Chapter 375

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

"Did you take Second Aunt to see a doctor?" Chai Mi frowned tightly.

Numb hands and feet were no good thing.

This illness could be big or small.

"Last time we went to the hospital, they checked and found nothing wrong. Nothing broken, nothing bumped. Just numb, and not too serious... I was thinking of taking your Second Aunt to a big hospital..." Chai You Fu sighed: "Second Uncle isn't having it easy either..."

Chai You Fu indeed wasn't having it easy.

Originally Chai You Fu's days were pretty good, and he had a good father-in-law who had money.

As a result, Da Lao Song was cheated out of five thousand yuan, causing the small shop to stock fewer goods.

Chai You Fu wasn't home, and Song Qiuping was also cheated out of five thousand yuan, which knocked Chai You Fu flat all at once.

Chai Mi said nothing.

Chai You Fu got anxious: "Niece, before, it was all Second Uncle's fault..."

"No no no... not that meaning." Chai Mi shook her head: "I should know what illness my Second Aunt has..."

"What illness?"

"Complications of diabetes, maybe..."

"What illness is diabetes?" Chai You Fu was a bit bewildered: "This... what to do."

Chai Mi smiled: "Not serious, but you need to pay attention from now on. Take my Second Aunt to the County Hospital... just go for diabetes. After that, it shouldn't cost much money..."

"The problem is... I don't have much either." Chai You Fu said embarrassedly: "I don't dare ask my father-in-law either... My mother-in-law has been mentally ill lately, she doesn't like anyone. She was cheated out of several thousand yuan, and after that she yells at whoever she catches..."

"Fine." Chai Mi was unwilling to lend: "I don't have much money either... This way, my dad seems to have one thousand yuan... you ask him."

Chai Mi kicked the ball to Chai Youqing.

Chai You Fu was very dissatisfied inside, after all everyone knew that the Chai Mi family was run by Chai Mi, and the money was definitely with Chai Mi.

But his situation was not good now, Chai Min needed money for school soon, and then Song Shugping was sick... especially difficult.

One thousand was also not a small amount.

If Chai Youqing really lent it...

Chai You Fu thus planned to go ask Chai Youqing.

Chai You Fu understood Chai Youqing; at this time, as long as Chai Mi didn't strongly demand not to lend, Chai Youqing would definitely agree.

The problem was...

Chai Youqing had no money with a very high probability...

But Chai You Fu couldn't think so much now; even without money he had to borrow hard, borrow some, so wife and children could live better days.

All the family assets were thrown away overnight by that foolish woman Song Qiuping, and these days directly regressed many years.

If there was no money, then Chai Min's tuition, still not paid now...

Chai Min had already been staying home for four or five days; without paying tuition, she couldn't go to school.

Without money, Song Qiuping's illness couldn't be treated either.

So Chai You Fu hardened his scalp, walked into the room, found Chai Youqing, and said in a low voice: "Big Brother... Brother is done for. You have to help Brother..."

Chai Youqing was tending the fire and ignored Chai You Fu. Chai You Fu edged up to Chai Youqing, who was squatting before the stove pit poking at the embers: "Big Brother... Brother is really done for, Qiuping's hands and feet are numb in a strange way, Chai Min's tuition is choking the neck... The purse is cleaner than the face, pull Brother up?"

Chai Youqing frowned, head down, dragging the fire poker on the ground: "Pull? Pull with what? You think my money comes from the wind? Chai Mi watches tight, one cent one hole, donkey money, shucking corn wages, all filled up tight!"

"Brother! Dear Brother!" Chai You Fu's eyes turned red with anxiety, he grabbed Chai Youqing's arm, his voice even lower, almost with a sobbing tone: "I know it's hard on you... but seeing wife and children suffer, my heart is like fried in oil..." He paused, and said unclearly: "Isn't Chai Mi giving you money to handle things? Brother, if your hand seam can leak even three melons and two dates, first save the emergency? Count it as me borrowing! When I get my salary, I'll pay you back first! I'll smash pots and sell iron to pay back!"

Chai Youqing didn't make a sound, clear as a mirror in his heart.

He sighed heavily, his gaze complexly sweeping over his younger brother's worried and anxious face, then glanced at the noisy commotion inside the room.

After a long while, he slowly reached into his bosom, rummaged for a good while in the inner pocket of his old jacket, and pulled out a small roll wrapped in an old handkerchief.

He turned his back, blocking Chai You Fu's view, dipped his fingers in saliva, and one by one pinched out eight crumpled "Great Unities," without turning around, he stuffed them into Chai You Fu's hand with a backhand.

"... Take it, hurry." Chai Youqing said helplessly: "That's all there is. Take care of the urgent matters first. If you let your wife keep messing around, even immortals can't help." He didn't mention the amount, nor say whether to pay back or not.

Chai You Fu clutched the roll of bills still carrying body heat, his throat choked, just about to say something, but Chai Youqing had already turned around, brows tightly locked, waved at him, lowered his voice and scolded: "That's enough! Swallow it back! Hurry up and get into the room! It's a happy day, don't hang a face and stand here like that, what kind of talk is that!"

Inside the room the kang table was full, a pot of pig blood and white meat with Chinese cabbage bubbling, and a large basin of big pork bones, big bowls piled with pointed mutton and cilantro filling dumplings. Song Qiushui was holding a wine jug filling Liu Zhanggui's cup, and the corner of her eye caught Chai You Fu coming in clutching a roll of money, with Chai Youqing behind him with a black face, and she immediately shouted: "Ai yo wei! Second Uncle, you're done whispering state affairs with Uncle Chai? Money all tucked in, looks like the talk went through? Just right! Fill the wine! Today if we don't drink a few under the table, we're sorry for our County First Place Xiu'er!"

Chai You Fu hurriedly stuffed the bills deep into his trouser pocket, squeezed out a smile and sat down next to Song Qingshan: "Drink! Must drink! Our Old Chai Family ancestral tomb is emitting green smoke, Xiu'er has earned such a big face, I as this uncle, am happy!" He himself grabbed the wine jug and "gudong gudong" poured a full cup of white liquor, raised it and toasted toward Chai Youqing: "Brother! This first cup, I toast you! For raising such a good daughter as Xiu'er!" He tilted his neck, it was spicy enough to make his grimace, but he forced it down.

Chai Youqing grunted, didn't lift his cup. Song Qingshan laughed, tapped the bowl edge with chopsticks: "Youqing! What are you doing? Brother is toasting you! What day is today? Xiu'er is County First Place! Double hundred! Broke the record! Not drinking this wine is not okay! Hurry up!"

Chai Youqing then lifted the cup before him, his eyelids flicked toward Chai You Fu, and muffled he said: "Drink then drink!" He also downed it in one gulp, spicy enough to make him exhale sharply.

Chai You Fu's heart stone landed, and he became lively, hurriedly filled his own cup again, turned to Chai Mi: "Chai Mi ah, Second Uncle also toasts you! Xiu'er is promising, your contribution is the biggest! Supporting her schooling, not easy! Second Uncle had some wrong places before, you be more forgiving!" Another cup went down.

Chai Mi lifted the tea jar: "Second Uncle is too polite, I drink tea. Xiu'er strives on her own." She took a sip.

Song Qiushui snatched the wine jug, filled Chai You Fu again: "Second Uncle, this cup you must toast our little top scholar! Xiu'er, come, lift the juice cup!" Chai Shiu obediently lifted the juice cup. Chai You Fu hurriedly bent over and clinked with Chai Shiu: "Xiu'er! Good child! Brought great glory to our Old Chai Family! In the future study big books, become a big official!" Chai Shiu's little face turned slightly red: "Thank you Second Uncle."

Liu Zhanggui sipped the wine and sighed: "Tsk, Youqing ah, your two daughters, one tops the other! Chai Mi is capable, a good hand inside and out; Xiu'er is even more extraordinary, the Wenchu Star descending to earth! Your Old Chai Family, this time really thriving!"

Chai Youqing's face was covered with a smile, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help turning up, he poured himself another cup of wine: "Village Chief, drink!"

Song Qiushui poked Chai Mi, lowered her voice and laughed: "Look at your dad, happy enough to show his back molars, still pretending." Chai Mi also laughed, said nothing.

After Chai You Fu had several cups of wine, he talked even more, slapping his chest: "That's right! My Big Brother's family has this feng shui, prosperous! Xiu'er's brain, follows the root! From small I saw it wasn't ordinary! Back then I said, must go to a good school, Ganzhu'er Primary School is worthy of our Xiu'er!" Those nearby who knew the inside story like Song Qingshan and Liu Zhanggui's wife were holding back laughter, heads down eating dishes.

Sun Baihe curled her lips, picked up a piece of meat: "Ai yo, Brother You Fu's words, back then the village school didn't want Xiu'er's letter, wasn't it you who spread it?"

Chai You Fu's face not red heart not jumping: "Second Sister-in-law, you heard wrong? Could I do that kind of thing? I was afraid the village school would delay the child! Look, listening to me to go to Ganzhu'er, right? Teacher An even said, a seedling for Tsinghua and Beijing University!"

Su Wan was afraid of choking, hurriedly smoothed things over: "Drink drink drink! Second Uncle, taste these dumplings, mutton and cilantro, fresh and bright!"

"Ah! Good! Sister-in-law's cooking is superb!" Chai You Fu seized the opportunity, poured himself another cup, and this time toasted Song Qingshan and Meng Shi: "Brother Qingshan, Sister-in-law! You've been put to no small trouble over these years. Qiu Shui has made something of herself following Chai Mi—I'll down this cup!"

Song Qingshan laughed and drank: "What trouble? We live in the same village. Qiu Shui and Chai Mi—that's just the two of them hitting it off."

Meng Shi had mugwort applied to her waist, felt much warmer, and was in good spirits: "Exactly, as long as the children are doing well. Xiu'er has brought great honor to our Sanjiacun this time!"

The kang was lively; Chai Xiu had eaten her fill and was getting sleepy, leaning against Su Wan. Chai Mi saw it: "Mom, take Xiu'er into the inner room to lie down for a bit; it's noisy here."

Su Wan agreed and helped Chai Xiu off the kang. Chai Youqing saw it and shouted: "Cover Xiu'er with my new cotton quilt! Don't let her get cold!"

Chai You Fu's face was flushed red from drinking by now; he held the wine jug and poured for everyone in turn, especially pouring diligently for Chai Youqing: "Brother! Fill it up again! I'm happy today! Xiu'er making something of herself beats anything! That money... don't worry, once Qiuping has been treated and Chai Min is in school, I'll definitely scrape together repayment! After spring opens I'll contract more land, no matter what I'll pay it back!"

Chai Youqing held his wine cup, watching the wine liquid sway inside, and grunted: "Forget it, take care of the person first before talking about anything else. The money... no rush." After speaking, he downed the cup in one gulp.

Liu Zhanggui laughed heartily: "That's right! Brothers, broken bones are still connected! Youqing is righteous, You Fu you must also strive! Come, everyone together, for our little top scholar, let's have another!"

"Another!"

"For Xiu'er!"

Suddenly the room rang with clinking cups and laughter; the steam from the sauerkraut pot mixed with the wine aroma, warming people's hearts.

Chai You Fu wiped the wine stain from the corner of his mouth and also chuckled along; that bit of resentment from borrowing money was temporarily suppressed quite a bit by the liveliness and the wine fumes.

Chai Mi looked at Chai You Fu; he seemed to have drunk quite a bit: "Second Uncle, we're all family, no need for formalities, eat the vegetables, eat the vegetables. My Second Aunt's illness... can't be delayed; it's not a major illness, but it's not easy to cure... in the future everything will have to be controlled. Of course, you should still go to the hospital for an examination first..."

After all, Chai Mi had only concluded from some everyday life experience common knowledge that Song Qiuping had diabetes; the hospital hadn't examined it yet.

Of course, the standard of Ke County Hospital in this era wasn't necessarily much better than a small clinic in later generations.

There was no equipment; it all relied on some doctors' personal experience.

So, failing to detect some uncommon diseases was also common.

The sounds of finger-guessing and clinking cups in the room gradually faded, and the steaming heat from the pig blood and white meat pot dimmed a bit. Chai You Fu clutched that warm roll of eight hundred yuan in big unity notes, sitting there with his head down drinking the last bit of wine, beads of sweat on his forehead rolling down like soybean grains.

Chai Mi saw his appearance and understood clearly in his heart—this money clutched in hand was burning hot, and Second Aunt's illness weighed even more on his heart.

"Second Uncle." Chai Mi finished the last mutton dumpling at the bottom of the bowl, set down his chopsticks; his voice wasn't loud, but the liveliness at the table immediately quieted by half: "Has that money been warmed in your pocket? Once it's warm, hurry and tuck it away safely! Tomorrow morning at dawn go down to the county, quickly take care of the matter, heard me? Second Aunt's numb hands and feet aren't a small matter; I reckon the symptoms are very similar to diabetes complications—eating a lot, drinking a lot, urinating a lot, always saying she's thirsty matches up; nine times out of ten it's that diabetes acting up! The county hospital's equipment is poor, but their doctors have treated many patients and have experience! Get it checked early and take medicine to control it early; if you drag it out, it won't be something a few hundred yuan can hold back!"

Chai You Fu had his thoughts exposed; his face flushed red, and he replied with a strained voice: "Ah, ah, I know, I know... I'll definitely go tomorrow." He raised his wine cup to toast Chai Mi, then felt awkward, tilted his neck and downed it himself, the spiciness making him grimace.

Song Qiushui was helping Su Wan clear the bone scraps from the table; hearing this, her loud voice rang out: "My cousin sister is ill? Then don't dilly-dally! My cousin sister is ill and you're still drinking? Does my Second Uncle know? Hurry and go get treated, early treatment means early recovery! Shall we all chip in some more for you?"

Chai Youqing had been smoking with his head down; now he tapped the ash off his shoe sole and replied in a muffled voice: "Qiuping's body used to be so strong... sigh. Old Second, listen to Chai Mi, go tomorrow! The money..." He paused, took out another small cloth bundle from his inner pocket, opened it to reveal several crumpled small bills: "There's still a bit here; take it first for travel and meal expenses."

Chai You Fu looked at the small change; his eye rims turned red at once, his lips trembled and he couldn't speak, only nodding repeatedly.

Su Wan brought over a bowl of hangover soup and gently placed it before Chai You Fu: "Second Uncle, drink something hot to suppress the wine fumes. Sister Qiuping's illness... just checking isn't enough; there are many days ahead. I was thinking, her symptoms—shouldn't she control her mouth? From now on touch less sugar and white flour steamed buns, chew more cornmeal steamed buns, make some bitter melon or something? Later I'll ask Old Teacher An; he has many books at home, maybe he has some ideas." She was thoughtful and had already begun to ponder the follow-up care.

"Ai, my dear sister-in-law!" Chai You Fu's throat was choked up: "This... this, what can I say..."

"Second Uncle, the wine in the cup is finished. When you're done, go back." Chai Mi sighed: "No matter what, my father and mother still care very much about my Second Aunt; you being able to come today... I won't say more. If that bit of money isn't enough for the hospital, come find me later..."