The four of them walked back, and on the way they encountered Wang Hongxi and his ten men.
"Maocai, how is it?"
“Hongxi, it’s alright. It’s just that Comrade Zhang got a little injured. Er Lengzi and the others went to carry the wild boar and the wolf. You guys can find them by walking along the path to the pool. There are three wolves and two big wild boars. It’s hard for ten people to carry them. It’s good that you’re there. You can take over.”
"Alright, you go back and show it to Comrade Zhang first, we'll head over now."
The group separated, and as they were almost home, they saw Wang Xiaoshun and Zhang Xingguo.
Zhang Xingguo was startled to see his son injured. After checking the wound, he was relieved to see that it wasn't deep.
"Maocai, my son can just go home and have Hongmei apply the medicine. He doesn't need to go to the barefoot doctor anymore."
"Yes, your medicine is definitely better than that of the barefoot doctor. I'll head back now."
Only then did Zhang Hongmei take a closer look at Liu Maocai. His trousers were uneven, one leg higher than the other, and his ankles were covered in mud, which had now dried on his legs.
"Uncle, are you carrying water to irrigate the crops again?"
"Well, watering is better than not watering; the sorghum might even sprout ears."
"Dad, I'll go with you." Liu Erya went back with Liu Maocai.
Zhang Xingguo drove the sheep to Zhang Hongmei's yard, and the rest of the people went directly to Zhang Xingguo's yard.
"Brother Zhang, I'll go back to get the medicine. You take a shower first. I'll apply the medicine for you when I get back."
"Go ahead, you should go wash up first, there's no rush."
Zhang Hongmei nodded and went home, locking the door behind her. Once inside her room, she entered her spatial dimension and only after sitting down in a chair did she realize her limbs were sore. She patted her face and took a shower.
They searched the storeroom for the best wound medicine. They couldn't give Zhang Shouyi a tetanus shot now either; there was no other way, they really couldn't take that out.
Finally, I found Yunnan Baiyao powder, tore off a piece of paper from my notebook, poured out half of it, wrapped it up, and then left the space. I also put all the meat buns into a bowl; I'll take them to Zhang Xing's house later, and we'll eat there today. I'll pick a few cucumbers too; I really don't want to cook. I'll just have to make do.
About half an hour later, Zhang Hongmei finally went to Zhang Xing's house. By then, Zhang Shouyi had already taken a bath and was sitting at the table in the yard, wearing a vest, waiting for Zhang Hongmei.
"Brother Zhang, let's apply the medicine. I wonder if there's any medicine available to prevent the spread of toxicity after an animal bite?" Zhang Hongmei really didn't know how to describe the vaccine, so she could only say it was toxic, hoping Zhang Shouyi would understand.
"No, what kind of venom could an animal bite have?" Zhang Shouyi wondered to himself, "Could Zhang Hongmei also be someone who has lived a second life? Otherwise, why would she bring up this kind of thing?"
Zhang Hongmei opened the paper packet and sprinkled it little by little on Zhang Shouyi's wound.
But now Zhang Shouyi is really confused. This medicine is clearly Yunnan Baiyao from his previous life. Although it still exists now, it is only found in Yunnan (nonsense, without any basis). There is no such thing in the north at all.
What is the origin of this red plum blossom?
Although Zhang Shouyi was thinking about it, he didn't show it on his face at all.
Zhang Hongmei was unaware that her disguise had almost been exposed by Zhang Shouyi.
After applying the medicine, Zhang Xingguo felt relieved, having just discovered the size and depth of the wound.
Zhang Hongmei washed her hands and said, "Uncle Zhang, Brother Zhang, Brother Xiaoshun, let's eat. I'm too lazy to cook, so I'll just have some leftovers."
"Alright, Hongmei, you two should eat more to calm your nerves." (What kind of theory is that?)
In the afternoon, Wang Xiaoshun filled all the water tanks and excitedly told Zhang Hongmei, "Hongmei, the villagers have brought back wild boars and wolves, saying they'll eat meat tonight."
"That's great! You and Brother Zhang can have your meal before you leave tomorrow."
"The commander said that Brother Shouyi could stay for a few more days. Brother Shouyi did not refuse," Wang Xiaoshun said with a smile.
Zhang Shouyi lay in the room, irritated by the heat and the pain in his wound. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, thinking, "How dramatic of me. This little injury, is it really worth making such a fuss?"
It's good to stay here for a few days, to keep my dad company, and to help ease my gloomy mood.
Because of the drought, everyone was tightening their belts, so they were especially excited to have meat to eat today.
Wang Hongxi was very good at handling people and told everyone that it was Comrade Zhang and Zhang Hongmei who did it together, and everyone was genuinely grateful to the two of them.
As Zhang Hongmei headed towards the brigade headquarters, many villagers greeted her warmly, leaving her bewildered. She only found out what was going on when she arrived at the brigade headquarters.
Actually, I wasn't sure if Zhang Shouyi would be willing to hand over the prey. He probably wouldn't object, after all, he's a powerful figure with plenty of money.
Zhang Hongmei helped with the work, and since all the women in the village were there, they didn't need to be employed. So Er Ya and her friend just huddled together, chatting and laughing.
Zhang Xingguo and his two sons also came over and received an even warmer welcome. Zhang Xingguo wasn't a stingy person and brought a few bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor). Of course, it wasn't enough for everyone, but the older folks could still manage a few sips.
Er Lengzi slaughtered two pigs, skinned them, and specially came over to give Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Shouyi ten yuan each. This time the money was less because the pigskins were damaged. The two of them didn't say anything after receiving the ten yuan. They hadn't expected to get anything anyway, so this money was free.
As for the three-headed wolf's skin, let Zhang Hongmei keep it; it'll be a good thing in winter.
"Brother Zhang, keep this wolf pelt to make a cotton-padded coat for Uncle Zhang."
"If that's enough, you can do it too."
"I don't know about that, I'll have to ask my great-aunt. Besides, my great-grandfather is the one who's familiar with the hide."
"Okay. You can decide for yourself. I have no objection. If it's not enough, I'll find some more for you. I can make two more sets."
Zhang Hongmei stopped paying attention to Zhang Shouyi and continued to learn cooking techniques from the aunties and grandmas in the village, since the big pot of meat they made last time was really delicious.
In the end, only one pig and one wolf were stewed; the rest were made into jerky. More than ten women cut the meat, salted it, and steamed it. After it was cooked and cooled, it was salted again, and then it was dried in the sun.
Zhang Hongmei had never eaten this kind of dried meat before. In the end, her great-grandmother decided to give Zhang Hongmei twenty jin and Zhang Xingguo twenty jin of dried meat. The remaining twenty-two people who had gone to carry the game that day would each receive one jin. In the end, all the dried meat was divided equally among the entire village, and of course, those who had already received their share would receive another.
Another windfall! Zhang Hongmei was overjoyed. Today's harvest was really good. It seemed that Zhang Shouyi hadn't gotten much. She secretly glanced at him and saw him chatting patiently and politely with the village elders. Her attitude towards him changed; this man wasn't so annoying anymore.
Zhang Shouyi felt someone watching him, turned around, and met Zhang Hongmei's gaze. They nodded at the same time and smiled at each other's gesture.
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