Chapter 14: Can We Cure Second Uncle’s Leg?

“It’s good that you’re safe.”

Seeing Chang Sheng, Ye Xin Ran finally felt relieved. Only then did she realize how frightened and exhausted she was, her legs had gone weak.

“Auntie, I’m sorry for worrying you,” Chang Sheng said in a choked voice.

He hadn’t expected to be so useless, falling into a hunter’s trap. He had wanted to catch a rabbit to thank Ye Xin Ran, but instead, she had to climb the mountain to find him. It was deeply embarrassing.

“You really didn’t do the right thing today, but I won’t lecture you now,” Ye Xin Ran said, sitting down by the trap. “We’ll settle this properly once we get home.”

The soil around the trap was loose, threatening to collapse at any moment.

While taking a short rest, Ye Xin Ran observed the area carefully and then said, “Wait here, I’ll find some vines nearby.”

She got up and left, returning shortly with a bundle of sturdy vines.

“These vines seem strong enough. Grab hold, and I’ll pull you up,” Ye Xin Ran said as she lowered the vines into the pit.

“Auntie, are you sure this will work? I’m afraid I might pull you down,” Chang Sheng said hesitantly.

“Stop overthinking it. Just hold on! And make sure to secure the rabbit in your satchel so it doesn’t fall out halfway up.”

Following her instructions, Chang Sheng secured the rabbit. Moments later, Ye Xin Ran successfully hauled him out of the pit.

“Auntie, you’re so strong!” Chang Sheng exclaimed excitedly as he climbed out, only to yelp in pain and collapse to the ground because of his injured ankle.

Ye Xin Ran quickly examined his injury and said, pointing to the vines looped around a nearby tree, “It’s just a little trick. Your ankle is sprained, so don’t strain it further.”

At that moment, Zhang Da Li and his son arrived.

Zhang Da Li, seeing Chang Sheng’s swollen ankle, which resembled a pig’s hoof, immediately crouched down and said, “Climb on, I’ll carry you home.”

Though reluctant, Chang Sheng glanced at Ye Xin Ran’s expression and eventually climbed onto Zhang Da Li’s back.

The group formed a line as they descended the mountain. Zhang Quan Xi led the way with a torch, Zhang Da Li carried Chang Sheng in the middle, and Ye Xin Ran followed behind. None of them noticed her quietly pluck a leaf from a tree along the path, a look of delight flashing across her face.

When they finally returned home, Er Dan grabbed his school bag and rushed back to his own house. Zhang Da Li set Chang Sheng down and immediately prepared to leave, saying, “Chang Sheng’s injury looks serious. You’d better take him to a doctor tomorrow.”

“I’ll handle it,” Ye Xin Ran replied, then asked Chang Ping to fetch a large piece of purple yam from the kitchen. “This is the purple yam I dug up in the mountains today. Take a piece home, Brother Zhang.”

“No, no, I can’t take this!” Zhang Da Li waved his hands vigorously. “The kids already brought over a scoop of rice this afternoon. I don’t know when I’ll be able to repay that, so I can’t possibly accept anything else from you.”

“Who said anything about borrowing? This is a gift.”

“No, no!” The honest man was at a loss for words, his face flushing with embarrassment.

“You helped carry Chang Sheng down the mountain. This is my family’s token of gratitude. It’s not much, but I hope you won’t find it too humble,” Ye Xin Ran insisted.

“Of course not.” Zhang Da Li looked at the massive yam, which was about the size of three or four heads. He was delighted but hesitant to accept such a generous gift.

“Brother Quan Xi, just take it already! It’s so heavy, I can’t hold it much longer,” said Chang Ping, shoving the yam into Quan Xi’s arms.

“Whoa!” Quan Xi let out a yelp as the weight of the yam bent him over.

“Dad, help!” Quan Xi called out to Zhang Da Li, who had no choice but to accept the hefty yam.

“Madam Ye, I know you’re trying to help my family. I, Zhang Da Li, may not be very capable, but I’ll always remember your kindness. Whatever I owe, I’ll make sure to repay it,” Zhang Da Li said, holding the yam tightly, his face dark with determination.

“There’s no rush,” Ye Xin Ran replied. “Right now, the heavens aren’t blessing us with food, and times are tough for everyone. You can repay us after we get through this difficult period.”

After the Zhang father and son left, Ye Xin Ran rechecked Chang Sheng’s injured foot.

Earlier on the mountain, she had already examined it and noticed that his ankle was dislocated. It needed to be repositioned before applying medicine.

Since it was too late to call a doctor, Ye Xin Ran decided to handle it herself.

“Chang Sheng, brace yourself,” Ye Xin Ran said as she gripped his lower leg with one hand and gently rotated his foot with the other, searching for the correct position.

Changsheng, not knowing what she was doing, was about to reply when he suddenly heard a crisp “snap”.

“All done!” Ye Xin Ran clapped her hands. “Now, try moving your ankle.”

Chang Sheng tentatively rotated his ankle and realized it no longer hurt!

“This is unbelievable,” he exclaimed. “Auntie, do you know medicine?”

“I just know a little,” Ye Xin Ran replied casually.

To her surprise, the three children crowded around her, their bright eyes fixed on her.

“Auntie, you’re amazing! Could you help cure Second Uncle’s leg?”

“Your Second Uncle’s condition is different from yours,” Ye Xin Ran explained. “You only had a sprain, but his leg has been crippled for a long time. It’s not something that can be fixed so easily.”

In truth, Ye Xin Ran didn’t know the specifics of Xiao Huai’an’s leg injury yet, and whether it could be treated would depend on future developments.

Hearing her response, the children’s heads drooped in disappointment.

“Brothers, don’t be sad. When I grow up, I’ll study medicine and make sure to cure Second Uncle’s leg!” Chang An consoled his brothers maturely.

“By the time you grow up, Second Uncle will be too old to fight in the wars” Chang Ping began to retort but was immediately elbowed by Chang Sheng, cutting him off.

“Even if I can’t cure him, there are many skilled doctors in the world. Someone will be able to treat him!” Ye Xin Ran reassured them, not wanting them to lose hope.

“Really?” The three children’s eyes lit up with hope once more.

“Of course. I once met someone whose leg bones were completely broken. A miracle doctor healed him. If we ever meet such a doctor, your Second Uncle will surely recover too.”

“Wow, that miracle doctor must be amazing! Second Uncle is such a good person, he’s bound to meet someone like that,” Chang An said, full of optimism.

“Most likely,” Ye Xin Ran replied with a smile.

She then returned to her room, crushed the leaves she had brought back, and mixed them with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine from her space. With the concoction ready, she headed to Chang Sheng’s room.

“This is a medicinal herb I found on the mountain. Apply this to your leg, and the swelling should go down by tomorrow. However, you need to rest well these next few days. Have Er Dan help you request leave from school and rest at home for three days.”

“Yes!”

After all that had happened, Chang Sheng had subconsciously come to rely on Ye Xin Ran, believing everything she said to be right.

“I brought the “Four Books” home today, so I can read them myself at home,” he added.

Hearing this, Chang Sheng suddenly remembered something important.

“Auntie, please open my book case quickly!”