Chapter 35: Zhou Xiaochuan, Who Was Poisoned  

Xiaochuan!  

Jiang Rou immediately noticed that something was wrong with Zhou Xiaochuan.  

This child usually slept like a little soldier, always lying straight. He would never curl up like this for no reason.  

Jiang Rou felt a wave of anxiety.  

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.  

She was still holding Zhou Xiaohua, who was sobbing uncontrollably and shivering from the cold.  

She quickly tucked Zhou Xiaohua into the blanket before hurriedly getting out of bed to check on Zhou Xiaochuan.  

“Xiaochuan, Xiaochuan, how are you?”  

Jiang Rou pulled back Zhou Xiaochuan’s blanket and touched his face.  

The moment her fingers made contact, she felt a layer of cold sweat.  

Sticky, icy, sweat covered Zhou Xiaochuan’s face.  

Jiang Rou couldn’t see his complexion clearly in the dim light, but she could make out his tightly twisted facial features and his lips, which were bitten down hard.  

And…  

His hands were pressed against his abdomen, clutching his stomach.  

How much pain must he be in to curl up like this?  

Seeing Zhou Xiaochuan in such a state, Jiang Rou felt a sharp ache in her chest.  

“Xiaochuan, wake up! How are you feeling? Does your stomach hurt?”  

Jiang Rou called out to Zhou Xiaochuan, trying to wake him up. She supported his tense body and attempted to help him sit up.

However.  

With just these simple movements, a light pull, Zhou Xiaochuan suddenly whimpered.  

It hurt so much…  

It was so unbearable…  

The little wolf cub could no longer hold it in.  

He barely managed to open his eyes. Using the last of his strength, he leaned his body toward the edge of the bed. And then—  

“Urgh—”  

The moment Zhou Xiaochuan opened his mouth, a torrent of vomit spilled onto the floor.  

Last night’s hearty dinner—eggs, seaweed, pork belly… The undigested remnants of food surged from his stomach, pouring out violently.  

A foul stench filled the bedroom.  

Zhou Xiaohua, sitting nearby, was completely dumbfounded, staring in shock.  

Jiang Rou, at this moment, had no time to worry about the mess.  

She held onto the frail Zhou Xiaochuan with one hand and grabbed a piece of clothing with the other, gently wiping his mouth.  

The retching continued.  

Zhou Xiaochuan furrowed his brows and vomited for a long while.  

Only after everything in his stomach had been emptied, leaving only the bitter, sour gastric fluids, did he finally collapse onto the bed, completely drained.  

Jiang Rou’s newly bought hot water kettle was placed right beside the bed.  

She mixed in some cool water and poured a cup of warm water.  

“Xiaochuan, don’t sleep yet. Get up and rinse your mouth first, rinse your mouth.”  

Worried that he hadn’t vomited everything out and that some food residue was still stuck in his throat, Jiang Rou pulled Zhou Xiaochuan up, making him rinse his mouth repeatedly with warm water. She even forced him to drink a few sips.  

When she helped him lie back down, she carefully positioned him on his side.  

At this moment, Zhou Xiaochuan’s entire body was limp, completely drained of strength.  

Even though he usually resisted Jiang Rou’s presence, he had no choice but to accept her care.  

And after all that struggle…

“Xiaochuan, how are you feeling now? Are you still uncomfortable? Does your stomach still hurt?”  

“Hiss…”  

Zhou Xiaochuan bit down hard on his lips, refusing to utter a single word of pain even if it killed him.  

However, his weak, labored breathing and the cold sweat covering his forehead revealed the excruciating agony he was enduring.  

No!  

Something was wrong!  

At first, Jiang Rou had thought that Zhou Xiaochuan was simply feeling unwell from eating too much and consuming overly greasy food the night before.  

If it were just mild discomfort, vomiting or having diarrhea should have provided some relief.  

But Zhou Xiaochuan’s condition was far too severe.  

Jiang Rou reached out and gently pressed on Zhou Xiaochuan’s stomach, immediately feeling how tense and rigid it was.  

The situation was more serious than she had expected.  

Vomiting and diarrhea, coupled with stomach spasms…  

Jiang Rou concluded that if it wasn’t gastroenteritis, then it was most likely food poisoning!  

She couldn’t just sit and wait—he needed to see a doctor immediately.  

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jiang Rou made up her mind.  

She had to take Zhou Xiaochuan to see a doctor!  

To the military camp!  

There had to be military doctors at the camp, and with them, Zhou Xiaochuan could receive proper treatment!  

…  

Before taking Zhou Xiaochuan to the doctor, Jiang Rou first had to make sure Zhou Xiaohua was settled.

In such an urgent situation, she truly had no ability to take care of both children at the same time, nor could she leave Zhou Xiaohua alone at home.  

“Xiaohua, stay here in the room and watch over your brother. I need to go out for a bit, but I’ll be back soon.”  

As Jiang Rou spoke, she quickly dressed herself.  

It was still raining outside, and she had no raincoat. She could only put on an old military jacket that Zhou Chongshan had left behind.  

The moment she put it on, she rushed out without hesitation, letting the pouring rain drench her completely.  

Bang bang bang!  

Bang bang bang!  

Bang bang bang!  

“Sister-in-law Zhao! Sister-in-law Zhao! Sister Guifen! Sister Guifen! Sister Guifen, open the door! Open the door! It’s me, Jiang Rou!”  

In the pitch-black rainy night, Jiang Rou’s knocking and shouting were especially loud.  

Inside the house next door, Zhao Guifen was sleeping soundly but was abruptly awakened by the noise.  

She recognized Jiang Rou’s voice.  

Grabbing a flashlight, she threw on a coat, opened an umbrella, and went to unlock the door.  

“I’m coming, I’m coming… Sister Rou, what’s wrong? Why didn’t you bring an umbrella?”

Zhao Guifen opened the door and saw Jiang Rou standing in the heavy rain.  

In just a short period of time, Jiang Rou was already drenched. Her hair was soaked, and cold rainwater covered her face and body, making her look extremely miserable.  

“Sister Guifen, something happened at home…”  

Jiang Rou spoke quickly and concisely, explaining the situation in brief.  

“…Sister Guifen, I need to take Xiaochuan to the Military Camp for treatment. Xiaohua is alone at home, and I’m worried about her. Please help me take care of her.”  

“You’re going to take the child to the Military Camp alone? In this darkness, with the heavy rain? No, no! It’s too dangerous! Sister Rou, you’ve only been here for a few days. Do you even know the way to the Military Camp? Oh dear! What should we do? The men have all gone on patrol, and there’s no one strong enough in the compound to help. You won’t be able to manage on your own!”  

Hearing Jiang Rou’s decision, Zhao Guifen was immediately alarmed.  

Jiang Rou was such a frail young woman, and she had to carry a child who was not so little anymore. What if something happened on the way?  

However, Zhao Guifen was also a mother. She understood the overwhelming worry and anxiety when a child fell ill.  

She did not oppose Jiang Rou’s decision.  

Zhao Guifen said in a firm voice: “Sister Rou, I’ll go with you!”  

Jiang Rou was deeply grateful. “Sister Guifen, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much!”  

“We are neighbors in the same compound. There’s no need to be so polite. Dahuzi! Erhuzi! Come out right now and go to Regiment Commander Zhou’s house!”  

Zhao Guifen called out loudly.  

Dahuzi and Erhuzi were her two sons.  

One was ten years old, the other was eight, both older than Zhou Xiaochuan.  

Zhao Guifen’s plan was for Dahuzi and Erhuzi to stay behind and look after Zhou Xiaohua while she accompanied Jiang Rou to the Military Camp.  

With Zhao Guifen’s help, Jiang Rou finally felt somewhat at ease.  

Back inside the house, she first helped Zhou Xiaochuan sit up and dressed him. Then, she wrapped a blanket tightly around him.  

The wind was howling outside, and the rain was relentless. She was afraid he would catch a chill.  

Once Zhou Xiaochuan was securely wrapped, Jiang Rou lifted him onto her back.  

She guided his hands around her neck.  

“Xiaochuan, hold on tight. We’re going to see the doctor now. After that, you won’t be in pain anymore.”  

Jiang Rou carried Zhou Xiaochuan on her back without hesitation and rushed into the downpour.  

Zhao Guifen followed beside them, holding an umbrella and shining a flashlight, doing her best to take care of them both.

In the fierce wind and heavy rain—  

Jiang Rou’s small figure quickly disappeared into the darkness.