Chapter 4: Harsh Conditions

Chapter 4: Harsh Conditions

When Ye Xiaoxiao came out again, she was carrying a bag filled with medicine bottles.

You can't guard against thieves forever, so Ye Xiaoxiao decided to buy the medicine herself and give Ye Changsheng the shots.

If she was unsure at first, after observing the treatment process at the clinic, she was absolutely certain that she was way better at medicine than the staff there.

When Ye Xiaoxiao shared her plan with the others, they were a bit doubtful, but Ye Changsheng fought back hard.

"You're dreaming, don't even think... don't even think about pulling my pants down again," the boy turned red.

"What’s there to be shy about? It’s not like there’s much to see," Ye Xiaoxiao glanced over him.

Ye Changsheng was mad but couldn’t come up with a comeback, so he just shouted, "Dad!"

Ye Jianguo, who was curiously watching the siblings bicker, noticed that although they were still teasing each other, their relationship had become much closer than before.

Hearing his son's plea, he sped up, pulling the cart, acting like he didn’t hear.

The town wasn't big, and after twenty minutes, they found her grandpa’s small yard.

Entering the yard, they could see that the little yard was tidy, with many cages placed along the east wall, with rabbits inside.

Ye Xiaoxiao noticed some old, faded couplets pasted on the door of the main house. Although the paper and ink were old, the writing was bold and well-proportioned.

Her grandpa could write with a brush too, and she had learned a bit in her childhood, so she could tell the calligraphy was skilled.

Hearing the noise, the old man inside pushed the door open to check and was happy to see his son-in-law and grandkids.

"Come in, come in, what brings you here in this weather?" Miao Fengshan was very surprised.

His place was usually quiet, and he always looked forward to the kids visiting.

Ye Jianguo: "The fourth child is sick, came to the clinic for shots."

Miao Fengshan hurried them inside.

The main house had three small, cramped dirt rooms, with only the room the old man usually lived in having a stove. It wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t exactly cozy either.

Miao Fengshan: "Sit on the kang, it’s nice and warm."

The old man paused when his gaze fell on Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Jianguo quietly filled him in on Ye Xiaoxiao.

The old man, having seen much of the world, quickly accepted the explanation and, with a calm expression, dug out two roasted potatoes from the fire and handed them to the children.

"There's not much good food at home, snack on these for now, and I'll slaughter a couple of rabbits for you to eat."

Ye Jianguo quickly stopped him: "Dad, don't trouble yourself. We came empty-handed, we can't eat the rabbits you've worked so hard to raise."

Miao Fengshan: "Rabbits are hard to raise in winter, it's easier for me if the children eat them."

Ye Jianguo had no choice but to go to the yard to help out.

Ye Changqing felt Ye Changsheng's forehead and, thinking he was no longer in serious condition, went to help as well.

Only Ye Xiaoxiao and her two brothers remained in the room, exchanging awkward glances.

Ye Xiaoxiao was still holding a black potato, something she had never seen in her era.

"Ye Xiaoxiao, aren't you going to eat it?"

Ye Changyuan looked at Ye Xiaoxiao, despite being unaware of her desire to leave the Ye family, and quite liked this little sister.

After all, he had never seen such a fair and lovely girl growing up.

Ye Changsheng mocked, "She's from the city, of course she can't get used to our food."

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't argue with the sick patient. She broke the potato open, ignoring the charred exterior, and found the inside tender and yellow, quite appetizing.

She took small bites, savoring the roasted potato as if it were a gourmet dish.

Ye Changsheng: "..."

She didn't curse at him, which was unusual!

Outside, Ye Changqing was chopping wood and boiling water, while Miao Fengshan and Ye Jianguo chatted.

Miao Fengshan: "Now that Ye Xiaoxiao is back, what about Hao Yanyan? Will she stay in the capital from now on?"

Ye Jianguo: "Dad, that's Hao Yanyan's own decision."

Ye Jianguo didn't mention that Hao Yanyan had stolen money from the family, but the thought of his seventeen-year-old daughter leaving without a word still angered him, and his frustration was evident on his face.

Miao Fengshan sighed: "The connections between people are unpredictable. Our family is lucky; we lost a girl but got another one back in return.

She's our child, and you and Cuifang need to treat her right. Don't treat her differently just because she wasn't raised by us."

Ye Jianguo: "Dad, don't worry, we're not biased. Besides, she's my own daughter; I can't help but love her."

With Ye Jianguo's assurance, the old man was finally satisfied.

During winter, the days are short, and it gets dark early. By three in the afternoon, they had a hearty meal at the old man's house.

And there was meat in the dishes!

The old man had killed two rabbits and stewed them with preserved dried radish. The aroma was mouthwatering even before the dish was ready.

Even Ye Changsheng, the patient, felt hungry enough and ate a few bites before lying down to rest again.

Ye Xiaoxiao was fine, but the others ate much faster than her, devouring the food, and soon only a little leftover remained in the big pot.

After the meal, Ye Xiaoxiao prepared to give Ye Changsheng an injection, and her method of handling the medicine appeared quite professional.

But Ye Changsheng held onto his pants tightly, refusing to let go.

"Brother Yuan, help me hold him down, or I can't do it."

Ye Xiaoxiao had to seek help.

"Alright!"

Ye Changyuan, full and satisfied after eating, was more than willing to help. He was strong and far more powerful than the somewhat frail Ye Changsheng, easily pinning him down and yanking open his belt.

"Let me go, damn it!"

Ye Changsheng's face flushed crimson as he thrashed about.

He only settled down when the icy alcohol swab hit his backside.

Looks like they got him to cooperate!

Ye Xiaoxiao deftly administered the injection, with Ye Changyuan watching in awe. "Xiao Xiao, you're a pro!"

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled; giving injections was too easy for her.

Ye Changqing chimed in, "Xiao Xiao got medicine from the clinic, and Lao Si's doing better. We should be good to head home tomorrow."

Miao Fengshan shook his head, "No need to hurry. Stay a bit longer. Don't risk making the kid worse."

Ye Jianguo added, "Dad, we've got work back home. If Sheng'er's okay tomorrow, Lao Da and I should head back first. No need to keep his mom worrying."

The old man stayed silent this time, quietly heading off to pack their things.

He packed up some rice and flour for them to take home tomorrow.

Baichuan Village sits nestled against towering mountains and thick forests. The villagers often hunt in the mountains. Meat's hard to come by, but if they work hard, they can still manage a decent meal now and then.

What they really need is grain.

And if the harvest is bad, they're in real trouble.

They have to trade mountain goods for rice and flour from outside.

Winter's brutal when the snow hits. The mountains get blocked off, and the whole village is stranded.

They have to stockpile enough supplies to last the winter.

That's why the Ye family hoards meat and eggs—they're for trading or saving for the toughest times.

Old Man Miao regularly buys rice and flour to send to his daughter's family in the village.

Ye Jianguo thought about refusing, but given their circumstances, he kept quiet.

At night, the men crammed together on a single kang. The old man warmed up the kang in the west room for Ye Xiaoxiao.

They set up a brazier for her, but to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, the window stayed cracked, letting in the icy wind.

Ye Xiaoxiao figured the brazier was more trouble than it was worth, so she moved it outside.

As she lay on the warm kang that night, she felt sure she'd altered Ye Changsheng's destiny.

He'd keep studying and avoid ending up bedridden. His future looked brighter now...