Chapter 8 Anesthetic, Your Ginger is Here
"I really have no other choice..." Gao Jiping's voice was low and muffled, her sobs carrying a hint of despair.
In these chaotic times, medicine is more precious than gold.
Living is too difficult...
Poverty is a truly unpleasant experience.
Poverty means hunger, disease, and being powerless in the face of loss.
If she had a choice, Gao Jiping would also like to have a decent outfit, a decent meal, and so on...
Be a decent person.
But at this moment, she could only passively wait for the other party's choice, like a lamb to the slaughter.
The "man" in front of him cleared his throat and said, "I am a woman."
Gao Jiping's face turned deathly pale instantly, and her heart sank.
She thought to herself that not only would she not get the medicine, but she might also get a beating.
A woman like her, driven to the brink by life and resorting to any means to survive, and seen as promiscuous, will surely be severely punished in this cruel world.
She raised her face, closed her eyes tightly, and trembled slightly, quietly waiting for the vicious slap she imagined would fall.
You Mingjiang tilted his head, pressed his thumb against his index finger, aimed at Gao Jiping's forehead, and flicked it lightly.
Gao Jiping cried out "Ouch!" and subconsciously shrank her neck, opening her eyes in surprise.
The person in front of her was smiling at her, and asked gently, "Are you hungry?"
There was no disgust in her eyes, only deep tenderness.
I feel so sorry for you...
Gao Jiping felt a sudden pang of sadness, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She shook her head frantically and nodded eagerly at the same time.
Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Hungry."
You Mingjiang placed two thin pancakes in her hands and gently comforted her, "Have something to eat first, then tell me where he is, and I'll go rescue him, okay?"
Gao Jiping was also very quick-witted and had an extremely sharp tongue. She immediately reported the location of the dilapidated thatched hut.
With her gaze fixed on the two thin pancakes, Gao Jiping's eyes revealed a hint of longing, but her hands clutched the pair of ripped pants, and she shrank back, refusing to take them.
·
Gao Jiping felt extremely embarrassed.
She thought to herself, "The younger children drink only watery vegetable soup every day, while I'm secretly eating flatbread here. Do I still deserve to be the eldest sister?"
This intense sense of guilt clung to her, refusing to leave.
"Fill your stomach, don't feel guilty," You Mingjiang said, as if she could read her mind. He gently patted her head. "Good girl, don't think too much, or you won't grow tall."
These words were like a cool breeze on a summer night, calming her anxious and restless heart.
Tears welled up in Gao Jiping's eyes; she hadn't been loved like a child in a long time.
Always called "Big Sister," she almost forgot that she was still a child.
Her thin back trembled slightly as she slowly extended her calloused, rough little hand to take the pancake. As she did so, tears streamed down her face. The pancake, mixed with her tears, tasted salty, but she ate it with exceptional relish, feeling that it was the most delicious food in the world.
After finding out the location of Gao Jiping's family, You Mingjiang, worried that she might choke on the pancake, turned around and called out towards the temple, "Hongzhu—"
Hai Hongzhu eavesdropped for a while, and when she heard You Mingjiang calling her, she immediately ran out with a "patter".
"Sister You, what's the matter?" Hai Hongzhu asked sweetly.
“Take this young lady to get some hot water and some flatbread. She’s about your size. Give her one of your clothes first, okay?” You Mingjiang asked gently.
“Okay.” Hai Hongzhu looked curious and helped Gao Jiping to rest in the dilapidated temple.
As Gao Jiping walked, she kept looking back. That tall figure was like a steady rock, pressing firmly on her uneasy heart, becoming a source of support for her, a drifting duckweed.
She moved her lips as if she wanted to say something, but only a few indistinct syllables came out of her throat.
“Don’t worry, trust Sister You,” Hai Hongzhu said firmly, her eyes sparkling as she watched Gao Jiping keep turning her head to look around. “Sister You is the most amazing person in the world.”
·
Wild beasts often roam the deep mountains and forests. You Mingjiang left plenty of food and tinder in the mountain god temple, and quickly assembled the broadsword and handed one to Hai Sidie.
Her expression was solemn as she repeatedly instructed Hai Si's father:
"Make sure to keep the gates of the mountain god temple tightly closed!"
"Until I return, no matter what you hear, not even the slightest sound of a leaf falling, you must not open the door rashly."
"Any person or wild animal that forcibly enters the mountain god's temple with the intention of harming you, do not hesitate to swing your broadsword and cut them down. I will bear all the consequences."
Taking advantage of the early hour, You Mingjiang immediately went to find the few children who had been separated from their parents. She had only one thought in her mind: she must bring these children back to the mountain god temple before dark.
As soon as You Mingjiang arrived at the dilapidated shed, he heard the desperate cries of three children.
She felt a chill run down her spine. Upon closer inspection, she saw a rough-skinned, scraggly old gray wolf desperately scratching at the door crack with its sharp claws, trying to squeeze into the straw shed.
Its eyes gleamed with a fierce green light, and it kept digging and burrowing, making the whole thatched hut teeter on the verge of collapse.
The hut where these children lived was haphazardly built from some rough branches, broken planks, and thatch, and it contained some pots, pans, and other items.
These things, which may seem insignificant to adults, are "treasures" that the children have managed to salvage from the flood. That's why they installed a door on this simple thatched hut.
The door hung crookedly on the frame, teetering on the verge of collapse. To put it bluntly, it was just a wooden plank that could barely provide any protection and was utterly incapable of keeping out the hungry and ferocious wolf.
Wolves are social animals, especially during times of food scarcity and flooding.
This wolf was most likely an old, weak, sick, or disabled member of the pack, driven out of the pack. In order to survive, it had to risk its life to find food on its own, and the straw hut where these children lived became its prey.
You Mingjiang rushed forward and swung his broadsword, severing the wolf's head in one blow!
After killing the old gray wolf, she made a point of circling the shed to make sure no other wolves were digging holes around it before knocking on the dilapidated door.
·
The children froze at the sound of knocking, their eyes widening in terror as they looked at the closed door and huddled together.
Xiao He's voice trembled slightly: "Shi Qun, Xing Hun, do wolves knock on the door?"
You Mingjiang kicked the wolf's carcass into the ditch in front of the thatched hut, wiped the blood off his broadsword with the hem of his clothes, and, hearing the sounds from inside the hut, called out, "Don't be afraid, I'm here to save people."
Xiao He was somewhat tempted, but Shi Qun grabbed his arm.
"Don't go, what if... what if he's a bad person?"
Xiao He patted Shi Qun on the shoulder, "If it were a bad guy outside, he would have kicked the door open already. Why would he need to talk to us?"
While the two children were talking, Meng Xinghun had already quietly walked to the door and peered at the people outside through the crack in the door.
Standing outside was a woman dressed in men's clothing. Her face was unmade-up, and her lips were not rouged. She was tall, even taller than an average man, and she was wielding a broadsword. Her clothes were splattered with the blood of the old wolf.
She looks like a shrew.
The shrew spoke: "Children, I was sent by your eldest sister to rescue people. Let me in quickly."
Meng Xinghun was terrified: "You said you were sent by my older sister, then tell me what my older sister's name is?"
You Mingjiang: "..."
Oh no, I forgot to ask.
Meng Xinghun mustered his courage and continued to ask, "You said you came to save someone, what's the name of the person you're saving?"
You Mingjiang: "..."
Oh no, I can't answer this either.
Unable to answer two questions in a row, the three children inside were clearly more nervous than You Mingjiang outside. Their voices were trembling with tears, and they made up a bunch of nonsense in an attempt to scare her:
"Waaaah, don't come in!"
"My parents are coming back soon, and they won't let you get away with this!"
"My eldest sister knows unparalleled martial arts..."
·
have to.
If we delay any longer, things might get complicated.
You Mingjiang made a firm decision.
She stepped forward, grabbed the door panel with both hands, and ripped the door off.
The thatched shed erupted into chaos, with the children, like a group of startled cicadas, emitting even sharper and more piercing cries.
You Mingjiang's eyes quickly swept across the shed, and he accurately found the child lying on the haystack, his face flushed red and barefoot.
She stepped forward and touched the child's forehead; it was burning hot, and her heart tightened.
When the other children saw her carry Ye Xiang on her back, they immediately rushed over to try and save their brother.
With lightning speed, You Mingjiang captured the screaming children one by one, pressed their acupoints, carried one on his shoulder, and held the other two in his hands.
"Hehe, I can eat fresh pork again."
You Mingjiang deliberately licked his lips.
"Wah!" Except for the unconscious Ye Xiang, all the children started crying loudly.
The sound echoed through the mountains and forests, lingering for a long time.
·
After being dragged into the mountain god temple, the three children, who had been yelling and screaming, instantly turned into little quails the moment they saw Gao Jiping.
You Mingjiang put the three of them down and told them to stand against the wall.
Then, she placed Ye Xiang on the altar.
Gao Jiping came forward to lend a hand, but You Mingjiang sent her aside to wash the handkerchief.
Ye Xiang's left toe was severely swollen and had become infected, with pus flowing down the nail groove.
With just one glance, she could tell that Ye Xiang had gangrene, which was why his fever wouldn't break.
You Mingjiang tried to push a acetaminophen tablet directly down Ye Xiang's throat, but perhaps because the tablet was too dry, Ye Xiang couldn't swallow it smoothly.
She simply crushed the acetaminophen tablets into powder, mixed them with a small spoonful of honey water, and fed it to Ye Xiang.
Children generally have a sweet tooth, and this time, Ye Xiang swallowed it without hesitation.
·
While Hai Hongzhu changed the dressing on Tie Pinggu's wound, Hai Sidie took over the cooking job.
He scooped up a ladle of millet, and poured the warm water from rinsing the millet into an old wooden basin next to him, saving it for washing his face.
You Mingjiang washed his hands and put on a pair of kudzu cloth gloves made from a decoction of Atractylodes macrocephala, Artemisia argyi, and Eupatorium fortunei.
While examining the affected area, she urged, "Bring over that basin of warm swill."
Nobody paid any attention to her.
She paused for a moment, then looked up at the few dazed children standing by the wall.
Meng Xinghun, Shi Qun, and Xiao He stared blankly at Gao Jiping.
The three of them stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, for the first time they had ever seen an older woman dressed like this.
She wore a light pink strapless top with narrow sleeves, linen trousers with a crotch, and a green brooch; her hair was styled in two buns.
Completely refreshed from head to toe.
This ramie garment is unusually free of patches.
Hai Hongzhu gave her best outfit to the young woman she was meeting for the first time.
The green-headed silk belongs to Tie Pinggu.
She woke up once in the middle of the night, but before she could say a few words, she fell asleep again.
Tie Pinggu gave her brightest hairpin to Fu Ping, who shared a similar fate of drifting life.
Gao Jiping was flattered, but after a brief moment of joy, a wave of fear washed over her.
Do I really deserve such good things?
The debt of gratitude she owes grows ever larger; what can she do to repay it?
While struggling with her decision, Gao Jiping quickly applied a warm, freshly washed towel to Ye Xiang's forehead.
·
Following the children's gaze, You Mingjiang's eyes fell on Gao Jiping, and her eyes lit up.
She praised without reservation: "You look great! This outfit really suits your cuteness. Hongzhu has such good taste."
Everyone laughed after hearing this, and the slightly tense atmosphere in the temple gradually became harmonious.
Gao Jiping lowered her head, her eyes wandering, not daring to meet everyone's gaze. She hurriedly took the basin of warm swill water, not minding the dirt or the hard work, and carefully washed Ye Xiang's two little muddy feet.
As for the festering sores on the toes, they were rinsed with diluted salt water from a bamboo tube.
Seeing that she was quick and patient, You Mingjiang's heart stirred.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the children helping Uncle Hai Si blow on the fire, and he recalled the scene of knocking and asking questions in front of the thatched hut. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"My name is You Mingjiang, but they all call me Doctor You. Little sister, what's your name?"
Gao Jiping was taken aback, her face flushed, and she said softly, "...Me? I, my name is Gao Jiping."
You Mingjiang pointed to Ye Xiang lying on the altar and asked, "What about this one?"
Gao Jiping replied, "Ye Xiang."
After she finished speaking, she introduced three other children who were even younger, namely Meng Xinghun, Shi Qun, and Xiao He.
“Look, these kids are quite wary, like scouts on reconnaissance.”
While joking, You Mingjiang took out his needle case, quenched a thick, long silver needle in candlelight, and then "whoosh" pierced it into the full pustules. As soon as the silver needle pierced, thick, yellowish-white pus flowed out.
Throughout the process, Ye Xiang, who was in a deep sleep, groaned softly but showed no other discomfort.
Gao Jiping was not afraid and watched You Mingjiang's movements intently.
As You Mingjiang performed the procedure, he explained, "For suppurative carbuncles, the first step is to drain the pus completely, followed by applying medication. It's best to bandage it up, as this will promote wound healing."
As she spoke, she took out 3% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant, mupirocin ointment, and sterile medical gauze from the bamboo medicine basket and methodically treated Ye Xiang's swollen toes.
Gao Jiping nodded repeatedly as she listened, and the system announcement rang cheerfully in her ears:
[Ding! Respected young hero, your chivalrous act in Yanggu County successfully rescued a frail man suffering from carbuncles. The reward has been sent to your bamboo medicine basket.]
The reward is as follows:
[10 vials of 250ml each of 5% glucose injection]
Amoxicillin capsules 0.25g * 25 capsules/box
This gift is specially issued as encouragement. We hope that young hero will remain humble and diligent, and continue his efforts.
·
You Mingjiang stretched and slowly took off her cotton gloves. Then, she covered Ye Xiang with a small blanket, a privilege reserved for patients.
At this moment, the millet soup that Uncle Hai was cooking had already produced a thin layer of rice oil, and the children cheered as they watched the millet bubbling in the pot.
Infected by the atmosphere, You Mingjiang's face broke into a gentle smile.
She put her arm around Gao Jiping's shoulder and said softly, "Go drink some millet porridge first. You'll have the energy to take care of others when you're full. Ye Xiang also needs to rest."
Suddenly, a warm drop of water fell precisely into the corner of her eye.
Seeing this, Gao Jiping's expression changed repeatedly.
Yu Mingjiang subconsciously reached out and touched the corner of his eye. Where his fingertips touched, there was something warm and sticky. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was instantly stained with a scarlet red.
It was a drop of blood.
She looked up and suddenly stared at the roof beam.
·
A note from the author:
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[Good Luck Lianlian] Paronychia: Symptoms are similar to those of paronychia, also known as ingrown toenail or ingrown finger.
[Good Luck Lianlian] "The first wolf feigned sleep to lure the enemy, while the second wolf went straight away"—from Pu Songling's *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* (Qing Dynasty), specifically the story of the wolf.
[Good Luck Lotus] Warm swill: Warm rice water.
[Poor thing] Mingjiang and her children are too poor to afford fine silks and satins, nor do they have cosmetics or jewelry. [Poor thing] They can only wear coarse linen and hemp cloth that's been starched until it's fuzzy, and they wear armbands for work and carrying bundles for walking... But! [Sprinkling flowers] Once Mingjiang gets a job moving bricks in a big factory, she and her children will have a new wardrobe! [Three-colored cat emoji]
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