The person who arrived was precisely Xie Sui's eldest sister – Xie Lan, the elder sister of the family. Like all older sisters of this era, she did the most work and ate the least, truly a mother figure.
Xie Sui grew up on his elder sister's back. When he was young and ignorant, he disliked how dirty and ugly his sister was, often hurting her feelings.
He never considered how much work his elder sister did daily. For the family, she didn't marry until she was over twenty. Her husband's family was so poor that even mice would struggle to find sustenance. Yet, Xie Dahe demanded a high bride price of twenty yuan, all of which was used for Xie Sui.
"Why are you back?"
Xie Dahe, puffing on his pipe, frowned.
Zhao Xiu'e, after all, was his mother and doted on her daughter. "Come in and talk. Mother will pour you some water."
"No need, I'm not thirsty."
Xie Lan sat down cautiously, feeling uneasy. Xie Dahe looked at her and got annoyed; she was so quiet he couldn't get a word out of her.
"Mother, are these corn kernels to be ground? Shall my elder sister and I go grind them for you?"
"Alright, go ahead. I'll cook. Ask your elder sister to stay for a meal."
"Understood. Elder sister, let's go."
Xie Lan could only follow Xie Sui out. Xie Sui said, "Elder sister, how is everything at home?"
Her return at this time must mean they were in trouble, and serious trouble at that. Otherwise, given her personality, she wouldn't come back to her mother's home unless she was desperate.
Girls in this era were very pitiful. They were taught from a young age to sacrifice and dedicate themselves. Once married, they were outsiders, like spilled water.
Yet, after marrying out, they were expected to help their natal families. Parents and younger brothers were their support, their kin, and they were expected to have a conscience and be filial. No matter what, they had to do as they were told.
Xie Lan was a prime example. No matter how difficult things were at home, she would bring any good food to Xie Sui.
"Little Sui, the child is sick, and we have no money. I truly have no other choice..."
Xie Lan couldn't help but cry. Had her brother finally become sensible?
"Is the illness serious? What did the doctor say?"
Xie Lan's son, Li Hu, was eight years old. She married late, so her child was only a few years younger than Dou Dou and Ding Ding.
"They said it's some kind of brain inflammation and that he needs to be sent to the hospital quickly, or he'll be paralyzed. The fever hasn't subsided. We've borrowed from everyone we know. I was hoping Mother and Father could lend us some."
"Oh, heavens, then what are we waiting for? Meningitis is very serious. I'll go borrow a mule cart. We'll leave now."
Xie Sui panicked upon hearing this. The mortality rate for children was very high in this era. Vaccines for polio were not yet widespread, and several children in their village had died from it.
"Little Sui, it's no use going to the hospital without money."
"I'll figure something out. Sister, go sit at home for a while. Have Wan Wan pack some things. I'll be back shortly."
"Okay, okay, sister will wait for you."
Xie Lan was overjoyed and felt her brother's slender shoulders were exceptionally strong. She never expected to rely on her brother one day.
Lin Wanwan, upon hearing that her nephew was seriously ill, didn't hesitate. She packed a bundle of food and necessities and gave Xie Lan a hundred yuan. "Use this for now. If it's not enough, we'll figure it out together." Sudan Fiction Network.
She thought for a moment and then added, "Xie Sui has changed now. He can earn money and is much more reliable than before. You can trust him."
"That's good. Thank you, Wanwan. Elder sister will definitely repay this money."
Xie Lan hadn't held much hope. She knew her parents' situation well. She was just coming to try one last time so she could despair and completely give up on her child.
She could only blame her child for having bad luck. Most people consoled themselves with such thoughts in the face of suffering.
"Elder sister, are we ready to go?"
Xie Lan wiped her tears and got into the mule cart with the belongings. Xie Sui, as usual, brought Zhang Wenfeng to drive the cart. Thanks to his reminder, the Zhang family was harmonious, and for the first time, he didn't get scolded. Zhang Wenfeng was completely convinced.
Xie Sui, though he used to do unscrupulous things, was genuinely intelligent. Once he applied himself to the right path, he was formidable.
Xie Lan's in-laws lived in the neighboring village, about five to six li away, a little over ten minutes by cart. Their courtyard was as dilapidated as their old home. Her husband, Li Wenjun, looked worried. He was only in his thirties, but his hair was already streaked with white. Li Hu was their only son, and if there was even the slightest hope, he would risk his life to save his son.
"Brother Hu Zi's father, quickly bring the son up. The child's uncle is here to see him."
Xie Lan straightened her back, feeling proud for the first time. With her brother's success, she could hold her head high at her in-laws' place.
Li Wenjun glanced at the mule cart suspiciously. "Your good-for-nothing younger brother can help us?"
He would be thankful if he didn't come to leech off them. Every year, Xie Lan had secretly given him money.
Li Wenjun, for his son's sake, had turned a blind eye. Now, to say he could cure their son, Li Wenjun didn't believe it one bit.
"Hey, are you going to see him or not? The mule cart is here, let's hurry to the county hospital. Is Hu Zi your own son?"
Xie Lan lost her temper. Xie Sui jumped off the cart. "Where is Hu Zi? We can go. Brother-in-law, you can stay home and guard the house."
"No, I'm coming too."
Li Wenjun panicked. Entrusting his son to this brother-in-law would be like a dog eating a steamed bun – no return.
Hu Zi, a robust child, was babbling deliriously from the fever. Xie Sui dared not delay. "Wen Feng, hurry up! Saving a life is like fighting a fire."
"Got it, Brother Xie. Hold on tight."
Chen Wenfeng flicked the whip, and the mule ran, the cart moving quickly and steadily.
The journey, which would have taken an hour, was completed in half an hour to the county hospital. Xie Sui rushed in with the child. "Doctor, please save him!"
He went straight to the emergency room. After an examination, the doctor shook his head. Xie Lan was on the verge of collapse. "How is my child?"
"It's not very optimistic. He was brought in a bit too late."
Xie Sui was speechless. "Can't you just say whether he can be saved? No matter how much it costs, we'll pay. If the county can't cure him, we'll go to the city. If the city can't, we'll go to the province. As long as there's a sliver of hope, we'll try."
Hospitals in this era didn't have as many examination items. This doctor was experienced and could tell the general condition. "It looks like meningitis, but further examination is needed. This illness isn't difficult to treat, but it's quite costly."
Looking at their attire, they didn't seem like a family that could afford such expenses. The doctor was also in a difficult position.
"Roughly how much will it cost?"
Li Wenjun asked cautiously, his heart in his throat.
"At least two hundred yuan, and that's if the treatment goes smoothly. He needs to be hospitalized. You should be mentally prepared."
"We'll treat him. Write out the forms, and I'll go pay. Elder sister, brother-in-law, things that can be solved with money are not problems. I'll handle the money. You two take good care of Hu Zi."
Yet, this small amount of silver, a mere two taels, could stump countless people.
Xie Lan took out the hundred yuan given to her by Lin Wanwan. "This is from Sister-in-law. Go pay. Little Sui, I can't thank you enough this time."
"We're family, don't mention it. Everything will be alright. Elder sister, don't worry."
Xie Sui went to pay the bill and handle the paperwork. He busied himself until evening before everything was settled. Li Wenjun was completely dazed. When asked to handle the forms, he couldn't even speak coherently. He was filled with gratitude towards Xie Sui.
"Little Sui, quickly drink some water. You must be exhausted."
Xie Lan felt a little embarrassed. Her own husband was like a useless person; when faced with a problem, it was her brother who stepped up.