The Brigade Leader understood the Gong family’s concerns; after all, Zhang Mazi was an unscrupulous man.
The reason he had so readily come along was also because Deng Xiaojie was an educated youth; if anything happened to her, it would be difficult for the village to account for it.
When the Brigade Leader saw the injury on Deng Xiaojie’s face, he was startled. "Educated Youth Deng, do you think we should find Zhang Mazi to accompany you?"
Hatred flashed in Deng Xiaojie’s eyes as she spoke urgently, "No need, Brigade Leader. My injury can’t be delayed any longer. I hope you’ll accompany me."
Although the Brigade Leader was a rough man, he could also be thoughtful. "How about this? Weimin, you make another run, tell Zhang Mazi what’s happened, and see what he has to say."
He turned to Gong Weimin’s wife. "Weimin’s wife, could you please go next door to the Women’s Director’s home and ask her to come over? It would be better if she accompanied us for this."
When Gong Weimin arrived at the Zhang Family’s home, Zhang Mazi was already dead asleep. Gong Weimin went in and called out for a long time, but Zhang Mazi just rolled over and went back to sleep.
Women’s Director Gao Ruhua arrived looking displeased, but after seeing Deng Xiaojie’s miserable state, she didn’t complain further.
The Brigade Leader himself made a trip to the breeding yard and brought over an ox-drawn cart.
Gong Weimin told the Brigade Leader about Zhang Mazi, "We can’t count on Zhang Mazi now."
The Brigade Leader sighed and frowned at Deng Xiaojie. "Educated Youth Deng, you brought money with you, didn’t you?"
Afraid they would delay further, Deng Xiaojie said, "I did. Don’t worry, Brigade Leader, I won’t be a burden to the production brigade."
The Brigade Leader glanced at Deng Xiaojie and Gao Ruhua, who were preparing to board the cart. "Weimin, you go with them. I’ll give you work points for it."
Although Ma Huihui was not too pleased, the prospect of earning work points meant she didn’t object.
The Brigade Leader thought of Qiao Yuxiang, who was still in the county hospital, and now Deng Xiaojie was another worry. He felt truly distressed.
When the ox-drawn cart arrived at the commune health center, the few staff members on duty took one look at Deng Xiaojie’s injury and said, "We can treat it, but our suturing skills aren’t good enough. This wound is on her face, after all. You should consider your options."
How could Deng Xiaojie possibly agree to stay there after hearing that? "Absolutely not! This is my face we’re talking about!"
This was a matter that could affect her entire life. "I need to go to the county hospital."
They had no choice. In their earlier rush to get to the commune health center, and with all the medical supplies being in its treatment room, they hadn’t yet managed to stop the bleeding.
But now that they had to go to the county, the bleeding definitely had to be stopped first. Otherwise, she might go into shock from blood loss before even reaching the hospital.
The Brigade Leader thought, What sins have I committed to deserve this? I only got back from the county this evening, and now I have to go again.
「Hua’an Farm Reclamation」
After Huo Jingrui left, Yunyi stayed in the house for a short while. After sweeping the area outside with her spiritual power and confirming everything was clear, she prepared some food from her space and then leaped out from the backyard.
She had been busy moving all day and hadn’t had a chance to add firewood to the meat she was smoking on the mountain. If she didn’t go now, the fire would probably go out.
Also, she needed to go to the dilapidated thatched hut in Nanbai Village to check on the Yuan Family’s grandfather and grandchild.
Songling Village and Hua’an Farm Reclamation were separated by half a mountain, but with Yunyi’s speed, it wouldn’t take much time at all.
She first went to the thatched hut in Nanbai Village. Seeing it was pitch-dark inside, she knocked lightly on the door. Chapters first released on ⓝovelFire.net
An alert elderly voice from inside called out, "Who is it?"
Yunyi quietly replied, "It’s me."
Soon, the door of the thatched hut was pulled open from inside. "Comrade Chu, weren’t you taken over to Hua’an Farm Reclamation? Why have you come here?"
As he spoke, he hurriedly made way for Yunyi. "Quick, come in."
Yunyi didn’t answer his previous question, instead asking, "How is the child doing?"