"Xiuwen..."

Ji Xiuwen's door was pushed open, and Li Qinlan poked her head in. "Why haven't you come out yet?"

"Mom."

Ji Xiuwen looked helpless. "At least respect my privacy a bit! What if I'm changing clothes?"

Li Qinlan pouted. "You're even complaining about your old mother now. It's not like I haven't seen you before. When you were a child, it was your mother here who raised you through thick and thin."

However, Li Qinlan just said that stubbornly. She quickly showed some remorse. "Alright, I'll be careful next time, okay?"

"Mom, it's already eleven o'clock. Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Ji Xiuwen glanced at the alarm clock on his desk and frowned. "Did something happen?"

"Come out first. Let your dad talk to you."

Ji Xiuwen was full of confusion, but he knew it probably wasn't something bad. He knew Li Qinlan's temperament well; if it were something terrible, she would be pale and tense, not as relaxed as she was now.

Thinking of this, Ji Xiuwen nodded and followed Li Qinlan to the living room.

In the living room, his father, Ji Peidong, was sitting on the sofa, reading the Yong City Evening News. On the coffee table, there was a cup of steaming tea, obviously freshly brewed.

Ji Xiuwen knew his father Ji Peidong had a habit of not drinking tea after nine at night. Usually, he just drank some white water if he was thirsty. It was rare for him to brew tea for himself at eleven o'clock like today.

Was he not planning to sleep?

Ji Xiuwen didn't know what his father wanted to talk to him about, but it was clear he had made some preparations. He sat down on a sofa nearby.

"Dad, Mom said you have something to discuss with me?"

Ji Peidong folded the newspaper and set it aside, squinting at his son. "Before I tell you, let me ask you a question first."

"Go ahead."

While they talked, Li Qinlan also sat down beside them. She didn't interrupt, instead quietly watching the father and son, eventually focusing on her son, Ji Xiuwen.

Ji Peidong thought for a moment. "If you had the opportunity to gain clinical experience in traditional Chinese medicine but had to leave the County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and work in a grassroots medical system, would you be willing?"

Ji Xiuwen didn't know why his father was asking this, but he thought it over. "Of course, Dad. You know how important clinical experience is for a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. Even though I graduated with a master's degree from Zhijiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it sounds good to say, but if I were truly to treat patients, I'd be at a loss.

These skills can't be mastered alone. Many famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in the past were self-taught, but that was a different environment. Now the environment for self-learning doesn't exist anymore. Reading all the books means nothing compared to actually handling one or two cases."

"What if you were asked to work at the Health Center?"

"Health Center?"

This made Ji Xiuwen noticeably pause; he hadn't considered going to a Health Center.

Ji Peidong got straight to the point. "Xiuwen, you've been at the County Hospital for half a year now, dispensing medicine for six months. I know this is not what you want, but it's not your fault either. It's just that your father here isn't capable enough. The position you were supposed to have was taken by someone else."

"Dad, don't say that; it has nothing to do with you."

Ji Xiuwen showed a hint of desolation. "To be honest, I'm just not skilled enough. If I were really capable, who would dare take my position?"

"In the end, it comes down to my skills not being up to par."

"But tell me about the Health Center. You and Mom stayed up all night probably because of this."

Seeing that his son didn't have any objections to going to the Health Center, Ji Peidong slowly explained. "I'll be upfront with you.

Today your mom talked with her friend about your situation at the County Hospital. Her friend mentioned that the Health Center over there had hired an exceptionally skilled practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, who has cured many people. Patients that several big hospitals deemed beyond hope were saved. Now their TCM department is very busy, and the Health Center is urgently recruiting.

Your temperament, as your parents see it, doesn't suit a long-term job in the herbal dispensary. You can't continue just dispensing herbs for the next two years. Even if you were certified as an attending TCM doctor, without clinical experience, you'd probably be afraid to treat people.

So, your mom and I discussed it, and we thought you might as well apply there. At the Health Center's TCM department, there's currently only one person. If you go there, although you'll not only have to be an assistant but also dispense medicine, you'll encounter more patients, which is much better than being at the County Hospital.

However, whether you want to go or not is up to you. Your mom and I are just offering a suggestion."

"I also heard that the TCM practitioner over there is very friendly. If you go, they wouldn't mind giving you some pointers on treating patients. Also, by working at the Health Center, you'd have the opportunity to consult with patients independently, and you can always humbly ask if you're unsure." As soon as Ji Peidong finished speaking, Li Qinlan immediately chimed in.

"Think it over for a couple of days. The Health Center probably won't fill the position immediately."

"However, it's somewhat embarrassing to have a master's graduate work at a Health Center."

With that, Ji Peidong sighed.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. The important thing is to learn the skills."

"And if what you're saying is true, and they really have the skills and are willing to teach me, I'd be more than willing to stay at the Health Center. It would be much better than just dispensing herbs at the County Hospital. While I'm still ambitious, I should make a move before I forget my dreams after two years of dispensing medicines."

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