Chapter 159: Stern

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ye Ling divided the medicine into small portions, with each portion having a very small dosage to ensure that the potent medicine wouldn’t overwhelm Ah Hui’s body.

After splitting the medicine, Ye Ling added further instructions, “Boil it for ten minutes the first time and then discard the water. Only the second batch of the medicine should be given to the patient.”

Naturally, this wasn’t the correct usage for ginseng slices. Ye Ling mentioned this to deliberately reduce the effectiveness of the ginseng.

“Okay, Comrade. We understand. Thank you for coming to remind us,” Ma Biao replied courteously.

Ye Ling nodded, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Ma Biao escorted Ye Ling to the door and watched her departure.

Upon returning to the living room, Aunt Mei rolled her eyes at Ma Biao, saying, “Oh, you even escorted her to the door. Let me tell you, that woman is clearly from the city. Don’t get any foolish ideas.”

Ma Biao felt somewhat embarrassed and defensive. “She came over to remind us. Isn’t it right to see her to the door?”

Aunt Mei chose not to say anything more. She glanced at the ginseng slices on the table and muttered, “What a waste of money. She’s a real money-drainer!”

Ma Biao put away the ginseng slices and prepared today’s dosage. He found a medicine jar and put the ginseng slices in.

Although Ma Biao didn’t like Ah Hui and even hoped that this woman who brought him shame could die soon, he still couldn’t do something like leave her alone.

In reality, Ma Biao also carried a hint of guilt. Had Ah Hui not come to his house and married him, she certainly wouldn’t have met such a tragic fate at the young age of sixteen.

Although he didn’t believe in superstitions, he couldn’t help but fear karmic retribution. Consequently, after Ah Hui fell seriously ill, he treated her somewhat better than Aunt Mei did.

Ye Ling hurried back to the pharmacy. Upon entering, she spotted an unfamiliar woman seated behind the counter.

Their eyes met, and the woman’s stern gaze settled on Ye Ling. A shiver coursed through Ye Ling’s skin as if a scalpel were pressed against it.

“Two hours.” Gao Min glanced at her watch and offered a chilly smile. “Two hours.”

Ye Ling stood beside the counter and lowered her head. “I’m sorry for leaving my post without permission.”

Ye Ling had already guessed that the short-haired woman in front of her was Sister Gao.

When Sister Gao came to deliver the medicine today, she noticed that Ye Ling was not in the pharmacy. After inquiring with Ji Mei, Sister Gao must have learned what Ye Ling was doing. As a manager, Sister Gao would undoubtedly be displeased to see her employees deviating from their duties during working hours.

Gao Min snorted coldly. She had originally intended to reprimand Ye Ling sternly, but she was surprised by Ye Ling’s quick acknowledgment of her mistake.

Her attitude was surprisingly cooperative.

If Ye Ling, relying on her talent, had disregarded the pharmacy’s rules and displayed an unapologetic attitude, Gao Min would have certainly delivered a harsher reprimand and punishment.

Ji Mei stood by and whispered, “Ye Ling is simply concerned about the patient’s condition. She’s acting out of kindness. Sister Gao, please don’t be too hard on her.”

Gao Min shot a brief, disdainful glance at Ji Mei. “You’re quite compassionate.” Ye Ling kept her head down and remained silent.

A few seconds later, Gao Min’s tone turned cold as she said, “I’ll dock a week’s worth of your wages.”

Ji Mei exclaimed in surprise. She hadn’t expected Gao Min’s punishment to be so severe. She was about to plead on behalf of Ye Ling, but Ye Ling herself responded, “Okay.”

Gao Min slowly rose from her seat and gestured toward the kitchen. “Your meal is heating up in the pot.”

Ye Ling was stunned for a moment. After thanking Gao Min, she walked to the kitchen.

Gao Min walked out to the courtyard, preparing to leave on her bicycle. Ji Mei accompanied her to the door, voicing her discontent, “Sister Gao, why deduct her wages for a whole week? Isn’t that a bit too harsh?”

Gao Min replied in a cool tone, “If I don’t take such measures, how will she learn her lesson? Ye Ling is different from you and Yun Jie. Highly talented individuals often have strong personalities and tend to do things their way, ignoring established systems and rules. By helping her adjust her attitude now, I aim to prevent more significant mistakes in the future.”

“It’s not that serious.” Ji Mei pouted. Although she was still a little dissatisfied, she did not dare to say anything else.

In the kitchen, Ye Ling opened the pot’s lid to find two cornbread buns, a plate of spicy cabbage, and a dish of fermented bean curd.

Ye Ling quickly finished her lunch, wiped her mouth, and then sat on the stool behind the stove, sinking into deep thought.

She already had a plan to save Ah Hui, but this plan was very risky, so she had to be extra careful..