Xiao Jiu overestimated her abilities; even though she took a hot shower after getting home, she still developed a fever that night.
Fortunately, she was still somewhat conscious and told her grandmother how to bring down her fever.
The elderly couple stayed by her side all night, giving her massages and wiping her body with warm water. When her fever spiked, they brewed traditional Chinese medicine to reduce it.
This was what we had saved up when someone in the family was sick. It was tough, but we didn't mind the small amount of liquor and drank it all in one go.
She was in a daze all night, with a splitting headache and feeling unwell all over. As soon as it was light, the old couple stopped staying at home and rushed to find an oxcart to take her fully equipped to the hospital. It turned out that the Lin family's son had also been suffering from a fever since midnight.
After discussing it, the two families decided that Grandpa and Grandma Tao would stay at home while they took Xiaojiu and Jinbao to the township health center for a checkup.
Grandpa and Grandma Tao did not plan to go to the village, but instead went to the county town. However, they did not say so explicitly, but declined the suggestion to go together.
"Oh dear, we're not ready yet. Look, you've already found people and packed everything up. This oxcart can't fit both of them. You go first, we'll be there in a bit."
It was a good thing that Xiao Jiu saved someone's life. The elderly couple never thought of asking for help to pay for the medical expenses, nor did they want to get too involved with that family.
It's hard to repay favors, and Jinbao's family isn't in a good situation either. If they insist on staying in the same hospital, their medication might be interfered with, because the Lin family will feel that they should take the money. Since they paid for it, they should listen to how the treatment is done; that's their instinct.
The elderly Tao couple were business people, so they immediately noticed the problem and preferred to send the goods to the county town rather than take advantage of the situation.
They love their own granddaughter, and they have the final say on how to treat her and how much money to spend.
So as soon as the Lin family left, Grandpa said to the uncle on the oxcart without hesitation.
"Let's go to the county hospital. Come on, everything's packed."
They locked the door and left. Luckily, the two houses didn't take the same route, so there was no need to worry about speed or the awkwardness of bumping into each other.
It was fortunate that they went to the county hospital, where further examinations revealed that Xiao Jiu had pneumonia, which terrified the old lady.
Despite being terrified, he couldn't take it anymore and had to run to the factory to call Zhao Lingli over.
"Grandma, I'm fine now. There are so many doctors and nurses here. You and Grandpa should go home and rest. Don't go back and forth. And don't bring me food. The hospital cafeteria has everything. Just buy some."
Xiao Jiu felt sorry for her grandparents, but they were reluctant to leave before her parents arrived. It was a large ward for six people, filled with children, and the sounds of crying were constant. Xiao Jiu hadn't been able to sleep since she arrived, and the air in the room was also unpleasant. They didn't even open the windows in winter, and there was no heating. You can imagine how terrible the living conditions were.
Fortunately, her mother arrived quickly. After learning how Xiao Jiu had fallen ill, she first praised her and then gently touched her forehead with concern.
"You, you know your own limitations, how dare you go down there to save someone? The little bit of skill your brother taught you, which you barely practiced in the summer, how dare you go down there to save someone? Your dad has work to finish, he won't be here until noon,"
After telling Xiao Jiu what to do, he turned to the elderly couple and said, "While it's still early and we can still get a taxi outside, Mom and Dad, you should go back and rest. We'll take care of things here."
Because Zhao Lingli came over, the grandparents left the hospital hand in hand without saying a word.
I brought an extra set of blankets, mattresses, sheets, and quilt covers when I came, because I was worried it would be cold in the hospital, and I also had to consider who would be accompanying me.
The thermos, lunchbox, water cup, washbasin, and even towels were carefully prepared in twos.
Although they lived in the countryside, their family never skimped on their daughters' needs, even bringing their own bath basins and other supplies, which shows how particular they were about their appearance.
Xiao Jiu is well aware of her current situation. Although she has pneumonia, the problem is not very serious. In addition, antibiotics are not used indiscriminately in this day and age, and medication takes time. It just sounds a bit scary. Her cough is a little more severe, but she can take care of herself in other aspects.
She secretly slipped ten yuan and three jin of meat coupons to Zhao Lingli.
“My grandma gave it to me, Mom, you take it. I brought rice and flour with me when I came. Grandma went to ask, and it costs five cents to rent a stove each time.”
Zhao Lingli looked at the tickets and money in her hand in surprise: "So much," she glanced around, "that's a lot!"
Xiao Jiu nodded, "My grandma is afraid of shortchanging me, so you can see for yourself. She'll definitely come again tomorrow, there's no stopping her."
Zhao Lingli glared at her: "You still dare to say that? You know doing this dangerous thing will worry your grandma, but you still can't let her have peace of mind. If something happens to you, what will your grandparents do?"
"Mother, I was wrong, Mother. It was an emergency. He sank right in front of me. How could I not worry? Fortunately, he was alright. Your daughter is very lucky. I am protected by my grandparents, loved by my parents, and protected by my siblings. I am doing good deeds to pray for everyone."
"You've got quite the mouth, haven't you? Well then, our little lucky star of the Tao family, what would you like to eat for lunch today?"
"Grandma boiled more than a dozen eggs, and they're still in my bag. I ate two this morning, so I'm not hungry yet. I'll just have something light for lunch. I'm doing pretty well, so you don't need to stay with me all the time. You'll be sleeping at the factory tonight, right?"
Zhao Lingli glared at her: "How can that be? Pneumonia causes recurring coughs and fevers, especially at night. Don't give me advice, just take care of yourself. You must be tired, go to sleep first. I'll go make you some congee and buy some steamed buns."
"Mother, do you have food coupons?"
Zhao Lingli nodded and patted her head. "Drink some water. The temperature is just right now. Drink it and then go to sleep. I'll go make you some food."
After Zhao Lingli took the things out, the old lady in the next bed came over and asked her something.
"Little girl, is this your mother? And the one who came this morning, is that your grandmother?"
Xiao Jiu had originally planned to curl up in her own bed to sleep, but the old lady's words puzzled her: "Yeah, so what?"
"They don't look alike at all; none of you three generations resemble each other."
Xiao Jiu was speechless and choked with emotion, so she simply ignored her and closed her eyes. The old lady wanted to ask something, but she just turned over.
"Tch, what kind of manners do they have? As expected of someone from the countryside, they have no manners at all."
"Grandma, I want to drink water, and I also want to eat an egg,"
The grandson's shouts interrupted the old lady's muttered curses, and she quickly got up to take care of her beloved grandson.
Xiao Jiu sighed. What kind of people are these? They're just worrying about things that don't concern them.
What's even more ridiculous is that the chubby kid, who was like a little tyrant, showed off by raising the egg towards Xiao Jiu after receiving it.
"I have eggs to eat, but you don't, you don't, haha, you're a money-loser! My grandma said she must be blind to give you eggs!"
"Tiger, don't talk nonsense," the old lady said as she came over after washing the dishes. Upon hearing this, she quickly looked at Xiao Jiu.
"Children don't think before they speak, you..."
Little Jiu grinned, showing her white teeth, and retorted, "Kids older than me do speak without thinking, but you're quite something. You're a girl yourself, yet you look down on girls. My grandma dotes on me, but you say she's blind. If you ask me, the truly blind ones are... tsk tsk, raising a good-for-nothing without even realizing it!"
Xiao Jiu's words drew cheers from the aunt across the table, because she was also there to take care of her daughter. Since she was hospitalized, her grandmother had never come to visit. It was a family that favored sons over daughters. It was rare to see an elderly person dote on their granddaughter and take such good care of her, yet she was still being ridiculed. How could she stand it? She immediately spoke up for Xiao Jiu.
"That's right. Some people are just despicable. They're women, yet they say women are a waste of money. They give all the good things to their grandsons, and in return, their grandsons treat them like dogs, making them smile and beg for mercy. Not only is there no warmth, but they might even be raising an ungrateful child. The worst part is that they think it's wonderful."
The old lady turned pale with anger and reached out to slap Xiao Jiu, but at the critical moment Zhao Lingli appeared, rushed over, grabbed her hard, and pushed her down in front of her grandson's sickbed.
"What are you doing? Who do you think you are? How dare you lay a hand on my daughter? Is there no law anymore? Try touching a single hair on her head!"
Xiao Jiu quickly pulled the hot-tempered Zhao Lingli back, "Mom, I'm fine, I'm fine, don't be angry, don't be angry."
Seeing the old lady collapse to the ground, trying to extort money, Xiao Jiu calmly watched her.
"With so many people watching, the truth will prevail. If you're going to lie on the ground and throw a tantrum, why don't you go to the police station now and let them tell the truth?"
"You little slut, you're not that old, but you're already got a lot of tricks up your sleeve. You actually think you can just knock me down and call the police? What, you think this old woman is afraid of you? Don't you even know how old you are? I've produced more shit than you've eaten rice."
Xiao Jiu frowned in disgust. "Ugh, this is filth everywhere! I thought you'd eaten more shit than I've eaten rice. Your analogy is really uncivilized. Old lady, stop howling! Your grandson is calling you to pee. Hurry up, or you'll wet the bed again. You're a grown woman, and it's not like you've injured your leg. How dare you pee in bed and then dump it in the trash can? Your manners are really low. And you dare to look down on us for being country folk? So what if we're country folk? At least we don't wash our feet in the sink like you!"
The more Xiao Jiu talked, the more disgusting it became. The old lady was about to explode when her grandson yelled at her to get the chamber pot. Wasn't he treating her like a dog?
Look at that shameless, heartless way of hers. No wonder this grandson talks so arrogantly and doesn't respect her as an elder at all. Yet she thinks he's chubby and adorable, and that nothing is more noble than her grandson. She's definitely a weirdo.
While the old lady was busy taking care of her grandson and didn't have time to argue with them, Zhao Lingli brought over sesame leaf noodles and two already heated eggs.
"Eat it quickly, while it's hot," Xiao Jiu looked at Zhao Lingli in surprise: "It's ready so quickly?"
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