Only patients like Master Liu, who are older and facing financial difficulties, would choose a small clinic to treat their wounds.
For such patients, a scar is no big deal as long as the treatment is affordable.
But such patients are ultimately in the minority.
If possible, every patient would prefer not to have unsightly scars. So, he really needs to practice more suturing techniques.
The two walked side by side into the market.
While shopping for groceries, Li Jingsheng chivalrously helped her carry the groceries. He seldom went to the market because he never cooked for himself.
His ex-girlfriend was a pampered woman who didn't lift a finger, even leaving the trash disposal to Li Jingsheng.
After buying radishes and sweet corn, she purchased two pieces of tofu, some green peppers, and then headed to the pork stall to buy meat.
While buying meat, she shared her shopping experience with Li Jingsheng.
This is neck meat, and this is belly meat; neither should be bought. These parts are tough and hard to chew. Neck meat has many lymph nodes and is unhealthy to eat.
The novice Li Jingsheng found it intriguing and learned quite a bit about grocery shopping from her.
After paying, Li Jingsheng naturally reached out to carry the bag of meat.
"Young lady, your husband is so nice, not letting you carry anything while shopping, afraid you'll get tired! There aren't many thoughtful men like him!"
The fifty-something meat vendor, perhaps trying to secure regular customers, complimented Li Jingsheng with a smile.
This instantly made Li Jingsheng feel extremely awkward.
Tang Ping blushed even more.
She almost dragged Li Jingsheng out of the market.
Li Jingsheng was originally planning to buy two pieces of pork with skin to practice suturing at the clinic, but now he'd have to find another opportunity.
"Don't mind it, market vendors speak like that without knowing the situation."
She walked ahead with a red face, unable to help explaining.
They truly only had a normal boss-employee relationship, never thinking beyond that at all.
First, it was Boss Zhao wrongly accusing her of being after Li Jingsheng, and now the market vendor was 'pairing them up.' If she didn't explain, it would seem she was tacitly acknowledging it.
For Tang Ping, dignity was paramount.
She did not want Li Jingsheng to look down on her.
"In front of a widow's door, there are many gossips," as the old saying goes.
"The clean remain clean, and let others say what they want! Do these groceries suffice?"
Li Jingsheng asked.
An educated person is indeed different.
With just one sentence, her troubled heart felt much calmer.
Indeed, the clean remain clean, and you can't stop others from speaking.
As long as you stand upright, there's no need to worry about casting a long shadow.
"It's just a little... Boss, it's only because you gave me five thousand wages today that I dared to be indulgent and bought a pound of meat. I'm on a diet, I hardly eat in the evenings, and these groceries will last us a few days! If you don't mind, how about coming over for dinner at my place?"
She first rolled her eyes, thinking how rich people are oblivious to the struggle of ordinary costs.
Then she extended an invitation to Li Jingsheng.
"No, no, I'll just have some fried rice later."
Just accompanying her to buy groceries already attracted gossip.
If he went home with her, her whole neighborhood would probably explode with rumors.
The idle women loved gossiping.
Who knows what stories they would spin.
"Egg fried rice isn't nutritious or healthy. If you don't want to come to my home, how about I pack some food for you after cooking? I always take my daughter out for a walk after dinner, and where I live isn't far from the clinic. Besides, I haven't even thanked you for helping out earlier!"
She referred to the incident when Boss Zhao was bothering her, and Li Jingsheng stood up for her.
"Hey, whether you're my employee or a stranger, I would have helped in that situation. It's nothing major, don't mention it!"
Li Jingsheng waved nonchalantly.
But that Boss Zhao, he was a scoundrel, revealing his true colors after a few drinks.
Poaching Tang Ping would satisfy his dirty desires and simultaneously weaken Li Jingsheng, forcing Sunshine Clinic to close sooner.
Such malicious intent and deep scheming.
If Li Jingsheng didn't have the attribute panel, he might not have been able to counter Boss Zhao, resigning to his fate, shuttering the clinic, and seeking new paths.
But now, even against the dean of a large hospital, he was willing to fight.
Currently, he needed growth time and patients the most.
As long as his small clinic could receive enough patients, he could quickly grow into an expert healer.
Then, even ten Boss Zhaos wouldn't matter.
Quick Recovery Clinic would easily be squeezed out.
The core competitiveness of a clinic is its medical skills.
Knowing how to network with officials or industry peers is just supplementary.
"I've bought so much food; there's no way we'll finish it all. So it's settled, I'll bring it over once done. It might be a bit late, though." Tang Ping declared assertively in front of the boss.
"All right, I'm home. Want to come up for a while?"
"Another time! Here are your groceries!"
Li Jingsheng handed over the groceries to her.
The neighborhood is quite old, with security at the entrance, but hardly any amenities or greenery.
This part of South City used to be central back in the day. Every inch was worth gold.
But as times rapidly changed, the new district gradually replaced the old, turning this into a well-known urban village.
"Sister Tang, can I ask you something?"
Li Jingsheng hesitated, looking at her seriously.
"Go ahead!"
Her eyes showed a touch of panic, clearly fearing Li Jingsheng might ask something awkward.
Like, do you have feelings for me?
Could I chase after you?
"Why didn't you consider leaving when I owed you three months' salary?"
Li Jingsheng looked intently into her eyes.
Obviously, she had overthought it.
The boss never had any romantic notions towards her.
"Oh, that's because I worried that if I left, you wouldn't pay me the three months' salary."
Her eyes rolled cunningly, smiling as she spoke.
"Don't forget you're facing a professional clinical doctor!"
Li Jingsheng raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, so what?"
She asked in confusion.
"According to American psychologist David Lieberman's statistics and summary, when people recall real events, their eyes first move upward and then to the left. However, if they're fabricating, i.e., lying, their eyes move upward and then to the right. You just looked right, heh heh..."
Li Jingsheng's smile carried a hint of pride.
His medical skills might seem unimpressive, but his professional knowledge wasn't lacking.
At least he's a clinical master's graduate, with some basic knowledge of psychology.
"Ah... you're so cunning! How come you didn't mention this skill earlier?"
She covered her mouth, her face losing color, using playful shyness to cover her lying embarrassment.
"Well, honestly, it's your charm that kept me here. Over these nine months, I've noticed your actions, your medical ethics, and character, which I admire greatly. Also, you secretly cared for us mother and daughter, showed me respect, and even when there were work mistakes, you never blamed harshly. People are flesh and blood; how could I abandon you in your most dire time of need?"
This time, she spoke the genuine truth, heartfelt.
Li Jingsheng's kindness earned him her sincere dedication.
This loyalty was something money couldn't buy.
"Thank you for such a high regard for me, especially for not leaving during my hardest time. Sister Tang, please believe me, the days of unpaid salaries will soon end. In the future, I'll make you the head nurse of my clinic, possibly even a director."
Li Jingsheng stated solemnly.
He doesn't casually promise anything since a gentleman's word is gold.
Exaggeration isn't his style.
Pfft~!
She covered her mouth, chuckling, her face blooming like spring.
"Haha, though they say a man's words are often deceptive, I can't help but believe yours. Dean Li of the future, I await the day when I become your deputy head of the nursing department. Keep it up!"
She clenched her fist solemnly in front of her chest.
"Haha, you're the cheekiest one!"
Li Jingsheng was amused by her.
He had already made his grand statements, and what's left is to work hard to fulfill them.