Chapter 11

Charlotte's POV
Lisa would not disobey her master's orders. She took out a gray tin foil bag from the bottom of the cabinet and took some crushed tea leaves from it .
Honestly, I couldn't understand why the Countess would treat me so differently from Tyler. I had never felt that I was inferior to men in any way.
I suppressed my anger and stood up and argued loudly to the Countess.
"Female doctors go through the same rigorous training and testing as male doctors. I understand the Wind Pack's tradition, their eagerness to send women home to take care of their children, and no matter how badly men mess up their jobs, they come home feeling superior. Because they're male."
I paused deliberately as I tried to get my point reinforced.
"That kind of thinking is a pure pile of shit!"
I was worried that the Countess would be angry with me for offending her with my language, but comparing that to the fact that she thought I was worse than a male doctor, I would rather be thrown out of her house than protest against her prejudice.
The expression on the Countess's face was wonderful, and the gaze I met indicated that I was not afraid of her.
The Countess picked up her coffee and took a small, shallow sip. The corners of her mouth curved in a small curve that made me think she was mocking me.
"I'm sorry, esteemed Countess. Even though there are many differences of opinion between you and I, I will treat you as promised." I reminded myself to stop being angry about what the Countess said, and I tried to put on a relaxed expression. This would help me get my confidence back.
Tyler pinched my palm, and I inclined my head to look at him. tyler grinned at me, and I returned his smile. I hope he understands that I'm not a reckless person who only knows how to play lip service. I'm just trying to maintain my inner order.
The Countess's face showed a different kind of smile. "Very well."
She waved happily to Lisa like a small child.
"Lisa! Did you see that?"
"I know, I know, I saw it all... Miss Ally's answer was simply wonderful!" Lisa stood at the table, happily echoing.
I was caught in a trap, and I didn't understand the purpose of their current behavior.
"Look, she's looking like a parrot that can't talk! Hahahahaha!" The Countess sat on the couch covering her mouth and laughing.
I cast a puzzled look at Tyler, who shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands to show he didn't understand either.
Lisa glanced at the Countess, who nodded to her.
"Miss Ally, the Countess knew for a long time that a female doctor would be coming to treat her condition, and she was surprised that there would be a female presence in the Wind Pack's group of doctors."
"I know, I can see that the Countess is surprised that I am a female doctor." I replied sullenly.
"Miss Ally, the truth is not what you think it is."
The Countess interrupted what Lisa was about to say. She took the coffee, took a sip and said. "In fact, I admire you. I know how much pressure it takes to be a woman trying to get a decent job in a place where men are piling up."
"So why did you say those things to me?"
"My dear, I wanted to test whether you really have that strength and temperament to take on the role of a female doctor, knowing that just crying and whining is not going to solve the problem.
Before I held the title of Countess, I felt the same way you feel today, bearing the burden of being an unpopular woman trying to gain power and status in the Wind Pack. I faced more hardships than you are experiencing today."
The Countess looked into the dancing flames of the fireplace, her eyes empty and reminding me of the deep tunnels of a cave. The Countess spoke in a low voice, like she was talking to herself, but Tyler and I could hear every word she said clearly.
"Those men don't like it when women share power with them. Their fondness for women is only in the kitchen, or at a rowdy drinking party. Even if you make a marvelous success, they will think that you did it to please them."
The Countess and I exchanged glances, and I think I can understand how the Countess felt at first.
"Everyone will definitely remember your efforts, Countess." My heart felt like a rambunctious deer as I felt some excitement inside.
"Ally, being a good doctor is not an easy thing to do." The Countess crossed her arms and said seriously.
"I think I know that well, ma'am."
"But I think you will have more remarkable achievements than being a doctor." The Countess gave me an appreciative nod and looked at me expectantly .
I looked at the Countess's face full of kindness and smiles, and I said, "I will certainly try. "
Tyler was standing off to the side and he held up an iron case and said to me, "Maybe this is the time you should use it."
I took the box Tyler handed me and smiled at Tyler, "Yes, I really should start treating the Countess now."
The Countess showed me her ankle, "You were right. This foot injury was sustained when I climbed up to the scaffold myself in order to measure the depth of the mine.
But I didn't expect that the scaffolding was wet and slippery because of the frequent rainstorms in those days. My foot accidentally got stuck in the middle of the iron railing, and I almost got buried in the mine with those scaffolds."
I knelt down, put the medicine box by my side then opened it. I said to the Countess, "It was written in the hospital file that your ankle injury was not serious to begin with and that the wound could have healed long ago."
I disinfected the Countess's ankle and I carefully examined the blackened wound on her foot.
"I'm sorry, noble lady. While I was able to keep your ankle from producing pain on a cloudy day, I unfortunately do not have the ability to remove this ugly scar."
"That's okay." She waved her hand at me.
I looked at her quizzically, "Usually women are very conscious of the fact that their skin must be perfect without the slightest breakage."
"But I've long since stopped caring about that. If I were given another chance to go down the mine, I would still decide to go down."
A look of yearning and determination appeared in the Countess's eyes.
She smiled at me, "I don't think you should care about that either."
"Of course." I couldn't wait to agree.
Tyler and I were about to leave the Countess's estate when she called out to me before we left.
"Hey! Little girl!"
I saw the Countess in her wheelchair while Lisa was behind her pushing it for her. "Yes, ma'am."
"You can come to me if you have questions in any area, as long as you're in Wind Pack."
I smiled secretly, my heart filled with gratitude for the Countess.
"Thanks, I think I'll go do that."
Tyler pouted and casually surveyed the street.
I was a little concerned that he might be feeling a little tired.
"Do we need to rest for a while? Some random cafe or bar or something?" I was worried that Tyler's wounds weren't going to be able to withstand all this tossing and turning.
He shook his head at me and snickered at me, "I'm not really going to get tired. I feel like you're looking for excuses to be lazy right now."
Tyler was interested in pissing me off, and he enjoyed making me less than happy from time to time. Although I outwardly hate her for doing this, I don't resent it in my heart.
It's like a feeling unique to being close to someone, I can't say, but I enjoy it anyway.
I pretended to be surprised, "Wow, I can't believe that. Well, let's just move on to the next patient's house."
I gave Tyler a bad smile, "But this patient's home is not on the estate."
"Then where should it be?" Tyler asked me curiously.
"Shut up and follow me."
We went to the far downstream end of the main river in the Wind Pack. There was an untold amount of trash piled up here, and instead of clear river water, the river flowed with foul-smelling sewage.
Tyler covered his mouth and pulled on my shirt as he kept reminding me. "Ally, dear. are you really sure that your patients live here?"
I said to him seriously, "Yes, I'm sure. I have been to this place many times with my colleagues. Believe me, there is no mistake."
"But this place doesn't look like it has living conditions." Tyler continued after a pause. "There isn't even a clean water source here!"
I guessed Tyler would say that, but I didn't contradict him for the moment. "You just have to trust me, Tyler. the results are going to blow your mind."
"Okay, I believe you."
Tyler sighed, clenching his jaw as he kept walking after me.
A pile of ramshackle buildings appeared in front of me.
"I don't suppose we're treating patients here, are we?" Tyler sighed and whispered in my ear.
"This is the place, don't hesitate." I patted Tyler's shoulder and nodded to him.
No matter how many times I've been here, the sight in front of me still makes me feel sad. A small house made of a haphazard pile of boards, I doubt this roof could even withstand a light rain.
"In this village, this kind of house is considered sturdy." Tyler had frozen in place on the sidelines, and I reminded him to watch his step.
"People here who want to drink water must go upstream two kilometers away. Because that's the only place where a clean water source can exist." I calmly explained to Tyler.
"No one cares if they live or die, right?"
"No one."
"Why did you come?"
"I'm their hope, and without me, they'd have to wait here to die. Because the people upstream will never accept them!"
I realized that I was trembling with anger. I tried to calm myself down. "I'm sorry, Tyler."
Tyler came up and hugged me tightly, and he left a restrained, soft kiss on my face.
"It's okay. I know you're anxious for the patient."
I looked at Tyler gratefully.
At that moment, a girl with scars all over her legs ran up to me, then cried out.