Chapter 26: line with translation of chapter title

If what Wang Sifeng just said was merely unpleasant, then what she said now is downright vicious.

To actually curse someone to death out of the blue, especially when the other person is injured, is unacceptable to anyone.

Sure enough, Li Guihua immediately became anxious; she excitedly stood up, wanting to argue with Wang Sifeng, but the next second she felt her head spinning.

Fortunately, Su Ruo was quick-eyed and quick-handed, steadying her, so Li Guihua didn't fall.

After Su Ruo helped Li Guihua sit down, she gave Wang Sifeng an icy stare.

Wang Sifeng was always sharp-tongued, notorious in the village as someone not to be provoked, but for some unknown reason, upon meeting Su Ruo's gaze, she inexplicably felt a chill rise in her heart, and the words she wanted to shout were swallowed unconsciously.

Su Ruo glanced at Wang Sifeng once, then withdrew her gaze, comforting Li Guihua: "Auntie, some people are just born with poisonous mouths; you don't need to pay her any heed."

I've studied medicine since childhood; I can tell at a glance that you are blessed and will surely live to a ripe old age, unlike some people who are sharp-tongued and obviously short-lived.

Wang Sifeng snapped: "Dead girl, who are you calling short-lived!"

Su Ruo retorted: "Whoever talks back, I'll call them out!"

Wang Sifeng couldn't take it; provoked by the mockery, she shouted and lunged to strike Su Ruo, but as soon as she moved, a heart-rending pain shot from her injured leg, forcing her to sit back down.

Seeing that Wang Sifeng posed no real threat, Su Ruo ignored her and continued to Li Guihua: "Auntie, let me examine your wound."

Li Guihua felt relieved and smiled: "Girl, thanks for the trouble."

Su Ruo used clean water to carefully wash away the dirt and blood around Li Guihua around Li Guihua's wound.

Li Guihua's head wound bled profusely, looking frightening, but the cut was not deep and did not reach any vital area.

After confirming Li Guihua had no serious external injury, Su Ruo had the system examine her body more closely; the conclusion was that Li Guihua had a mild concussion accompanied by capillary bleeding, but the bleeding had stopped and the intracranial blood would be absorbed in a few days.

Knowing Li Guihua was fine, Su Ruo also breathed a sigh of relief, saying: "Auntie, your head injury is not serious; I'll apply medicine for you, just keep the wound dry these few days."

However, you have a mild concussion, so during this period you must control your emotions; remember not to be overly joyful or sorrowful, or too agitated, and rest well for a few days and you'll be fine.

Although Su Ruo said it was nothing, upon hearing "concussion" Li Guihua's face paled, she grabbed Su Ruo's hand and said: "Girl, tell me the truth, I won't die, will I?"

Wang Sifeng at the side spoke sarcastically: "I told you she's a quack; you still don't believe me—a little girl who hasn't even grown hair, daring to treat people—only someone as foolish as you would believe her nonsense."

Su Ruo originally didn't want to bother with Wang Sifeng, but her repeated rude remarks stirred some anger in her.

Su Ruo said coldly: "Auntie Li, believe me, your injury will heal quickly; unlike some people, that leg of theirs might not be savable."

Wang Sifeng, furious, shouted: "Dead girl, you dare curse me!"

Su Ruo's smile turned even colder: "The leg is on your body; whether I'm cursing you or not, you'll know if you touch it. If I'm not mistaken, your leg probably has no feeling now."

Upon hearing this, Wang Sifeng's face instantly changed; she didn't even need to touch it to feel that her leg wasn't as painful as before, which is why she could shout at the top of her lungs here.

Wang Sifeng had thought her leg was healed, but hearing Su Ruo's words made her realize the reality was probably not so.

Seeing Wang Sifeng's reaction, everyone realized Su Ruo had guessed correctly.

Su Ruo continued: "Your leg is severely injured; the reason you feel no pain now is that the shattered bone is compressing the nerves. If left untreated, once the distal nerves die, amputation will be necessary."

Wang Sifeng's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling as she said: "You're talking nonsense, it won't happen; you're just trying to scare me..."

Su Ruo was indeed trying to scare Wang Sifeng; if she didn't frighten her, how could she calm down?

However, Su Ruo wasn't lying; if Wang Sifeng's leg received no treatment and the delay continued, even a minor injury could worsen into a serious one, ultimately leaving amputation as the only option.

Seeing Wang Sifeng finally quiet down, Su Ruo turned to the three other injured women and asked: "Have you decided? Do you need my treatment or not?"

These three women also knew that, given the circumstances, the village could hardly send anyone to take them to the town's health clinic.

Besides, there were no other doctors in the village; letting Su Ruo take a look was better than toughing it out on their own.

So after Su Ruo finished speaking, all three nodded, indicating their willingness to cooperate with treatment.

At this moment, Wang Sifeng was wholly immersed in the fear of losing both legs, naturally having no mood left to make sarcastic remarks.

Thus the scene fell into a rare silence.

Su Ruo carefully treated the three women's wounds; one woman had only minor abrasions, which were fine after cleaning and applying some herbal medicine.

Another woman had a cut on her cheek; the wound was a bit deep and might leave a scar, but this auntie was broad-minded, laughing: "At my age, why worry about looks? Just staying alive is good enough."

Su Ruo admired her strength and optimism, saying she would prepare some Scar Removal Ointment for her.

The auntie immediately beamed with joy, repeatedly thanking Su Ruo; evidently, although she spoke lightly, she did care about her face.

The last older woman had a more serious injury—her right hand was fractured; Su Ruo set the bone and put a splint on her arm, telling her not to work for three months.

Although this older woman regretted being unable to help earn work points for her family, she also understood it was unavoidable, and nodded to show she understood.

After treating the several people, Su Ruo shouldered her basket and prepared to leave.

But she hadn't taken two steps when Wang Sifeng grabbed her clothes: "You can't go; you must also heal my leg."

Su Ruo replied coldly: "My medical skills aren't up to it; you'd better find someone more capable."

At that moment, the doorway erupted in chaos as the relatives of the several injured women all rushed over; Wang Sifeng's son, upon arriving, saw his old mother clutching Su Ruo's clothes and weeping, and immediately angrily demanded: "What did you do to my mother?"

Su Ruo said coldly: "I didn't do anything; I didn't even touch her."

Seeing her husband and son arrive, Wang Sifeng burst into even louder tears: "Son! It's over—my leg is going to be amputated!"

"What? How could this be?" Wang Sifeng's husband and son exclaimed in unison, never expecting her injury to be so severe.

At that moment, Lao Zhishu also finished his business and hurried over; before he even entered the courtyard, he heard a noisy uproar.

Upon seeing that the instigator was Wang Sifeng, he immediately put on a stern face and asked: "Wang Sifeng, what are you causing trouble about again?"

This Wang Sifeng is just a trouble‑maker, the most unwilling to be managed; the brigade broadcasts daily that no one may go out, yet she insists on going, not only going herself but also urging others to go—she's bound to get hit by a stone, serves her right!

Seeing Lao Zhishu, Wang Sifeng immediately burst into tears, pleading: "Branch Secretary, you must stand up for me! My leg is injured this badly, yet this little girl refuses to treat me."

Hearing Wang Sifeng so viciously slander Su Ruo, Li Guihua immediately objected: "Wang Sifeng, speak with conscience—clearly it's you who looks down on people for being young, refuses to let them treat you, and keeps insulting them; how did it become that they won't treat your injury?"

The other three women also chimed in agreement.

Wang Sifeng also knew that just now so many people were watching; she couldn't deny it, so she put on a shameless act: "I don't care—either you let her treat my leg, or you send me to town; if something happens to this leg, I'd rather die."

Everyone was shocked by Wang Sifeng's shamelessness.

Lao Zhishu's head was throbbing; sending Wang Sifeng to town was definitely impossible, but he couldn't let her continue causing trouble.

He could only apologize to Su Ruo: "Girl, she now realizes her mistake; why don't you first take a look at her?"

Wang Sifeng's husband and son also pleaded for her, speaking kind words to Su Ruo.

Uncle, since you've spoken up, I naturally can't refuse your request, but I can treat her injury—ten yuan consultation fee, not a cent less.

Wang Sifeng immediately shouted, "Ten yuan? Why don't you go rob someone! And you didn't take money from them just now—on what grounds do you charge me?"

As farmers, they'd have to save for several months to come up with ten yuan.

It's just ten yuan—if you don't want treatment, forget it!" Su Ruo couldn't be bothered arguing; after saying that, she turned to leave.

Seeing Su Ruo was serious, Wang Sifeng immediately wilted, panicking inside—she didn't want to become a cripple.

Wang Sifeng's husband hesitated a moment, then still blocked Su Ruo, gritting his teeth and said, "We'll do it!"

"Old man…" Wang Sifeng looked at her husband, tears streaming down.

Su Ruo reached out to break the tender moment: "Pay first, then treatment—I don't trust you, afraid you'll renege."

Wang Sifeng's son was so angry his temples bulged, but under his father's gaze he still pulled ten yuan from his pocket and gave it to Su Ruo.

Seeing Su Ruo take the money, Wang Sifeng's son felt a pang of pain, inwardly blaming his mother: "Why did you provoke her for no reason?"

Even if you want to scold someone, wait until she cures your injury! Now you've lost ten yuan for nothing.

After Su Ruo pocketed the money, she walked up to Wang Sifeng, reached out, gave a few quick adjustments, set her bone, splinted the leg with a board, and finished—all in under ten minutes.

"That's it?" Wang Sifeng stared at Su Ruo, bewildered.

"What else did you expect?" Su Ruo rolled her eyes.

Wang Sifeng angrily said, "You just cheated me, didn't you? My leg is fine—you're just trying to swindle my money!"

If you feel you've wasted this money, I can put your leg back as it was—go find whoever you want to treat it!

Wang Sifeng instantly went silent, knowing this girl before her could really do such a thing.

Wang Sifeng's husband, embarrassed, shouted, "Stop the fuss, go home!"

Seeing her husband angry, Wang Sifeng dared not cause more trouble and let her son carry her away.

Su Ruo greeted the Branch Secretary, then returned to the Zhiqing Dian.

The villagers who had been watching the spectacle, seeing everyone leave and nothing left to see, also went home.

But everyone's mouths were full of talk about Su Ruo—some thought she was too heartless, charging too much; others felt Wang Sifeng got what she deserved.

Without exception, everyone now knew that the new Educated Youth at the Zhiqing Dian knew medical skills.

Su Ruo returned to the Zhiqing Dian, hastily ate two bites of rice, then fell asleep—she'd been worn out all day.

At night, Su Ruo, half-asleep, was jolted awake by a violent knocking on the door.

Annoyed at having her sleep disturbed, Su Ruo opened the door to see the Branch Secretary there and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle, what's happening? Why are you here so late?"

The Branch Secretary's voice heavy, he said: "Girl, a mudslide hit the neighboring village; over ten households living at the mountain's base have been buried. Go get ready, bring some things, and come with me."

Su Ruo's heart jolted— in her previous life she'd only heard that something had happened in the village, a few deaths, and she hadn't known the neighboring village had suffered such a huge disaster.

With over ten households buried, it's obvious the death toll won't be low.

"All right, Uncle, wait a moment—I'll be ready soon." Su Ruo said, then went back to her room; actually most of her stuff was in her space, so she didn't need to pack much, but to avoid suspicion she still took out a bundle.

After all, if many people were injured in the neighboring village, she definitely wouldn't be back soon, so she needed to prepare some things.

Su Ruo and the Branch Secretary walked together to the Brigade Headquarters; because their hearts were heavy, neither spoke.

By the time Su Ruo and the Branch Secretary arrived, a crowd had already gathered in front of the Brigade Headquarters, everyone shouting and the scene chaotic.

Seeing that most people had arrived, the Battalion Commander shouted loudly: "Now Qingshui Village is in trouble—our village, except for the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled, follow me to rescue people."

No sooner had the Battalion Commander finished speaking than someone stood up and said, "Battalion Commander, Qingshui Village is so dangerous now—if we go like this, what if another mudslide hits and buries us too?"

As soon as that was said, the surrounding discussion grew louder; everyone obviously shared that concern.

The Battalion Commander couldn't refute it, after all no one knows whether the mudslide will happen again.

Seeing the situation getting out of hand, the Branch Secretary spoke up: "We're so close to Qingshui Village; if they're in trouble now and we stand by and do nothing, we'll surely be cursed."

Your concerns are valid, but don't forget that during the three-year drought, Qingshui Village lent us grain, letting us get through without starving like other villages!

Now Qingshui Village is in disaster—if we don't go, that would be ungrateful.

After the Branch Secretary finished, over a dozen men stood up, volunteering to go rescue people.

They all looked to be in their forties or fifties, clearly having experienced that drought, so they felt even more grateful toward Qingshui Village than others.

The Branch Secretary looked at these people with relief; he knew stepping forward to rescue required great courage, but these few were still far from enough.

The Branch Secretary and the village head exchanged a glance, then said: "We've decided that anyone who joins the rescue will be rewarded twenty work points per day!"

As soon as the words fell, a gasp went through the crowd.

Normally, working in the fields, an adult man could earn at most ten work points a day; now the Battalion Commander just announced twenty—how could people not be shocked?

Some villagers with poor circumstances already felt a stir of interest.

The Battalion Commander, seizing the moment while striking iron, did mobilization work; under his impassioned speech, another dozen or so people stepped forward.

Although everyone knew the mission might be dangerous, under such generous rewards some were still willing to give it their all.

Although the Battalion Commander and Branch Secretary were still dissatisfied, the villagers didn't want to go, and they couldn't force them.

The Branch Secretary let out a low sigh and said, "Let's go!"

After all, the sooner we go, the greater the hope of rescuing people alive.

At that moment a weak female voice spoke up: "Branch Secretary, Battalion Commander, I'll go too!"

After saying that, the girl turned to the woman behind her and said, "Mother, if I manage to save enough for my own bride-price this time, you're not allowed to marry me off."

The woman looked at her daughter with some reluctance, but before she could speak, the man standing beside her said:

"A girl's life is cheap—if she wants to go, let her go; if she dies, we can still collect compensation money, just right for our Jin Gui to marry a wife."

The Branch Secretary roared, "Li Dagang, what nonsense are you spouting! Zhao Di is your own daughter!"

Li Dagang, scolded but not angry, replied with a grin, "Uncle, I'm just being difficult because of poverty; otherwise, if you'd arrange a wife for our Jin Gui, I wouldn't let this girl go."

The villagers instantly looked at Li Dagang with contempt.

Li Dagang is just a glutton and lazy, and he especially favors males over females, simply not treating daughters as human; Zhao Di being reborn into their family is truly having bad luck for eight lifetimes.

Lao Zhishu's face turned ashen from anger at Li Dagang.

Li Zhaodi, seeing this, hurriedly said: "Grandpa King, just let me go! If I can't earn money, my parents will marry me off to the idiot in the neighboring village; compared to marrying an idiot, I'd rather go on an adventure."

Lao Zhishu knew Li Zhaodi had a hard life, hesitated a moment, then did not refuse; she brought Li Zhaodi before Su Ruo, saying: "Miss, this girl also has a bitter fate; let her help you out for a few days."

Having an extra person to help with work, Su Ruo naturally would not refuse.

Moreover, upon seeing Li Zhaodi, Su Ruo always felt a sense of shared fate, because in her previous life she too had an uncaring father and an unloving mother, only able to survive like a small weed in the cracks.

Su Ruo greatly admired Li Zhaodi's boldness, for at least she dared to strive and struggle, seeking ways to change her fate rather than blindly submit or wallow in self-pity.

Thus, when necessary, Su Ruo also didn't mind giving her a hand.

After walking several li of night road, they only reached Qingshui Village at dawn; although Su Ruo had made sufficient mental preparations, upon seeing the village's miserable state she could not help but be shocked.

Qingshui Village, backed by mountains and facing water, was originally the most fertile land; thus, during the drought years they could lend grain to Li Family Village, but now this fertile village has become a scene of ruin.

The village originally had only a few dozen households, and now half of them have been submerged in mud.

Just as Su Ruo and her group arrived, a middle-aged man came running over, holding a small girl covered in mud and on the brink of death, shouting as he ran:

"Doctor, doctor, is there a doctor among you? Her whole family is dead, she's the only one left; please save her."

A man about 1.8 meters tall ran while crying, making onlookers feel inexplicably sore.

Su Ruo stepped forward and said: "I am a doctor."

Then she took the little girl from the man's hands.

Before this, although Su Ruo studied medicine diligently every day, she always did so with a strong sense of purpose.

But at this moment, when Su Ruo held the little girl in her arms, she felt for the first time the sacredness and mission of this profession.

In her hands lay others' lives and all their hope.

This feeling made Su Ruo feel weighed down, yet it was also a responsibility she could not shirk at this time.

Su Ruo vowed in her heart that she must save this child.

Updating at the last minute every day, racing against time, terrified of missing an update, I swear that starting tomorrow I will definitely stockpile manuscripts, stockpile, stockpile…

(End of chapter)