Chapter 2867: with translation of chapter title

2772.2665 braiding red rope

Chang Yue was stunned for a moment.

She looked at Chief Zheng beside her, whose face was full of a warm and honest smile, and felt somewhat strange.

"Professor Zheng, this… this how could I be embarrassed." The old patient hastily grabbed the red rope in Chang Yue's hand, explaining awkwardly: "No need, no need, someone like you… scientists are all busy, this is just my superstition, feudal superstition…"

Hearing her ramble on, Zheng Ren smiled and asked, "Any more red rope?"

"Zheng Lao Ban, I still have a little left here." Gu Xiao Ran handed over the remaining red rope.

"It's fine, old person." Zheng Ren sat by the bedside and said gently: "This isn't feudal superstition; nowadays it's called a traditional custom. As long as you feel it's useful in your heart, then it is useful. We also often use psychotherapy in medical treatment for patients; it's quite normal."

Watching Zheng Ren's hands skillfully braid the red rope, the room fell into complete silence. The patients and family members beside the bed looked on with some envy; Professor Zheng's hands are really dexterous.

The braid with five thread knots is exquisite and beautiful; Zheng Ren's hands seem like they could perform magic, and in just a few minutes a red rope is braided.

"Old person, do you usually tie it on the left foot?" Zheng Ren asked.

"Mm." The old person nodded slightly, a bit dazed. She knows best how long it takes to braid this kind of red rope; every year she braids them for the children, whether they wear them or not.

Especially children who go out to work or study, when they leave home she will formally put a string of red rope on their ankles.

In the old person's heart, this means peace and safety; and now someone is putting a red rope on her, this is something from many years ago. The old memories gradually become clear in her mind, and she murmurs, not knowing how to express gratitude.

"I've put it on you." Zheng Ren tied the red rope, examined it carefully, and felt very satisfied.

My skill is much higher than when I came to Di Du last year; should I replace the heart that Yi Ren braided from guide wire?

Zheng Ren had a smile on his face, pondering in his heart.

"Thank you, thank you." The old person tried to touch the red rope with her hand, but massive ascites made her movements clumsy and stiff; normally a simple action would be impossible.

"Old person, you'll be able to touch it after the Shou Bing, don't rush." Zheng Ren smiled, "Then let's see each other during tomorrow's Shou Bing."

"Mm-hmm." The old person felt somewhat excited, gazing at the beautiful red rope from afar, and with her son's support she recovered into a semi-reclining position.

Zheng Ren turned and left; Chang Yue reminded from behind, "Chief Zheng, giving red rope to only one patient in the same ward seems inappropriate."

"Umm..." Zheng Ren thought for a moment and asked, "Then go ask them; if they want it, I'll braid another."

Chang Yue nodded and turned back to the ward.

Zheng Ren didn't feel anything wrong; for him, comforting the mood of an old person about to undergo Shou Bing is normal work.

But after dinner in the evening, when Chang Yue took out a pile of red thread, Zheng Ren felt uneasy.

This might become a regular task from now on…… The patients in the ward are all mixed post-Shou Bing and pre-Shou Bing. Originally it was a demonstration for post-Shou Bing patients to reassure newly admitted patients.

Doing this, braiding red rope has become a feature of the Medical Team. Zheng Ren felt somewhat troubled, dazed.

"Just braid it." Chang Yue said, "This afternoon your braiding of red rope became known to the other patients, and they're all clamoring for it."

Zheng Ren looked at the red rope and sighed slightly.

Su Yun gleefully fed Heizi alcohol and peanuts, laughing and saying, "Not fearing scarcity but fearing inequality, Boss, you've worked hard."

Zheng Ren also knows this mindset, but… it seems like there's too much to do.

He sat on the sofa and asked Yi Ren, "Yi Ren, I felt my skill improved again while braiding red rope this afternoon; shall I braid another one for you?"

"No." Xie Yiren covered her chest; she has always kept Zheng Ren's guide-wire-braided heart shape as a pendant worn close to her body.

Zheng Ren didn't insist, instead picking up the red thread and chatting while braiding the red rope.

"How's the Director doing? Let's do a video call." Zheng Ren, feeling bored, inquired.

"The Director's health keeps getting better." Chang Yue said, "A few days ago, when chatting with Da Chu and Xiao Chu, I saw the Director."

Su Yun brought a tablet and connected to Director Pan's video call.

From the tablet came Director Pan's deep, slightly aged voice.

"Have you finished eating?"

"Director, you must have just finished eating; I see a grain of rice at the corner of your mouth." Su Yun said with a smile.

"Don't talk nonsense, I ate noodles tonight." Although Director Pan said that, he still couldn't help wiping his mouth.

Su Yun laughed loudly.

"Director, guess what Chief Zheng is doing?" Chang Yue went over to greet Director Pan.

"Scientific research? You said earlier you were treating a late-stage cancer child, then went to Ou continent; how is it now?" Director Pan asked.

"Wrong!" Su Yun said, "The Boss feels that patients undergoing Shou Bing lack a sense of ceremony; he's braiding red rope to replace wristbands, making it easier to distinguish later."

Zheng Ren smiled; it was obvious that when Su Yun said this, her mind went in circles, and her statements were inconsistent.

However, braiding five knots is a bit troublesome; from now on we'll just do one knot.

Su Yun, on her end, said this while turning the screen toward Zheng Ren.

Director Pan has gained a bit of weight compared to the video call a few days ago; he has freed himself from the trouble of Blue Bacteria, and his body is slowly recovering.

"Director." Zheng Ren lifted the red rope in his hand and said, "This afternoon I encountered an old patient who said it's a custom from his hometown, asking me to braid him a red rope."

"Umm..." Director Pan looked at the red thread on the table, first stunned, then burst out laughing, "I thought only the Old Man Under the Moon would handle red rope; you kid also play with this."

Being old doctors, the psychological impact of this on patients is self-evident; therefore Director Pan was just joking, teasing Zheng Ren.

"Hehe." Zheng Ren laughed earnestly, then said, "Director, your condition looks much better."

"That's nothing; only you would take it seriously." Director Pan said.

"Don't eat those random messy things, remember that?" Zheng Ren's tone didn't sound like talking to a department head, but like talking to parents; he nagged, "Don't show off those youthful survival skills of yours; what era is this now, and you're not lacking that bit of food."

Director Pan glared at him, but Zheng Ren kept his head down braiding the red rope, speaking while doing so, completely unaware of Director Pan's gaze.

"Usually pay more attention to your health; the Blue Bacteria are under control, but back then you were terrifying. Remember, if I see you eating bamboo rat again when I return, I'll really get angry."