Chapter 14 Packing Bags and Heading to the Island to Take Care of My Injured Cousin
These peaceful and fulfilling days were shattered by a sudden telegram.
That afternoon, under the blazing sun, Captain Li Guoqiang ran into the Gu family's courtyard, sweating profusely, clutching a piece of paper in his hand, his face unusually serious and anxious.
"Brother Gu! Sister-in-law! Jianqiang! Quick, an urgent telegram just forwarded from the commune!"
The Gu family members all poured out of the house.
Gu Dahe took the telegram, but he was not very literate and could not read it all.
Li Guoqiang said urgently:
"It's urgent! It seems to be related to Dongguo!"
Gu Dongguo?
The eldest son of the second branch of the Gu family, Gu Baobao's second cousin, is serving in the army in Donghai. He is the pride of the Gu family and even the entire village.
Gu Baobao's heart tightened, and she immediately stepped forward:
"Captain, let me take a look."
She took the thin sheet of paper with printed words and quickly scanned the words on it.
The words are few, but the meaning strikes like a heavy hammer into everyone's heart.
"Gu Dongguo was seriously injured during a mission and needs his family to come and take care of him. Proceed immediately to the wharf of Hongxing Commune, Wanghai County, Linhai City, Donghai Province, and contact the military unit for assistance. XX Unit."
The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.
"Dongguo... seriously injured?"
Gu Baobao's second aunt, Zhao Hong, felt her legs go weak and almost collapsed to the ground if she hadn't been supported by someone nearby.
Wu Guixiang's vision went black, and her body swayed.
"My grandson..."
The voices all changed tone.
"Milk!"
Gu Baobao reacted quickly, supporting her grandmother with one hand and seemingly unintentionally slipping her other hand into her pocket, but actually taking out some stimulating powder from her pocket. Under the guise of supporting her grandmother, she subtly let her grandmother smell it.
The medicine has an immediate effect.
Wu Guixiang felt a cool sensation rush to her head, and her surging blood and qi calmed down considerably. Although her heart was still aching, she was now clear-headed.
"Baby……"
She held her granddaughter's hand; it was ice-cold.
Gu Baobao was also anxious, but she knew she couldn't afford to panic, especially in situations like this.
She calmly looked at the captain:
"Captain, the telegram only said he was seriously injured and needed family members to take care of him, but it didn't mention the specifics of his injuries or that his life was in danger. This is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. We need to discuss who should go and how they should go right now."
Her calm voice acted as a reassurance, giving the panicked Gu family a sense of security.
Li Guoqiang also quickly said:
"Yes, yes, yes! Baby's right! The telegram means he's still alive; he just needs family to help take care of him for a while. The military hospital has good facilities, and Dongguo is a hero; they'll definitely do everything they can to treat him!"
Gu Dahe steadied his hand holding the pipe and said in a deep voice:
"Second son, second son's wife, look..."
Gu Jianye's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse:
"Dad, I'll go! I'll get ready right away!"
Zhao Hong wiped away her tears and nodded.
At this moment, everyone's eyes fell on Gu Baobao.
Gu Baobao took a deep breath:
"Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, let me go."
"you go?"
Several people spoke at the same time.
"Um."
Gu Baobao nodded and analyzed the situation clearly.
"First, I am a girl, which makes it easier and more meticulous for me to take care of patients."
Secondly, I have some medical knowledge, although it's still quite basic, but at least I can understand the situation, know how to cooperate with the doctor, and help with some basic care, making me more suitable than my second uncle and aunt.
Third, if I go, there will still be able-bodied men in the family who can work in the fields to earn work points, so it won't interfere with our work.
She paused, looking at her second uncle and aunt:
“My brother was injured while protecting our country, so it’s only right that I take care of him. Don’t worry, I will take good care of him and help him recover as soon as possible.”
Having said all that, and with such reasonable explanation, the Gu family members exchanged glances and nodded slowly.
Zhao Hong held Gu Baobao's hand, tears streaming down her face.
“Baby… Auntie thanks you so much… I’m entrusting Dongguo to you…”
"Second Aunt, we're family, so let's not be so formal."
Gu Baobao patted her hand.
Once the matter is settled, take immediate action.
Gu Jianye went to the brigade headquarters to get a letter of introduction.
Li Guoqiang also knew the matter was urgent, so he made an exception and issued a letter of introduction from Qingshan Commune to Linhai City, Donghai Province.
They even extended the timeframe to two months, and finally handed Gu Jianye a blank letter of introduction already stamped, saying in a low voice:
"Old Gu, take this. Just in case anything changes along the way, you can fill in the time and place yourself if they don't match. Dongguo is a hero, this is all we can do."
Gu Jianye was so moved that he didn't know what to say, so he could only shake Li Guoqiang's hand firmly.
The women of the Gu family began a frantic effort to deliver supplies.
Wu Guixiang stuffed the red dates and brown sugar she had been saving up and was reluctant to eat into her bundle;
Li Fenfang pulled out a Dacron shirt and pants that she had just made for her daughter but hadn't been able to let her wear them more than a few times;
Several aunts and uncles stuffed a few boiled eggs into the bundle, a handful of fried soybeans into it, and two yuan into it... The small bundle quickly became bulging.
Gu Dahe braved the scorching sun to run to the commune, finally managing to get through to the contact number left by the army. He stammered out his explanation of the situation.
He repeatedly urged that someone be sent to pick her up from the station and the ship, as it was his granddaughter's first time traveling far from home, and he couldn't afford to lose her!
A calm male voice came from the other end of the phone, giving an immediate guarantee:
"Please rest assured, fellow villagers, we will definitely arrange for someone to pick up Comrade Gu Dongguo's sister at the dock and ensure her safe transport to the hospital!"
Everything is ready.
The next day, before dawn, Gu Baobao, escorted by her whole family, boarded an oxcart to the county town, then took a long-distance bus to the city, and finally caught a train to Linhai City.
Gu Baobao, who had never traveled far from home, watched her loved ones grow smaller and smaller behind the car window, and saw the familiar outline of the village.
I felt both apprehensive about the unknown and a strange sense of mission to step into a wider world.
Cousin, wait for me.
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