Chapter 106: Reactions
Xiang Lei’s parents were just the most ordinary villagers in Luohu Brigade, but these mud-legged folks who eked out a living from the soil had produced the only college student in the surrounding ten li and eight villages.
The eldest son was smart and studious, and he was also filial and enthusiastic. Upon graduation, he resolutely rejected a good job assignment and chose to return to his hometown as a minor clerk, just to be closer to his family.
This child, who was excellent in every way and had been the pride of the couple for most of their lives, was really gone just like that—it was almost like it took half their lives away.
One can imagine the excitement of the couple upon receiving this news.
The two quickly found the Brigade Leader to get the proof, left the office, went home to pack their things, hoping to rush to Yuan County as quickly as possible; they wouldn’t be completely at ease without seeing it with their own eyes.
The Brigade Leader met the earnest expectant gazes of the others, silently turned around with a long sigh, then shook his head.
Yan Xi had already recovered from his rollercoaster of extreme grief and extreme joy. “Brigade Leader, is my little sister and her family also at that hospital in Yuan County?”
“No, the young man who called specifically said that, barring any accidents, your sister and her family should all have been sent to the Sixth Production Brigade of Baiyang Commune.”
“Thank you, thank you Brigade Leader!”
After getting the proof, Yan Xi also hurriedly ran back home.
Granny Yan, who was waiting anxiously at home and feeling panicked, short of breath, and almost unable to catch her breath, heard her daughter-in-law excitedly say, “Mom, Xi-ge is back!”
She quickly stepped to the main hall doorway and sure enough saw her son sprinting madly back home.
“How did it go? Does Xi-zi have any news?”
“The route bus that sister and them were on had an accident, Mom don’t get dizzy yet, everyone’s fine, fine, they’re at Baiyang Commune now and I’m heading over right away to check!”
Yan Xi, who was prepared, immediately supported his old mother and pinched her philtrum hard until she slowly caught her breath, then he let go and finished telling her everything.
“Hongmei, get me some money and ration coupons, I have to go see exactly how they are!”
“Okay, okay, I’ll go right now!”
Qian Hongmei patted her considerably startled heart, quickly went back to the room, took out the hidden money and ration coupons from the cabinet, didn’t check the exact amount, clutched them all in her hand, and hurriedly turned back to the main hall.
Just as her man thought, saying they’re fine—this “fine” meant they were alive; since it was a car accident, how could they not be injured?
This bit of money and ration coupons probably wouldn’t be enough, after all there were four of them; she only hoped that her little sister-in-law’s family had no major issues!
“For Xi-ge, I took out all we have at home!”
“Is it enough? If not, Mom has more…”
“Mom don’t worry yet, if it’s not enough I’ll come get more from you; then I’ll head out first!”
“Wait! Hongmei, sort out a few pieces of clothes that Xin Wa and her family can wear!”
“Right, right!”
Yan Xi, who had just picked up the things and reached the village entrance, ran into Xiang Shan’s couple; the three didn’t chat much and just hurried silently toward the town together.
……
Baiyang Commune, Sixth Production Brigade.
Doctor Ge’s home wasn’t big; besides the room he lived in, the other two had been converted into a pharmacy.
With several patients crowded lying in the room, the space seemed even more cramped, but being able to shelter from wind and rain with hot clean food was already exceptionally satisfying for these few who had just escaped death.
Luo Fosen and Luo Wu, the father and son, also woke up one after the other not long after the acupuncture; after learning the whole story from their daughter/sister, their gratitude toward the three—especially Su Ning—was even deeper.
At the same time, he was both happy and gratified that You You had such a group of reliable friends she could befriend.
“Xiao Ning.”
“Uncle Luo, how are you feeling now? Anywhere else uncomfortable?”
Su Ning moved among the crowd, distributing porridge and multigrain steamed buns just obtained from a villager’s home together with Luo Shuangshuang.
Seeing Luo Fosen beckon, she hurried forward and asked, “Is the wound hurting? I’ll go call Doctor Ge.”
“No, no, Xiao Ning don’t panic.”
Afraid of pulling the wound, Luo Fosen could only wave his hand slightly; he could endure this bit of pain on his body. “I heard You You say something happened in Gu City?”
“Yes, after Gaoyun Bridge collapsed, a mudslide also occurred at Back Street; all the rescue departments had already rushed over before we set out.”
With a complex gaze, he nodded, glanced at his own injuries, and felt helpless inside.
Normally, as the top leader, he should rush back immediately upon such a major incident to participate in and follow up on all rescue matters.
“Does Team Six have a telephone?”
“After we arrived, I asked the Brigade Leader; only the commune has one, none of the teams below have been assigned telephone lines yet.”
“Uncle Luo, don’t think too much for now; your injury doesn’t allow it. Let’s eat something, recover soon, and return to our posts—it’s not too late.”
“Hahaha, good, listen to Xiao Ning.”
Luo Wu beside him couldn’t help laughing out loud; it was the first time he heard a junior dare to speak to his father in such a commanding tone.
His sister’s friend really wasn’t afraid, didn’t care about his father’s official authority or position, had pure intentions and was sincere—pretty good, pretty good…
You You… was luckier than him.
“Brother Luo, you eat some too.”
“Good, thanks Ning Ning.”
Retracting his wandering thoughts, Luo Wu smiled and replied, “It’s Mid-Autumn today, yet you’ve been rushing around and working hard without being able to celebrate properly.”
“Brother Luo, what are you talking about? Your lives are far more important than celebrating the festival.”
Half-jokingly half-seriously, Su Ning said this, then after handing out the porridge, took two multigrain steamed buns from the basket and gave one to each of them.
“Xiao Ning, how is Yan Xin?”
“Doctor Ge said her dizziness and blurred vision were due to blood stasis in her head from the impact; he’s giving her acupuncture now and she should be fine soon. Xi You is watching over her.”
“That’s good, that’s good.”
The Luo family father and son felt relieved and finally began to eat.
The buckwheat multigrain steamed bun was a bit bitter when chewed carefully and slightly scratchy on the throat, but with the broken rice porridge, it had a unique flavor.
Seeing everyone could eat and there were no special reactions, Su Ning greeted the Luo family father and son and turned to go to the kitchen to boil medicine for everyone.
……
Night fell earlier in the rainy weather; by just after five, it was already gray and dim outside.
Busy like a top all day, stopping now made everywhere feel sore.
This year’s Mid-Autumn would be unforgettable not just for her and the injured crowd, but for all the people of Gu City.
“Ning Bao Gai.”
“How is Yan Xin?”
Luo Shuangshuang nodded and said softly, “After the acupuncture, she said she’s much better; I came out after she fell asleep. Is there anything else I can help with?”
“Just boiling medicine left; that takes some time to watch.”
“I’ll keep you company.”
Listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the tiles, the two sat around the small stove watching the bubbling medicine pot steaming hot.
“Ning Bao Gai, I want to be a nurse.”
“Hm?”
“Do you think it’s too late for me to start learning now?”
“No matter what you want to learn, as long as you take action, it’s never too late to start.”
Luo Shuangshuang looked up, her dark pupils reflecting the firelight shining brightly. “I want to give it a try.”
“Good, I support you.”
“Then do you think my parents will agree?”
The department store job had also been discussed at length by the family before deciding; in her mom’s words, it was decent and not hard or tiring, perfect for her as a little lazybug delicate darling.
Luo Shuangshuang propped her chin with one hand; she didn’t know exactly how hard or difficult medical work was, but she just wanted to try—if she gave it her all, could she really make it?
“If Uncle Luo and Yan Xin object, it’s because they’re afraid you can’t handle the hardship, but if you’re really set on it, explain it clearly to them—they’ll be your biggest supporters.”
“Mm, when we get back and they’re better, I’ll talk it over properly with them.”
“Good… Maternal Uncle Yan?”
Catching sight from the corner of her eye through the open room door of someone being led into the yard, Su Ning exclaimed in surprise and shook Luo Shuangshuang, who was lost in thought.
“Xi You, Maternal Uncle Yan is here!”
“What? Where?”
Luo Shuangshuang immediately stood up and followed her gaze to the yard; upon seeing that familiar figure, her eyes suddenly welled up red for some reason.
“Maternal Uncle! Wuu… Maternal Uncle!”
“You You!”
Yan Xi, who was thanking the kind young guide, heard his niece’s voice from behind; surprised and delighted, he quickly turned and caught the flying pouncing person in his arms.
“It’s okay, it’s okay now, You You don’t be scared, we’re not scared—uncle’s here, uncle’s here!”
