The day after treating Zhao Dajie and Lao Zhang Dage to a housewarming feast, Xu Mingxuan packed his belongings and headed to the Party School for his classes.
Not long after Xu Mingxuan left, a postman arrived with a telegram. It was from Baozi, who was working in Lulong County, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, and was addressed to Xu Mingxuan. The telegram stated that he and two others had departed from the county the morning before yesterday. Due to transfers, they expected to arrive in Harbin that afternoon and asked Xu Mingxuan to pick them up at the train station. The telegram was sent the day before they departed.
Chen Lan thought to herself, what terrible timing. Xu Mingxuan had been waiting for them for several days, but they hadn't arrived. Just as he left for school, his comrades arrived.
Despite her thoughts, tasks still needed to be done. Chen Lan instructed Jiahui and Jiahe to tidy up the house that morning, preparing beds for Xu Mingxuan's comrades, along with washing and changing items.
She then gave five hundred yuan to the brothers Jiayao and Jiaxing, instructing them to take the money and go to the nearest hospital, the Harbin Railway Central Hospital.
She asked Jiayao to register for an appointment with the orthopedics department beforehand. If it was possible to complete the hospitalization procedures in advance, that would be even better, so Wei Dang could be admitted directly for surgery upon arrival.
Watching the brothers ride away, Chen Lan herself went to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients for the afternoon's stew and dishes for Xu Mingxuan's comrades, fearing that she wouldn't have enough time to prepare everything once they were back.
To her surprise, Jiayao and his brother returned shortly after, saying the hospital required a unit certificate before they could process the hospitalization procedures. Chen Lan was at a loss, and could only wait for Baozi and the others to arrive.
However, Chen Lan did purchase anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, gauze, and medical alcohol from the system, just in case.
Jiayao also prepared the wound ointment and a cooling herbal decoction. Everything was ready, just waiting for Wei Dang and the others.
The mother and sons had a simple lunch, and then prepared to go to the train station to pick up their guests. As they were about to leave, Chen Lan faced another dilemma. If all four of them went to the station, there would be too many people, and they wouldn't be able to fit on the bicycles for the return trip.
So, Chen Lan stayed home with Jiahui, while Jiayao took his two younger brothers to the train station. Chen Lan specifically asked Jiayao to write a large sign with black ink on paper to prevent them from missing each other in the crowd. The sign was to read "Qinhuangdao - Xu Youmao" in large, eye-catching characters. Baozi's real name was Xu Youmao.
The mother and daughter waited until nearly four in the afternoon when Jiayao and his brothers finally returned with their guests. They brought back three people, one of whom Jiayao was carrying into the courtyard. The three men had gaunt faces etched with exhaustion, clearly having traveled a long way. Xu Mingxuan's two comrades were not very tall. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Chen Lan and Jiahui waiting for them.
Xu Mingxuan's two comrades were around the same age as him. Upon seeing Chen Lan, Baozi enthusiastically called out, "Are you Sister-in-law? I'm Baozi, my name is Xu Youmao. This is Shan Mao, his name is Liu Xiangqian. We've caused you trouble, Sister-in-law, and I apologize. By the way, Sister-in-law, where is the Political Commissar? I don't see him. Is he still at school?" Sudian Novel Network.
Chen Lan smiled warmly and replied, "No trouble at all! Come, come inside, it's cooler in the house. If it weren't for Wei Dang's situation, you probably wouldn't have come even if I invited you. Mingxuan is at school. The school requires students to stay in dorms and not go home. When he has a day off on Sunday, you comrades can meet!"
Chen Lan looked at the young man being carried by Jiayao. He had a well-proportioned face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, and was quite handsome. He looked to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.
Chen Lan asked with a smile, "You must be Wei Dang! Hmm! Why is your face so red? Is your wound infected and you have a fever? Jiayao, quickly check on Wei Dang."
Chen Lan helped Jiayao gently place Wei Dang on the sofa in the living room. Jiayao then began to take Wei Dang's pulse.
Wei Dang replied weakly, "Auntie, I'm fine. It's probably because of the hot weather, and the wound got a little infected. I'm really okay, Auntie. I'm sorry to have troubled your whole family because of my matter."
Chen Lan immediately replied, "Don't mention trouble! We treat illnesses. Besides, given Mingxuan's relationship with your uncle, you shouldn't be so polite with us! And don't worry, this is a big city hospital, and the doctors' skills must be better than those in the county. After dinner, we'll take you to the hospital for a doctor to examine you."
At this point, Jiahui and Jiahe came out with basins of water and face towels. Chen Lan quickly called out, "Brothers Youmao and Xiangqian, please wash your faces and cool down. We'll eat soon. Jiaxing, help your brother Wei Dang wash his hands and face so he can eat."
Meanwhile, Jiayao had finished taking Wei Dang's pulse and said, "Mother, Wei Dang's wound is indeed infected, and he has a high fever. We need to find a way to reduce his fever first, and then clean his wound. I'm worried it might be too late to go to the hospital now, as the doctors will likely be off duty by the time we get there."
Chen Lan immediately replied, "Jiayao, then what are you waiting for? Hurry up!"
Jiayao immediately responded, "Mother, your son will go prepare now." With that, he stood up and went to the temporary pharmacy.
Chen Lan turned and instructed, "Jiahui, you and your two younger brothers go to the kitchen and bring out the prepared dishes. Serve our uncles Youmao and Xiangqian."
Then she said to Baozi and Shan Mao, "Brothers Youmao and Xiangqian, I won't be able to serve you myself."
Baozi and Shan Mao repeatedly waved their hands and said, "Sister-in-law, please go ahead. We two brothers are not that hungry. Wei Dang's health is more important!"
Chen Lan did have things to attend to, so she didn't decline. She immediately went to the kitchen and brought Wei Dang a bowl of bone broth and two white steamed buns, telling him to eat them to replenish his energy and build up his resistance.
Chen Lan couldn't bear to look at Wei Dang's festering wound; it pained her just to see it. However, Wei Dang seemed unfazed. Although he was sweating profusely from the pain, he ate the buns and drank the soup with gusto.
From this, one could see how strong Wei Dang's willpower was. Chen Lan couldn't help but admire him!
After Wei Dang finished the two buns and the bowl of soup, Jiayao had also finished treating his wound, and he was already hooked up to an IV drip for anti-inflammatory medication.