The next day, Yu Jihong rushed home early in the morning to get money and a change of clothes, and brought Fang Yu with her.
When we arrived at Fang Meixiang's house, the smoke from the chimney had just dissipated. Fang Yu and Fang Dongqiang had placed two stools side by side with bowls on them. Fang Dongqiang was sitting on a small stool, and Fang Yu was sitting on a small bamboo chair, eating breakfast.
Yu Jihong smiled at Fang Meixiang sitting next to her, and Fang Meixiang smiled back without any suspicion, pointing at Fang Dongqiang and Fang Yu.
"Fang Yu!" Yu Jihong called out.
"Mom, you're back?" Fang Yu immediately got up and rushed over, wearing Fang Dongqiang's clothes.
"Eat quickly. After you finish, we'll go to the clinic."
"Jihong, you're back? You're here so early?" Fang Meixiang's mother had just finished hanging up the laundry and was coming over with a washbasin.
"I came out at dawn, and it'll be cooler when I go back."
"How is my third brother?"
"You can come back after staying for two days and observing the situation. I'm here to pick up some things and bring Fang Yu with me."
"Fang Yu is at my house, it's inconvenient for you to take her to the hospital."
"No, no, it's too much trouble for you."
"No trouble at all, she's very obedient. Oh, Jihong, you eat your breakfast first," Fang Meixiang's mother said as she went to get some rice.
"No need, no need."
Fang Meixiang's mother had already ladled out a bowl of salty and sour rice and placed it on the table. "Come sit down and eat," she said, adding a bowl of rice porridge.
(Salty and sour rice is just a local name; it's only salty, not sour. The method is as follows: 1. Cook rice until it's about 80% done, then drain it, leaving some rice water at the bottom. Slice cured pork. Wash and chop seasonal vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, taro, potatoes, pumpkin, green beans, mustard greens, etc.—use whatever you have at home). 2. Heat a pan without oil, add the cured pork and render the fat. Add the chopped pork and stir-fry until half-cooked. Season with salt, light soy sauce, and cooking wine. 3. Spread the drained rice on top of the ingredients, drizzle a little water along the edge of the pan, cover tightly, and simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes. Remove the lid and mix the rice and ingredients evenly. Serve with the rice water. This breakfast is very filling and is a top choice before heading to the fields.)
Yu Jihong ate only half a sesame seed cake last night, and walked such a long way this morning, so she was indeed hungry and thirsty.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Yu Jihong sat down.
"Don't be so polite. Eat up."
Yu Jihong drank several mouthfuls of rice porridge and then shoveled rice into her mouth.
"Mom, I'll go home and change my clothes later." Fang Yu tugged at her clothes.
"Fang Yu's clothes were washed last night. I just went to hang them out to dry and checked. They'll be ready to wear after a while in the sun. They're uncomfortable to wear if they're damp without sun."
"It's okay, I'll change when I get home."
"I changed her clothes last night and gave her Dongqiang's clothes to wear. She said she could wear them at home, but she wanted to wear her own clothes when she went out tomorrow. She said the other children would laugh at her for being so silly when she went to play in the fields. I washed them last night," Fang Meixiang's mother said, full of tenderness.
"Thank you so much for your help."
"Oh, don't be so polite, it's alright."
After eating, Yu Jihong took Fang Yu's clothes and said, "I'll wash Dongqiang's clothes and bring them back in a few days."
"It's alright, it's alright, it's fine. You go ahead and take care of things at home. I was going to leave Fang Yu here."
"No need, you've already gone to so much trouble. Fang Yu, say goodbye to Grandma and Dongqiang's mother!"
"Goodbye, Grandma! Goodbye, Auntie!" Fang Yu waved.
When Fang Meixiang heard Fang Yu call her that, she smiled and nodded repeatedly.
"Goodbye, Fang Yu. Come back and play again when you bring your clothes over. I still have a story to tell." Fang Dongqiang waved goodbye reluctantly.
Back home, Yu Jihong put sweet potatoes, eggs, a few leftover steamed buns, and yesterday's leftovers in a pot to steam. Then she quickly took a shower and clothes, packed a change of clothes, took all the cooked food, and took money from the bottom of her trunk.
Then I went to say hello to the aunt next door. "Don't worry, I'll look after your house. I brought the crops from the fields back yesterday and they're still at my house," the aunt said.
"Auntie, thank you for your trouble."
"What are you saying? We're neighbors, and sometimes when I'm in trouble, you're the one who helps look after me."
“Then I’ll go. My third brother is alone in the hospital.”
"Okay, Fang Yu can stay at my house."
"It's alright, I'll take it with me, we'll be back in a few days."
Yu Jihong looked at the bicycle. Riding there would be faster, but on the way back, Fang Yu and Fang Sandi were both sitting on it. She seemed a little hesitant to ride, and she wasn't even sure if Fang Sandi's legs could fit on the bicycle.
With a determined effort, he pushed out the cart.
"Mom, aren't we going to ride our bikes?"
"Yes, Dad is coming back, so he can't ride the bicycle."
The sun had just climbed higher when the air became very dry. The dirt road turned white from the heat, and as the wheels of vehicles rolled over it, they kicked up fine dust.
Fang Yu sat obediently on the back of the cart, her little hands gripping the side. Yu Jihong hunched over, her back already soaked with sweat, the veins in her arms taut with the force of pulling the cart.
The sun grew brighter and brighter, stretching her shadow long as she pulled the cart. The cart creaked and groaned as it moved toward the town, accompanied by the sweltering wind.
Yu Jihong wiped the sweat from her forehead and continued walking, knowing that the road ahead would be even more arduous.
Yu Jihong pulled up to the pancake stall and said, "Master, I brought money from home." Yu Jihong took the money out of her pocket.
"Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing. You still remember?"
"Of course I remember, I told you I wasn't here to freeload. Thank you, Master!"
Entering the ward, Fang Yu saw Fang Sandi's leg in a cast, hiding behind Yu Jihong with fear in his eyes, not daring to approach.
Fang San Di's eyes darkened, revealing a hint of disappointment.
“Fang Yu was also terrified yesterday. Last night, we left her at someone else’s house, and she’s been so hot on the way here that she’s still not quite recovered…” Yu Jihong hurriedly explained, “She’s still not over it.”
“It’s understandable that a child would be a little scared if they saw something like that all at once,” Fang San Di said, trying to find an excuse for Fang Yu.
"Fang Yu, if Dad puts this on, it will heal faster inside." Yu Jihong pulled Fang Yu to the side.
He put the things he brought from home on the bedside table and said, "Let's eat an egg and a steamed bun first."
"Give the eggs to Fang Yu, I'll just have a steamed bun, and pour some water too." Fang San Di put the eggs back.
Yu Jihong brought back the water. "You eat, we've all eaten. We ate at Meili's parents' house. Oh, I'll go return the money to Meili first."
"Mom, I'm going too." Fang Yu immediately followed.
"Let's take Fang Yu with us; she likes to stroll around town."
“Okay, I’ll come back after I pay back the money.” Yu Jihong took Fang Yu’s hand.
On the way, Yu Jihong asked Fang Yu, "Fang Yu, were you scared when you saw your father like that?"
Fang Yu nodded.
Yu Jihong squatted down and put her hands on Fang Yu's shoulders. "Fang Yu, Dad's leg is injured. Bandaging it will help it heal faster. Dad injured his leg because he was working so that we could have food to eat. If you or I get injured anywhere, Dad won't be afraid. He will take care of us. We are family, Fang Yu, so don't be afraid."
"Um!"
"Dad's leg will take a long time to heal. You can walk and run, so get him some food and water, and take care of Dad with Mom, okay?"
"good!"
“Our Fangyu is such a sensible child.” Yu Jihong stood up, then remembered something, “Fangyu, Dad can’t work this year, so we need to save money. When we get to Aunt Meili’s place, Mom will return the money to her and then come back. We can’t buy anything.”
"Oh!" Fang Yu replied disappointedly, thinking that coming out with him would allow her to buy things.
"Mom will find a way to earn money, and then we'll buy it."
Upon arriving at Fang Meili's shop, Yu Jihong took out some money from her pocket and handed it to her.
"Sister Jihong, why are you in such a hurry?"
“I was just going home to get something, so I brought it with me. Thank you for trusting me, Mary.”
"It's nothing. Don't be shy, we're already so familiar with each other."
"I'm going back to the health center. My third brother is all alone here." Yu Jihong pulled Fang Yu away.
"Oh, if you need any help, just let me know!" Fang Meili called from behind.
"Okay, got it!" Yu Jihong pulled Fang Yu out of her shop.
That day, they ate the food they brought from home at the hospital.
"Go buy Fang Yu something to eat outside." Fang San Di looked at Fang Yu, who was eating a steamed bun with her head down, and felt uneasy.
"Dad, I'm full." Fang Yu looked up, a few crumbs of steamed bun still clinging to the corner of her mouth.
Fang Sandi and Yu Jihong both fell silent.
“Sigh,” Fang Sandi sighed, “it’s all my fault.”
"Third brother, what's done is done. We have no choice but to face and resolve it. Every family has its ups and downs. We'll just get through it."
Yu Jihong's calmness made Fang Sandi feel ashamed of his complaints, and he lowered his head and remained silent.
"Eat up, I'll wash the dishes after you're done. Don't say things like that again."
That night, Yu Jihong brought a mat and slept on the ground.
The mat pressed against her back, and she could feel the slight coolness from the cement floor. Yu Jihong took one of her own clothes and wrapped it around Fang Yu's back.
"Mom, what does it smell like?" Fang Yu sniffed and asked, frowning.
"The smell of the disinfectant solution from the health center kills bacteria in the air."
Fang Yu turned her head from side to side, resting it on Yu Jihong's arm, as if searching for bacteria that had been killed by the disinfectant.
Yu Jihong was exhausted these past two days, and even lying on the hard ground felt like having a support.
The wind outside the window was a bit cool, and occasionally the chirping of insects would drift in through the half-open window crack, along with the moonlight, making the ward look hazy and gray.
Fang Yu also tossed and turned, unable to sleep. "Mom, I've been sleeping in different places these past two days. Last night I was at Dongqiang's house, and today I'm at the hospital."
"Sweetie, go to sleep early. We can go home tomorrow afternoon." Yu Jihong patted Fang Yu on the back.
Fang Yu closed her eyes and thought about the story of Afanti that Fang Dongqiang had told her last night. The room was also dimly lit, just like now. "The landlord asked Afanti to buy oil..."
Fang Sandi was discharged from the hospital, and Yu Jihong crawled under his arm, with Fang Sandi putting his arm around her shoulder.
Fang Sandi hopped forward with one foot, his plaster-coated leg dangling and swaying.
"Is it okay? Or I'll carry you on my back." Yu Jihong walked in front of Fang Sandi and squatted down.
"No, no, it's just a few steps, I can do it." Fang Sandi gritted his teeth and insisted on hopping along.
Fang Yu followed behind, carrying the clothes and bowl.
Upon reaching the entrance, Yu Jihong pulled the car over and turned it around.
Fang Sandi sat down on the cart, put a wad of cotton wool under the plaster, and then covered it with a piece of clothing.
Yu Jihong took the bag from Fang Yu, tied it to the side of the car, and helped Fang Yu into the car to sit on the side where Fang San Di was not injured.
"Alright, let's go home." Yu Jihong gripped the handlebars and stood up.
The dirt road was uneven, with tire tracks still visible after the busy farming season. The cart creaked and groaned as Yu Jihong hunched over, her steps heavy. Occasionally, she would glance back at Fang Sandi's legs, and once she saw that he hadn't hurt himself, she would continue walking.
The wind rustled through the corn stalks by the roadside. Fang Sandi sat in the back without saying a word, only occasionally glancing back at Yu Jihong's back, which was soaked with sweat.
As they approached the village entrance, the cart rolled along the dirt road beside the field. Someone with sharp eyes straightened up and shouted, "Jihong, is she bringing her third brother back?"
Fang Sandi instinctively wanted to pull his leg in the cast further into the cart. His face was also slightly hot. Being pulled back like this made him feel ashamed, embarrassed, and a little flustered. He was afraid that people would ask about his injury, and even more afraid that people would see him looking "useless." He buried his face in his collar.
When they arrived at the door, the neighbors saw what was happening and helped Fang San Di into the house. "It's good that you're back. Now that you're home, take good care of yourself."
Fang Sandi lay on the bamboo chair, his leg, wrapped in plaster, propped up straight on the low stool in front of him. Fang Sandi's lips drooped slightly as he turned his head to the side.
Seeing this, Yu Jihong said, "It's good that you're home. Once you've recovered, everything will be fine."
After settling Fang Sandi in, I said to Fang Yu, "Fang Yu, stay home. If Dad needs anything, just go get it for him."
"I haven't been to the fields for a few days. I'll go check on them and then I'll cook dinner when I get back." Yu Jihong didn't even have time to drink some water before heading to the fields again.
Fang Sandi stared at the empty doorway, his eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment mixed with an indescribable heaviness.
The sky outside had turned dark gray, and it was time to make dinner, but Yu Jihong hadn't returned yet. Fang Sandi kept looking up at the door, feeling like he had a stone in his heart.
Fang Yu listened to Yu Jihong and played nearby, keeping Fang San Di company. "Dad, do you need to get something?"
"Mom hasn't come back yet?"
"Are you hungry?" Fang Yu asked again.
"No, it's getting dark outside." Fang Sandi's voice was a little hoarse.
Upon hearing this, Fang Yu ran to the door and stood there, gazing longingly outside, waiting for Yu Jihong to return.
Fang Sandi looked at the white cast on his knee in the dim light. He raised his hand and touched the cold bamboo chair armrest, his knuckles clenching tightly. Usually at this time, Yu Jihong would have already warmed the stove and steamed the pot at home. But now, the stove was cold, the cutting board was empty, and he couldn't even get up to add some firewood.
Fang Sandi let out a very faint breath through his nose, his head drooping, his face expressionless, but his eyes were secretly reddening, which he quickly wiped with the back of his hand.
"Mom's back?" Fang Yu exclaimed excitedly as she stepped outside.
Yu Jihong carried a hoe on her shoulder and a cabbage she had just picked from the field in the other hand. "You must be hungry. I haven't been home for the past few days, and the weeds along the field seem to have grown quite tall. I pulled some out while I was at it. Let's cook some noodles to make it quicker."
Without taking a break, she leaned the hoe against the corner of the wall and went straight into the kitchen.
A little while later, Yu Jihong found a slightly higher stool and placed it next to the bamboo chair. She then brought out a bowl of noodles, placed it on the stool, and helped Fang Sandi up. "Is this okay to eat?"
"Okay, you should eat too."
"Okay, I'm actually a bit hungry." Yu Jihong finished a bowl of noodles in a few bites.
After dinner, Yu Jihong washed the dishes, wiped Fang Sandi's body, gave him a bath, and washed his clothes. She was like a spinning top.
After hanging up the clothes, Yu Jihong straightened her back, her stiff back cracking with a "click." The day's hard work was over, and she could finally rest.
Fang Sandi lay on the bed and said, "Jihong, I'm really a useless person now. I can't even do the work in the fields."
"What nonsense are you talking about? You should rest and recover now. Once you're fully recovered, you'll have plenty of work to do."
"The doctor said I need to rest for more than half a year. What am I going to do this year?" Fang Sandi's voice was full of anxiety.
"What else can I do? I'll just do it," Yu Jihong said casually.
"This won't do, I'm making you do everything." Fang San Di said anxiously.
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
Fang San Di opened his mouth, but couldn't answer, so he remained silent.
Soon, the sound of Yu Jihong falling asleep could be heard; she was simply too exhausted.
The next morning, Yu Jihong got up early to make breakfast. "I made breakfast this morning, we'll eat it all day. If you get hungry, ask Fang Yu to bring it over for you."
Yu Jihong said while eating that she was rushing to work in the fields.
The uncle next door brought over a cane.
"Uncle, it's done so quickly."
"I was worried that my third brother might have trouble, so I made it last night. Let's give it a try."
Fang Sandi moved to the edge of the recliner, grabbed the armrest with one hand and the cane with the other, and slowly stood up using the strength of his arm and the other leg to support his body.
“Okay, perfect.” Fang San Di tried taking two steps, a smile appearing in his eyes.
"Uncle, thank you. Now it's much easier for my third brother to move around the house."
Yu Jihong quickly finished her rice in a few bites and hurried off to the fields.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com