Qin Xiangnuan lowered her eyelashes, her tiny fists clenched tightly. Indeed, the illness struck earlier than expected. It wasn’t supposed to be so serious, but it worsened because her brother had to work in the fields while sick, and after being beaten by Hu Li and Qin Guohua, even an adult could hardly bear it, let alone a child under ten years old.
"Let’s go, first take Xiang Yang to see a doctor."
Uncle Hua hurriedly grabbed Qin Xiangyang’s clothes to dress him, then carried him outside. Qin Xiangyang was thin, pitifully thin, and it was uncertain if he even weighed forty kilograms. Uncle Hua was a strong man accustomed to farm work, so this small weight was nothing for him.
In the village clinic, there was only one female doctor. Normally, if someone in the village suffered minor aliments like headaches or fevers, they would come here. Usually, taking some medicine and getting a few injections was enough, and they rarely needed to hang IV drips. Consequently, the villagers didn’t have many bizarre diseases.
The rural doctor gave Qin Xiangyang an injection to reduce the fever, but after the injection, Qin Xiangyang’s body temperature continued to stay high.
"This won’t do," the rural doctor felt something was wrong, "the child’s fever isn’t subsiding, his lungs may have been damaged. He might need to go to a larger hospital. You better take the child there quickly. I don’t have sufficient medical equipment here; don’t delay the child’s treatment."
"Okay, okay, we got it."
Uncle Hua was also anxious. He quickly pushed his tricycle, placed Qin Xiangyang on it, and then pedaled towards the county hospital with Aunt Hua and Qin Xiangnuan.
At the hospital, after examination, the doctor said the fever was severe and had turned into pneumonia, requiring hospitalization. They were instructed to pay the fees first.
Aunt Hua and Uncle Hua only then came to their senses.
"Old Hua, you didn’t bring any money?" Aunt Hua rubbed her hands against her body. Entering the hospital required money, and once admitted, without tens of yuan, rural folks like them really couldn’t afford to be sick.
Uncle Hua searched his body for a while. It was over; they had rushed out without bringing any money. What could they do now? Even if they didn’t pay immediately, they couldn’t owe the hospital forever. The doctor said it seemed like Xiang Yang was quite seriously ill, and upon seeing Qin Xiangyang’s injuries, the doctor’s glance had made them feel extremely embarrassed.
"Auntie," Qin Xiangnuan tiptoed and gently tugged at Aunt Hua’s sleeve.
"Nuannuan has money, to treat brother."
She pulled out a small cloth pouch from her body and took out forty yuan, placing it in front of Aunt Hua.
Aunt Hua quickly took it, counting the amount. She was shocked—it was actually forty yuan.
"Nuannuan, where did you get this money?" Aunt Hua was frightened. Surely Nuannuan hadn’t stolen from Qin Guohua. If that were true, Qin Guohua might kill the child.
"Auntie, Nuannuan earned it," said Qin Xiangnuan, lifting her little face earnestly.
She had indeed earned it, truly earned it, but no matter how earnestly she spoke, others would not believe her—how could such a young child earn money?
"Let’s not talk about this now," Uncle Hua urged Aunt Hua, "Let’s pay first and have Xiang Yang admitted so the doctor can treat him. The child’s illness cannot be delayed."
"Yes, yes," Aunt Hua quickly stuffed all the money into Uncle Hua’s hands, and he hurried to the payment window. The doctor said that at least 30 yuan was needed. They were originally worried about the money—30 yuan was not a small sum for villagers. It could last an ordinary family for several months. And for people like Hu Li who valued money over her own life, she wouldn’t give out thirty yuan, let alone 3 yuan.