Chapter 49 Wounded
Pingping was skeptical, but finally lowered her head and replied, "Okay! Let's wait two more days."
Chen Yongliang looked at Pingping, wondering how his sister-in-law had raised the child. He felt that the child didn't believe him, as if he were lying to them.
Although there was a slight deception involved, surely it wasn't enough to make a child disbelieve it?
When Chen Yongxing saw Chen Yongliang return, he threw down his hoe, ran out of the vegetable garden, and couldn't hide his joy. "Third brother, you're finally back!"
Great, someone's done the work!
Hearing the noise, Li Chongniang came out from inside and said calmly, "They've moved into Physician Sun's house? They're not coming back?"
Chen Yongliang said, "There are still some patients who need help."
"Doesn't Chen, the village head, have anyone else? Doesn't Sun, the doctor, have anyone else? Don't let them get forced into hard labor without even realizing it..."
Chen Yongxing interrupted Li Chongniang, "Ahem, wife, Dazhuang is here as a guest, shouldn't we at least invite him in for a cup of tea?"
Only then did Li Chongniang notice that there was another person beside Chen Yongliang. She composed herself and muttered, "Even if there is someone, I still have to speak up. Has the Chen family suffered enough in silence?"
She spoke very softly, almost inaudible to herself.
"I'm so sorry, I just came to see Brother Yongliang and I'll be leaving soon. I won't come in to sit down!" Lin Dazhuang's father didn't allow him to associate with the Chen family, so he came secretly this time. It wouldn't be good if he stayed too long and got discovered.
He and Chen Yongliang exchanged only a few words before he turned and left.
Chen Yongliang was ushered into the main room by his family, who kept talking about the epidemic area, something he was very good at, and he talked about it in great detail.
Madam Wang frowned slightly and asked, "Doctor Sun wants to take Qiqi as his apprentice?"
"Um...maybe..." Chen Yongliang scratched his head awkwardly. He wasn't sure either, but everyone thought it looked like it.
"What kind of medical skills does she study? Who does she want to take care of her children?" Li Chongniang was still sharp-tongued.
“Chongniang, this is a good thing. It’s good to have a skill.” Madam Wang was a little critical, but she quickly softened. “If you know needlework, you can supplement the family income. If she knows medicine, she can treat patients and earn money for Pingping and An’an.”
“Mother, it’s good that my sister-in-law is studying medicine, but who will want her to treat patients?” Li Chongniang spoke her concerns frankly.
Everyone could see how much the villagers disliked Wan Qiqi. Given her situation, they didn't think it was a mistake for Wan Qiqi to poison people; to say she saved them was simply a fantasy.
“That’s not necessarily true!” Chen Yongliang suddenly interrupted. “Many people in the village who were infected with the plague have been taken care of by Sister-in-law. The people who live with me have a very good impression of Sister-in-law. Maybe Sister-in-law has really made something of herself in medicine.”
His words left the others puzzled, and in the end, no one refuted him.
Wang said, "This is Qiqi's decision; it's not up to us. Alright, alright, let's get to work!"
Apart from Chen Yongnian and Wan Qiqi, the lives of the rest of the Chen family returned to normal. With Chen Yongliang around, Chen Yongxing also returned to his original state, but compared to before, he was actually more diligent.
Pingping and An'an sit in the courtyard every day, waiting for their parents to come home, and occasionally play with other children.
That day, Pingping and An'an returned home and met Zhao Dahu from their next-door neighbor as soon as they arrived at their door.
Pingping shielded An'an behind her, looking at Zhao Dahu warily, "What are you doing blocking my doorway?"
"I've come to see two poor wretches that nobody wants." Zhao Dahu crossed his arms, looking arrogant and domineering.
“We’re not pathetic losers that nobody wants.” Pingping stared at him, her eyes wide with displeasure.
"Ha, your parents have run away and abandoned you. What are you if not pathetic creatures?" Zhao Dahu stepped forward, looked down at Pingping, and shoved him.
"No way! Brother Da Hu, don't talk nonsense. Mom said that if you lie, you'll get your tongue cut out." An An stared at Zhao Da Hu with wide eyes.
"Why would I lie to you? My mother said that she has wanted to leave for a long time. She doesn't want you two little followers to be a burden to her."
"You're talking nonsense! Waaah..." An'an burst into tears, terrified by Zhao Dahu's ferocious expression.
Pingping looked at An'an, pursed her lips, and pushed Zhao Dahu away with both hands, saying, "Get away from me, you scared my sister!"
Zhao Dahu took several steps back before stopping, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You, Chen An'an, how dare you push me?" He stepped forward and shoved An'an to the ground.
Pingping fell to the ground, his arm badly scraped. He suddenly grabbed Zhao Dahu by the collar and roared, "Zhao Dahu, I'll fight you to the death!"
An'an was so frightened that her cries grew louder and louder.
Chen Yongliang was working not far away when he heard An'an crying. He dropped his tools and rushed back.
Before they even reached their doorstep, they could see Zhao Dahu riding on Pingping's back while An'an sat on the ground crying.
"Zhao Dahu, what are you doing!"
Zhao Dahu looked up and saw Chen Yong coming in aggressively. He quickly got up from Pingping.
Although he was arrogant, he knew that there was a huge disparity in strength, and that he was just a child who could not beat Chen Yongliang.
He ran two steps at a time and dashed home in a flash.
When An'an saw her brother lying on the ground, his arms covered in blood, she cried even harder, "Waaah...brother...Third Uncle..."
Chen Yongliang was horrified when he saw the blood on Pingping's body!
What should we do? He promised his older brother to take good care of Pingping and An'an!
He quickly picked Pingping up and called out, "Pingping, Pingping..."
Pingping's brows furrowed, her mouth moved twice, and tears streamed down her face, making everyone's heart clench.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Third Uncle, it hurts... Waaah..."
Tears streamed down Pingping's cheeks, sliding down Chen Yongliang's neck and inside his clothes, like a sharp blade cutting into Chen Yongliang's body.
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