Chapter 27: Show “medical skills” in front of everyone!

Those who bullied her will pay for it! Once she comes back, she’ll make them regret it!

Meanwhile, in Hongqi Village, Chang Meili took advantage of her trip back to the cowshed to sneak over to the pigpen, hoping to find Xie Jianguo to vent her frustrations. But after walking around, she didn’t see any sign of him.

“Brother Jianguo?” Inside the pigpen, a few hungry pigs were rooting around restlessly, seeming especially agitated. Chang Meili felt puzzled—could it be that the village chief was only punishing Xie Jianguo on the surface but secretly going easy on him? But then again, it made sense—Xie Jianguo was the village chief’s favorite son; there was no way he’d be truly punished.

Since that was the case, she decided to act cute and coax Jianguo later, hoping he’d put in a good word for her with the village chief. Maybe then she wouldn’t have to keep suffering in the cowshed, doing such hard labor. Although Zhao Hang helped her sometimes, every time he did, he’d grope and rub her in a way that made her extremely disgusted. He was all talk and no action but loved taking advantage. In her past life, she must have been blind to have liked a man like that!

As Chang Meili was thinking this and about to turn away, a faint but urgent cry for help came from the direction of the outhouse nearby. The voice was barely audible but hard to ignore.

Her heart tightened sharply. “Brother Jianguo? Is that you? Don’t scare me!”

Not sure if it was really Xie Jianguo, she called out anxiously while quickly running toward the outhouse.

When she arrived, what she saw stunned her. Somehow, Xie Jianguo had slipped and fallen into the cesspit. He was probably struggling to climb out but was too weak to do so. Because it rained yesterday, the walls inside the outhouse were slippery, giving him no chance to get out.

Xie Jianguo’s face and clothes were smeared with filth, looking utterly miserable. His usually strong eyes had lost their brightness. He could only look at Chang Meili, no strength left even to speak.

Seeing this, worry and anxiety showed on Chang Meili’s face. “Brother Jianguo, how did you fall in here?” Her voice was filled with concern, clearly anxious about his safety.

But she just stood there, not rushing to help. Mainly because it had just rained yesterday and the stench in the outhouse was overwhelming—so strong it burned her eyes. She couldn’t even breathe properly, let alone rescue him.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Chang Meili immediately said, “Brother Jianguo, wait here, I’m going to find someone to help you out!”

Xie Jianguo tried to open his mouth, but before he could say anything, Chang Meili dashed out quickly. He had to lean weakly against the stone wall of the pit and close his eyes to rest.

Right after running out, Chang Meili bumped into Zhao Xiulan, who was carrying a basket of food to bring to Xie Jianguo. The two had just fought early that morning, and since Zhao Xiulan hadn’t gotten what she wanted, she was furious to see Chang Meili. She was itching to slap her.

“You sly fox, back again trying to seduce my son?!” Zhao Xiulan put down her basket and lunged at Chang Meili.

Earlier, with Chang Sui Sui present, she hadn’t dared to take on two against one. But now, with only Chang Meili around, she was confident she could deal with her!

Chang Meili was startled and quickly dodged, screaming, “Auntie, go check on Brother Jianguo! He’s in big trouble!”

But Zhao Xiulan grabbed Chang Meili’s hair and slapped her hard. “How dare you curse my son! I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Chang Meili gritted her teeth in pain, itching to fight back. But since Xie Jianguo was still in the outhouse listening, she couldn’t act rashly.

She forced a pitiful expression, eyes reddening, voice choking with emotion: “Auntie, please stop hitting me. Hurry and save Brother Jianguo—he fell into the cesspit. I just heard him calling for help inside. I tried to pull him out but I’m too weak…”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiulan’s face darkened further. She wanted to slap Chang Meili more but then suddenly heard Xie Jianguo’s voice. Surprised, she looked toward the outhouse and realized Chang Meili wasn’t lying.

“Get out of the way!” Zhao Xiulan glared at Chang Meili and rushed to the outhouse.

Chang Meili followed closely behind, knowing this was her chance to make a good impression.

However, things didn’t go as Chang Meili expected. Xie Jianguo was tall and strong, and even Zhao Xiulan, who usually did farm work, couldn’t pull him out alone. Plus, Chang Meili was too weak to help much.

They struggled a few times without success.

Luckily, a few early-rising villagers heard the commotion and came over to help. With everyone working together, Xie Jianguo was finally pulled out, but the stench on him was unbearable.

“Quick, fetch some water to wash him off! Then take him to the village doctor!”

“Yeah, look at him—don’t know how long he’s been in that pit. His lips are purple.”

“What’s the point of washing? Just take him straight to the village doctor!”

“Taking him straight there would stink up the whole clinic—then who’d want to treat patients?”

The villagers grumbled but still drew bucket after bucket of cold well water to wash Xie Jianguo. Though it was summer, the morning air was cool, and the water felt icy. His face, already pale with purple lips, looked even worse. If they delayed much longer, he might really be in serious danger.

Zhao Xiulan spoke urgently, “Dazhuang, Erbao, tie them up! You guys help me carry Jianguo to the village doctor.”

Though reluctant, the villagers knew this was a life-or-death situation. Plus, Zhao Xiulan was the village chief’s wife, and Xie Jianguo was his son, so they had no choice but to obey publicly. They wrapped towels over their faces and braced themselves as they lifted him up.

Zhao Xiulan led the way while the others carried Xie Jianguo hurriedly out of the pigpen.

Chang Meili quickly followed. She had been hoping for an opportunity to impress the village doctor and now had a perfect chance.

She thought to herself: This man must be heaven’s gift for me! He’s prepared this chance for me to shine in front of everyone!

Chang Sui Sui, just wait and see! Soon I’ll have you under my feet!