Chapter 4

When Ye Xiaoxiao came out again, she was carrying a bag filled with medicine bottles.

There was no way to be too careful. Ye Xiaoxiao decided to buy the medicine and give Ye Changsheng injections herself.

If she had some doubts at first, after observing the treatment process at the clinic, she was absolutely certain that her medical skills were far superior to these people.

When Ye Xiaoxiao told her family about her plan, they were a little skeptical, while Ye Changsheng protested fiercely.

“You’re dreaming! Don’t… don’t try to take off my pants again.”

The young man’s face flushed red.

“What are you shy about? You don’t have anything worth looking at,” Ye Xiaoxiao scanned his body with her eyes.

Ye Changsheng was furious, but he couldn’t argue with her, so he shouted, “Dad!”

Ye Jianguo was curiously observing the sibling bickering. Although they were still bickering, their relationship was much closer than before.

Hearing his son’s plea, he pulled the cart faster in front, pretending not to hear.

The town wasn’t big. They found her maternal grandfather’s small courtyard after walking for twenty minutes.

Entering the courtyard, they saw a small courtyard that was tidy and clean. There were many cages placed against the east wall, housing rabbits.

Ye Xiaoxiao noticed that a pair of faded couplets were posted on the front door of the main house. Although the paper and ink were old, the characters on them were powerful and well-balanced.

Her grandfather also knew how to write calligraphy, and she had learned it from him when she was young, so she could tell the skill behind these characters.

Hearing the noise, an old man in the house pushed the door open to see what was going on. Seeing his son-in-law and grandson, the thin old man’s face lit up with joy.

“Come in, come in, how come you came in this weather?”

Miao Fengshan was very surprised.

His house was quiet, and he usually looked forward to his children coming to visit.

Ye Jianguo, “Fourth brother is sick, we came to the clinic for a shot.”

Miao Fengshan hurriedly welcomed them into the house.

The main house had three small earthen rooms that weren’t spacious. Only the room where the old man lived had a stove, so it wasn’t exactly cold, but it definitely wasn’t warm either.

Miao Fengshan, “Come sit on the kang, it’s warm on the kang.”

The old man’s eyes paused on Ye Xiaoxiao for a moment.

Ye Jianguo quietly explained Ye Xiaoxiao’s background to the old man.

The old man was considered well-informed. After listening, he quickly accepted it, his expression unchanged as he took two roasted potatoes from the brazier and gave them to the children.

“There’s nothing good to eat at home, you eat these first, and wait for Grandpa to slaughter two rabbits for you.”

Ye Jianguo quickly stopped him, “Dad, don’t bother. We came without bringing anything, how could we eat the rabbits you’ve raised so hard?”

Miao Fengshan, “winter rabbits are hard to raise. It’s easier for me if you eat them.”

Ye Jianguo had no choice but to go to the yard to help out.

Ye Changqing touched Ye Changsheng’s forehead, feeling that he was fine, and also went to help.

Only Ye Xiaoxiao and her two brothers were left in the room, looking at each other.

Ye Xiaoxiao was still holding a black potato. She had never seen this kind of eating method in her time.

“Xiaoxiao, aren’t you eating?”

Ye Changyuan looked at Ye Xiaoxiao. He didn’t know about her desire to leave the Ye family, and he actually liked this little sister.

After all, he had never seen such a white and cute girl in his life.

Ye Changsheng sneered, “People from the city, they definitely can’t eat our food.”

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t bother with the patient. She broke the potato open. Ignoring the black exterior, the inside was a tender yellow, quite appetizing.

She took small bites, savoring the humble potato as if it were a delicacy.

Ye Changsheng: “…”

She didn’t even scold him! Something was wrong!

In the yard, Ye Changqing chopped firewood and boiled water, while Miao Fengshan and Ye Jianguo were talking.

Miao Fengshan, “Now that Xiaoxiao is back, what about Yan Yan? Will she live in Beijing from now on?”

Ye Jianguo, “Dad, it’s Yan Yan’s own decision.”

Ye Jianguo didn’t mention Hao Yan Yan taking the family’s money, but thinking about the daughter he had raised for seventeen years leaving without a word, he was still angry. His dissatisfaction unconsciously showed on his face.

Miao Fengshan sighed, “This thing called fate, you never know. Our family is lucky, we lost a daughter and gained another one.

She’s our child, you and Cuifang have to treat her well. Don’t be partial to her just because she wasn’t raised by you.”

Ye Jianguo, “Dad, don’t worry, we’re not that kind of person. Besides, she’s my own daughter, I can’t bear to see her suffer.”

Getting Ye Jianguo’s assurance, the old man was finally satisfied.

It got dark early in winter. By three o’clock in the afternoon, they had a warm meal at the old man’s house.

And there was meat in the dish!

The old man had slaughtered two rabbits and stewed them with dried radish. The aroma filled the air before it even came out of the pot.

Even Ye Changsheng, the patient, had a better appetite. He ate a few bites and then lay down to rest.

Ye Xiaoxiao was fine, but the others ate much faster than her. They devoured the food, leaving only a little bit in the big pot.

After dinner, Ye Xiaoxiao wanted to give Ye Changsheng an injection. Her medicine preparation technique looked very professional.

But Ye Changsheng was holding onto his pants, refusing to cooperate.

“Brother Yuan, help me hold him down, or I can’t give him the injection.”

Ye Xiaoxiao could only ask for help.

“Okay!”

Ye Changyuan, who was full and satisfied, was happy to do this. He was naturally strong and had more strength than the thin Ye Changsheng. He immediately pinned him down and forcefully pulled down his pants.

“Let me go!”

Ye Changsheng’s face turned red with anger as he struggled.

Until the cold alcohol swab touched his butt, he finally calmed down.

It seemed that she had successfully forced him into submission!

Ye Xiaoxiao skillfully injected the medicine. Ye Changyuan beside her looked admiringly at her, “Xiaoxiao, you’re so amazing.”

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled. Giving injections was too easy for her.

Ye Changqing, “Xiaoxiao bought medicine from the clinic, and Fourth brother’s condition has improved. I think we can go home tomorrow.”

Miao Fengshan disagreed, “Don’t rush, and stay a few more days. Don’t go back and make the child’s condition worse.”

Ye Jianguo, “Dad, there’s still work to do at home. If Sheng’er is fine tomorrow, I and the eldest will go back first, saving his mother from worrying.”

This time, the old man didn’t say anything. He just silently went to pack his things.

He packed some rice and flour from home, ready to take them back tomorrow.

Baishi Village was backed by mountains and dense forests. Villagers often went into the mountains to hunt. Although there wasn’t much meat, as long as they were diligent, they could have a meal every few days.

What the family lacked most was food.

Moreover, if there was a bad harvest, eating would become a big problem.

They could only use mountain products from the mountains to exchange for rice and flour outside.

It was even harder in winter when it snowed. They couldn’t go into the mountains, and the whole village was isolated from the world. They had to have enough food for the winter.

This was why the Ye family didn’t dare to eat meat and eggs. They needed to exchange them for money and rice, or save them for the most difficult times.

Grandpa Miao would buy rice and flour for his daughter’s family every now and then.

Ye Jianguo wanted to refuse, but thinking about the family’s situation, he didn’t say anything.

At night, the four men squeezed onto one kang. The old man heated the kang in the west room and let Ye Xiaoxiao sleep there.

He put a brazier in the room for her, but worried about carbon monoxide poisoning, he had to leave the window open a crack. The north wind blew in fiercely.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought, it was better not to have a brazier. So, she took it to the outer room.

That night, she lay on the warm kang, thinking that she had probably changed Ye Changsheng’s fate.

He could continue studying and wouldn’t become a paralyzed cripple.

He would have a better future…