Judging from Mingzhu's expression, she didn't believe it, and then Jian Dan sighed.
"Besides, my house is indeed at the foot of the mountain. If wild boars rush down there, my house would be the first stop. Whether for my own sake or for the sake of the village, I can't just ignore it."
Mingzhu has been surrounded by boys since childhood and has little experience with girls. Now that you're closer to her, she speaks very casually and openly.
"Ha, how many able-bodied men are there in this village? Do they expect a little girl like you to protect them?"
"So what? How have they managed all these years without you?"
Jian Dan also thought about it, and realized that this kind of thing really can't happen again and again, but...
"Sigh! I didn't want to either, but mainly it's my house. It was just finished being renovated. If it weren't for the fact that it's located at the foot of the mountain, I would definitely stay far away. Look at my hands,"
After releasing the force from his arm, his entire right hand hung limply.
"I was holding this knife in my hand, and I didn't feel anything was wrong at the time. But now, you see, I probably won't be able to do anything for the next few days."
It's a bit sour, but not nearly that bad. But is it just playing the victim? Anyone can do that.
Only when something has serious consequences will it leave a lasting impression.
She didn't necessarily need the favor, but she had done a lot of work after all. She was going to live here for another ten years or so, and she didn't want to be an unsung hero. She wanted people to know and remember her good deeds, because that would give her the confidence to live a stable life in the future.
Therefore, feigning weakness doesn't even qualify as deception.
She felt no guilt whatsoever.
Despite Jian Dan repeatedly insisting that she was fine, she sneezed several times on the way home, so Mingzhu, still worried, escorted her to her doorstep.
Do you need me to heat the kang (heated brick bed) for you?
Jian Dan quickly waved her hand, saying, "No, it's really not that bad."
Mingzhu still had some regrets.
"Alright, that's perfect. Before the kids come back, you go in and rest. If you're feeling unwell, take a nap. They'll bring the vegetables and meat back soon."
It was late autumn, and the afternoons were still a bit chilly.
Upon entering the house, Jian Dan immediately lit both stoves. The rising heat quickly brought on her fatigue, and she soon found herself unable to keep her eyes open.
After tidying up the firewood, Jian Dan didn't insist on doing anything and fell asleep on his small kang (heated brick bed) in the east room.
When she woke up again, the candles in the room were already lit. Mingzhu came in when she heard the noise, holding a damp towel. Jian Dan was stunned for a moment.
Why are you here?
The words that came out startled even myself; my voice was hoarse, like a broken bellows.
He leaned on the kang (a heated brick bed) to get up, and with that movement, the pain became even more noticeable—"Hiss!"
Her throat felt like it was being pricked with needles, a dense, tingling pain. Jian Dan finally realized, belatedly, that she seemed to be sick.
This is really a sickness.
Mingzhu quickly reached out and helped her up, leaning her against the wall.
"And you still dare to talk? We knocked on the door and you didn't open it. When we came in, we saw what a terrible state you were in, with a high fever."
If you ask me, it must be because I sweated and then got chilled by the wind today.
I simply stared wide-eyed and gulped down half a tub of water before my voice felt like my own again.
"No wonder I felt so tired after that sleep. Did I really have a fever?"
I reached out and touched myself, but since I had just woken up and my whole body was at the same temperature, I couldn't feel anything.
"elder sister!"
Xiao Jianxin ran in when she heard the noise. She was probably warming herself by the fire in the kitchen. Her face was flushed with a smile.
"Sister, are you sick? Do you need to take medicine?"
Mingzhu and the others paused for a moment. They could figure out how to eat and drink, but medicine was a scarce commodity, not to mention it was always in demand. They simply didn't have any.
However, a bowl of ginger water was immediately brought over.
"We don't have any medicine on hand, so we've made you some ginger water. Come on, drink it."
Forget about being coy, Jian Dan quickly took the bottle and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls. Instantly, the spiciness exploded in her mouth, then in her chest and stomach. Soon, her whole body felt hot, from the inside out. Before long, even her bones felt hot, like insects crawling on them, making her feel itchy.
Li Yan peeked through the door.
"You're up? Then come and eat, then go back to sleep."
“Yes,” Mingzhu reached out to help her down to the ground.
"Come and eat first, then drink some ginger water to sweat it out, and you'll feel better tomorrow."
After calming down briefly, quickly push Mingzhu out.
“I’ll do it myself. It’s just a cold, it’s not that serious.”
Judging from her appearance, anyone who didn't know better would think she had some serious illness.
"Hmph, you heartless little thing."
The kitchen was steaming hot, and the west room was also very warm. On the table was a large basin of stewed pork and a basin of boiled sweet potatoes, which is one of the staple foods in this area during winter.
Several female educated youths were present: Li Yan, Tan Yajun, Lin Zhaodi, and Mingzhu. None of the male educated youths were there.
Seemingly noticing her confusion, Tan Yajun explained softly,
"Lin Dongfang and Chen Jianguo are eating together with Ling Weidong and the other two at the village office."
"that is,"
Mingzhu put down her chopsticks and bowl, and casually picked up the conversation.
"Don't worry about them, they won't go hungry."
That makes it clear: after all, they went along to help, and this was a good opportunity to get closer to the villagers.
The little girl still sidled up to Jian Dan.
"Sister, are you feeling unwell?"
The little boy looked up, his big eyes filled with simplicity.
Jian Dan smiled unconsciously.
"It's nothing, my sister just has a slight cold, she'll be fine tomorrow."
The child let out a big sigh.
"Sister, are you lying to a child? A little cold is just a few sneezes. You have a fever, and your throat is all... it's like this. It must be a really bad cold by now."
The little child couldn't express himself clearly, so he gestured with his little hands, looking very serious.
"You must have been disobedient to catch a cold,"
Lin Zhaodi brought in the sponge cake and was immediately amused.
“You’re right, your sister is disobedient. You must never learn from her.”
The little girl was conflicted. She wanted to say that her older sister was indeed disobedient, but she didn't want to say anything bad about her sister. After frowning for a long time, she finally retorted,
Hello, sister!
Everyone had taken sweet potatoes and were about to eat them when they heard this, and they were immediately amused again.
"Okay, okay, your sister is great, your sister is the best, alright?"
"hold head high!"
The little girl ate her sponge cake, and didn't forget to share half with Jian Dan.
"Sister, you're sick, you should eat too."
"Wow, you're a good girl, you know how to care for your older sister."
It was simple; he looked at the little girl with a smile in his eyes and slowly said,
"That's right, you can only be envious!"
It's true that I feel envious. None of us are only children. Those who were sent to the countryside were mostly not the favored ones, except for those forced by circumstances. As for family ties, there are definitely some, but they are certainly not unconditional.
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