The doctor who saw the child at the commune was the same one from that day. He noticed the child's face was flushed red with fever. After examining the child, he asked for more details. "This child has a severe cold; he should be given some anti-inflammatory medication."

Song Yan came hoping to receive an IV drip. "We'll listen to the doctor, so let's get it done."

The doctor hesitated. "Nurse, could you check what the waiting list for penicillin injections is?"

What does "what day is the waiting list" mean? Song Yan looked at the doctor, wondering if this was what she understood.

The doctor immediately explained to her that penicillin is supplied in rations each day, generally enough for five patients. If there are children involved, the dosage is reduced so that one more person can receive the injection. You need to get a number to receive the injection; if you can't get an appointment, you'll just have to wait.

Oh, I see. Drug shortages mean you can't just use what you want.

Nurse Li returned shortly after. According to the current situation, it would take five or six days before it would be Wei An's turn to use it.

"Doctor, my child has had a persistent high fever. Look at him, we can't wait five or six days." Wei An's face was flushed red. A cold can heal on its own, but Wei An clearly had complications. His breathing was labored, and he started coughing yesterday. I'm afraid it might be pneumonia.

The doctor picked up the stethoscope and listened carefully to Wei An's ears again. "This child doesn't sound well; I'm afraid it's pneumonia. But there really isn't any medicine available."

"Doctor, is there any way you can do this? The child is so young, I'm afraid that in five or six days... Please, we're willing to spend more money." Song Yan was really anxious! Before she came in, she had seen several people carrying children, and those children looked quite heavy.

"There's really no way around it, the medicine is limited. No one will give it up once they're on the waiting list. The county has a larger quota, so maybe they can get some medicine there. You can try going to the county." The doctor had already told several people this before, but most families wouldn't go if they didn't have the money.

Since they might be able to get a ride in the county, they decided to give it a try. Without hesitation, Song Yanhao grabbed his child and rushed to catch the bus. Sister-in-law Cheng followed without a word…

The little child lay listlessly in Song Yan's arms. Song Yan felt hatred, hatred for that malicious person. She hated herself for not knowing how to gather and prepare medicinal herbs, for having no herbs at home. She only knew how to use medicine, and the commune had no traditional Chinese medicine department with any available herbs. If she had used medicine to dispel the wind-cold earlier, would Wei An have recovered so quickly? Why hadn't she taken Wei An to the county hospital when he first developed a fever? Actually, Song Yan knew that Wei An's illness was due to multiple factors—a cold combined with excessive fright—and that children of this age don't have very strong immune systems. But she couldn't help blaming herself…

Old Han also blamed himself. Old Zeng advised him, "Even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice."

Old Han also knew that just because there's medicine doesn't guarantee a cure. Infectious diseases aren't something Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) excels at. Take tuberculosis, for example: Western medicine can cure it, while TCM can help reduce the side effects. But if it were the other way around…

Upon arriving at the county hospital, Song Yan registered. The doctor who saw her was a middle-aged woman who carefully listened to Wei An's heart and then ordered tests…

After reviewing the X-ray report, the doctor said, "This child has pneumonia and should be hospitalized immediately."

This was within Song Yan's expectations, and he immediately followed the outpatient doctor's instructions to complete the hospitalization procedures...

"Little one, it's time for your shot, okay? Don't cry, okay?" Wei An had already received a fever-reducing injection, and tears were streaming down his face from the pain. The child was trying to hold back his sobs, and the nurses felt sorry for him.

Song Yan kissed Wei An's forehead. "Baby, you're going to get another injection now. It's okay to cry if it hurts, but let's not move, okay? Give your hand to your auntie."

Wei An was clever; she had already seen how the other children in the ward received their IV drips. "Auntie, I won't cry anymore," she said, obediently extending her hand. Wei An had clearly lost weight; her already large eyes seemed even bigger, two sacs of tears welling in her dark eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering. Song Yan quickly buried Wei An's little face in her arms, and with those pure eyes fixed on the nurse, the nurse almost hesitated to insert the needle…

The county hospital requires an appointment to use penicillin. Although I can't get an appointment right now, we can use chloramphenicol for now.

Seeing the fluid being infused into his body, Song Yan felt a little more at ease.

Only then did she realize that her stomach was empty. "Sister-in-law Cheng, thank you for all this trouble!"

Sister-in-law Cheng: "I only looked after the child for a little while and didn't help at all. What's the big deal?" Song Yan had entrusted the child to Sister-in-law Cheng while she was running around handling the paperwork. Sister-in-law Cheng had indeed been helpful.

A favor can't be repaid in a day. Song Yan smiled, "Sister-in-law, aren't you tired? You just watch the child. I'm going out for a bit."

…Health is the foundation of everything, so you must first feed yourself before you can take care of Wei An…

Song Yan brought over a small bowl of rice porridge, steamed buns, and an egg. Sister-in-law Cheng stared blankly for a long time. "How much did this cost? Take it back immediately!"

Song Yan: "They've already sold the goods, how could they possibly return them?"

"I came here to help you. How can I stay here if you're spending so much money because of me?" Sister-in-law Cheng thought it was because of her that Song Yan had to spend so much money.

“We haven’t eaten all day. We need to eat our fill, otherwise what will happen to Wei An? Sister-in-law Cheng, don’t worry about the money. Don’t forget that I earn double work points, and I also get a patriotic allowance.” Song Yan’s income is now the highest in the village.

"That's not how it works. We'll leave it at that this time. But don't do it again next time." The white steamed buns were delicious, but thinking about her child's serious illness and the expense, Sister-in-law Cheng also felt that the buns didn't taste so good anymore.

Two days later, Wei An's fever still hadn't subsided, and his cough lasted for hours on end. He also vomited almost everything he ate. His round little face immediately fell. This couldn't go on.

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