Chapter Thirty-Two: Transactions
Before the old man could finish speaking, another voice said, "Cough cough, Elder Yan, don't bother, cough cough... I'm afraid, cough cough... I won't make it back to the city!"
"Bullshit, we'll all be fine."
The old man's voice suddenly rose, but his tone was somewhat choked with emotion.
"It's just a few cuts and bruises! Crush these herbal scraps and apply them, it should last for a few days. Come on, eat this half-eaten cornbread, you need to eat well to recover."
Lin Baozhu looked through the dilapidated window and saw a man in his forties with a full head of gray hair lying on the earthen bed under the dim kerosene lamp. The old man, called "Old Yan," was hunched over and wearing clothes that were almost tattered. He was carefully bandaging the wounds of the man on the bed.
Standing in the shadows, Lin Baozhu felt a strange pang of sadness. Most of those who were sent to the countryside were truly talented and capable. If those talented people hadn't been sent down...
If we let go, what a prosperous scene our motherland would be! Just like traditional Chinese medicine, in the 21st century, it almost suffered a decline due to capitalist means.
Now that she has traveled to this special era, she will naturally not leave it to chance. She will use her knowledge and skills to make this country stand at the top of the world.
When the time comes, let Da Piao Liang recognize the motherland as his father!
Thinking of this, she took out some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving pills from her space, wrapped them in oil paper, and then took out half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and two small rolls of clean gauze.
She carefully stuffed these items into the bundle containing the cornbread, then took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock on the door...
"Tap, tap, tap."
The coughing inside the room stopped abruptly. Old Yan, on high alert, lowered his voice and demanded, "Who?!"
“It’s me,” she replied softly.
"Come in."
Lin Baozhu pushed open the door and went inside. A pungent smell of mildew, the stench of livestock, mixed with the stench of blood and medicine hit her.
She didn't see the painful groans on the kang (heated brick bed).
The person reciting went straight to the table in the center of the room, which was missing a leg and was supported by adobe bricks.
He put down the bowl in his hand, then walked to the earthen bed and handed the bundle to Old Man Yan.
"There are some anti-inflammatory pills and painkillers in here, along with half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and two rolls of gauze. These are all mine..."
She paused for a moment, then added, "It took me a lot of effort to buy it."
Then, pointing to the large bowl on the table, he said, "That big bowl contains meat porridge, and there are a few steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat, water, and corn in the cloth bag. They're still warm, so eat them while they're hot."
Old Yan trembled as he opened a corner of the bundle. When he saw the hydrogen peroxide and two rolls of gauze inside, his cloudy eyes instantly filled with tears. His throat tightened, and he wanted to say thank you, but his lips trembled for a long time before he could only utter broken syllables: "Xiao Lin... Xiao Lin Tong..."
Zhi...you...you are our great benefactor..."
These supplies, especially hydrogen peroxide and gauze, are rare items that money can't buy. These things could save Xiao Zhang's life. Knowing that these things are precious, he just couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Looking at the tearful old man, Lin Baozhu felt a lump in her throat.
She took a deep breath to calm herself down and said, "I'm a person of my word. As long as you're willing to teach me medicine, I guarantee you won't go hungry or cold. I'll do everything I can to get you anything you need."
She emphasized "by any means necessary," implying that if you want these things, you should exchange them for the knowledge in your mind.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Old Yan said "good" three times in a row, his expression excited as he stroked the bundle containing the medicine, and whispered, "Teach me! I'll teach you everything I know!"
He eagerly stated his position, then quickly added, "From now on, come find me at this time every night! Outside... have Xiao Zhang keep watch for us!"
She then pointed to the seriously ill man on the kang (a heated brick bed): "That's Xiao Zhang! He used to be a university professor... If there's anything you don't understand, he can teach you!"
When Old Yan brought up Zhang Wenzhuo at this moment, it wasn't just for introduction; it also contained deep hopes and subtle calculations.
Although Lin Baozhu is just a little girl, her brothers are not to be trifled with. If they can take the opportunity to curry favor with the Lin family, they might have a chance to survive with their help.
Lin Baozhu didn't speak, her gaze passing over Old Man Yan and landing on the person on the kang. Zhang Wenzhuo was wrapped in a cotton quilt of indeterminate color, his exposed cheeks were frighteningly sunken, and when he coughed, his chest made a hollow echo, like a bellows that might fall apart at any moment.
Then she fixed her gaze on Old Yan's old face, which was filled with pleading, fear and a will to live.
She slightly raised her chin, a faint smile curving her lips, and spoke softly but clearly to Old Master Yan: "Old Master Yan, you are quite the schemer."
The cowshed was eerily quiet, save for Zhang Wenzhuo's heavy breathing. Old Yan's hunched back was even more bent, like an old corn stalk crushed by snow.
He then gave a low, bitter laugh: "It's still Kobayashi who's..."
Zhi discovered it, but Zhang Wenzhuo's knowledge was extraordinary; he had studied abroad. If he hadn't been framed by some villain, his achievements would be no less than theirs. Don't let his current downfall fool you; he's a Beijing resident. Even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. If he could...
On the contrary, how could you possibly miss out on benefits?
The meaning behind these words couldn't be clearer: as long as she finds a way to protect Zhang Wenzhuo, she will reap many benefits in the future.
This deal sounds very tempting, but it actually carries certain risks. At this time, anyone who gets too close to the "stinking intellectuals" will be criticized as one of them.
Fighting.
Of course, Lin Baozhu didn't think these things were a big deal. If those people dared to cause her trouble, she had plenty of ways to make them behave themselves.
"This deal sounds good, but the risks are not small. I can only guarantee that you will have no worries about food, clothing, shelter and transportation. There is nothing else I can do to help you."
"We're content as long as we have enough to eat and wear; the rest is up to fate!"
"Alright, these cornbreads should be enough for you for a day. I'll come back around this time tomorrow. It's getting late, I need to hurry back!"
"Drive carefully."
On her way home, she had to pass the production team's granary. The slogan on the wall, "Sweep away all demons and monsters," was blurred by snowmelt, and the red paint seeped down the brickwork like blood. Lin Baozhu quickened her pace, but bumped into Qin Haifeng at the corner.
"A precious pearl!"
Qin Haifeng glanced at the cowshed behind her, his thick eyebrows furrowing almost imperceptibly: "What are you doing here so late at night?"
He looked around warily and lowered his voice: "I heard that a wanted criminal has fled to our area. You're a girl, so don't wander around."
Today at the police station, when he heard that Lin Baozhu had met with Zhang Baikui yesterday, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"I know, you're even more nagging than my mother."
As he spoke, he took out a fruit candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and handed it to Qin Haifeng's lips!
"I'll stick your lips to your mouth!"
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