Chapter 95: Wang Jiazhi is Followed

In the workshop of the Lou Steel Rolling Mill, workers wearing oil-stained work clothes were busy moving back and forth among the machines.

Yi Zhonghai led Jia Dongxu through the busy workshop, greeting everyone as he walked toward the director's office.

Jia Dongxu looked around, his eyes full of curiosity.

The Third Workshop Director's office was located in a corner of the workshop.

Bai Jingli sat on a broken chair, looking at Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu. He pondered for a good while before speaking: "I've thought about it. The veteran masters in the workshop have basically all taken on apprentices, and only you, Lao Yi, are still free. You live in the same courtyard as Jia Dongxu and have a good relationship with his father, Lao Jia. Why don't you take him on for now?"

Yi Zhonghai immediately felt uneasy: "Isn't this obviously saddling me with a burden? This kid Jia Dongxu looks alright, but his mother—she's like a dog-skin plaster; once she sticks to you, she's not easy to shake off."

But looking at Jia Dongxu's anxious appearance, his heart softened, and he nodded in response: "Since the director has spoken, I will take him on and see how it goes."

Director Bai stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Lao Yi, I knew you were reasonable. Today, take little Jia around the workshop and explain the precautions."

"Got it!"

Yi Zhonghai didn't do any work for the rest of the day, instead leading Jia Dongxu around the workshop to explain things. He pointed to a machine and introduced it: "This is a punch press. When operating it, your hands must stay far away from the stamping area; that one over there is a milling machine..."

Jia Dongxu followed behind, nodding from time to time, looking very well-behaved.

Once all the machines were introduced, he said seriously: "I want to emphasize this to you today: the factory is not like home. Without my permission, you are absolutely not allowed to touch any machines!" Yi Zhonghai looked at him sternly.

"I understand, Siqiang!" Jia Dongxu said with a sweet tone.

"Dongxu, don't call me that yet." Yi Zhonghai frowned, "I haven't officially taken you as an apprentice yet. Whether it works out depends on your performance going forward."

"Whether you acknowledge it or not, in my heart, I have already taken you as my Siqiang! In the future, I will definitely learn the craft well from you and treat you with filial respect!"

Seeing that Jia Dongxu was still relatively simple and hadn't picked up his parents' bad habits, Yi Zhonghai thought about it and didn't refuse Jia Dongxu calling him "Siqiang" anymore.

Returning home after work at noon, she immediately questioned Jia Dongxu about his report to the workshop.

When she heard that it was Yi Zhonghai who was mentoring him, Jia Zhangshi said excitedly: "Lao Yi is much better than Liu Haizhong! You must butter him up well. He is a man who cares most about face; usually, say more nice things to him..."

Jia Zhangshi began to lecture her son incessantly on so-called "worldly wisdom," but Jia Dongxu didn't listen at all. His stomach was growling with hunger, and he couldn't help but interrupt her: "Mother, those things you say don't work. In the factory, you have to have technical skills! When are we going to eat?"

Seeing that her son hadn't taken her words to heart at all, Jia Zhangshi scolded: "You little bastard! If you don't listen to your elders, you'll suffer for it! Don't come crying to me when you suffer later!"

Jia Dongxu didn't argue back, just nodded, his eyes already drifting toward the kitchen.

At the same time, in a small mountain village, He Yuzhu was lying on a heated brick bed, his face flushed red and his forehead terrifyingly hot.

His brows were tightly locked, and he occasionally let out vague delirious words; he had already fallen into a coma due to a high fever.

His illness came on suddenly. After staying one night in a deserted village, he set out before dawn. Because he lost his way, he unknowingly entered the mountains.

The two of them just made the best of a bad situation, wanting to hide in the mountains for a few days, but they didn't expect to run into snow. He caught a cold, and on top of the physical exhaustion from the previous two days, his wounds burst open repeatedly; his wounds had already begun to fester.

Worse still, the Penicillin stored in his space had run out, and he didn't even have ordinary anti-inflammatory medicine.

Wang Jiazhi sat by the edge of the bed, reached out to touch his forehead, and whispered to herself: "If the fever continues like this, it will surely burn out his brain..."

She hurriedly wrung out a wet towel, gently placed it on He Yuzhu's forehead, and then rushed out the door to find the elderly landlady for help.

"Granny, my brother has a high fever. Do you have any medicine for external injuries here?" Wang Jiazhi rushed into the kitchen and asked with an urgent tone.

The old woman, who was tending the fire in front of the stove, shook her head upon hearing this: "My family doesn't have that kind of medicine either! However, there is a Doctor Liu in town. The medicine he prepares is quite effective. People in the village use his medicine when they get hurt hunting."

"Is the town far from here?" Wang Jiazhi pressed.

"It's not too far, but it just snowed, so the road is hard to walk. You have to cross that mountain ridge ahead to get there." The old woman pointed to the distant mountains outside the window.

"No matter how hard the road is, I have to go!" Wang Jiazhi's voice choked up, "Granny, can you help me find someone to lead the way?"

Seeing her eyes turn red with anxiety, the old woman's heart softened, "How about this, let my grandson Shanwa take you. He goes to town often and knows the road very well."

After saying this, she shouted toward the inner room: "Shanwa! Come out for a moment!"

Soon, a dark-skinned, sturdy-looking youth ran out. He looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with large, bright eyes that revealed a simple and clever spirit. "Grandma, what do you need me for?"

"Take this Sister Wang to Doctor Liu in town to buy some medicine for external injuries. While you're at it, buy some salt and grain on the way back."

As soon as Shanwa heard he could go to town, he grinned and said shyly: "Okay! Sister, wait a moment, I'll change my clothes and come!"

Before long, Shanwa had changed his clothes.

He wore an old sheepskin coat on his upper body, dog-skin trousers on his lower body, and a pair of homemade deerskin shoes on his feet. He also carried a bow and arrows on his back, looking exactly like a little hunter.

Wang Jiazhi couldn't help but smile to herself: In the middle of winter, where would there be any prey in the mountains? This kid really likes to put on a show.

The two of them set off.

The mountain road was rugged and difficult to travel. The snow hadn't melted, and the ground was covered in patches of ice; one wrong step and you would slip.

Wang Jiazhi had never walked such a difficult road, and before long, she was panting for breath.

The path up the mountain became steeper as they walked, and Wang Jiazhi almost fell off the mountain several times.

Shanwa, however, walked as if on flat ground, his steps light and quick. He stopped from time to time to wait for her.

After walking for another stretch, there was almost no path left, and they had to pass through bushes. Wang Jiazhi's hands were scratched by thorns, making her wince in pain.

But she didn't make a sound and continued to climb forward—yes, climb.

Seeing that she was having a truly difficult time walking, Shanwa untied the thick Rope from his waist, tied one end to his own waist, and handed the other end to Wang Jiazhi: "Sister, hold the Rope tight, and I'll pull you along."

Wang Jiazhi hurriedly took the Rope and was pulled along as she walked upward.

The two of them walked for a full hour before finally crossing the mountain ridge, and they could already see the small town in the valley from afar.

The town was not large, with only one main street and a dozen shops scattered on both sides, most of which were low adobe houses.

In the middle of the street, there was a shop with a "Hui Chun Tang" banner hanging at the entrance, the banner swaying gently in the wind.

Wang Jiazhi followed Shanwa into the pharmacy, and a rich scent of herbs rushed toward them, which could instantly calm one's heart.

Behind the counter, an old doctor with white hair and beard was preparing medicinal materials with a young man.

Shanwa walked up familiarly and shouted with a smile: "Grandpa Liu, I'm here to buy Golden Sore Medicine!"

Doctor Liu looked up, and seeing it was Shanwa, a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Little Shanwa, is your father hurt, or has your grandfather's old ailment flared up again?"

Shanwa was stunned for a moment and was just about to explain when Wang Jiazhi hurriedly stepped forward and squeezed out a smile, "Old Doctor, I am Shanwa's cousin. My brother accidentally fell onto a rock while going up the mountain. He is quite badly hurt; now the wound is festering and he has a high fever. Please give me some effective medicine!"

Doctor Liu nodded without asking any more questions, turned around, and took a paper packet from the wooden drawer behind him, saying: "This is the best medicine for injuries in our shop. It is for external application; change it once a day. One Big Ocean."

Then he carefully explained how to use it: "Remember, squeeze out all the pus, then sprinkle the medicinal powder on..."

After explaining how to use the medicine, the old doctor suddenly leaned close to Wang Jiazhi, lowered his voice, and said quickly, "Young lady, several strangers came to town today, asking about things everywhere. You should leave as soon as you finish buying the medicine..."

Wang Jiazhi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately became nervous.

Although she had killed quite a few people with He Yuzhu, and she herself had killed Yi Xiansheng, now that He Yuzhu was seriously injured and bedridden, leaving her all alone, she still felt a bit afraid.

She forced herself to stay calm, thanked the old doctor, and pulled Shanwa along, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

But Shanwa was not very willing; he scratched his head and said with a troubled smile, "Sister, my grandmother also told me to buy salt and grain; we are almost out at home..."

Wang Jiazhi felt as anxious as if she were burning; she quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Shanwa, listen to your sister, don't buy them today! We must go back quickly; my brother is still waiting for this medicine to save his life!"

Shanwa was still a bit hesitant: "But... Grandmother specifically instructed me..."

Wang Jiazhi pulled a Big Ocean from her bosom and stuffed it into Shanwa's hand, "Take this. Either buy the missing things next time, or ask the villagers to help bring them back. Right now, we must leave immediately!"

Shanwa still wanted to decline, but Wang Jiazhi insisted and stuffed the Big Ocean into his pocket.

The two trotted all the way toward the mountain path, Wang Jiazhi worrying the whole time whether the people the old doctor mentioned were coming for her.

Not long after they had gone, when she looked back again, she discovered two figures following them in the direction they had left, neither fast nor slow...