Chapter 32

Something happened to Pei Zhong!

Jiang Xi quickly put down her things, wiped her hands, and opened the door. She saw Pei Zhong, carried by Pei Deyi, with his right leg covered in blood and twisted in pain.

Pei Deyi was anxious and careful, fearing further injury to his father. Jiang Xi came over with tools and instructed everyone to move aside. She said, “Everyone move aside, don’t block the way.”

Several people quickly moved away, saying, “Doctor Jiang, please take a look.”

“Uncle is really unlucky. He was pushed into the field during a fight and bumped into a sickle. It was scary to watch…”

Pei Zhong was in immense pain, gasping for breath. Jiang Xi inserted a needle into an acupuncture point on his leg, slowing the bleeding. After more pricks, the bleeding reduced further.

Jiang Xi said, “Bring me a pair of scissors.”

Pei Deyi quickly handed her a pair of scissors. Jiang Xi cut open Pei Zhong’s pants to reveal the wound. 

The wound was severe, with torn skin and blood oozing out.

Everyone watching gasped: “Oh my God,

There is no fracture, but the wound is too large and needs stitches. Stitches require anesthesia^[1]refers to a medication used to prevent pain during surgical procedures., which Jiang Xi can’t provide right now. It would be very painful to do it without anesthesia.

As she cleaned the wound, Jiang Xi said, “Send Dad to town. There should be anesthesia there. Otherwise, it will be too painful to just force stitches. Also, I can’t check if his bones are injured.”

Due to poor conditions and insufficient disinfection equipment, an infection could be a serious problem.

“We still need to go to town,” Pei Deyi frowned, pushing the cart but worried about the risk of more blood loss along the way.

“No,” Jiang Xi pointed at the two needles in Pei Zhong’s leg and said, “Pay attention to these needles. Ask the doctor to remove them when you get to the clinic.”

Pei Deyi sighed and was about to put his father, who was in great pain and nearly unconscious, into the car when he heard a car approaching.

One person said, “There is a car!”

“Whose relative is driving back? How impressive!”

Jiang Xi’s eyes lit up, and she said, “Don’t move,” then ran outside to find the car.

She hoped the car belonged to someone related to the Pei family. Nearly every household in Peijia Village was related, and if the car belonged to a relative, they could borrow it. Anyone who could drive to this remote village wasn’t just passing through.

Jiang Xi ran a few steps and saw the car approaching Pei’s house. The car stopped right in front of the house before Jiang Xi could speak.

A middle-aged man in a military uniform got out, holding something. He looked at Jiang Xi suspiciously: “You are…”

Jiang Xi stepped forward and said quickly, “Hello, I’m Pei Hejun’s…wife. His father was cut by a sickle while working in the fields. Could you please help take him to the clinic in town?”

The man’s face changed, and he immediately said, “Of course.”

He called out, and the other two people in the car got out and hurried into the yard. Everyone was stunned, but when they saw the military uniforms, they understood the situation.

“We are comrades-in-arms of Comrade Pei Hejun. We came to visit him and happen to have a car, so we can take him,” said the leading man.

Pei Deyi nodded immediately: “Thank you, comrade!”

He carried his father out. The door was open, and he placed Pei Zhong in the pickup truck, which had seats in the front and empty space in the back for more passengers. Jiang Xi went inside to get the money and deposit it. Just as she was about to lock the door, Pei’s mother arrived, crying and carrying Jiang Yu and Jiang Mi.

She stepped forward to explain: “Mom, it’s okay. This car is fast and will get to the hospital soon. There is room in the back, so you should go too.”

“Okay.” Mother Pei nodded, trembling, and seemed to lose her strength.

Jiang Xi asked her two frightened sisters to stay home and look after the house. She helped Pei’s mother into the car. The two young men in military uniforms helped Pei Zhong into the back of the truck, and they all got in.

As the car started, Mother Pei came to her senses and asked, “Xiaoxi, is your father seriously ill?” She held Jiang Xi’s hand tightly, her eyes unfocused.

Jiang Xi replied softly, “It’s not serious, just a lot of bleeding. I stopped the bleeding as soon as I could. Don’t worry, it’s not too serious!”

Mother Pei’s eyes were sore, and she wiped away her tears: “Why has my family had so much trouble this year…”

Jiang Xi was saddened by her tears and felt like crying too. This year has been particularly unlucky for these two elderly people.

The middle-aged man, who had been silent since getting on the truck, finally spoke: “Comrade, do you remember me?”

Mother Pei glanced at him and felt he looked familiar but couldn’t remember who he was. Her mood eased a bit as she thought about it.

The middle-aged man smiled and said seriously, “I am Xiang Yiyang, He Jun’s boss. I visited your house when He Jun got into trouble. This is Comrade Shi Zhonghua, He Jun’s partner. We heard He Jun got married and came to see him. Don’t worry, the military will help you with any problems.”

Shi Zhonghua nodded and said seriously, “Auntie, sister-in-law, He Jun and I are good friends. His parents are like my own. We will take him to the county hospital later.”

After hearing this, Pei’s mother remembered and said, “Oh, it’s you. Hello, comrade.”

When she heard they would go to the county hospital, she looked at Jiang Xi.

Jiang Xi nodded, confirming it was a good idea.

Mother Pei gratefully said, “Thank you very much. We’re lucky you came. It was also thanks to your help before. Otherwise, the two old folks and I…”

“You’re too kind,” Xiang Yiyang shook his head, feeling a bit guilty. “We should have come earlier. We were delayed by a mission, but fortunately, it’s today. It seems God is helping us.”

Mother Pei nodded, tears falling but a smile on her face. She took Jiang Xi’s hand and said, “This is the third son’s wife. They were engaged as children. The third son is in the army. She is honest and willing to marry him despite the circumstances…”

The two men already knew this and looked at Jiang Xi with even gentler expressions.

Xiang Yiyang said, “Comrade, you’ve worked hard. If you face any difficulties, let the organization know. We won’t mistreat anyone who has dedicated themselves to the country, nor their families.”

Jiang Xi smiled shyly and shook her head, “It’s nothing. The country has been very good to us. We don’t need anything.”

Mother Pei added, “Yes, it’s nothing. Xiaoxi is very capable. She learned some medical skills from an old doctor. She can treat fevers, colds, and injuries. Our village leader even asked her to be the village doctor. I was worried that if the third child couldn’t leave home, losing two workers would be a problem. But everything is fine now. You don’t need to worry.”

She spoke with great pride.

Xiang Yiyang looked at Jiang Xi. She was clean and fair, wearing dark clothes that were very tidy, with only patches on the cuffs. Her hair was neatly combed, showing her pretty face.

At first glance, she seemed like someone from the city, with a bit of a cultured air^[2]refers to an appearance or demeanor suggesting sophistication.. He had heard she went to high school.

He admired that she was willing to marry Pei Hejun at this time. However, he was a bit worried. As a leader, he knew Pei Hejun’s family situation. If Pei Hejun’s family couldn’t take care of their parents, it would be tough for them.

But there was nothing they could do but observe. Even a fair judge can’t decide family matters.

They hadn’t expected Jiang Xi to suddenly appear and change everything. They had come to see this girl who chose to marry Pei Hejun and have a very simple wedding.

If they had any doubts, they would try to address them. 

Now, Xiang Yiyang thought Jiang Xi seemed capable. Being a village doctor to treat injuries might not be a major job, but it was significant in a place with limited medical care. A person like her wouldn’t be in this role just for the pension.

Seeing that Jiang Xi had clear features and seemed upright, and that Pei’s mother relied on her instinctively, it showed that Jiang Xi was doing well in the Pei family.

After thinking it over, Xiang Yiyang looked at Jiang Xi and said, “You’re a capable person. Being a doctor is good. There aren’t many patients in the village, so it gives you time to care for He Jun. It might be a bit hard, though.”

Jiang Xi replied, “It’s nothing. My parents and two sisters help me, so it’s manageable.”

Xiang Yiyang said more gently, “By the way, since you’ve learned some medicine, the county organizes training for doctors every year. How about I recommend you? The more you learn, the more patients you can treat in the future.”

Jiang Xi was interested and asked, “Learn medicine? Who will teach us?”

Xiang Yiyang explained, “We have both traditional Chinese and Western medicine courses. The teachers are from the county hospital. They teach once a month for a week each time. Food and accommodation are provided. If you learn well, you could even study in the city.”

Even barefoot doctors in the brigade must attend such training, but not everyone gets a chance. Advanced training means progress and can lead to more prominent positions.

However, Jiang Xi had just become a doctor, so she might not get a chance immediately.

Jiang Xi shook her head and said, “I’m not the team doctor. Our team has another doctor, so it might not work.”

Xiang Yiyang was surprised, “There’s another team doctor?”

Mother Pei explained, “Yes. The team leader wanted Xiaoxi to be the team doctor, but the team refused. A new team doctor was brought in, but he sold overpriced medicine. After complaints, there was no punishment. That’s why the team leader decided Xiaoxi should be our village doctor.”

Xiang Yiyang frowned. It was clear the new team doctor was someone with connections.

He noted this and told Pei’s mother not to be upset. He would look into the matter later.

Mother Pei agreed and said she still hoped Jiang Xi could be the team doctor.

Jiang Xi smiled and said, “Don’t be so excited. Being a village doctor is actually quite good.”

Afterward, Pei’s mother felt less sad. The roads near the village were tough, but they improved near the town. The car arrived at the county hospital.

***

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