After saying that, he spat again at Zhang Zhihe's feet, his face full of disdain: "You poor bastard! You're such a damn bad omen!"
Then, he gave his father, Wang Ming, a fawning smile: "Dad, let's go! Don't waste time with this kind of troublemaker!"
Wang Ming didn't say a word from beginning to end. He just gave Zhang Zhihe one last look with his gloomy eyes, then turned around and left with Wang Chengxiang and the security team.
"Bang!"
The courtyard gate was slammed shut, isolating it from the outside world.
The room was deathly silent.
"Thump!"
Zhang Zhihe could no longer hold on; his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, as if all his strength had been drained away.
He stared at the tightly closed courtyard gate, thinking of the heavy two thousand yuan he would have to pay in three days, and of Wang Chengxiang's lewd and threatening gaze. Overwhelmed by fear and helplessness, he was instantly swallowed up.
"Waaah...waaah..." He could no longer hold back, covered his face with his hands, and burst into tears. His suppressed, desperate cries echoed in the simple house, making those who heard them feel heartbroken.
"Sigh..." Yang Zijie sighed, stepped forward, squatted down, and patted Zhang Zhihe's trembling shoulder, but did not know how to comfort him.
How can ordinary people resist such oppression by those in power?
After a long while, Yang Zijie finally spoke with difficulty: "Sigh, don't cry... things haven't reached the final stage yet, there will always be a way..."
He hesitated for a moment, then took out a small cloth bag carefully wrapped in a handkerchief from the inner pocket of his faded Zhongshan suit. He opened it and found a stack of somewhat old but neatly folded coins and banknotes.
He counted the money and handed most of it to Zhang Zhihe, his face showing a hint of embarrassment and apology: "I...I have three hundred yuan here, which is what I've saved up over the years treating patients...I know it's not much, just a drop in the bucket, but please take it in case of emergency..."
Zhang Zhihe raised his tear-filled face, stared at the wad of money in Yang Zijie's hand, and froze: "Dr. Yang...you..."
He knew Yang Zijie's rules for practicing medicine. This old man, who was respectfully called "Dr. Yang" by the villagers, always only charged the cost of the medicine when treating patients. When he encountered poor people, he would often even pay them out of his own pocket.
Everyone respects his excellent medical skills and kind heart, but they also know that he comes from a poor family. This three hundred yuan is probably all his savings over the years!
A warm current instantly surged into Zhang Zhihe's heart, dispelling some of the cold despair.
He shook his head vigorously, pushing Yang Zijie's hand back, his voice choked with emotion: "Dr. Yang! This money... I can't accept this money! I appreciate your kindness! Really! This is life-saving money, how can I take it!"
“But…” Yang Zijie wanted to persuade him again.
"No buts!" Zhang Zhihe wiped his face, a renewed glimmer of struggle for survival rekindling in his eyes.
"I...I'll think of something! I'll go to the head of our arts club and see if I can get an advance on my wages! I'll go to town these next few days to perform some more tricks and magic tricks, maybe I can earn a little more! And...I'll go to a few old friends and shamelessly borrow some money...Three days! Just three more days! I can scrape together whatever I can!"
Seeing Zhang Zhihe's resolute attitude, Yang Zijie knew that further persuasion was useless, so he could only sigh helplessly and carefully put the money back.
He stood up, looked at Zhang Zhihe whose face was streaked with tears but who was trying to appear strong, and patted him heavily on the shoulder: "Sigh...then...take care! If anything happens, be sure to come to me! Although I don't have much money, I can still offer some advice and help you out!"
Yang Zijie saw the faint flame that had rekindled in Zhang Zhihe's eyes. Although he was not optimistic, he couldn't bear to discourage him any further. He was about to take his leave so that Zhang Zhihe could make plans in advance when Zhang Zhihe grabbed his arm.
"Dr. Yang, wait!" Zhang Zhihe gasped for breath, his face showing a hint of urgency and apology. "Look at my memory... I almost forgot the important matter!"
Yang Zijie was taken aback: "Brother, is there anything else?"
“It’s about that young brother Xu Kuo…” Zhang Zhihe looked troubled. “I promised you I would take you to meet him, but now… look at my situation, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get away for the next three days, and I certainly can’t involve him…”
Upon hearing this, Yang Zijie suddenly realized and waved his hands repeatedly: "Your matter is more important! The introduction is not urgent, not urgent!" Although he was very curious about the mysterious acupuncture technique, he also knew that Zhang Zhihe's current predicament was by no means a trivial matter.
Zhang Zhihe shook his head, his eyes hardening: "No, Dr. Yang, I have to tell you about this."
He recalled, “That young Xu Kuo lived in the brick house next to the newly built… um, they call it the ‘greenhouse’ at the east end of our village, near the foot of the back mountain.”
"He's not very old, looks to be in his early twenties, quite tall, very energetic, and his clothes... well, they're a bit different from ours, but he seems very upright. If you go over there, just say that Zhang Zhihe introduced you and that you want to ask him about acupuncture, and he should see you."
It's good to let Doctor Yang make the initial contact. In case... in case something really happens to him, at least Doctor Yang's wish won't be delayed. And perhaps Doctor Yang can also help look after Brother Xu Kuo...
Yang Zijie carefully noted down the address and description, and nodded gratefully: "Okay! Thank you for remembering this! Don't worry, I'll visit you tomorrow and won't cause you any trouble!"
He patted Zhang Zhihe on the shoulder solemnly, "Take care!"
Watching Yang Zijie's hunched back disappear into the courtyard gate, Zhang Zhihe's composure crumbled instantly, replaced by deeper worry and confusion.
"Two thousand yuan...three days...where am I supposed to get this..."
...
On the other side, Wang Chengxiang and his group had just walked a short distance from the alley where Zhang Zhihe's house was, and were walking triumphantly toward the brigade headquarters, when Wang Chengxiang suddenly raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"stop!"
His father, Wang Ming, looked slightly puzzled and glanced at his son, asking, "What's wrong? Did you forget something?"
Wang Chengxiang snorted coldly, as if he had remembered something.
"Father, we can't just leave like this."
He randomly picked two security guards and said, "You two, take off your protective gear, change into civilian clothes, and go back now! Keep a close watch on Zhang Zhihe's house! If he dares to step out of the gate, especially towards the outskirts of the village, come back immediately and report! Don't let him get away!"
"Yes!" The two dared not delay and immediately responded, turning to leave.
"Wait!" Wang Chengxiang called out to another person, pointing in another direction. "Go to the town's literary society, find their president, and tell him that Zhang Zhihe has offended someone. Tell him to fire Zhang Zhihe immediately! If he dares to disobey, humph, just say it was me, Wang Chengxiang, who said it, and let him think about the consequences!"
Looking at his son's arrangements, a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed in Wang Ming's cloudy eyes.
This kid is getting smarter and smarter.
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