After binding with the system, I became a proctology expert.

"All this talk is just a way to avoid paying us, isn't it? They say the department isn't doing well, but do you think we don't know whether it's good or bad?"

Lin Bo continued his angry rant.

They do all the paperwork every day: how many patients there were this month, their names, how much they spent, who performed the surgery...

They all need to create an Excel spreadsheet at the end of the month, making everything clear and transparent, showing absolutely no signs of poor performance.

The two people's heads got closer and closer, and their voices couldn't help but gradually get louder.

Wang Jingyao, standing to their left, remained calm and composed ever since he heard the news, not talking to anyone and appearing detached from worldly affairs.

Hearing Lu Renxin and the others' conversation, he gave them a disdainful look and asked, "Do you have some kind of problem with the hospital?"

He spoke earnestly, as if he were the only one who was truly clear-headed, saying:

"Young people shouldn't be too materialistic. The department is training us, and money is not what we doctors are pursuing. So what if it's reduced?"

Lu Renxin rolled his eyes at him, not wanting to talk to someone so out of sync with him.

Who knew that Wang Jingyao wouldn't give up and dedicated himself to brainwashing them:

"Besides, departmental performance is something only the department head can worry about. You don't know the cost of living until you're in charge. The teachers have already been very good to us, and they've only stopped giving us subsidies now."

"Our department is able to get better and better under the leadership of our department head."

Lu Renxin frowned:

"You sycophant, always sucking up to your boss. If you really think money is dirt, then transfer it to me. You don't need it anyway."

This really hit Wang Jingyao's sore spot. It wasn't that he wasn't upset about the cut subsidies; he was just agreeing with the teacher's decision.

Only Tian Jingjing and two others at the very back of the line remained truly unmoved.

They have no money at all, and even have to pay their own way to work.

This year, I have to pay tuition, not study at school, and also work here for free.

All this commotion has absolutely nothing to do with them.

Zhang Weimin couldn't help but look at He Ping and ask, "The hospital has set up a new performance appraisal method. We'll just have to work hard to meet it."

"Why are you cutting student subsidies? They have it tough too, with such a heavy workload every day."

Director He said with a forced smile, "Director Zhang, things are different now than before. The hospital's profits and the department's profits are both declining."

"You're giving extra to the students, but other departments don't, and we're the only ones who do. That's called giving special treatment."

"I won't go into detail about the past; just do as I say from now on."

Then he calmly met Zhang Weimin's gaze and said in a sarcastic tone:

"If Director Zhang truly cares about the students, he can pay for it himself; I have absolutely no objection."

All eyes were fixed on Zhang Weimin, as if hoping he would continue to fight against He Ping.

In the end, Zhang Weimin opened his mouth but didn't say anything more. After all, he had already stepped down and the power was no longer in his hands, so saying more would be useless.

That was the end of the brief notification. Lu Renxin felt that even with the healing value, changing the medication wasn't that appealing anymore.

That's how power is for laborers; whatever you're given is what you get.

Lu Renxin has never even seen a payslip; the amount deposited into his account by the finance department is all he receives.

They should be paid night shift pay for each shift, but it has never been calculated or even paid.

It's all a mess.

……

With 1.6 healing points in his pocket, Lu Renxin hurried home in the cold wind, carrying his bag and wrapped in his coat.

When he stood at the gate and pushed it open, he found that Da Hua was not there to greet him today.

Lu Renxin was somewhat surprised. Ever since Da Hua grew up and was able to roam freely in the yard, he would see Da Hua waiting for him every time he came back.

Perhaps they didn't hear the doorkeeper's voice?

He looked around, but couldn't find it in the grass where he usually caught insects.

"Dahua, Dahua," Lu Renxin called out twice, searching back and forth.

Finally, in the hut they built for it, they saw Big Flower looking dejected, its head drooping and eyes closed, hiding in a corner.

As if she had just heard his voice, Da Hua forced herself to look up, giggled twice, and then lowered her head again.

Today, the big flower's feathers are fluffy, messy, and frizzy, unlike its usual smooth texture.

Lu Renxin took two steps forward, getting closer to Da Hua, wanting to observe her more closely.

Suddenly, it stretched its neck forward, shook its head, and opened and closed its mouth rapidly.

"Click-click-click," a series of crisp, light sounds, like pebbles lightly tapping on glass.

Then it shook its head and flung a clump of mucus out of its nostrils.

Huh, what's that sound?

Doesn't it usually make a "clucking" sound?

Something's wrong with the big flower.

Lu Renxin keenly noticed the two bowls placed beside the nest, one containing feed and the other containing water.

Usually, when I come back from my shift, both bowls are empty by now, but today there's still half left.

Looking at the ground again, the area around the nest was covered in loose stool.

It's probably sick, but I only treat people, not chickens.

Lu Renxin had never regretted living in such a remote village so much, where the surroundings were too desolate and there were no pet shops or pet hospitals.

Do I need to take it to the vet? Where can I take a sick chicken? Who can I ask for help?

Lu Renxin thought of someone—Shen Yueru.

He recalled her self-introduction when they first met: she was a student of veterinary medicine at Guanghai Agricultural University and was now interning at a pet hospital.

It was just right, so I quickly sent a message:

[Are you there? Can you help me?]

The other party replied quickly: [Yes, what's up?]

Shen Yueru, who works at a pet hospital, was thrilled as she looked at the information on her phone.

This was the first time Lu Renxin had taken the initiative to message her, even though it was because he needed her help with something.

But it's progress nonetheless; at least he remembers me now.

Lu Renxin described Da Hua's symptoms to Shen Yueru in detail.

The other person types: "Based on your described symptoms, it's probably a cold."

To be absolutely sure, please turn on a video call so I can take a closer look.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Renxin initiated a video call.

After connecting, point the camera at the big flower.

Shen Yueru instructed him, "First, check if Da Hua has a fever."

How do you tell? When people have a cold, they touch their foreheads to see if they have a fever. Can you touch a chicken's forehead?

Lu Renxin looked at the feathers on the big flower's head and pondered: Maybe touch the rooster's comb?

Shen Yueru quickly instructed him: "Feel its comb and the skin inside its wings. If you have a thermometer, you can measure its vent temperature."

Lu Renxin did have a thermometer; during the previous large-scale epidemic, the hospital issued one to everyone.

He quickly went into the room and started searching.

The rooster's comb felt slightly warm to the touch, as did its armpits. The thermometer showed its body temperature to be 42°C.

"It does have a fever. It's probably a cold caused by the large temperature difference." Shen Yueru smoothed her bangs and finally made a judgment.

"Fortunately, it's not a viral cold, and it's not too serious. If you follow my method, you'll get better in a few days."