I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Other Intentions

While Beisitian was pondering over the New Year’s gift preparations, Sister Bao Li paid a visit.

This was the first time Sister Bao Li came to Beisitian’s home. She had known beforehand that the family wasn’t well-off, so she wasn’t too surprised to see the mud walls mixed with wheat straw. Many rural homes, especially those of the older generation, still used such walls.

When Sister Bao Li reached the gate, Zhang Qiao Niang was just about to leave. They happened to bump into each other, both wondering who the other was.

”Sister Bao Li, what brings you here?” Beisitian saw Sister Bao Li at the gate and was slightly surprised.

”I’m here to give you a New Year’s greeting!” Sister Bao Li said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qiao Niang immediately guessed the visitor’s identity. She knew that the women in the family that founded Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop all had a ’Bao’ character in their names, regardless of their generation or age.

”Are you from the Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop?” Zhang Qiao Niang asked.

Sister Bao Li nodded with a smile, not knowing who the other person was.

Zhang Qiao Niang turned back to Beisitian and gave her a thumbs-up, ”Little Tian’er is indeed remarkable!”

Even the owner of Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop came to give a New Year’s greeting!

Beisitian smiled.

Zhang Qiao Niang, being perceptive, exchanged a few polite words before leaving.

Sister Bao Li said to her assistant behind, ”Please help bring the cow and sheep into the courtyard.”

Beisitian took a glance outside and saw a donkey cart. On it was tied a calf and a sheep, along with a bamboo basket half as tall as a person, containing who knows what inside.

”Sister Bao Li, what brings this?” Beisitian asked, astonished as she looked at Sister Bao Li.

Sister Bao Li smiled, ”Let’s talk inside.”

The assistant, having received money from Sister Bao Li, worked diligently, unloading the cow and sheep into the courtyard and then placing the bamboo basket there before taking the donkey cart away.

Beisitian led Sister Bao Li inside, where Mrs. Qin had already prepared hot water. She looked at Sister Bao Li, understanding this was the owner of Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop.

Not knowing about Beisitian’s previous accomplishments, Mrs. Qin simply assumed Sister Bao Li was Beisitian’s superior and felt a bit nervous.

”Auntie, please have a seat. No need to fuss. I’m here today to greet Little Tian’er and you both for the New Year!” Sister Bao Li, who had never put on airs in front of Beisitian before, was even more so now very friendly.

”Mom, no need to fuss.” After inviting Sister Bao Li to sit, Beisitian asked, ”Sister Bao Li, what’s this about?”

Sister Bao Li laughed, ”Little Tian’er is someone we at Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop worked hard to bring in. When giving a New Year’s greeting, of course, we have to go all out!”

Beisitian stared at Sister Bao Li.

Sister Bao Li, seeing her look, gave a wry smile and winked at her.

Beisitian understood that it was inconvenient to speak openly in front of Luo Anguo and Mrs. Qin, so she didn’t press further.

”Oh, by the way, Little Tian’er, the Beijing Main Store will likely give you a big red envelope as a year-end bonus. Basically, New Year’s money. I heard from Zi Quan that Sixth Uncle in Shanghai might also send you a separate red envelope, probably hoping to send a few embroidery women over for you to guide after the New Year.” Sister Bao Li said.

What Sister Bao Li said left Mrs. Qin and Luo Anguo extremely surprised. It sounded like Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop valued Beisitian greatly—no, more than just valued; it seemed like they were trying to flatter her!

Since Beisitian hadn’t mentioned anything about the Double-sided Three-different Embroidery, they naturally didn’t know about it.

Neither of them interrupted, just listening to them talk, planning to ask Beisitian more once the visitors had left.

In fact, Beisitian hadn’t intentionally kept it a secret; she just got caught up with other matters after coming home. Additionally, Zhang Baoxia had been so overbearing at the time that she feared sharing it would affect their mood.

After chatting for a while and giving New Year’s greetings to Beisitian and her parents, Sister Bao Li prepared to leave. She needed to head to Qingzhou City that afternoon to celebrate the New Year and wanted to visit Little Tian’er before she left while also delivering someone’s message.

When they reached the courtyard, Sister Bao Li suddenly lowered her voice and said, ”Little Tian’er, the cow and sheep were sent by Mr. Zhou.”

Beisitian was surprised—Zhou Jiren?

Hadn’t he already sent New Year’s gifts? The peach pastries and a large slab of ribs were already from him!

”Actually, Mr. Zhou didn’t originally want me to tell you this, but someone like me definitely couldn’t have hidden it from you, so I decided to just tell you directly. I suspect it’s due to your situation, so he didn’t deliver it directly, instead asking me to send it under my name.”

Zhou Jiren might not have sent the gifts directly, possibly because Beisitian was seen as a widow in the village, and traditionally, widows faced a lot of gossip. Perhaps he feared drawing unwanted attention to Beisitian, so he took a roundabout approach?

That was Sister Bao Li’s speculation. However, if that’s the case, Mr. Zhou’s actions were quite thought-provoking.

Hearing this, Beisitian furrowed her brows. What was Zhou Jiren planning?

Sister Bao Li quickly said, ”I had no choice but to deliver the goods. He didn’t show up himself, just had someone send over the cow and sheep with a note attached. I couldn’t refuse it even if I wanted to!”

In general, if she hadn’t consulted Beisitian first, Sister Bao Li wouldn’t have accepted it. Perhaps Mr. Zhou anticipated her thoughts and devised this plan, putting her in a position where she couldn’t refuse and making it awkward to deliver.

”Anyway, I delivered the items. What to do next is up to you, Little Tian’er. You’re quick-witted, so handle it as you see fit.” Sister Bao Li handed the task over to Beisitian.

In fact, she thought Mr. Zhou, aside from not being much to look at and being somewhat older, was quite good in other respects, especially since he was well-off and had returned from overseas. Although Beisitian was beautiful and capable, she came from the countryside and had been married before. Frankly, if they were to get together, it would be considered a step up for Beisitian.

Sister Bao Li was just stating her perspective. Such matters couldn’t be persuaded and had to depend on personal willingness.

Sister Bao Li informed her that Zhou Jiren and Feng Yunzhang had left Qingzhou Town, so there was no rush to return the favor, then left.

After returning inside, Beisitian checked the contents of the bamboo basket. In it was the New Year’s gift Sister Bao Li brought: a large chunk of pork weighing about two or three kilograms, two bags of snacks from Qiwei House, a net bag of eggs, two jars of honey, and two cans of preserves, along with a barrel of soybean oil!

All great stuff!

From these items, Mrs. Qin could also see how much Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop valued Beisitian, which filled her with pride.

Especially seeing a cow and a sheep added to the courtyard, the couple was overjoyed!

However, Beisitian couldn’t quite share the joy. If Zhou Jiren truly had ulterior motives, it would be best to clarify things sooner rather than later!

Luo Anping had been enjoying good food during this period. In the past, meals were bland and tasteless, lacking even a hint of oil or salt. But this year, for New Year, there were snacks and eggs, and even honey and preserves!