“Old Feng, this is some stomach medicine that Old Su and the others brought from the capital city. Take it quickly.”

“You’re doing well now. Zilu still depends on you, Old Feng. Don’t leave him behind.”

“That’s right, Old Feng. No one is as reliable as you. The child still needs you.”

“Old Feng, don’t worry about pride at a time like this. Staying alive is the most important thing. Zilu is still so young; you have to watch him grow up well.”

“Exactly, as long as you live, nothing else matters.”

“Old Feng, think more about Zilu.”

“I just took Zilu to see Old Su. Old Su said they will help as much as they can, and when we get the chance later, we can repay it.”

“Right, even if you can’t pay back now, you still have Zilu, don’t you?!”

“Zilu, let your grandpa take his medicine properly and eat well.”

“Grandpa…”

…

In the dim room, Cai Qingwen, Zhou Meihua, and the others quietly urged the old man lying on the kang (heated brick bed) to take the medicine.

By his side, Feng Zilu wiped his tears while crying and kept calling for his grandfather.

The old man lying on the kang looked haggard and pale, eyes closed but tears moistening his eyelids. When he heard his grandson’s repeated calls, his heart ached painfully and felt so heavy.

But everyone was right — even if not for himself, he had to think about Zilu.

The boy was still so young; he couldn’t be left without family, without him.

How else could such a small child survive?!

“All right, I’ll listen to everyone. I, Feng Dayong, sincerely thank all of you for your help.”

“Right now, I have no way to repay you. But in the future, when there’s a chance, the two of us — grandfather and grandson — will definitely repay you.”

Old Feng suddenly opened his eyes, then slowly sat up, looking seriously at everyone in the room and making a solemn promise.

“Grandpa…”

Feng Zilu ran to his grandpa with tears streaming down his face, then couldn’t hold back his crying — scared, helpless, desperate, and worried.

“Good boy, don’t be afraid. Grandpa is here.”

Old Feng tightly hugged his grandson.

Hearing his grandson’s crying, he felt overwhelming guilt in his heart.

“Old Feng, no need to talk about repaying. Aren’t we all the same?!”

“Yes, you help me, I help you — just mutual help.”

“As long as we all stay alive and well, that’s encouragement enough.”

“Old Feng, don’t say that. This is nothing. It wouldn’t have mattered in the past either.”

“Yes, you just take care of your body. We’d be relieved. Otherwise, you want us to raise Zilu for you.”

“Zilu needs to be raised by you. You must accompany him as he grows.”

Seeing Old Feng regain his spirit and vitality, Cai Qingwen and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.

Regarding Old Feng’s solemn promise, everyone thought it was a bit too serious — they could only lend a hand by giving some nourishing food or helping with a little work.

Other than that, they really couldn’t do much.

“Old Feng, take your medicine first. The millet porridge is ready; eat it and then rest.”

When Zhou Meihua saw Feng Zilu come back holding a small bag and taking out the medicine, she quickly cooked the millet porridge.

Seeing Old Feng’s spirit revive, she hurried to bring him a glass of water to take the medicine.

This time, Old Feng really didn’t hesitate and took the medicine his grandson brought.

“Grandpa, Grandma Qiao said you have to take medicine on time, two more doses a day. She also said you should eat more eggs and brown sugar water. Take the medicine for seven days and see how it goes.”

Zilu repeated what Qiao Jiuru had said clearly, having memorized it carefully all along, not daring to forget.

“That’s right, that’s exactly what Old Qiao instructed. Old Feng, you must obey.”

Cai Qingwen was surprised at how good Zilu’s memory was, able to recall Qiao Jiuru’s words so fully and clearly.

Old Feng patted his grandson’s head and nodded.

He had heard it all and would obey.

“Old Feng, we’ll leave now. If you need anything, have Zilu come find us.”

“Zilu, take good care of Grandpa. Call us if you need anything.”

“Old Feng, don’t overthink things. If you have difficulties, speak up. We can think of ways to help together.”

It was getting late — already after eight, almost nine.

Everyone had to work tomorrow, so seeing no more urgent matters, they prepared to leave and rest.

Old Feng hurriedly sent his grandson to see them out.

But just as they stepped outside, they saw a figure not far away in the night, carrying things on his shoulder and in his hand, walking towards them.

Everyone was startled and hurried to run back to their rooms.

But Zhou Meihua, with the sharpest eyes, suddenly called out,

“Don’t panic, that’s the team leader.”

What?!

The team leader?!

Hearing this, the panicking group immediately calmed down and stopped running.

The team leader of this production team, Bai Lianshan, along with Uncle Jiu and other team cadres, were decent people.

Especially Bai Lianshan and Uncle Jiu — no one knew how many times they had secretly helped them.

So, their lives here were good, all thanks to Bai Lianshan, Uncle Jiu, and others.

Most importantly, when sick, they had medicine. When ill, they could rest. Those in poor health were assigned lighter tasks.

“Team leader.”

Soon Bai Lianshan was close by. When he approached, Cai Qingwen quietly greeted him.

“What’s wrong with Old Feng?”

Seeing everyone gathered at the cattle shed, Bai Lianshan wasn’t surprised and casually asked about Feng Dayong’s condition.

“He just took medicine. It’s stomach medicine brought from the capital hospital by Su Huaiyuan and the others.”

Cai Qingwen didn’t hide that the medicine came from Qiao Jiuru and others, as it was impossible to conceal.

Bai Lianshan nodded knowingly.

He understood why they went to ask Qiao Jiuru — Old Feng had already taken the village clinic’s stomach medicine.

The medicine from the village clinic and the commune health center was basically the same since all the medicines came from the health center.

Only hospitals above the county level could get better medicine. The capital hospital’s medicine was even better.

He also heard that Qiao Jiuru’s youngest son graduated from the Capital Medical College, and Qiao Yin’s friend was the director at the capital hospital. It was no surprise that the Su family had medicine.

“Comrade Feng, the production team has agreed to give you a day off tomorrow. These things are to help you recover well.”

After entering Feng’s house, Bai Lianshan put down the things he carried and explained his purpose to Old Feng sitting on the kang.

This was the most he could help. Fortunately, the production team worked on a “more work, more pay” principle. The more you worked, the more you earned. It was fair and transparent — no one could complain.

“Thank you, Team Leader. Thank you, production team. Thank you, everyone.”

Old Feng quickly expressed his gratitude, feeling lucky to be here. Otherwise, even if he was sick, he’d have to work — no rest.

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

Feng Zilu also respectfully bowed multiple times to Bai Lianshan, thanking him repeatedly.

Bai Lianshan waved off their thanks, saying he only did what he could. After all, these were not criminals or irredeemable people. Helping them was just helping himself.

“Take good care of your health. Don’t skimp where you shouldn’t.”

Bai Lianshan didn’t stay long. After saying what needed to be said and delivering the things he brought, he turned and left.

Old Feng watched his retreating figure, moving his lips but saying nothing.

Feng Zilu smartly followed Bai Lianshan to see him off, watching until he disappeared into the night.

“Zilu, after the millet porridge is ready, serve it to Grandpa. Tomorrow, don’t forget eggs and brown sugar. Also, let him have millet porridge. When it’s time for work, Grandma Zhou will come to call you.”

Zhou Meihua and Cai Qingwen hadn’t left yet and stayed outside. Only after Bai Lianshan left did Zhou Meihua step forward and give Feng Zilu instructions.

Zilu obediently nodded. It was good that Grandpa could rest and not work; he could go to work for Grandpa.