and went back into the state-run restaurant where he had already eaten twice.

At this time, there were only two or three tables of customers in the hall, making it seem rather deserted.

As soon as Master Wang behind the counter saw him, his face lit up with a smile, and he greeted him from afar in a loud voice: "Hey! Comrade Yang! You've arrived. How many are you here today?" He was deeply impressed by this generous and polite young man.

"Master Wang, I'm sorry to trouble you again." Yang Guangming walked over with a smile, and naturally took out a few White Rabbit milk candies from his pocket and handed them over. "I still need a private room, just the two of us, me and an elder, to talk about something, something quiet."

Master Wang skillfully took the candy, his smile becoming even more eager, and lowered his voice: "Yes, yes, yes! A private room has been reserved for you! You two, right? I'll have someone prepare tea for you right away!"

"Thank you, Chef Wang. There's no rush. We can order when the guests arrive. The food will be freshly cooked and hot." Yang Guangming chatted with him for a couple of minutes, then picked up his bag and walked familiarly toward the small private room at the very back.

Upon entering the private room, he opened his satchel and put all the miscellaneous items he had used to conceal himself into the refrigerator.

Then, he focused his mind and began taking things out of the space. Several carefully prepared items, with packaging specially changed to suit the characteristics of this era, appeared on the table one by one.

First came two thick, unmarked kraft paper bags, each weighing about a pound. Inside were high-quality dried sea cucumbers, each with distinct spines, plump and straight, glossy black in color, and perfectly dried, emitting a faint fishy smell.

This is an absolutely wonderful product. It is expensive and rare, with powerful nourishing effects, and is especially suitable for people with weak constitutions.

Such precious tonics are only occasionally available at Friendship Stores in major cities; they are simply unavailable through other channels. Only leaders of sufficiently high rank can apply for small rations when needed, and even then, the price is extremely high.

Last time, Yang Guangming privately sold some to Lang Tianrui at a price of 78 yuan per kilogram.

Ordinary people may not know the price and rarity of dried sea cucumbers, but Director Huo, as a doctor, is definitely an expert.

Such a generous gift, if Director Huo ultimately accepts it, will certainly not be a waste of his talents.

Next, he took out two kilograms of imported chocolate. The price was certainly not comparable to that of dried sea cucumber, but it was equally rare.

Then came two pounds of loose White Rabbit milk candy, which was fairly common compared to the previous two gifts.

Finally, there was a huge Jinhua ham, bound with hemp rope, weighing about seven or eight pounds, which was also quite rare.

These gifts are not only valuable, but more importantly, their rarity fully demonstrates the depth of their sentiment.

Finally, he took out a bucket of tea, which contained a pound of precious premium pre-Qingming Longjing tea, intending to use it to brew tea for his guests later.

I carefully rearranged the gifts in my handbag and zipped it up.

He waited in the private room for a while, and when he saw that it was almost time, he went out to order food.

There were only two people today. He kept in mind Director Huo's requirement to "keep it simple" and didn't order too much, just two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes: a braised carp, a small stewed pork dish, a stir-fried bok choy dish, a home-style braised tofu dish, plus two bowls of rice.

He specifically instructed Chef Wang to wait until the guests arrived before stir-frying the food to ensure it was piping hot.

After ordering the food and paying with his food coupons, he returned to the private room.

The restaurant was right across from the hospital. As the head of orthopedics, Director Huo was definitely a celebrity in the area, so he didn't wait at the entrance.

He brewed a pot of tea with his own Longjing tea, and the clear and mellow aroma of the tea quickly filled the room, slightly masking the greasy smell of the food left in the room.

He sat quietly, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, listening to the faint sounds of drinking games and commotion coming from the hall outside, silently reviewing his words and actions.

The primary purpose of the first meal is to establish a connection and exchange gifts. One must absolutely not make any unreasonable requests regarding changing the diagnosis, or even hint at such a request.

They only express gratitude, only try to build rapport, and only demonstrate their sincerity and "strength."

Once this generous gift is given, the favor is established, and with this beginning, it will be easier to ask for a favor again next time.

He understands the principle that haste makes waste.

After waiting a few more minutes, the door to the private room was gently pushed open, and Director Huo walked in.

He had taken off his white coat and put on a slightly worn dark blue Zhongshan suit. His top button was fastened meticulously, and his hair was carefully combed. He looked more like a person than when he was in the hospital, but there was still a hint of fatigue in his eyes after work.

"Director Huo, you've arrived! Please have a seat! It must be cold outside, right?" Yang Guangming immediately stood up to greet him, warmly inviting him to sit down, and picked up the teapot to pour him a cup of steaming hot tea. "Have a sip of hot tea to warm yourself up first. This is Longjing tea that a friend gave you. Please try it."

"Oh, okay, thank you." Director Huo took the teacup, sniffed the aroma, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and praised, "Hmm! Fragrant! This aroma is pure and sweet, it must be a top-quality pre-Qingming Longjing tea? Comrade Xiao Yang, this tea of ​​yours is quite good."

He's a connoisseur of tea; he could tell from just one look and one sniff that this tea was no ordinary tea.

"Director Huo, you're truly an expert! This tea was a gift from a friend; he said it's top-grade pre-Qingming Longjing. I can't really tell the difference, but I'm glad you like it," Yang Guangming said with a smile, seemingly casually complimenting the other party.

The two drank tea and chatted for a while about how unusually cold this winter was, as well as the differences between northern and southern cuisines. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

Yang Guangming was adept at guiding the conversation, ensuring there were no awkward silences while avoiding any sensitive topics. Soon, the waiter arrived with trays of steaming, fragrant dishes, which were then placed on the table.

"Director Huo, please pick up your chopsticks and let's chat while we eat. These are all home-style dishes, so please don't be shy." Yang Guangming warmly picked up the serving chopsticks and served Director Huo the dishes, first placing a large piece of fish in his bowl.

Director Huo was indeed a bit hungry, and the aroma of the food was tempting, so he stopped being overly polite.

The braised pork was tender and flavorful, the braised fish had an appealing color, and the tofu and cabbage were refreshing and delicious.

As the two ate, the conversation naturally turned to Yang Guangyao's condition and subsequent care.

Director Huo then gave some instructions on details to pay attention to after returning home and the timing of follow-up examinations. Yang Guangming listened attentively, nodding from time to time, showing great attention and gratitude.

During this time, Yang Guangming did not mention anything else, but only expressed his gratitude, his words were sincere, and his attitude was humble and appropriate.

Seeing that he only talked about his illness and expressed his gratitude without making any additional requests, Director Huo felt much more relaxed and thought that this meal might really just be a simple expression of gratitude, and he ate quite comfortably.

After a satisfying meal, Yang Guangming seized the opportunity, got up, picked up the heavy handbag that had been sitting in the corner, and placed it next to his seat.

"Director Huo, thank you so much this time. If it weren't for you, my second brother's leg would be in serious trouble."

Our family is fairly well-off, and this is just a small token of our appreciation. Please don't mind it.

As he spoke, his tone became incredibly sincere, even carrying a hint of undeniable sincerity. "These are just some local southern dishes, specially prepared by my family. They specifically asked me to give them to you, and you absolutely must accept them! They're really nothing in terms of money, just a token of their appreciation!"

Upon seeing the bulging satchel, Director Huo's expression immediately turned serious. He quickly put down his teacup, reached out and pressed Yang Guangming's hand down, his tone resolute:
"Comrade Yang! This is absolutely unacceptable! A meal is already an exception! I absolutely cannot accept the food! This is a matter of principle! A matter of discipline! Take it back immediately!"

His reaction was more intense than when he refused to eat; in his view, this was a matter of principle.

"Director Huo, please listen to me." Yang Guangming's attitude was unusually firm, but his tone remained gentle. "It's really just some food, local produce from the countryside, not worth much. If you don't accept it, I'll feel really bad. When I get back, my parents will definitely scold me for being incompetent, unable to even give a small token of my appreciation. Please help me out, let me complete this task, okay?"

He cleverly shifted the responsibility to his "parents," emphasizing that it was a "task."

"No, no! Absolutely not! I appreciate the thought, but you have to take the things back. They're good for your brother to use to strengthen his body; that's more important than anything else!"

Director Huo waved his hands repeatedly, his face tense and his attitude unusually resolute.

He could barely console himself that having a meal together was just a social obligation, but judging from the weight and shape of the bag, the contents were definitely not ordinary, and he absolutely could not make that mistake.

Seeing the resolute look on Director Huo's face, Yang Guangming knew that forcibly delivering the goods would not work, and he had to change his strategy.

He hesitated for a moment, his face showing an expression of extreme difficulty, yet also utmost sincerity:
"Director Huo, I know you are principled and disciplined. How about this?"

Consider these things as a way for me to... share some Northeastern specialties with you.

I've traveled all the way from south to north to the Northeast, and I definitely want to bring back some local specialties. But I can't just take these things back untouched; otherwise, it would be a waste of my time.

How about we switch things up a bit?
"Please take a look at these things I brought. See if you need them. If you do, you can keep them. If not, I'll find someone else to provide them."

He proposed a seemingly compromise solution, attempting to transform the "gift" into a "compensation," blurring its nature and alleviating the other party's psychological burden.

Upon hearing this, Director Huo's brows remained furrowed, but his refusal was not as resolute as before.

He hesitated, not immediately refuting.

The term "exchange" was common in this era of scarcity. Exchanging what you have for what you urgently need seems... slightly better than directly accepting gifts, even though he knew it was essentially the same thing.

Taking advantage of his moment of hesitation, Yang Guangming didn't give him a chance to think it over or refuse. He decisively picked up the heavy handbag and put it on the table, and quickly unzipped it.

The first thing that caught Director Huo's eye was a ham hock wrapped in oil paper, emitting a unique salty aroma. Yang Guangming took it out and placed it aside, revealing the contents underneath.

"Director Huo, look," Yang Guangming said, his tone becoming as natural as introducing a product. "This is Jinhua ham that a friend helped me get. It's perfect for making soup and enhancing its flavor."

Then, he took out White Rabbit candy and imported chocolate, saying, "These White Rabbit candy and imported chocolate are great for the kids at home to treat their sweet tooth, or as gifts."

Director Huo glanced at them, and although he thought they were rare and good things, they were not enough to move him. Just as he was about to refuse, Yang Guangming reached out and took out the two heavy brown paper bags at the bottom.

The paper bag had no fancy markings, appearing simple and unadorned. Yang Guangming carefully untied the wrapped paper string, gently opened the bag, and presented it to Director Huo.

Immediately, a rich and pure fresh and fishy smell, unique to seafood, wafted out.

The bag was filled to the brim with uniformly sized, distinctly serrated, upright and robust, glossy black, and extremely dry dried sea cucumbers!

Each sea cucumber was perfectly shaped and had a deep, lustrous sheen under the light, clearly indicating that it was of the highest quality.

Director Huo's words caught in his throat. His eyes widened suddenly, and his body involuntarily leaned forward slightly. His gaze was fixed on the two bags of sea cucumbers, his eyes filled with disbelief and a hint of barely perceptible longing!

He's a doctor, so he knows all too well the value and efficacy of this stuff!
This isn't just any ordinary food item you can buy with a ration coupon; it's top-quality nutritional supplement!
It is especially effective for people who are weak after surgery and need to replenish their vital energy and strengthen their bones and muscles. Moreover, this stuff is extremely rare. Even in large hospitals in the city, it is not something that any leader can easily obtain, and the price is shockingly high.

Yang Guangming observed the subtle changes in Director Huo's expression and, having gained a better understanding, introduced the situation in a calm tone:

"These are dried sea cucumbers. They have a high rehydration rate and are very nutritious. My family said that it's cold in Northeast China, so we need some warming and nourishing foods to ward off the cold and strengthen the body. That's why they asked me to bring some over."

This is a top-grade tonic, not very common. Even leaders of lower rank would have difficulty getting rations if they needed it. I wonder if Director Huo would need it?

Director Huo's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

His elderly father was frail and suffered from chronic cough and shortness of breath, making winter particularly difficult for him.

As a doctor, he naturally knew that dried sea cucumbers had a remarkable effect on boosting immunity, and he had always wanted to get some for his elderly father to improve his health.

Unfortunately, this stuff was just too difficult to get. He tried to pull strings but couldn't get anything decent. Occasionally, he'd find some on the black market, but they were either of extremely poor quality or ridiculously expensive, making them unaffordable.

The two bags of sea cucumbers in front of him were of such high quality that he had never seen them before! They were simply a nourishing delicacy specially prepared for his elderly father!

Refusal? Principle? Discipline?

These words collided fiercely in his mind, but his elderly father's weak and haggard face and the hope that was within reach formed a powerful force that assaulted his psychological defenses.

He desperately needs it!

This isn't for his own enjoyment, but to fulfill his filial duty and for his father's health!

Once the thought arose, it quickly became incredibly strong.

Yang Guangming remained silent, giving Director Huo ample time to think and struggle. He knew that silence spoke louder than words at this moment, and any urging would have the opposite effect.

The private room fell silent for a moment, with only the faint noise from the main hall outside. Director Huo's gaze remained fixed on the dried sea cucumbers for a long time, as he struggled internally.

Finally, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if he had made an extremely difficult decision.

He looked up at Yang Guangming, his eyes filled with complex emotions, his voice carrying a barely perceptible dryness and a hint of compromise: "This...this dried sea cucumber...is indeed...indeed a rare find. We rarely see such...such outstanding quality here."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, trying to maintain a polite demeanor while accepting reality: "You just said... adjustment?"

“Yes, a trade.” Yang Guangming nodded immediately, his tone relaxed and natural, as if he were conducting a routine barter. “I’ll use these foods to trade with you for some local specialties from Northeast China, such as mushrooms, wood ear fungus, hazelnuts, etc. You can decide what to exchange and how much. The main thing is to avoid waste and ensure that everyone gets what they need.”

Director Huo, of course, understood what this so-called "exchange" meant. The other party had brought such valuable items; how could his meager mountain produce and wild game possibly be of equal value in exchange? This was merely a way for the other party to save face, a way for both sides to save face.

Looking at the two bags of sea cucumbers and thinking of his ailing father, he ultimately let filial piety and practical needs override everything else.

He nodded with difficulty, his voice low: "Well... alright then. We'll do as you said, to make things a little more interesting. But... your sea cucumber is too precious, I don't know what to use... how much of Northeastern specialties would be appropriate to exchange for it..."

His face showed embarrassment and awkwardness. He felt uneasy and even a little ashamed that he had taken such a big advantage.

That's exactly the effect Yang Guangming wanted.

He immediately waved his hand generously, with a hearty smile on his face: "Director Huo, you're too kind! I already said it's just a transfer, why be so fussy?"
Please take these things back with you and see if you can use them at home.

As for me, I won't leave the county for now. I'll wait until my second brother's condition stabilizes before making any decisions.

"The matter of reassignment isn't urgent; we'll talk about it later!"

He didn't give Director Huo a chance to estimate the value on the spot. He carefully put everything—two brown paper bags of sea cucumbers, chocolates, milk candies, and hams—back into the worn-out satchel and then pushed the bulging satchel to Director Huo's side.

"This...this is too much..." Director Huo looked at the handbag beside him, feeling it weigh a ton, his face burning with embarrassment. He had practiced medicine for many years, always adhering to his principles, yet today...

"Director Huo, please don't refuse. It's much better to allocate these things to you so they can be put to good use than for me to carry them all back to Shanghai untouched. Otherwise, I would have made a wasted trip."

Yang Guangming smiled sincerely, his tone carrying a touch of youthful nonchalance, "Besides, my second brother will need your help with follow-up checkups and such. Let's just consider this... making friends!"

Having said all that, to refuse would seem pretentious and unreasonable.

After a long internal struggle, Director Huo's concern for his father ultimately prevailed. He reached out his slightly trembling hand and took the heavy satchel.

The weight of the bag made him realize even more clearly the value of this "convenience," and it also intensified the mixed feelings of guilt and gratitude in his heart.

He looked at Yang Guangming, his gaze becoming complex and profound, no longer a simple doctor-patient-family relationship, but mixed with an indescribable human connection.

"Comrade Xiao Yang... sigh... then I'll... I'll just have to 'reassign' myself and go back first." Director Huo stood up, carrying his satchel as if it were a mountain. "Thank you for your... 'specialty'."

"You're too kind, Director Huo. I should be thanking you for helping me with these local specialties." Yang Guangming also stood up, his smile still polite. "It's getting late, you should go back and rest. Drive carefully."

He escorted Director Huo out of the private room and to the hotel entrance.

Director Huo glanced back at him again, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he just nodded, picked up the bulging satchel that seemed a little out of place with his simple clothes, and hurriedly disappeared into the cold night of the county town.

Watching Director Huo's figure disappear around the street corner, Yang Guangming stood at the restaurant entrance, letting the cold wind blow against his face, but his heart was burning with passion.

The first step, and the most crucial one, has been achieved!

This generous gift, especially the two pounds of dried sea cucumbers that catered to his tastes, was successfully delivered. What Director Huo accepted was not just a package of precious tonics, but also a weighty favor and an underlying understanding.

With this good start, and by establishing a relationship that transcends the ordinary doctor-patient relationship, the subsequent plans had a foundation for implementation.

Given the immense favor Director Huo has received, the likelihood of him helping out, provided it is within his capabilities and the risks are manageable, is greatly increased.

Of course, Yang Guangming knew very well that things should not be rushed. Making demands immediately would be foolish and would immediately arouse the other party's resentment and vigilance, rendering all previous efforts futile.

He needed to let this "favor" ferment a little, so that Director Huo could feel at ease giving the sea cucumber to his elderly father, allowing him to experience the tangible benefits, and letting that sense of guilt and gratitude settle deeper in his heart.

At the same time, he must continue to play the role of a good younger brother who is simply grateful to the doctor and does his best for his brother's condition.

(End of this chapter)