***** Vol.2 Chap.4 En-route to the Medical School *****

May-Ling hurried out of the clinic to the streets. It was a nice and cool night. A soft wind was blowing on her face. She swung her head back. The gentle wind was so soothing. But she had no time to enjoy the weather at this time, even though this was her favorite time of the year. It was early spring and there was still a hint of coolness in the air. But the air was fresh and invigorating from the mountains. However, tonight, she was already late. She walked briskly, turned the corner, and headed for the bus stop. A few people were already waiting at the bus stop. She queued up behind them to wait for the bus.

Everyone seemed to be out on the streets tonight. Some were strolling along the street in groups. Others were riding bicycles in pairs. What a romantic night! A group of six to seven high school girls drifted by giggling the whole time. They were totally into their own clique and were completely oblivious to the others on the street. A bunch of boys skipped by kicking at stones and everything in sight on the floor. A couple holding hands meandered all over the pavement. The boy was chattering incessantly while the girl was smiling and nodding and listening patiently. Across the street, a group of old men was having a game of chess at the side of the pavement. Another group of old women was having a very noisy game of mahjong. Behind her, another couple were riding their bicycles on the street, pedaling slowly and aimlessly along the street. Everyone was enjoying the sights and watching others watching them.

She stretched her neck to peer down the street, but she did not see any bus coming.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

She remembered many nights like this. If she did not have to give the seminar tonight at the Medical School, she and Haw-Ting would have taken to the streets and walked off the tension of the day. On many nights like tonight, they too had strolled along the streets during their college days, and later during their medical school days. One simply must forget the tension at school or work and join the excitement with the crowd and the rest of the world on the streets.

Ah, the good old days. She reminded herself.

She remembered well when she first moved to Shanghai to live with her Grandpapa and when she first met Haw-Ting. Immediately, they became friends and had been ever since. Together they went through high school, college, and medical school. After graduation, they got married and moved to Xilon, the place where she grew up, and where her dad had the clinic as well. There, they started the present Tsai-Chen clinic together five years ago.

Time flew by. Now, she felt tired and exhausted and unfulfilled. She felt that there had to be something more to what they were doing. Somehow, she felt she had not reached the goal. Somehow, there got to be something more out there for her, but she had no clue what that was.

They had set up the clinic in the poor section of town and they never charged the patients any money. All proceeds are by donations only. Life was hard. But they have survived for five years by working long hours and being frugal in spending what little money they received and putting back everything into the clinic, yet at the end of every month, they always come up short. Haw-Ting had mentioned to her many times about charging a small fee, but she had always managed to talk him out of it. She could not bear the thought of a patient in need and not being able to come in for treatment because the patient had no money. That thought was too much for her conscience.

A loud noise and a foul smell woke her up. People around her were pushing and shoveling, trying to get on the bus. She quickly jumped on the bus, as it was about to leave. After two more transfers, she finally arrived at the Medical School.