Even though Ye Zhinan had lived two lifetimes, she still felt ill at ease with this kind of over - familiar behavior.
She cleared her throat, trying to subtly create some distance between them. Unexpectedly, the woman noticed and hugged her even tighter.
"Don't be shy. The women in our stockade aren't so particular. We're very laid - back."
She was half - pushed and half - led forward, with a blush lingering on her face for a long time. She inexplicably felt like she was being forced.
The red - dressed woman stood on a high place, shouted out, and then raised her hand to ring the bronze gong beside her.
The clear sound echoed throughout the stockade. Before long, many women and children rushed out from all directions.
"Greetings, Mistress!"
Ye Zhinan looked at the people kneeling on the ground and heard the title they used for this woman. She was quite surprised.
She didn't expect that this seemingly so - called "unserious" woman was actually the wife of the chief.
Moreover, she was beautiful and young, not looking like a woman who had given birth at all.
"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Lu Yanlai. You don't have to call me Mistress like they do. Just call me Lu'er."
Lu'er?
Ye Zhinan's mind turned several times. She always felt that Lu Yanlai didn't seem like a traditional bandit.
The clarity and free - spiritedness in her eyes were out of place with the whole Fushou Mountain. She seemed more like a young lady from a wealthy family.
"How did you get acquainted with the chief?"
Seeing that everyone was settled down, Ye Zhinan moved closer to Lu Yanlai and asked carefully.
Knowing that her question was a bit abrupt, but Ye Zhinan just had an inexplicable fondness for her and couldn't help but want to know more.
Lu Yanlai's eyes dimmed slightly, and then she forced a smile.
"I'll tell you in detail later."
Ye Zhinan didn't press further. She picked up her medicine box, sat in front of the table, and prepared to see the patients in line.
After a busy half - day, Ye Zhinan found that they mainly lacked vitamins.
Not only did they show symptoms of anemia, but most of the children were calcium - deficient. At a young age, they already showed signs of osteoporosis.
She recalled Xiaohu's behavior before. Presumably, it was caused by calcium deficiency.
"I'll prescribe some medicine for everyone. The prescription has been carefully improved by me. It's not bitter and easy to carry. Just swallow it with warm water every day, and it will be effective."
Since she found that the people in the village were malnourished, she had sneaked into the space at night to secretly research pills.
Relying solely on dietary supplements was too slow. To completely solve the problem, modern technology was needed.
But taking out tablets and capsules abruptly would be too strange.
She came up with a way to make them into pills. They seemed like traditional Chinese medicine but were actually Western medicine.
Combining the two and taking their essence, it was not only less likely to arouse suspicion but also more effective.
"Really? You're not lying to us, are you?"
"Yeah, I've had this back and leg pain for many years. It's just too far - fetched to say that it can be cured by just taking a few pills."
Ye Zhinan showed a faint smile. She took out a few plasters from her bag and handed them to everyone.
"Anyone who has back or leg pain now can come and get a plaster from me. Put it on immediately. If it doesn't work within half an incense stick's time, you don't have to believe me."
She was quite confident in her dog - skin plasters. After all, she had combined the advantages of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and its swelling - reducing and pain - relieving effects were unparalleled.
Moreover, it would work as soon as it was applied without any mistakes.
A brave woman stepped forward first. She took the plaster half - doubtfully, found an empty place, and put it on.
Everyone was eagerly waiting for the effect, while Ye Zhinan calmly sat beside them and started eating sunflower seeds.
Before half an incense stick's time had passed, the woman excitedly stood up, her eyes full of surprise.
"It's true. It really doesn't hurt anymore. Come and try it quickly!"
She didn't seem to be lying. To prove that it was really effective, she bent down and lifted a big rock.
"Sister Zhang has had back pain for many years. It was a problem for her to do normal labor. Now she can lift a rock. It's really a miraculous effect."
Lu Yanlai also chimed in. She had long seen that Ye Zhinan had some skills, but she didn't expect her to be so amazing.
With a clinical case and Lu Yanlai as a guarantor, everyone rushed forward, all wanting to grab the dog - skin plasters.
Ye Zhinan was quick - witted. She stuffed all the plasters into her bosom.
"Plasters can only relieve the symptoms, not cure the root cause. To completely get rid of the problem, you still have to take medicine."
She took out a delicate small box filled with pills.
Different from the usual bitter traditional Chinese medicine, these pills faintly emitted a sweet fragrance. The children were eager to try.
"Those who take five pills can exchange for one dog - skin plaster. If you finish all the pills and come on time for follow - up, you can exchange for five plasters."
She had a well - thought - out plan in mind. Now she was smiling cunningly, waiting for everyone's reaction.
Most of the people in the stockade were struggling for a living. They would mostly choose the quick - acting method.
And they often ignored the need to eradicate the root cause of the disease.
She had to think of a way to coax everyone to take the medicine.
She didn't have to worry about the adults, but the children couldn't rely on plasters for the rest of their lives.
"I think Doctor Ye is right. How about I take the lead? Give me and Xiaohu two servings so that you can all feel at ease."
Ye Zhinan looked at Lu Yanlai gratefully. She had really helped her a lot.
If it weren't for her always speaking up for her, the people in the stockade probably wouldn't have believed her for a while.
Lu Yanlai patted her on the shoulder and showed her cute tiger teeth.
Her strategy was very effective. Everyone swarmed forward and grabbed all the pills in the box.
Fortunately, she had prepared a lot. Later, she even took out the pills meant for the villagers at the foot of the mountain, barely ensuring that everyone could supplement their vitamins.
When she returned, Qin Yihuai also walked out from the front hall.
He walked up to Ye Zhinan, lowered his head, and whispered in her ear.
The warm breath on her face made her blush and her heart race again.
As a result, she didn't hear a single word of what Qin Yihuai said.
Instead, Lu Yanlai came over affectionately, hooked her arm, and pulled her into the house.
"You'll sleep with me tonight. Let's have a little chat."
Ye Zhinan's expression changed greatly. Regardless of being on someone else's territory, she quickly broke free from Lu Yanlai's embrace, her face full of panic.
"Absolutely not. Men and women should keep a proper distance. How can I sleep with you?"
Lu Yanlai burst out laughing, and even Li Feilong had a smile in his eyes.
Ye Zhinan was completely confused. She stood there awkwardly, looking at Qin Yihuai for help.
Finally, Xiaohu spoke up and revealed the truth.
"Pretty sister, you're so gorgeous. Even in men's clothes, you can't hide your flower - like beauty. Father taught me about self - deception. I think it probably describes you."
Everyone couldn't help laughing. Ye Zhinan's face was so red that it seemed to drip blood.
Finally, Lu Yanlai glared at the little rascal and patted Ye Zhinan on the back.
"Don't listen to what those men say. You've done a good job of pretending."