บท 16: Chapter 16 A Sneer_1
Just then, Qi Ergou came in with a middle-aged woman.
He Tiantian recognized her, Wang Shuilian, Qi Jianguo's second aunt, the only barefoot doctor in the surrounding several villages. She had a small clinic in the neighboring Hujia Village, and those who were ill and unable to walk could ask her to come directly to their homes to administer injections, IV fluids, and prescribe traditional Chinese herbal medicines.
Villagers usually endured illnesses, only seeking a doctor's help when they could no longer bear it.
Wang Shuilian was possibly around thirty-four or thirty-five years old, with a thick braid, bushy eyebrows, and large eyes. Before the liberation, the Wang Family ran a medicine shop, and the practice of medicine was passed down through generations in the family. Since everyone eats grains and is bound to fall ill at some point, everyone needed the Wang Family's services, which made them quite prestigious in the vicinity.
He Tiantian also hadn't forgotten how, in her previous life, Mother Qi had colluded with Wang Shuilian's brother, who worked at the county hospital, to claim that she had a physical condition preventing her from having children. In this lifetime, He Tiantian would not let Qi Jianguo's family off the hook and would also not spare the accomplices.
Third Grandma Qi had twisted her ankle, and it wasn't clear whether the bone was injured, so they definitely needed a doctor's assistance.
"Third Aunt Qi, come, let me see if you have injured the bone," Wang Shuilian, Qi Jianguo's mother's second sister, said. She also visited Qijia Village often and knew most of the people in Qijia Village.
Grandma Qi smiled and said, "Then I'll trouble you."
Wang Shuilian sat on a small stool that He Tiantian had moved over, rolled up Grandma Qi's trouser leg, revealing a slightly swollen ankle. She touched Third Grandma Qi's ankle a few times, causing her to wince in pain.
"It hurts a bit, Third Aunt, just bear with it for a moment," Wang Shuilian said as she continuously changed her massage technique on Third Grandma Qi's ankle, "It's alright, no bones are injured, a few days of rest and the swelling should go down. I'll boil some medicinal ointment for you and have one of the kids deliver it later."
"You've worked hard," Third Grandma Qi said, "How much do I owe you? I'll give it to you."
Wang Shuilian did not decline, as she was busy even on such a hot day, and said, "The homemade ointment costs five mao, enough for seven days; I guarantee it will reduce the swelling."
"Girl Tian, go to my wardrobe and take out the money for the doctor," Third Grandma Qi said, as she was about to tell He Tiantian where the money was.
He Tiantian brought over a basin of water, set it aside, and took out five mao, smiling, "Doctor, wash your hands first. Grandma, I'll cover this for now; you can pay me back once you're better."
It was her first day here, and it wouldn't be proper to rummage through Third Grandma Qi's money, especially since she wasn't very familiar yet. It was most appropriate for her to advance the money.
Qi Ergou had been watching the whole time and, reflecting on He Tiantian's conduct during their journey, realized that she understood propriety and when to advance or retreat, and he thought she was a good girl.
Wang Shuilian sized up He Tiantian and said with a smile, "Third Aunt, is this relative of yours?"
"Oh no," Third Grandma Qi chuckled, "I'm not that fortunate. This girl is an Educated Youth, just arrived in our village today. Since there was no place for Educated Youths to stay, I brought her to live at my house; she can also keep me company."
"Not bad, the girl has merit," Wang Shuilian praised, noting that although she was young, she had a good demeanor. Having a good relationship with Third Aunt Qi in the village meant she would likely live harmoniously there as well.
He Tiantian, with her head down, was embarrassed.
"Third Aunt, I still have other places to go, so please wait a moment. Before dinner, my child will deliver the medicine," said Wang Shuilian, who, after washing her hands and accepting the money, was ready to leave.
He Tiantian saw Wang Shuilian to the door, saying, "Doctor, take care."
He Tiantian's attitude greatly pleased Wang Shuilian.
In the countryside, ordinary folks harbored both love and resentment towards doctors, yet none showed as much respect as He Tiantian did.
"No need to see me out anymore, head back," said Wang Shuilian politely, about to leave when she heard someone call her.
He Tiantian felt a sudden twinge in her heart, she had indeed met that person on her very first day.
"Auntie, what are you doing here?" Qi Jianguo came over slowly, not that he couldn't walk fast, but walking too fast would highlight the defect of having one leg shorter than the other, which looked particularly unseemly.
He Tiantian glanced at Qi Jianguo then turned and entered the house.
That person looked the same as before, dressed in a white shirt, blue trousers, and black cloth shoes, with neatly trimmed short hair; at first glance, he seemed genteel and refined.
The first time Qi Jianguo laid eyes on He Tiantian, he was struck by her beauty. She clearly looked like a city girl, with fair skin, a good figure, and attractive features.
"I'm here to massage Third Aunt Qi's feet," Wang Shuilian said with a smile, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be visiting your home. I'll come by when I have some free time."
"Alright then, I won't keep you from your business," replied Qi Jianguo. He was aware that this auntie was a local barefoot doctor who was usually very busy. He just couldn't get the girl he had just seen out of his mind, "Auntie, who was that sending you out just now? A relative of Third Aunt Qi's?"
Wang Shuilian smiled and said, "No, she's not a relative of Third Aunt Qi's. She's a young person from the city. She didn't have a place to stay and is living at Third Aunt Qi's house."
Having said that, Wang Shuilian hurried off.
At that time, bicycles were a rare commodity; Wang Shuilian did not have one, so she went everywhere on foot.
Qi Jianguo's eyes lit up at the mention of "a young city girl." If that were the case, things would be much easier for him.
He Tiantian had entered quickly and didn't see the sinister smile that appeared on Qi Jianguo's handsome face.
After seeing He Tiantian capable of taking care of Third Grandma Qi, Qi Ergou took his leave, saying, "Girl Tian, I entrust Third Grandma Qi to you. I haven't been home since I left early yesterday morning, and now I need to go back and see how things are."
"Second Brother Qi, I'll take care of grandma," He Tiantian said, "You have things to do, so go ahead."
Once Qi Ergou had left, He Tiantian started to prepare dinner using the rations she received that day. She cooked two bowls of rice porridge, stir-fried green beans, and made a cucumber salad.
"Oh my, Tiantian, your cooking skills are incredible. Why don't the same dishes taste as good when I make them?" Third Grandma Qi praised, savoring the thick rice porridge, fragrant green beans, and crisp cucumber.
"You flatter me, Grandma Qi, I just made it casually. If anything doesn't suit your taste, please feel free to tell me," said He Tiantian, finally having a comforting meal. Although she used precious rice, it was her first day staying at Third Grandma Qi's home, so she couldn't be stingy.
After eating, Third Grandma Qi rinsed her mouth, paying special attention to these little habits. Before the liberation, she had been a young lady from a wealthy family and had been raised with strict manners.
After cleaning up the dishes and putting them away in the kitchen, He Tiantian sat down on a small stool next to Third Grandma Qi and said, "Grandma Qi, could you tell me about things going on in the village? Secretary Qi said that in two days, we new educated youths will start working. I don't know how to do farm work or what I should be aware of."
Seeing the worried look on He Tiantian's face, Third Grandma Qi couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Don't worry, you're young. Secretary Qi won't assign you any heavy work. The people in our village seem alright on the surface and manage to get along, but there are a few households that are not very honest behind closed doors. As long as you don't go anywhere alone when you do things, there should be no issues."
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