Guan Baiyu has always possessed very little.

Therefore, he cherishes everything.

As for family...

Although he lived with his grandmother, she was never one to pamper children; she would just feed him and that was it.

Besides, he's not even a blood relative.

Although his grandmother didn't pay much attention to Guan Jinjin except for the two years before her death because of her poor relationship with Zhang Xiumei and her dislike of girls, she treated his cousins ​​very well because his two aunts had several children.

Shi Zhen was the first person to treat him so well, letting him know what it felt like to have family.

He clung to this family bond, unwilling to let go.

"Brother, dinner's ready." Guan Baiyu smiled at Shi Zhen.

"Here you are." Shi Zhen, holding a bundle of broad beans still rooted up from the ground, followed Guan Baiyu back. "Xiaoyu, I bought some broad beans. They're very nutritious. I'll eat these tonight."

Steamed broad beans with a little salt taste quite good, and the same goes for peas.

However, here, broad beans are steamed without the pods, while peas are steamed with the pods on. In the future, we can also eat edamame steamed with the pods on.

"Broad beans are nutritious?" Guan Baiyu agreed, thinking that since Shi Zhen liked them, he would make more for Shi Zhen to eat.

Tender broad beans are delicious simply stir-fried with scallions, while the fermented broad beans from mature broad beans can be used to make a particularly appetizing dish of pickled broad beans with fermented broad beans.

After arriving home, Shi Zhen ate a simple meal and then went to town to sell fried skewers. Guan Baiyu stayed at home for a short while before Chen Juanjuan came and asked Guan Baiyu if she had asked Shi Zhen about it.

“Auntie, my brother said he’s still young and doesn’t want to talk about it yet,” Guan Baiyu said.

“Eighteen is a bit young. These days, they don’t allow early marriages, and you have to have a marriage certificate before they’ll issue a birth permit,” Chen Juanjuan sighed, then asked, “How many brothers does he have?”

If someone like Shi Zhen, who runs away to work, has many brothers in his family, he could easily become a live-in son-in-law.

Although Shi Zhen is still young, her eldest daughter is also still young, isn't she?

“Auntie, my brother is an only child; the rest of his family consists of sisters,” Guan Baiyu said.

"I see. Then he must be planning to get married and won't be a live-in son-in-law." Chen Juanjuan immediately abandoned her original plan. She decided to find another young man for her daughter.

Before the one-child policy, there were quite a few families with two or three sons.

After Chen Juanjuan left, Guan Baiyu took several deep breaths to steady his heartbeat.

Although he is the only son in his brother's family, his brother's mother is his stepmother, and his brother seems to value his maternal relatives more... who knows, his brother might be willing to settle down here.

He just wasn't willing.

His brother is such a good person; if he were to marry, the woman should be a smart and beautiful one.

Of course, it would be better if it ended later.

Guan Baiyu felt depressed, feeling that he was being a bit selfish, and couldn't help but wonder what would happen if his brother got married.

When his brother has something good, he'll definitely give it to his wife first, and then to the child when they have a baby. He'll just be a guest, going there occasionally for a meal.

Guan Baiyu had been thinking about this for several days, and he couldn't sleep well, so he developed mouth ulcers.

He used to get mouth ulcers often, but he never took them seriously. However, this time, unlike before when they would get better in a few days, they got worse and worse.

In the end, his throat was all messed up. One morning, he woke up and it was painful to speak and even drinking water hurt.

His voice was hoarse.

Not only that... his bones felt sore all over, making it hard to exert any strength when he was working.

Shi Zhen woke up early that morning and felt that Guan Baiyu was acting strangely.

His eyes were much more moist than usual, and when he looked at him, they were watery and seemed to be full of affection.

But... what does a fifteen-year-old child know about feelings?

Shi Zhen glanced at Guan Baiyu every now and then, and finally frowned and went up to cover Guan Baiyu's forehead with his hand.

As expected, Guan Baiyu's hair...

It was burned.

Guan Baiyu was not in good health in his previous life and was prone to fever. After he had a fever, he was always sore all over, but his eyes were full of tears.

Shi Zhen has been very stingy in other places these days, but he is not stingy when it comes to food. He makes sure Guan Baiyu has several kinds of vegetables every day, and he also makes sure Guan Baiyu has enough meat and eggs.

He wanted to help Guan Baiyu recover.

But clearly, his body couldn't recover in a short time, and Guan Baiyu fell ill again.

"Xiaoyu, you have a fever. I'll take you to the hospital later." Shi Zhen sighed, touching Guan Baiyu's forehead. This child's temperature was so high, yet he was still pretending to be fine and continuing to work.

"No need to go to the hospital, I'll just go to the barefoot doctor and buy a few tablets of Analgin," Guan Baiyu said quickly.

When someone in their village got sick, they would go to the barefoot doctor to buy aminopyrine or headache powder. Compared to the unpleasant-tasting headache powder, aminopyrine was more popular. This kind of pill used to cost one cent per pill, but now it costs one dime for three pills.

He used to have a fever that he couldn't stand, so he bought some pills and took two, and he felt better.

When Shi Zhen was young and fell ill, it was handled in the same way as Guan Baiyu's case, but now that the matter had fallen on Guan Baiyu, he always hoped that Guan Baiyu could receive better treatment.

What's more... it seems that the drug Analgin was no longer allowed to be sold?

Shi Zhen said, "How can you just take medicine casually? We need to find out why you have a fever. I'm not setting up my stall today; I'll take you to the hospital."

Guan Baiyu felt both guilty and happy.

His brother had already cooked the first pot of rice for making rice balls, and some other side dishes were also prepared. At this point, he wasn't going to set up a stall... Even if they could eat it themselves, they would still waste some of it.

Most importantly, you'll earn less money.

His brother used to set up a stall, rain or shine... He didn't sell fried skewers on rainy nights not because of the rain, but because there was little business on rainy days.

Because he got sick, his brother stopped running his stall...

He must be very important to his brother.

Guan Baiyu had a fever and must be feeling very uncomfortable, so Shi Zhen told him to drink some water and then go inside to lie down.

It was still early, and although there were doctors on duty at the hospital, it was inconvenient to see a doctor. So Shi Zhen first sent money to set up a stall in town before riding his tricycle home to take care of Guan Baiyu.

When it was almost time, Shi Zhen put a chair in his tricycle, let Guan Baiyu sit on it, covered Guan Baiyu with a piece of clothing, and then drove Guan Baiyu to the hospital.

Because it gets light early here, the hospital opens at eight o'clock. Shi Zhen and Guan Baiyu were the first to go in to see a doctor.

There wasn't a dedicated fever clinic yet. The town hospital wasn't big, and the departments weren't divided into many specialties. Shi Zhen asked around and went into a doctor's office.

After asking about the symptoms and examining Guan Baiyu's throat, the doctor said, "Why did you only come to the hospital when your throat was in such a terrible state?"

Guan Baiyu's throat had been sore for several days, and now it looked even worse. In addition, his body temperature was very high, with his oral temperature measuring 39.2 degrees Celsius.

Some people would have fainted long ago if they had this fever!

Fearing that the fever would worsen the condition, the doctor told Shi Zhen to take Guan Baiyu to get an IV drip immediately. Without delay, Shi Zhen helped Guan Baiyu to find a nurse.

Although Guan Baiyu felt unwell when he woke up in the morning, he felt that he could hold on.

But his brother was so worried about him that he felt his illness was getting worse and he was feeling increasingly unwell.

When he arrived at the hospital, he was even more dazed and confused, and his mind was a little foggy.

He clung softly to Shi Zhen's arm, his watery eyes looking at Shi Zhen, his still-pleasant voice now hoarse: "Brother, does an IV drip cost a lot of money?"

"No, it won't cost much," Shi Zhen said.

"Brother, I'm sorry." Guan Baiyu's voice was choked with sobs.

Shi Zhen thought he felt guilty about spending money: "It's okay, it's okay..."

After a moment of silence, Guan Baiyu said in a hoarse voice, "Brother, I want the saline bottle after the IV drip."

"Okay, I'll ask the nurse for it later."

"Brother, why don't you get your shot? I still want it!"

Syringe.

"If you get an IV drip, you don't need an injection."

"Brother, this is my first time getting an IV drip, my very first time!" Guan Baiyu said, unable to help but laugh. He used to never even have an IV drip when he wanted to!

Seeing Guan Baiyu both crying and laughing, Shi Zhen knew that Guan Baiyu was probably a little confused.

Guan Baiyu's absent-mindedness is quite endearing and also makes people feel sorry for him. Just as he was talking to Guan Baiyu, the doctor arrived with a needle—a skin test was to be performed.

Shi Zhen died of cancer in his previous life. He was a person who was reluctant to seek medical treatment, and by the time it was discovered, it was already in its late stage. He didn't want to be treated, so he only took painkillers and got painkiller injections. He died not long after, without suffering much.

When he was young, he was very healthy and rarely got sick. In addition, he was poor... He only received an IV drip when he was injured and hospitalized, and he forgot about the skin test.

Guan Baiyu was also stunned, but after a moment of confusion, he laughed: "Didn't you say you wouldn't get a shot? Oh, you do need a shot!"

"Xiaoyu, if your throat is sore, don't talk." Shi Zhen felt uncomfortable just listening to Guan Baiyu's voice.

Guan Baiyu wasn't afraid at all when he saw the needle. Despite his sore throat, he insisted on speaking: "Isn't the injection usually given in the butt? Why are you giving it in the arm?"

After the skin test was done on his arm, he started to feel pain... and his watery eyes filled with tears: "So this is how painful it is to get a shot. No wonder they don't want to get shots... Brother, I want a syringe."

Shi Zhen roughly understood why Guan Baiyu was so obsessed with syringes.

A few years ago, injections were given using reusable glass syringes; only in recent years have they been replaced with plastic syringes.

People at that time were frugal and couldn't stand waste. The person giving the injection would take the syringe that was supposed to be thrown away after the injection and give it to the child as a toy.

These days, medical waste isn't strictly regulated, and doctors are willing to give it away. The barefoot doctor in their village would even proactively ask them if they wanted any. Of course, he wouldn't give them needles, afraid that the children wouldn't understand and might prick themselves.

Shi Zhen told the nurse, and the nurse gave Guan Baiyu a very small syringe used for skin testing.

As soon as Guan Baiyu received it, tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried silently, "My syringe is so small."

Shi Zhen had an urge to immediately go and buy him a large syringe.

In his previous life, when Guan Baiyu had a fever, he also felt unwell and would lie motionless in bed, but he had never been like this before. He couldn't help but want to remember this scene, but at the same time, he couldn't help feeling unwell.

Guan Baiyu suddenly looked at Shi Zhen, then stopped crying. He touched the syringe with satisfaction and smiled at Shi Zhen: "Brother, actually, getting a shot doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt at all, it really doesn't hurt."

As soon as he finished speaking, the nurse said, "The injection itself doesn't hurt, but the skin test is the most painful."

Guan Baiyu's eyes welled up with tears again.

It really hurts!

After a long skin test to confirm that Guan Baiyu was eligible for an IV drip, a nurse came to administer it.

This time, Guan Baiyu was afraid of needles, but he didn't dodge; he just turned his face away and didn't look at the needles.

Once the IV drip was finally connected, Guan Baiyu finally calmed down, watching the drops fall in a daze.

Shi Zhen stayed with him for a while, and then Guan Baiyu unfolded the clothes that Shi Zhen had brought to shield Guan Baiyu from the wind and covered himself with them.

Is Guan Baiyu cold?

That's true. Although the highest temperature these past few days has reached the twenties, it's still a bit cold in the infusion room, at most ten degrees Celsius, plus there are medicines that are colder than body temperature being infused into the bloodstream...

After a moment's thought, Shi Zhen took off his coat and wrapped it tightly around Guan Baiyu. He then asked a nurse if there was any hot water or disposable cups.

Hot water is available, but disposable cups are not.

Fortunately, Shi Zhen had brought an enamel mug with him when he brought Guan Baiyu out. He asked the nurse for a cup of hot water and put a section of the IV tube in the hot water to warm the medicine.

Guan Baiyu should not be cold now.

Besides Guan Baiyu, there were several other people receiving IV drips in the infusion room, including two children.

When the parents of the two children saw what Shi Zhen did, they suddenly realized what was going on and quickly went to ask for hot water as well.

Their child was also cold. They only knew to hold the child to keep him warm before, and they didn't know there was another way.

Guan Baiyu looked at Shi Zhen,

Looking at the two parents who were holding and comforting their children, he said to Shi Zhen, "Brother, you'll definitely be a good father when you have children in the future."

Shi Zhen was stunned.

He can't have children.

In his past life, his sisters' children used to fawn over him, especially his younger sister's three children, who acted as if they would call him "Dad" at his slightest word.

He told others that he had injured his body when he was young, so he would not get married and have children. His younger sister was determined to give her child to him for adoption.

But he didn't want it.

Guan Baiyu added, "I wonder what my father is like." Guan Baiyu didn't care much about his biological mother before, since she didn't want him anymore, but he missed his biological father very much.

After all, his biological father died, which is why he couldn't support him anymore.

Moreover, his biological father grew up in the village, and many people in the village knew about his biological father's childhood and often mentioned it to him. In their words, his biological father was a smart and loyal person.

He often thought that he would be very happy if his father hadn't died.

Shi Zhen knew that the "father" Guan Baiyu was referring to was his biological father.

Guan Baiyu first said that he would definitely be a good father in the future, and then he mentioned his biological father. Could this child want a father like him?

Shi Zhen was both amused and exasperated.

Given his actual age, Guan Baiyu could easily be his son now.

But this...

Never mind, it's fine to be Guan Baiyu's father.

I only hope that Guan Baiyu can live a peaceful and happy life.

Guan Baiyu asked again, "Brother, will you still be good to me after you get married?"

He's been tossing and turning these past few days, wanting to ask just this question.

But fearing that Shi Zhen would soon find a partner, she dared not ask.

Shi Zhen said, "I will definitely treat you the best."

"Why?"

“You are my younger brother,” Shi Zhen said.

Guan Baiyu drifted off to sleep.

Seeing that Guan Baiyu had fallen asleep, Shi Zhen slowed down the IV drip rate a little.

He was worried that Guan Baiyu would get cold or uncomfortable if the IV drip was started too quickly.

More than an hour later, the IV drip finished. Shi Zhen called the nurse, who came over and replaced it with another IV drip.

They actually need to hang two bottles.

Shi Zhenzheng felt sorry for Guan Baiyu. Guan Baiyu woke up, and his eyes were much clearer, no longer as watery as before, but his brows were furrowed.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Shi Zhen asked.

The nurse asked, "Does your hand hurt? Or what's wrong?"

Guan Baiyu was now fully awake and looked embarrassed: "I need to use the restroom... Can I go to the restroom?"

So she wanted to go to the toilet. Well, after receiving so many IV drips, she definitely needed to go.

Shi Zhen held up the saline bottle and said, "Let's go, I'll go with you." Once we got to the restroom, he would just turn his head away and not look, but he didn't know if Guan Baiyu would be shy.

Guan Baiyu was happy to know that he could go to the toilet while receiving an IV drip.

He had no problem using the restroom in front of Shi Zhen, but he was still thinking about the IV drip bottle and hurriedly asked the nurse who came to change it, "Sister, can I have this bottle?"

The nurse laughed and said, "Sure."