Chapter 14

The woman who wanted the egg back said this, and Jiang Xi didn’t get angry. She smiled and handed the egg over: “Okay, I will give it to you.”

The other person grabbed the eggs and quickly left, acting as if she was avoiding a scam. Before she left, she said, “Why are you still standing there? Do you really think this girl has any tricks?”

Even though eggs are cheap and many families have chickens, she didn’t want to be tricked for nothing.

“Mrs. Zhang, what are you talking about?! My daughter-in-law isn’t lying!” Pei’s mother, who was busy cooking, heard the commotion and ran out. She was so angry that she grabbed a spatula and tried to hit her: “My daughter-in-law is very skilled, and you’re just talking nonsense!”

Mrs. Zhang was startled and quickly ran away. As she left, she sang loudly, “Some people brag about their skills but now they’ve shown their true colors. Luckily, I didn’t lose my eggs.”

“Get lost! Who needs your little stuff?” Pei’s mother shouted. Seeing that Mrs. Zhang had already run off, she couldn’t chase her but grabbed a stone and threw it: “If you come back to my house, I’ll beat you up!”

The stone hit Mrs. Zhang on the butt.

“Wang Guizhi!” Mrs. Zhang yelled, turning pale and ready to fight.

But Pei’s father, who had returned from work and was looking after his son, came out. Though older, he was strong and looked fierce. He asked, “What? Do you want to fight?”

Mrs. Zhang was scared and left with the eggs.

After this commotion, others who had only seen the doctor and received a prescription also started to worry. They returned and said with a weak smile, “Actually, my problem isn’t serious. Let’s forget about it, He Jun’s wife.”

Jiang Xi stayed calm and didn’t take their betrayal personally. She smiled and said, “Okay, you brought three eggs. Here you go.”

“And you, it’s a handful of vegetables for you.”

Every time Jiang Xi saw a patient, she would write it down in her notebook, cross out the parts, and then look at the rest of the people.

Two people with back injuries felt much better after Jiang Xi treated them and had no more pain.

They had originally stayed to watch but quickly changed their minds and said to Jiang Xi, “He Jun’s wife, you are really capable. Those others are just short-sighted. We’ll need your help in the future.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Jiang Xi said with a smile. She had seen many similar situations before and didn’t let it bother her.

She hadn’t lost anything and had gotten the prescriptions and materials back.

The other two left, and the only people left were Lu Xiufang and Pei Jianxiang.

Jiang Xi turned to them and asked, “What about you?”

Both looked embarrassed. They came for medical advice, but the situation had turned out so strange. They were unsure what to do now.

Seeing them unsure, Lu Xiufang quickly said, “We don’t need to pay anything.”

Jiang Xi said, “You don’t determine pregnancy by whether you have your period. Many women still have periods during pregnancy. You do show signs of pregnancy, likely about a month and a half along. Your last period was probably just bleeding.”

“Really?” Lu Xiufang replied vaguely, still doubtful.

She and her husband had been trying to conceive for four years without success. She had given up hope and was surprised by the news.

“Thank you, He Jun’s wife,” Lu Xiufang said, both excited and doubtful. 

Jiang Xi reassured them, “Go get a check-up to confirm. It shouldn’t be expensive for a simple pregnancy test.”

Lu Xiufang’s eyes filled with tears of joy. She tried to thank Jiang Xi but felt pain in her waist. Pei Jianxiang quickly helped her up and asked, “He Jun’s wife, did you say a hot compress would help?”

“Okay, we’ll definitely not let her work. We’ll go for a check-up tomorrow. No, let’s go in the afternoon!” Lu Xiufang and Pei Jianxiang nodded, full of love for their unborn child. They thanked Jiang Xi repeatedly and then slowly went back.

_

Once Lu Xiufang and her husband left, the Pei household was quiet.

After the commotion caused by Xisheng’s mother, everyone left because of Lu Xiufang’s misunderstanding. Others who wanted to come probably heard about it too.

Mother Pei was a bit angry and worried that her daughter-in-law might be upset, so she said gently, “Xiaoxi, don’t worry about those people. They just can’t see your talents. If they come to visit again, I won’t let them in!”

Jiang Xi smiled and replied, “It’s fine, I don’t mind.”

Mother Pei sighed in relief. Generosity was important, she thought. She said, “There are steamed eggs for lunch. Eat more.”

“Okay,” Jiang Xi agreed happily.

She noticed there were quite a few steamed eggs—three small bowls. Jiang Xi, Jiang Ermei, and Jiang Sanmei each had a bowl. When they were brought to the table, the two older ladies put the bowls in front of them, saying, “Eat quickly. I steamed the eggs perfectly today, they’re so tender!”

Jiang Sanmei eagerly started eating with a spoon. She was so happy with the smooth eggs that she wiggled her feet and said, “Sister, it’s delicious! I haven’t had eggs like this in a long time!”

Jiang Ermei was too shy to start and looked at her elder sister for help.

Jiang Xi was also a bit helpless. Pei’s parents were very careful with her, even giving extra attention to her two younger sisters, but they were still quite frugal with themselves.

She stood up and put half of her egg into the two elders’ bowls. “Mom and Dad, it’s not right to let just the three of us eat. We should all enjoy the food together.”

Father Pei was about to avoid taking the egg custard, saying, “I don’t really like it—”

But Jiang Xi was quicker, dropping the egg custard into his bowl. “I’m not a child. Who doesn’t like egg custard?”

Father Pei coughed and said nothing, but his eyes crinkled with a smile.

Mother Pei’s eyes were slightly moist from happiness.

After dividing the food, Jiang Xi sat down, and Jiang Ermei handed her bowl to Jiang Xi, saying, “Big sister, you eat more. I’ll manage with the rest.”

Jiang Sanmei, seeing this, moved her bowl over too. “Then Second Sister, let’s eat together?”

“Okay,” Jiang Ermei agreed this time.

Jiang Xi watched them share the egg custard and gave some of her portion to Jiang Ermei, ensuring everyone had some. She then took a small spoonful for herself.

The egg custard was indeed steamed well—soft and delicious. Salt and a few drops of oil made it taste great. Mixing it with rice made the dry brown rice and sweet potato rice much tastier.

Father Pei finished eating first and went to take care of Pei Hejun, his son. He poured water into the nasogastric tube to clean it, then used a syringe to feed him liquid food, and cleaned the tube again. He left after finishing these tasks.

Jiang Xi found it easy to care for Pei Hejun, who was in a vegetative state.

Pei’s parents did everything they could. If it wasn’t inconvenient for them to visit at night, Jiang Xi felt Pei’s father would help turn his son in bed.

It was still early, so after lunch, Pei’s family went to rest.

Jiang Xi returned to her room to lie down. She had written a lot that morning and was tired. As she lay down, she held the big hand of the man beside her, and a translucent panel appeared.

Three missions were completed, and four failed.

A total of fifteen points were earned, plus twenty from Li Aimei yesterday, and six from Pei Hejun, totaling forty-one points!

Forty-one points weren’t enough to buy everything she wanted in the system mall, but Jiang Xi didn’t mind. It was still good to buy some useful things.

For example, vanishing cream, medical alcohol, and cotton balls were very cheap in the mall and only cost one point each!

She bought several items and spent only six points, leaving her with more than thirty.

Jiang Xi wasn’t a saver, so she continued browsing. When she reached the medicinal materials section, prices went up significantly. Buying a lot for treating patients wasn’t cost-effective, so she planned to buy just a few nourishing foods.

The system had mentioned that the medicinal materials it produced were top-quality, better than those in pharmacies. This was why Li Aimei recovered quickly, and the prices were affordable.

Jiang Xi wanted to buy nourishing food for Pei Hejun. Being bedridden, he lacked proper nutrition. Pei’s parents and his two younger sisters also had some malnutrition and minor gastrointestinal issues, so they needed nourishing medicine too.

Jiang Xi wasn’t satisfied and wanted to keep looking, but she couldn’t afford everything she wanted. For instance, an acupuncture set cost 500 points!

Five hundred!!!

Although acupuncture could do many things, Jiang Xi could only stare at it longingly. She asked the system to pack up the items she had bought and store them in the closet, waiting for a better time to use them.

_

The lunch break ended.

Everyone was woken by the loudspeaker announcing work.

Jiang Xi said she was going to town, so someone had to stay home. Pei’s mother stayed behind, and Pei’s father went to work.

Jiang Ermei and Jiang Sanmei went to look for medicinal herbs as usual.

Before leaving, Jiang Xi asked, “Is there anything you need? Just let me know.”

Jiang Ermei quickly shook her head and smiled brightly, “No.”

Jiang Sanmei also shook her head, not out of shyness but happily saying, “No, I haven’t finished the cookies at home!”

Even though she was a bit spoiled, she knew that her life was much better now than in the past three years. She no longer had to give up delicious food and had new clothes to wear. That was enough for her.

Seeing this, Jiang Xi didn’t say much and rode away on her bicycle.

Because of the timing, other villagers were also heading out lazily. She met many people along the way; some greeted her with smiles, while others pointed at her and whispered.

The place where they worked was on the same road that led to the town. There was a section of the road where both paths intersected, and Jiang Xi also saw Pei Deming and his wife.

Jiang Xi noticed that both had some injuries on their faces. Pei Deming’s slap mark was fading but still noticeable, with some bruising on his cheekbone.

It seemed that Pei’s parents had given them a hard time.

Jiang Xi smiled, feeling pleased to see someone she disliked in trouble. She recalled what Xu Cui had said to Xisheng’s mother that day. Seeing Pei Deming and his wife in such a state made her happy.

They noticed Jiang Xi’s new bicycle, which was shiny and well-maintained. Pei’s mother had even wiped it with a towel. A bicycle like this was worth at least one hundred fifty yuan, plus the ticket. It wasn’t something ordinary people could easily afford.

Seeing Jiang Xi’s smile, all their old grudges and jealousy resurfaced. Xu Cui, angry and envious, pinched her husband’s arm and complained, “Why are your parents so biased? When I married, they gave me a sewing machine! Look at the third son’s wife—she has everything!”

She was upset that Pei’s mother had a sewing machine, a bicycle, and probably would get the pension too, while she had been given so little.

Pei Deming, frustrated, clenched his teeth but said nothing. He too resented his parents’ favoritism.

Seeing her husband silent and feeling more isolated, Xu Cui grew angrier. As Jiang Xi prepared to leave on her bicycle, Xu Cui saw Xisheng’s mother and shouted, “Hey, head of the family! I heard from our mother that the third son is very fortunate. Even though he is ill, he married a great wife who knows medicine. She’ll ensure they never run out of food. How enviable!”

Xisheng’s mother, who had been wronged by Pei’s mother, responded loudly, “What’s so amazing? Jianxiang’s wife is reputed to have special skills. She has been married for years and hasn’t had a child yet. But now she has sprained her waist and is seeing your sister-in-law. And she says she’s pregnant!”

The loud talk drew attention from the people around. Everyone looked at Jiang Xi with suspicion. She noticed but chose not to engage. Instead, she spotted someone riding a bicycle slowly in front of her. She stopped and smiled, saying, “Go on.”

The gossipers fell silent but remained attentive.

Xisheng’s mother, excited, continued loudly, “How could this be false? Aunt Zhang, tell me if it’s true!”

Mrs. Zhang, nearby, quickly replied, “Of course. I went to see her for a headache. She gave me a prescription, but I didn’t dare use it. I returned it…”

“Good thing I didn’t take it; what if I got sick from it? All medicines are risky!” Xisheng’s mother exaggerated. “Wang Guizhi likes to brag about her third son’s wife. But the third son…”

Xu Cui, listening, felt a bit relieved from her anger. Although she didn’t want to quarrel with Jiang Xi, she doubted that Jiang Xi had married her brother just to repay a favor.

It seemed more about money.

Xu Cui hoped Jiang Xi would leave soon and not take away the third brother’s pension. Otherwise, she would be criticized in the future. She watched Jiang Xi, who didn’t seem embarrassed and even smiled. Xu Cui wondered and followed her gaze to see Pei Jianxiang and Lu Xiufang approaching on their bicycles, looking very happy.

Pei Jianxiang and Lu Xiufang, riding closer, shouted to Jiang Xi, “He Jun’s wife, are you going to town?”

“Yes,” Jiang Xi nodded and signaled them to stop.

Pei Jianxiang braked and supported the bicycle with one foot. Lu Xiufang, sitting behind and holding her waist, also dismounted.

Xu Cui, who had been quiet, suddenly felt uneasy seeing their joyful faces.

Xisheng’s mother and Mrs. Zhang also felt something was off and stayed silent.

Everyone in the village knew each other. The couple had previously been worried about their child. Why were they so happy now? Someone asked, “Jianxiang, what’s the good news?”

Pei Jianxiang, laughing heartily, announced, “It’s great news! My wife is pregnant! The doctor said it’s been over a month. Thanks to He Jun’s wife for the accurate diagnosis. Otherwise, my wife might have taken the wrong medicine. We didn’t believe it at first, but she insisted on a check-up and even paid for it! The old doctor confirmed it!”

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