Gao Yuan walked alone on the mountain road back home, his thoughts unsettled as he gazed at the overlapping mountains.

He stopped and looked back at the path he had just taken, which was covered in yellow mud and full of bumps and obstacles.

Gao Yuan recalled the terrified expression on Zhang Yuancai’s face earlier, as well as his attitude of avoiding him as if he were a snake or scorpion. This kind of expression and attitude was something Gao Yuan had experienced for more than ten years in his previous life. Even when he was imprisoned for the second time, it hadn't changed.

His gaze became desolate. Since heaven had allowed him to return to ten years ago, why not let him go back a few more years? Back to that torrential rainy night, back to that moment that had changed his entire life.

But there were no "what ifs" in this world.

Gao Yuan turned around, lowering his head, and walked forward with heavy steps.

He thought about what his younger brother Gao Jun had said to him during his prison visit. His mother had passed away early because of him; otherwise, his brother wouldn’t have said, "If only you didn’t exist, things would be so much better."

Those words felt like a knife carving into Gao Yuan's heart.

Gao Yuan sighed softly, and the image of Gao Jun’s unsteady, panting figure flashed before him. Instantly, his expression tightened. "Oh no!"

...

In the village.

Doctor Liu Sanquan, who had signed a contract for regular visits to the village’s clinic, first went to the village's assembly hall and found the patient list on the lower right corner of the blackboard. He took out his notebook and copied down the names, some of which were marked with a star.

The stars indicated bedridden patients, while those without were out earning work points.

Carrying his medicine box, Liu Sanquan first went to treat the severely ill at home.

After seeing the bedridden patients, Liu Sanquan headed to the fields to continue his rounds. It was a busy farming season, so even those with mild illnesses were out earning work points. "Zhang Huanghe from the third team, where is Zhang Huanghe? Come quickly for your check-up. As for the other teams, anyone feeling unwell, come over for treatment."

Soon, a few people walked over from the fields to seek medical attention.

Liu Sanquan found a shaded spot under a tree and began treating the patients.

There weren't any major illnesses; most of the recent cases were common colds. After diagnosing them, Liu Sanquan handed out prescription slips and instructed them on how to obtain the medicine. The last patient was a mother and son.

"Hmm? Caught a cold too?" Liu Sanquan asked, looking at the still-coughing Gao Jun.

Gao Jun's mother accompanied him, saying, "Just a bit of a cough, and his body aches slightly, nothing serious. The main issue is that this boy is too frail. Look at how skinny he is—just skin and bones, with no strength. That’s why he’s prone to catching colds. Could you prescribe something to strengthen him and help him gain some weight?"

"Oh," Liu Sanquan nodded and looked at Gao Jun again, seeing that the boy was indeed emaciated to the point where his bones were visible. His complexion was pale, and his energy was weak. He said, "Alright, I’ll prescribe something to strengthen his spleen. Fortunately, I still have some pills in my medicine box, so you don’t need to travel to the town for them."

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"Oh, that’s great," Gao Jun's mother beamed. Getting medicine in the countryside wasn't easy, as traveling to the town from their village meant a walk of several dozen miles along mountain roads. A round trip took most of the day and would delay earning work points.

Liu Sanquan took a bottle from his medicine box and handed it to Gao Jun's mother, saying, "Go home and pour the medicine into a container; I’ll need the bottle back. Also, bring your treatment booklet and five jiao (0.5 yuan)."

Gao Jun's mother was surprised. "This medicine costs five jiao?"

"Yes," Liu Sanquan nodded. "It contains ginseng, so it's more expensive. Fortunately, your cooperative covered 80% of the cost. Otherwise, it would be even more expensive if you had to pay for it all yourself. Remember to seal it well at home; store it in a cool, dry place."

Gao Jun's mother nodded. "Alright."

Gao Jun took the medicine, pressing the aching parts of his body. "Cough, cough… I’ll take some now. I still need to go back and earn work points."

Liu Sanquan nodded, "Alright."

Gao Jun's mother said, "I’ll get you some water."

Just as Gao Jun's mother brought the water and Gao Jun was about to take the medicine, a voice came from not far away: "Wait, don’t take it."

Everyone looked towards the voice and saw someone approaching quickly.

Gao Jun's mother and Gao Jun froze.

As soon as Liu Sanquan saw who it was, he became furious. Why had this person followed him all this way? Could it be that he wouldn't let him be?

"Jun…" Gao Jun's mother looked at the approaching person, her hand constantly waving to the side. Her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground. The hand she extended was meant for Gao Jun to grab hold of her.

"Mom!" Gao Jun cried out in panic, dropping the cup he held. He quickly supported his mother.

But despite this, Gao Jun's mother still ended up sitting weakly on the ground. Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt.

Gao Jun's mother’s breathing suddenly quickened. She clutched her chest, her eyes never leaving the approaching figure. "Am I... am I dreaming? Jun… Jun, do you see? Is your brother... has your brother really come back? Has he?"

Though Gao Jun was holding his mother’s hand, he was utterly dumbfounded.

Seeing Gao Yuan approaching, Liu Sanquan felt deeply troubled and yelled, "What on earth do you want? Why are you following me? Are you not finished?"

Gao Yuan reached them, panting, and looked at his mother and brother.

Liu Sanquan saw that Gao Yuan wasn’t responding to him, so he became anxious. He stood up, shouting, "Hey! I’m talking to you!"

"Mom."

"Yuan, is that you?" Tears welled up in Gao Jun's mother's eyes, and her voice carried a sobbing tone, full of disbelief.

"Huh?" Liu Sanquan looked between the two, dumbfounded.

Gao Yuan stepped forward and took his mother's hand. Finally seeing her, Gao Yuan's heart pounded uncontrollably, but he forced himself to remain calm. He said softly, "Mom, I’m back."

Gao Jun's mother, with eyes full of tears, said, "Is it true? Am I not dreaming?"

Gao Yuan tightly held his mother's hand, nodding vigorously with tears in his eyes. "It’s not a dream. I’m really back!"

The commotion quickly drew a crowd, who began whispering in confusion.

Gao Yuan then turned to his younger brother, Gao Jun. Looking at his brother's thin but otherwise healthy face, he reached out and pressed down on the medicine in Gao Jun’s hand. He said, "Jun, you can’t take this medicine."

"Huh?" Gao Jun hadn’t snapped out of his shock since earlier.

Hearing this, Liu Sanquan was displeased. Why was this young man always against him? Earlier was one thing, but now he had chased him this far and was still opposing him. He couldn't take it anymore. "Why can't he take it? Are you suggesting I’ve adulterated the medicine or poisoned it?"

Gao Yuan turned to look at Liu Sanquan and said, "The medicine is good."

Before Gao Yuan could finish, Liu Sanquan interrupted, "Then why can’t he take it?"

Gao Yuan became angry and asked, "Are you not familiar with the medical teaching that says 'all symptoms must be treated first'?"

Liu Sanquan looked puzzled.

Gao Yuan was both exasperated and helpless. His brother, Gao Jun, had always been frail and skinny with a poor immune system. While suffering from a cold, he still showed symptoms. Yet, Liu Sanquan had prescribed medicine to strengthen his spleen, thereby trapping the illness inside. Eventually, this led to Gao Jun developing rheumatic heart disease.

Before his rebirth, Gao Yuan had witnessed his brother in the throes of that illness. And it had all started from this moment.

Unable to recall the medical teaching, Liu Sanquan frowned and said, "How could I not know that? What’s wrong with strengthening the spleen in someone with weak energy and blood?"

"The spleen and stomach are the source of energy and blood production. This boy is so thin, his immune system is poor. Of course, he needs to strengthen his spleen and boost his energy to protect against further illness. Why can’t he take it? Do you think this medicine would harm him?"

"By the way, who are you? Why are you always opposing me? Which clinic do you work for? I’ve never seen you before!" Liu Sanquan looked from Gao Yuan's mother to Gao Yuan. He had never heard of a doctor coming from this village.