Chapter 72: Taking Uncle to the Doctor

“Jiangxin, where did you get that… that… gold bar?”

Qiao Youfu asked after leaving the jewelry store.

He hadn’t spoken in the store.

He was self-conscious about his appearance and lack of education, afraid of embarrassing his niece.

If he weren’t unfamiliar with the place and worried about his niece being taken advantage of, he wouldn’t have gone inside; he would have waited outside.

Qiao Jiangxin didn’t hide anything, “I found it under Grandpa’s bed before the family split.”

Qiao Youfu was stunned, a look of pain in his eyes.

Qiao Jiangxin seized the opportunity, “You saw how much that gold bar was worth over 1300 kuai. Grandpa wasn’t without money; he just didn’t want to spend it on you.

Everything is reciprocal. Grandpa has more than one son, and you and Dad have done your duty.

Even if Grandpa regrets it later and wants to pretend to be affectionate, remember, love yourself first…”

Qiao Youfu forced a smile, changing the subject, “Jiangxin, where are we going next?”

“To the county hospital.  We’re going to get you checked. You’ve been suffering for years. Now we have the money, let’s get it checked.”

A complex emotion washed over Qiao Youfu. He nodded firmly, “Okay!”

The uncle and niece asked for directions and found the county hospital.

Seeing the bustling building and the bicycles and cars parked by the road, Qiao Youfu felt apprehensive.

Was this a place for a country farmer like him?

He looked down at his worn-out shoes and patched pants, then at others’ polished shoes and neat uniforms.

Qiao Youfu said hesitantly, “Jiangxin, won’t this be expensive?

If it’s too expensive, Uncle can endure it. I’ve been through this for years.

You want to study; we need to save money and not spend it carelessly.

Your mother is also giving birth next year; there will be many expenses…”

Qiao Jiangxin pulled her uncle inside, “Let’s go. It won’t be expensive.”

In her past life, her uncle’s skin condition had been controlled by an old doctor here without costing much.

Qiao Youfu followed Qiao Jiangxin, sitting in the waiting room.

When it was their turn, Qiao Jiangxin accompanied him inside.

A doctor with graying hair and glasses carefully examined Qiao Youfu’s sores and pustules.

“How long has this been going on?”

Qiao Youfu was nervous, stammering, “Doctor, over twenty years.”

“It’s itchy and painful, right?”

“Yes, when it itches, I want to peel off my skin.  Even scratching until it bleeds doesn’t stop the itch. When it hurts, I want to bang my head against the wall,” Qiao Youfu said more naturally, seeing that the doctor wasn’t disgusted.

“That’s unbearable. It’s not a serious problem. Why didn’t you come sooner?  Look, a large part of your scalp has permanent hair loss.”

The doctor glanced at Qiao Youfu’s clothes, swallowing some words.

They were wearing patched clothes; they didn’t seem well-off.

Poor people avoided doctors.  They endured minor illnesses and waited for death for serious ones because even if they were diagnosed, they couldn’t afford treatment.

But Qiao Youfu had suffered unnecessarily.

He sighed, “You should see a doctor when you’re sick. Many illnesses don’t cost much.  Delaying treatment makes things worse.”

“This illness, while difficult to cure completely, is easy to control and doesn’t cost much.

It heals itself in winter and appears in the summer heat. In winter, just watch your diet.

In summer, keep your scalp clean and dry. Don’t wear a hat; let it air out.

Avoid rich foods, hot foods, and spicy foods.  Try to avoid fish and peanuts…”

The doctor patiently explained, writing a prescription.

“I’ll prescribe some herbal powder. Wash your hair twice daily with the powder and apply iodine to disinfect. Don’t scratch it.

I’ll also prescribe Niu Huang Jie Du Wan (pills) to clear heat and toxins, relieving swelling and pain.

And Lian Qiao Bai Du Wan (pills).  Internal heat, wind-heat, and damp-heat cause the swelling, papules, and pain of folliculitis. This medicine disperses wind, reduces swelling, and promotes healing…”

Qiao Youfu went to the pharmacy with Qiao Jiangxin.  He watched closely as she paid. Two large bags of powder, a bottle of iodine, two packs of pills, and the consultation fee totaled 13.73 kuai.

Seeing her uncle’s distress, Qiao Jiangxin comforted him, “Uncle, it’s not expensive. The doctor said we only need it when it flares up in the heat. This is for control. After taking the medicine, you’ll be like a normal person.

Follow the doctor’s instructions, and as long as it doesn’t flare up, you won’t need more medicine.”

As they left the hospital, a dog barked.

Qiao Jiangxin looked around.  Did she hear Lick-dog?

Before she found it, a military jeep stopped, and a dark golden retriever jumped out.

Liu Xinyan got out and waved, “Jiangxin, Jiangxin, over here!”

Qiao Jiangxin’s eyes lit up, and she went towards them.

Liu Xinyan, seeing Qiao Jiangxin, turned to help Gu Yunzhou out of the car with a stranger.

Gu Yunzhou, seeing Qiao Jiangxin, forced a polite smile.

His eyes were vacant; he looked tired and weak, his movements slow.  His forced smile was heartbreaking.

Liu Xinyan saw the medicine in Qiao Youfu’s hands, “You came to see a doctor too? You didn’t mention coming to the county. You could have ridden with us.”

Peng Zhihua looked at Qiao Jiangxin, “Who is this?”

Liu Xinyan introduced, “Jiangxin. This is Peng Zhihua, and this is her uncle. They’re from Gaoshi Village, our neighbors.”

Peng Zhihua politely smiled at Qiao Jiangxin.

Qiao Jiangxin glanced at their car, sweetly greeting Gu Yunzhou and Peng Zhihua, “Brother Gu, Brother Peng, hello. Are you returning to Gaoshi Village today?”

Gu Yunzhou seemed absent-minded.

Peng Zhihua knew what Qiao Jiangxin wanted to ask. He checked his watch, “We should be going back at 2 pm. If you can wait, you can ride with us.”

Qiao Jiangxin’s eyes lit up, “That’s great! My uncle and I are going to the department store and plan to return at 2 pm.”