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Chapter 16
Upon hearing that someone was in trouble, Jiang Xi immediately turned around, asked her sister to get off the bike, and rode towards Jiang Daniu, who was calling out.
The person who was in trouble was the original owner’s great-aunt. In the original owner’s memory, she was a gentle and kind old woman. Even though they were not very close, she would always send some food to the original owner.
So this time, Jiang Xi also sent two meat buns and two plain buns.
Unexpectedly, something happened after she left.
Jiang Xi stopped the bike at the right time and was about to let it go, but as a doctor, she habitually asked, “Uncle, what happened to Second Grandma?”
Jiang Daniu said with a dark face, “She was mad at her son. She wanted to send meat buns to her youngest sister, but Jiang Shui wouldn’t let her. He said that since she was married, even if she married an educated youth [1]refers to young people sent to rural areas for education or work., she shouldn’t be supported anymore. Your second grandmother got so angry she kept scolding him. While she was scolding him, she suddenly collapsed. That coward was crying at home because he knew he was in trouble. I happened to pass by and carried her out.”
He looked at the person who followed him and said, “Go find a rope and tie her to me, otherwise she will fall.”
Jiang Xi’s eyebrows jumped. She didn’t expect it was because of the buns she sent. She was also very angry. Is it really that serious? Over a meat bun!
She then helped lay Second Grandma down, but seeing that she didn’t respond to any actions, she immediately felt her pulse with one hand and checked her breathing with the other.
Jiang Daniu seemed to have noticed something and placed two fingers under her nose. The next moment, he exclaimed, “She’s not breathing!”
Jiang Xi’s eyebrows jumped. She realized Second Grandma had stopped breathing, and her pulse had stopped. She said in a serious tone, “Uncle, lay her down; she needs emergency treatment.”
At this moment, Jiang Daniu thought they didn’t need to go to the clinic for treatment. A sad look appeared on his face. He didn’t react immediately to Jiang Xi’s words, but his hands subconsciously followed her instructions because of her tone.
Jiang Daniu watched as the little girl placed her hands on the old woman’s chest, kneeling on the ground and pushing down repeatedly. After a few presses, she lifted the old woman’s chin and gave her a quick breath.
“What are you doing? Your second grandmother is dead!” Jiang Daniu shouted, shocked as he pushed her aside. How could this girl be so daring, touching a dead person like that?
Jiang Xi didn’t have much strength, so she pretended the old woman was too heavy and only moved slightly. She continued without looking up, “She’s not really dead yet. Maybe she can be saved. I’m doing CPR [2]stand for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which is a medical emergency measure..”
Jiang Daniu hesitated, unsure whether to believe her. He didn’t stop her but kept a close watch on her movements.
CPR was exhausting, especially in the hot weather. Soon, Jiang Xi was sweating all over, but she didn’t dare to stop. Her hands were sore, and after more than fifty presses, they became weak. She looked at Jiang Daniu for help. “Uncle, come on, do what I did. Be fast and press harder!”
If the speed and force weren’t enough, it wouldn’t work. Jiang Xi could only do so much.
Jiang Daniu was taken aback by her request. He instinctively waved his hands. “No, no…”
“You can do it! A life is at stake. If you try hard, there’s hope!” Jiang Xi pulled him forward, forcing him into position. “Hurry up, press harder!”
Jiang Daniu was confused but instinctively pressed down with force.
Years of farm work had made him strong. This time, he pressed hard and fast. Jiang Xi didn’t expect him to do so well and felt relieved. She lifted the back of the second grandmother’s neck and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Suddenly, a loud voice shouted, “What are you doing?!”
A man with red eyes ran over, kicked Jiang Daniu aside, and grabbed his collar. “Are you crazy? What are you doing to my mother?!”
Jiang Daniu snapped back to reality, realizing what he had done. His face turned red. “No, I was saving her. Xiaoxi was talking about some first aid…”
“Saving her? How did my mother offend you? You’re bullying her like this, thinking you’re saving her? Her chest is almost crushed. You’re just taking revenge!” The man didn’t listen and shouted.
Suddenly, a weak cough came from behind.
He froze and turned around.
His mother, who had been unconscious, was now pale, holding her chest and coughing. Her eyes were open; she wasn’t lifeless anymore.
“Mom?”
The man exclaimed in surprise, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Mom, are you okay?”
Jiang Xi supported the second grandmother and said firmly, “Something happened. She fainted, and her heart and breathing stopped. She’s revived now, but her ribs are probably broken. She needs to go to the hospital immediately. If you really care about her, give some money and send her to the hospital!”
The man suddenly froze, stammering, unable to say anything.
Broken ribs are serious. They’re not like arms or legs. Treating them in a hospital could be expensive.
He didn’t know what to say.
Jiang Daniu shouted angrily, “Jiang Shui, you have no heart! You were yelling just now, acting all concerned, almost scaring your mother to death. Now that she’s saved, you won’t even spend a little money?”
The second grandmother, who had just been brought back to life, was tearful. Her eyes darkened, and she shook her head in disappointment, managing to whisper, “No, no saving…”
Jiang Shui’s face turned red with shame, but he didn’t say a word.
Jiang Xi felt helpless and said, “Uncle, let’s take her to the hospital. I’ll pay for it.”
If it were someone else, she might not have been able to do anything. There were so many unfortunate people in this world, but she couldn’t just stand by and watch someone die who had once helped her. But just as she finished speaking, a woman’s voice shouted, “I’ll pay, big sister. You don’t have to worry.”
Jiang Xi quickly looked over and saw Grandma Chunrong’s daughter, Jiang Yaomei, running over with an angry look on her face. As she passed Jiang Shui, she kicked him hard.
Jiang Shui didn’t dare to fight back.
The second grandmother trembled, and a bit of hope appeared in her eyes.
Someone who went to find a rope brought it over. Jiang Yaomei helped tie it while scolding, “Jiang Shui, you’ve always been a coward! All you know is to take from your mother. Just for two buns? It’s like you’ve never eaten before. If you dare to ask her for anything again, I’ll deal with you!”
Seeing Jiang Yaomei, Jiang Xi felt relieved. She took out five yuan and put it in the pocket of the youngest sister, who was helping escort the second grandmother.
Jiang Yaomei had married an educated youth and their family didn’t earn as much as rural men, so life was hard for them. Jiang Xi was worried they might struggle financially. Plus, this whole thing started because of the meat buns she sent, so she felt responsible.
Jiang Yaomei held the money, her eyes red, and choked up, “Thank you, big sister. I’ll remember this.”
She quickly followed Jiang Daniu, who was riding a bicycle.
Jiang Xi watched her leave, then turned to look at Jiang Shui’s pitiful face. She felt angry again and said loudly, “Uncle, you probably don’t know that even if it’s your own mother, if you make her angry to death, you can go to jail. Although the government won’t do anything if no one reports it, as long as Auntie Yaomei reports you, you can expect to go to jail.”
Jiang Yaomei, who was about to leave, gave him a cold look.
Jiang Shui’s face changed, and he looked over in panic. “Big sister, you’re talking nonsense!”
Jiang Xi smiled slyly. “How about we go to the police station and ask?”
Jiang Shui gasped, “!!!”
_
After scaring Jiang Shui, Jiang Xi took her two sisters back.
The bicycle was taken by Jiang Daniu, so they had to walk.
Jiang Xi was in a bad mood and looked stern the whole way. Her second and third sisters didn’t dare to speak much either. They walked quickly, and by the time they reached the Pei’s house, she felt tired.
Pei’s mother was at home taking care of Pei Hejun. When she saw Jiang Xi return, she immediately offered her some sugar water[3]is a simple drink made by mixing sugar with water.. “Take a rest.”
Jiang Xi drank it quickly and went back to the room, explaining to Pei’s mother, “My second grandmother got upset with her son and fell ill. She borrowed the bicycle to go to the hospital and hasn’t returned yet.”
“I see. There’s no rush. Is your second grandmother really sick?” Mother Pei asked with concern.
Jiang Xi explained the situation, “It’s pretty serious. I could only give her first aid, but she needs to go to the hospital. It seems like it’s related to her heart. I don’t know more than that.”
Mother Pei sighed, “When old people get sick, it’s often serious. Not only do they suffer, but it also costs a lot of money. Your uncle isn’t very caring either. Thank goodness your aunt married someone in the village. Otherwise, I think this would have been the end for your second grandmother.”
Mother Pei was reminded of her own situation. She didn’t know if her third son was alive or dead. If she and her husband became seriously ill, their two older sons would definitely not take care of them, and she wouldn’t want to spend all their money either, knowing it would only lead to resentment.
Sadly, she didn’t have a daughter to help her.
Jiang Xi also sighed. In this era, and even in later years, it’s still hard for regular people to afford to see a doctor.
The two of them sighed together.
Then, Mother Pei suddenly smiled, “Alright, I’m going to get back to work.”
Jiang Xi smiled as well. After Mother Pei left, Jiang Xi, feeling exhausted, lay down next to Pei Hejun on the bed. She took Pei Hejun’s hand and checked what daily tasks she could complete today.
Just as she was looking at the system screen, the door creaked.
***
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