Chapter 655

"Come on, drink this medicine and you'll feel better soon! Rest for now. I'll go home to get lunch and be right back."

The village elder's house was just a short walk from the clinic. In less than ten minutes, he returned with steaming bowls of noodles, each topped with two golden fried eggs that filled the air with their rich aroma.

Alexander Hamilton immediately recognized this as the best food the elder's household could offer. After the elder left, he pondered how to express his gratitude.

His cash had run out during the journey, and this remote village didn’t even have QR codes for digital payments.

By afternoon, after finishing his IV drip, Alexander lingered in the clinic. He turned to Evelyn Carter. "Is there a bank nearby?"

Evelyn didn’t look up. "The nearest ATM is in town. Need to withdraw money?"

"Forget it," Alexander dismissed the idea.

With nothing else to do, he decided to help around the clinic. While he couldn’t handle medical tasks, assisting elderly patients to the restroom was effortless for him. His height made him perfect for holding up IV bags.

As evening approached, a young nurse came with another message: the village elder had invited them for dinner. Evelyn was on duty that night, so Alexander went alone.

At the elder's doorstep, Mrs. Thompson was teetering on a stool, straining to reach a cured ham hanging from the rafters. The stool wobbled dangerously.

Alexander rushed forward to steady her. "Let me help, ma'am."

He effortlessly retrieved the ham. As he handed it over, he noticed her rough hands and deep wrinkles. Though the same age as Margaret Hamilton, she looked decades older.

"Mr. Hamilton, you and Dr. Carter are good people," Mrs. Thompson said suddenly as she sliced the ham. "Not like those wealthy folks who just pass through and leave."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Our village is known for being poor. People often come to take photos or 'survey' the area, only to flee back to town by nightfall, complaining about the conditions." She sighed. "You're the first outsiders who’ve actually stayed."

Alexander mused, "Every place has its own beauty. If the countryside were just like the city, what would be the point?"

"You’re absolutely right." Her eyes brightened. "Those people were obsessed with the pond at the edge of our village. Wanted to turn it into a tourist spot."

The pond? Alexander pictured endless lotus leaves stretching across the water.

"My husband was so hopeful back then. He took them all over the hills, even gave them fish and lotus roots as gifts." Mrs. Thompson shook her head. "Nothing ever came of it."

Alexander instantly understood the issue. "The roads are too rough. Tourists wouldn’t bother coming."

"Building roads costs money!" The elder interjected, puffing on his pipe. "Worse yet, they all wanted us to relocate but refused to arrange proper housing. Our families have lived off that pond for generations. Where would we go? Starve?"

Alexander silently calculated. Road construction, relocation, development—massive investments with high risks. No wonder no one took the bait.

After dinner, Alexander headed back to the clinic with a takeaway box of fried rice with cured ham for Evelyn. As he reached the entrance, chaos erupted inside.

Five unruly children were darting around the courtyard, with Evelyn and three nurses chasing after them, breathless. One boy suddenly bolted for the gate—straight into Alexander’s arms.