Chapter 430: Visitors from Above

Chapter 430 An Official Visitor Arrives

Kong Xuelan smiled and said, "I haven't asked her age yet, but she looks like a recent college graduate—probably pretty young."

Xu Li was puzzled. "Her husband is a regiment commander? There must be a big age gap between them."

Kong Xuelan: "Not at all. Regiment Commander Lu is young too, even younger than my husband. And when he stands next to his wife, they look like a perfect match."

"I see."

Xu Li withdrew her gaze, keeping her thoughts to herself.

She had only come to deliver something today, and since Kong Xuelan was busy, she decided to leave. Before going, she glanced once more at the neighboring yard; the bright colors still caught her eye.

Ye Xiaoxiao hadn’t noticed anyone new in the neighboring yard.

After tidying up her home and yard, she had little to do besides reading, so she decided to keep busy.

First, she explored other parts of the island to see if there was a suitable place to open a clinic.

After some investigation, she discovered that apart from the army medics stationed on the island, the only medical care available came from makeshift clinics run by folk healers.

They could handle minor illnesses like colds and fevers, but anything slightly more serious was beyond what they could handle.

The problem was, the island had gotten by this way for decades. In recent years, with the navy stationed there, medical supplies had become more abundant.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, island residents just toughed it out when it came to illness—you either got better or you didn't.

The island’s population wasn’t large, and many children and elderly didn't survive.

If she were to open a clinic and charge for services, it was possible no one would even come.

For now, Ye Xiaoxiao put the idea of opening a clinic on hold.

Even if she couldn’t run a clinic, she could still provide free checkups to the islanders.

On one hand, it would keep her medical training fresh, and on the other, it would be her way of giving back.

She wasn’t trying to compete with the barefoot doctors for survival—she wouldn’t treat common ailments, leaving those to them, while focusing on tougher cases herself.

Just as Ye Xiaoxiao was planning her next steps, a VIP visitor arrived on the island—one who had come specifically to see her.

Changjing Island was part of Changshui City, where the mayor was Cao Zeming.

At forty-five years old, he had recently come down with a troubling problem—insomnia.

Not only did he have trouble falling asleep, but he also suffered from restlessness, heart palpitations, and would wake up often.

The symptoms had persisted for over ten days. All his hospital tests, including electrocardiograms, came back normal.

With no solution in sight, the condition was now really interfering with his work.

His secretary, who'd heard through the grapevine, suggested he seek treatment from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

"Western doctors can't treat my illness. Are you sure traditional Chinese medicine can?"

Secretary: "Whether it works or not, we should at least give it a try."

Cao Zeming thought for a moment and agreed, "Alright, get me a Chinese medicine practitioner."

The secretary then found four or five seasoned Chinese medicine practitioners for him. After trying several herbal brews, none proved effective.

Instead, the treatments actually made Mayor Cao worse.

Now, not only was he suffering from insomnia, but he also had tinnitus, fatigue, and was flying off the handle at everything.

While searching for medical help, the secretary accidentally heard someone mention the doctors at Rende Pharmacy. Coincidentally, a renowned healer was currently on Changjing Island.

The secretary came running excitedly to the mayor. "Mayor, we might have found your cure!"

At this point, Cao Zeming had no other expectations—he just wanted a good night's sleep.

"Stop the nonsense. What snake oil have you dug up this time?"

"This isn’t a quack remedy—it’s a legendary healer. Have you heard of Mr. Song, Song Guangjing? His final protégé is currently on Changjing Island. You should go there and seek their help."

Cao Zeming had no idea who Song Guangjing was. Having lost faith in doctors, he doubted even renowned experts could treat him.

"Why would they go to Changjing Island?"

He knew Changjing Island was no vacation spot.

The country had only stationed heavy military forces there in recent years, with neighboring nations eyeing the territory—shells could start flying at any moment.

What was already a poor place had become even more dangerous.

"They’re military dependents, so of course they’d go to the island."

"What?" Cao Zeming scratched his head.

When he finally learned who this so-called healer was, his distrust deepened.

But after repeated persuasion from his secretary, he decided to check out the island regardless.

Since Changjing Island was part of his turf, he could treat the trip as an inspection.

With a single phone call, the secretary made arrangements. Though Changjing Island was just a backwater town, local officials were both psyched and sweating bullets about the mayor’s visit.

The secretary emphasized over the phone that this was an under-the-radar visit—no welcome ceremonies, just a casual visit.

Despite this, island officials still prepared enthusiastically.

Word got to Lu Hanchuan too.

However, he didn’t know the purpose of the trip was to find his wife.

As the top brass at the local army base, Lu Hanchuan relayed the news during a meeting, instructing everyone to stay on task.

The mayor’s visit was none of the army's concern—they operated under separate chains of command.

The Political Commissar had a quick huddle with Lu Hanchuan, agreeing that if Mayor Cao visited the army unit, they would still need to show him proper protocol.

Naturally, Lu Hanchuan would play ball with work-related matters.

...

On the day Cao Zeming arrived on the island, the weather was sunny and pleasant. He first visited the local township government for a while, extending his greetings to the local officials.

Then he surveyed the island’s infrastructure and chatted with the locals.

After going through the usual formalities, Cao Zeming, as arranged by his secretary, headed to the military base.

Since he was here on personal business, Cao Zeming didn’t want to disturb others and only sought out Lu Hanchuan.

Though Lu Hanchuan was puzzled, he still met with the mayor.

The Political Commissar, wary, accompanied Lu Hanchuan during the reception.

Those in the military weren’t great with social graces, and the Political Commissar was worried Lu Hanchuan might offend the mayor.

Once seated, Cao Zeming finally explained why he’d come—he needed a doctor.

The Political Commissar, surnamed Han and named Han Yuxin, was a sharp-eyed man with glasses.

Upon hearing Cao Zeming inquire about Dr. Ye, he let out a laugh. "So Mayor Cao is here for medical treatment. This matter will indeed require Regiment Commander Lu to make arrangements."

Political Commissar Han knew Lu Hanchuan’s wife was a renowned traditional Chinese doctor, having treated at least ten VIPs in the capital alone.

After all, any one of them could open doors to fortune.

Political Commissar Han was very confident she could cure Mayor Cao’s ailment.

At Cao Zeming’s request, Lu Hanchuan had no choice but to send for Xiao Xiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao had been watering the vegetable garden at home when a young soldier came to tell her Lu Hanchuan needed her.

Fearing something was wrong, she hurried to the reception room, only to see a room full of people.

"Xiao Xiao, this is Mayor Cao and Political Commissar Han," Lu Hanchuan said, steering a confused Xiao Xiao and introducing her.

At a glance, Ye Xiaoxiao could tell from Cao Zeming’s complexion that he was unwell.

She greeted both men first, then turned to Cao Zeming. "Mayor Cao, have you had trouble sleeping lately?"