It's already quite remarkable that someone could be washed ashore after so many accidents at sea, let alone survive. It's truly incredible that Shen Heng is still alive.
As Chen San buttoned up his clothes, he and Bai Jiaojiao went out the door, with Chen San's wife following behind.
Once on the shore, Bai Jiaojiao quickened her pace.
She ran over and touched Shen Heng's face; his breathing had become even weaker.
"They're actually alive, that's wonderful."
No matter how much people fear Shen Heng in ordinary times, they still retain a sense of kindness when faced with life and death.
Chen San bent down, and his wife and Bai Jiaojiao together helped Shen Heng onto his back.
"Brother, carry me back to my mother's house. I'm living there now."
Since no one lived in their house, they didn't have a heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove). The stone kang was bitterly cold in the dead of winter, even colder than the seawater.
"Okay, it's close by. Should we go to Changsheng's house later and call him over?"
Sui Changsheng was a doctor who worked at the health station in their commune, and his home was in their village.
"No need to trouble yourself, I can go by myself."
Bai Jiaojiao didn't know when she had started crying again. She wiped her tears haphazardly and sniffed.
Chen San helped Bai Jiaojiao carry Shen Heng back to the Bai family home. Bai Shiqing was still sleeping and hadn't yet noticed that Bai Jiaojiao had run away late at night.
He was only woken up when Bai Jiaojiao brought in a bunch of people.
"When did you leave?" Bai Shiqing looked at Shen Heng, who was being helped onto the kang (a heated brick bed), and felt a wave of fear.
If we don't find Shen Heng, won't Bai Jiaojiao be unable to return tonight?
"Go and check on Changsheng. He should be fine. I think he just got exhausted at sea. It's warmer at sea than on land in winter, and he's tough, so don't worry too much."
Chen San offered a few words of comfort, but seeing the Bai family in such a chaotic state, the couple decided not to disturb them.
Bai Shihai saw the two out and then went to find Sui Changsheng.
Bai Shiqing stretched out her index finger and tested Shen Heng's nose: "He's a truly blessed person." As she spoke, she choked up a little.
My heart has been pounding these past two days, like I've lived a lifetime. But then, things took a turn for the better, and Chen Heng has returned.
It's truly a coincidence that Bai Jiaojiao sneaked out today. If she hadn't, even if Shen Heng had been washed ashore, he probably would have frozen to death overnight without anyone to care for him.
Sui Changsheng arrived quickly, carrying a box, and kept saying how lucky he was to be alive.
After examining him, I said, "He must have been swimming at sea for a long time and is now exhausted. He might develop a fever in a while. I'll give him a small injection and prescribe some aminopyrine for you to give him. It's nothing serious, don't worry."
"Dr. Sui, what's wrong with him being so pale all over?"
"It's been soaking in seawater for a long time, plus it's frozen, so don't worry."
Sui Changsheng had also swum in winter and knew that Shen Heng's pale complexion must mean he had exhausted himself halfway through the swim; otherwise, he wouldn't look like this after exercising.
It's so lucky to have been washed ashore by the waves.
Bai Jiaojiao was finally relieved.
"Alright, now that my brother-in-law is back, I'm going home. Little sister, are you sure you can manage by yourself?"
"Okay, sis, you go back. I'll take care of Heng-ge."
The main problem is that after calming down, Bai Shiqing has nowhere to sleep.
She went home to let her father-in-law know she was safe and sound, so he wouldn't have to worry about Chen Heng anymore.
Deng Min said, "Little sister, there are eggs in the kitchen. Tell your brother-in-law when he wakes up, and I'll make him some egg water."
Eggs were the most nutritious food for Deng Min, and she usually wouldn't let Bai Manzhi and Bai Manlin eat them, saving them to exchange for money.
"No need, sister-in-law, Heng-ge probably can't handle that right now."
"I have some millet at home, so I'll grab a handful and put it in the pot."
Deng Min went out to get busy, leaving Bai Shihai and Bai Shibo standing by without being able to help, thus giving Bai Jiaojiao some space. However, once they returned to the main room, none of them could fall asleep.
Bai Zhiman already slept very little, and this disturbance made it even harder for him to sleep: "No matter how capable Shen Heng is, if he falls into the middle of the sea, he can't possibly come back."
"Father, what do you mean?" Bai Shibao sensed something was off about Bai Zhiman's tone.
“His boat isn’t some small three-boat that can make a round trip in a day. He catches deep-sea fish, so how could he possibly be dragged into the sea by fish in coastal waters?”
Deep-sea fish are indeed more expensive, and ships have limited carrying capacity. They also consume fuel when the ship is at sea. Zhou Fukun has been a captain his whole life and would never fish in coastal waters.
Bai Zhiman's words stirred up a storm in Bai Shihai's heart: "Father, so those sailors were lying?"
"They conspired to deceive us?" Bai Shibao finally understood, and he slammed his fist on the wall. "How could that be!"
Even if Shen Heng is usually hateful, surely not a single person on the entire ship would speak the truth for him?
With Shen Heng in trouble, Zhou Fukun, as the captain, will definitely be the first to take responsibility when he returns. In addition, Li Lide has also fallen from power, so it remains to be seen whether Zhou Fukun can continue to be the captain. The crew members are not afraid of him and will not dare to tell the truth.
This is truly baffling.
Bai Zhiman said, "Shihai, go and let the captain know you're safe tomorrow morning. Also, ask him if any of the fish caught this time were from near the sea, and whether the quantity is sufficient compared to previous years."
"Yes, Father."
Regardless of the truth, Bai Zhiman was certain that the crew members were lying.
Around 3 a.m., Shen Heng's complexion gradually warmed up, and he began to frown.
As Sui Changsheng said, Shen Heng started to have a fever.
Perhaps because he had been given anti-inflammatory medication beforehand, Shen Heng's high fever was not too severe. Bai Jiaojiao listened to Sui Changsheng and did not cover Shen Heng with a blanket, but placed him on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) where the temperature was not too hot and was more suitable.
"Brother Heng?"
Bai Jiaojiao held Shen Heng's hand and called his name.
But Shen Heng didn't open his eyes until Zheng Xu received Bai Shihai's letter in the morning and came to see him.
Zheng Xu, standing at the door, glanced at Shen Heng's expression and answered Bai Shihai's question: "The fish this year are no different from previous years. Why are you asking this?"
Bai Jiaojiao didn't sleep all night; she and Bai Zhiman had similar thoughts.
If the truth of the sinking of the Shenheng ship is as the crew members said, then unless a divine intervention occurs, it is impossible for it to return.
"Captain, I won't lie to you. You've lived by the sea for half your life. If someone falls into the fishing boat in our village, do you think he can swim back to shore?"
Bai Jiaojiao and Zheng Xu have now become close friends despite their age difference. Knowing that Zheng Xu would side with her, she decided to make things clear.
Zheng Xu immediately understood Bai Jiaojiao's meaning: "You're right. I'll help you investigate this matter with the village chief. Don't worry, we'll definitely get you justice."
"Thank you, Captain," Bai Jiaojiao said, not in a hurry. "As long as Brother Heng wakes up, the truth will come out."
Zheng Xu nodded: "Don't worry, he'll definitely wake up. If you're still worried, I'll give you a certificate so you can borrow a tractor from the commune and take Shen Heng to town for a checkup."
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