Chapter 227 Emergency Surgery on New Year's Eve
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the courtyard no longer wafts with the faint smell of medicinal herbs, but with the aroma of fried meatballs, the rich fragrance of stewed meat, and the sweet scent of steamed rice cakes, mixed with the fresh scent of water splashed on the ground after sweeping away the dust.
In their first year of family reunion after surviving the disaster, the Gu family was determined to make it a lively and joyous occasion.
Wu Guixiang and Li Fenfang got up before dawn; one kneaded the dough and prepared the filling to make dumplings, while the other processed the chicken, duck, and fish.
Leaning on his crutches, Gu Dahe directed Gu Jianqiang and Gu Dongguo, who had recovered from his injuries and returned to the team after taking a special leave, to paste paper-cut window decorations and hang lanterns.
The bright red paper-cut window decorations against the gray brick wall instantly create a strong festive atmosphere for the New Year.
Grandpa Lu was forcibly brought over to live here on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.
In Wu Guixiang's words:
"Grandpa, it's so lonely at home all by yourself. We're so lively and have lots of people here! Please stay here and go back after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year!"
After a few polite refusals, Old Master Lu happily agreed.
He loved the lively atmosphere in the courtyard, and he especially loved seeing his grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and the Gu family members being so affectionate with each other.
According to tradition, the two aunts and uncles of the Lu family would celebrate the New Year at their own homes at noon, but they had already made arrangements to bring their families to the courtyard house in the evening so that both families could stay up together to welcome the New Year and have a reunion dinner.
On New Year's Eve, the courtyard was bustling with activity from morning till night.
Wu Guixiang and Li Fenfang were busy in the kitchen, barely having time to breathe. Gu Baobao wanted to go in and help, but as soon as she touched the rolling pin, Wu Guixiang snatched it away with lightning speed.
"Get out of here! Your precious hands are for scalpels and needles, not for this! Don't cause trouble!"
Li Fenfang also smiled and pushed her out:
“That’s right, Bao, go and rest, or talk to your two grandpas. Your grandma and I are here, that’s enough!”
Gu Baobao was both amused and exasperated.
"Mom, Grandma, I just wanted to make a few dumplings..."
"What are you trying to do! Your dumplings will fall apart as soon as you put them in the pot!"
Wu Guixiang mercilessly exposed his shortcomings, then turned and shouted at Lu Zhanming, who had just walked over.
"Xiao Lu! Keep a close eye on your wife, don't let her into the kitchen!"
Lu Zhanming immediately obeyed, stretching out his long arm to pull Gu Baobao to his side, his expression serious:
"Yes, Grandma! I promise I'll complete the mission!"
Gu Baobao pinched his arm in anger, but Lu Zhanming remained unfazed and whispered a laugh in her ear:
"Wife, accept your fate. You are now a key protected person in our family. The kitchen is a restricted area, and you are strictly forbidden from entering."
He put his arm around her and led her outside:
"Come on, let's play chess with Grandpa. The old man is having a fierce battle with Dad, those two terrible chess players are at it, it's so frustrating to watch. Go ahead and dominate, make Dad proud."
Inside the main room, Gu Dahe and Lu Zhenbang were indeed frowning and glaring at a chessboard.
Gu Jianqiang watched from the sidelines, wanting to offer advice but not daring to, feeling frustrated.
Seeing Gu Baobao enter, Gu Dahe felt as if he had seen a savior:
"Baby, you've come at the perfect time! Come help Daddy, is there any special technique to this vaulting step?"
Old Master Lu was not to be outdone:
"Baby, don't listen to your dad. He's just driving around recklessly. You be the judge, my car is stuck here, shouldn't I get hit by his cannon?"
Gu Baobao couldn't help but chuckle, and actually sat down to watch the game in silence.
That's impossible.
With just a few words and seemingly casual pointers, she made the chess game clear and decisive, leaving the two old men stunned before they clapped their hands and laughed.
The main room was filled with relaxed laughter.
As dusk fell, the large red lanterns in the courtyard lit up, casting a warm glow that spread a festive atmosphere.
The aroma in the kitchen grew increasingly strong and enticing.
Gu Dongguo and his younger cousins were setting off firecrackers in the yard, the crackling sounds mingling with laughter.
At this joyous and festive moment, when everything is ready and the feast is about to begin—
"Ring ring—!"
The special secure telephone installed on the desk in the corner of the main room suddenly rang!
The sharp, urgent ringing of the bell instantly drowned out all the laughter and chatter in the courtyard.
Everyone froze, their eyes fixed on the red telephone.
This phone would never normally ring.
Once the alarm rings, it means that Gu Baobao must step in to handle an extremely important and urgent matter.
Lu Zhanming reacted the fastest, taking a step forward and grabbing the receiver:
"Hello, this is Lu Zhanming."
As he listened to the rapid and clear report from the other end of the phone, his brows furrowed and his expression turned serious.
A moment later, he covered the microphone, turned to look at Gu Baobao, and said in a solemn voice:
"Baby, emergency mission. A special plane carrying important scholars returning home was attacked on the ground by unidentified individuals just before landing. The scholars were shot and seriously injured, and their lives are in danger."
The plane is about to land at the military airfield. Orders from above: You are to immediately proceed to the military region's general hospital to organize the rescue effort.
The room fell silent instantly.
Only the faint crackling sound of electricity coming from the telephone receiver could be heard.
Wu Guixiang was still holding a spatula, Li Fenfang froze in mid-air while wiping her hands, and Gu Dahe and Lu Zhenbang both stood up, their faces full of worry.
Without any hesitation, Gu Baobao's relaxed smile vanished instantly, replaced by the calmness and sharpness befitting a doctor.
She stood up and quickly said to her family:
"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Grandpa, it's an emergency, I have to go to the hospital right away. You eat first, don't wait for us."
She then looked at Lu Zhanming:
"Let's go."
"etc!"
Li Fenfang realized what was happening, hurriedly put down the rag, rushed into the inner room, and took out Gu Baobao's thick military overcoat.
"It's cold outside, put this on! And here's this too!"
She handed Gu Baobao the slightly worn military green cloth bag that she always carried with her, which contained some of her acupuncture needles and first-aid medicines.
Wu Guixiang quickly took out two still-hot meat buns from the kitchen, wrapped them in oil paper, and handed them to Lu Zhanming:
"We'll have something to eat on the way, and who knows when we'll be gone..."
"Thank you, Grandma, Mom."
Gu Baobao quickly put on her military overcoat, picked up her cloth bag, nodded to her family, and
"Don't worry, we'll be back as soon as possible."
Lu Zhanming had already grabbed the car keys and said something to Gu Dongguo:
"Brother, please take good care of the safety of the house and yard."
He then escorted Gu Baobao out of the main room, through the courtyard bathed in the warm glow of lanterns, and quickly disappeared into the deep night outside the door.
The car started its engine and quickly drove away from the alleyway filled with the aroma of food and the smell of firecrackers, speeding towards the West Suburbs Military General Hospital.
Inside the main room, the lively and joyous atmosphere seemed to have been paused.
Wu Guixiang sighed and ladled the vegetables out of the pot.
Li Fenfang silently tidied the table. Gu Dahe and Grandpa Lu exchanged a glance, sat down again, but neither of them had the heart to continue playing chess.
"It's alright. The child went to save people. It's a big deal, a good deed."
Gu Dahe broke the silence, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Yes, yes, saving lives is the priority."
Grandpa Lu nodded, picked up his teacup, took a sip, but found it tasteless.
Gu Dongguo walked in and said, feigning ease:
"Grandpa, Grandma, Fifth Uncle, Fifth Aunt, Grandpa Lu, let's eat first. Bao Bao and Zhan Ming are very capable; they'll definitely be able to save him."
Let's keep the table for them and have a big, happy family reunion dinner when they get back!
"Yes! Dong-guk is right!"
Wu Guixiang roused herself and placed the dishes on the table.
"Let's eat first. We'll have the energy to wait for them to come back!"
Even so, this long-awaited New Year's Eve dinner was ultimately missing two of the most important people, and the meal was eaten in silence, with their thoughts preoccupied with that unknown operating room.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com