"Ah, Zhao, you're finally back."

"The flu from the neighboring village has already spread here. Thankfully, your medicine arrived first, or we'd be in trouble."

Cao Lei immediately greeted Zhao Tienan, but she looked particularly exhausted, probably having been busy lately.

"Lei, you've really worked hard."

"I've finished up my tasks here. Leave the next steps to me and take a few days to rest well."

Zhao Tienan felt a bit heartbroken, unwilling to let Cao Lei suffer any more.

"Zhao, I'm really fine."

"As a doctor, how could I choose to be a deserter during the busiest times? It's not my habit."

Cao Lei managed to smile, beautiful like a flower.

"Don't say that, how can this be considered desertion? At most, it's about balancing work and rest!"

"By the way, you've been interning with me for so long now and haven't gone home to visit. Tomorrow, I'll give you a day off to go back and rest."

Zhao Tienan knew Cao Lei was an extremely diligent and responsible doctor, but a doctor's health is also crucial; getting worn out isn't an option.

"I..."

Cao Lei wanted to say something, but Zhao Tienan interrupted.

"Alright, don't say so much."

"Just listen to my plan now. Otherwise, I feel really guilty for having you do so much work for me."

Zhao Tienan was firm in his attitude because he couldn't bear to see Cao Lei grow more haggard by the day.

"Okay, then I'll go see my mom tomorrow..."

Ultimately, Cao Lei couldn't win against Zhao Tienan and nodded in agreement.

Cao Lei's mother had mentioned many times wanting Cao Lei to take leave and come home for a few days.

After all, Cao Lei was her darling and working away from home for the first time, so as a mother, she was surely very concerned.

"Alright, then go tomorrow, lest the flu infects you."

"Next Monday, I'll go into the city to stock up and bring you back with me."

Zhao Tienan smiled and then let Cao Lei rest.

In the following hours, Zhao Tienan stayed busy in the clinic.

No choice, there were far too many people with colds, concentrated in the times for elderly and children.

Moreover, this flu was relentless, causing fever over thirty-nine degrees, persistent coughing, and even some severe cases where children started rambling incoherently.

Thankfully, Zhao Tienan had prepared extensively beforehand, with no shortage of medications; otherwise, such a small clinic might not have handled such immense pressure.

"Ah, finally done..."

Pushing past nine in the evening, Zhao Tienan saw off the last patient, feeling incredibly fatigued.

He took a good stretch, ready to find something to fill his stomach when he suddenly noticed someone standing at the door.

"Xu Dapeng, why are you here?"

Zhao Tienan took a closer look, realizing it was Xu Dapeng whom he hadn't seen in awhile.

"Nan, you helped my sister with such a huge trouble, so I thought I'd invite you for a meal."

Xu Dapeng scratched his head, his words filled with gratitude.

"No need!"

"You've been hanging around with me for so long. Helping you a little is just natural, and besides, you're not earning much; no need to splurge!"

Zhao Tienan said casually, not taking it to heart at all.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.