The bold one isn’t scared at all, already rolling up his sleeves to follow behind Gu Yecheng, wanting to catch fish.
Gu Yecheng glanced at the little radish head in front of him and called out, "Jiaxing."
The little boy looked up at him, "Doctor Cheng?"
In Shanghe Village, men, women, the elderly, and children alike all called Yecheng "Doctor Cheng," because in the beginning, nobody knew his name, they only heard Grandpa Liu call him Acheng, so everyone followed and called him Doctor Cheng.
Gu Yecheng patted his head, "Haven’t seen you in years, you’ve grown this tall, have you started school yet?"
"First grade." The little boy known as Jiaxing glanced at the siblings on the shore, "Doctor Cheng, are those two kids yours?"
"Yeah, do you know how to catch fish?"
"If you can’t catch fish and people find out, they’ll laugh at you, Doctor Cheng. How about I help you? I’m pretty good at catching fish." Jiaxing said, reaching for the fish net in Yecheng’s hand.
"Alright, you do it." It was just for fun anyway, and Gu Yecheng was happy to be hands-off, handing the fish net to Jiaxing, "Watch out, the water is deep over there."
"Don’t worry, I know this place very well." Jiaxing, holding the fish net, walked ahead, and Gu Yecheng followed him.
Gu Xiaobao and Gu Dabao felt they were too far away, and walked forward along the shore.
With one sweep of the net, he only caught a few shrimps and fish the size of fingers, Jiaxing sighed, "My luck isn’t good today, no fish."
"Doctor Cheng, do you still practice medicine?" Jiaxing took another sweep with the net, "My grandma has been coughing a lot lately. She always says that if you were still living in the village, you’d definitely have a way to help. She got a lot of medicine from the town but none of it worked. Why don’t you come to my house for lunch, and you can check on my grandma." Jiaxing looked up at Yecheng with a naive smile.
Like most kids who grew up in the village, Jiaxing had a robust body, eyes full of mischief, skin that shone like it had a gloss to it, and only his stark white teeth sparkled under the sun.
"Okay," Gu Yecheng nodded.
He definitely had feelings for the place he had lived for three years.
"Thank you." Jiaxing took another swoop with the net, this time getting a better catch, two carp slightly smaller than a palm.
"The fish aren’t as plentiful lately." Once ashore, Jiaxing explained, "Because all the nearby streams have been fished out by a bunch of us kids."
At noon, Gu Yecheng took the boy and girl twins to Jiaxing’s house for lunch, and Xiaofeng and Su Peng were having lunch at their Great-uncle’s house. Seeing Gu Yecheng didn’t come, Xiaofeng asked Su Peng, "Brother, isn’t Acheng coming back for lunch?"
"It seems that the villagers found out Acheng is back and they’re all eager to have him see to their illnesses. Acheng couldn’t refuse and went over. He didn’t even bring his medicine chest, so even if he can check on the villagers, he’ll probably just write prescriptions for them to get medicine from town," Su Peng explained. Back when Grandpa Liu and Acheng lived nearby, it was so convenient for everyone to see the doctor.
Since Grandpa Liu and Acheng left, seeing a doctor became a lot more complicated for the villagers. Besides being less convenient, the treatments were not as effective.
"Acheng is such an honest child." The wife of the great-uncle now looked at Acheng with increasing satisfaction, "If Xiaofeng hadn’t married him, who knows how impressive Grandpa Liu and Acheng’s family backgrounds were. It’s not common these days to find young people who are rich yet don’t flaunt it."
This kind of young man was destined to achieve great things.
Listening to the great-aunt praise Acheng, Xiaofeng felt joyful while eating her meal.
So a remarkable man had set his sights on her, married her; didn’t that mean her charm was indeed something special?
"Xiaofeng, are you not feeling well this time you’re back? You don’t seem to be in high spirits, and you’re not talking much. Or maybe you’re not used to the food anymore?" When Xiaofeng didn’t speak, the great-aunt wondered if she was no longer accustomed to the food at home.
"Great-aunt, what are you talking about? Xiaofeng indeed has some health issues, and Acheng brought her back to relax," Su Peng interjected.
"I see Xiaofeng has an injury on her forehead, is it nothing serious?" Su Wenqing’s wife, being observant, noticed the injury on Xiaofeng’s head.
"It’s nothing major, just a little car accident," Su Peng replied on behalf of Xiaofeng.
Xiaofeng looked at the food in her bowl, wanting to join the conversation, but truly didn’t know what to say.
She was afraid she’d reveal that she was still the same person from two years ago if she opened her mouth, and thus, she hardly spoke during the meal.
"Xiaofeng, are you going to the factory later?" Su Wenqing called out to Xiaofeng, wanting her to visit the factory.
Xiaofeng gave an awkward smile, "Uncle, I won’t go, please let my brother go instead."
"Xiaofeng, seeing you really hurts my heart, take good care of yourself." Su Wenqing thought Xiaofeng had other injuries, so he felt even less inclined to insist on her going.
When she got back to her tiny room and lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, she dared not move a muscle.
The injuries to her body had long since healed; they were all minor. The reason she had been taken to the emergency room was that she had passed out and hadn’t woken up, which led the doctors to suspect she might have sustained brain damage.
Now, she was afraid to speak out, worrying that once she did, everyone would realize that she had forgotten everything. She had reverted to the old Xiaofeng, who was timid and inconsequential.
She loathed her current self, unable to do anything.
She wanted to return to her capable old self but had no idea where to start. If she were to become mediocre, would Acheng stop liking her?
The mere thought unsettled her greatly.
No, she had to change. If she kept on , everyone would surely notice something. She needed to change.
She picked up the few books in her room and flipped through them. They were all novels she had read before and were of no help whatsoever.
Right, she would go see Taozi.
Perhaps Taozi could help her.
Just as Xiaofeng was about to leave, Ma Donghua came in, carrying a basket full of eggs.
Seeing Xiaofeng about to go out, she said with a smile, "Xiaofeng, are you heading out?"
Xiaofeng was the talk of the village; not only did she marry into the Imperial Capital, but she was also living the life of a young mistress there. Who in the village wouldn’t be envious?
"Yes, I thought I’d go for a walk."
"I heard you were injured, and, luckily, our hens have been laying quite well recently. I had planned to save these eggs for your two younger brothers, but who are you? You’re our family’s VIP. Of course, I’d prioritize you. Take these eggs, and have your mom steam them for you in the city to help you recover," she said.
"Thank you then, Auntie."
"We’re family, no need for thanks." Seeing how easy it was to talk to Xiaofeng, Ma Donghua’s smile deepened, "Xiaofeng, where do you plan to go? I just happen to be free, let me accompany you."
In the past, Ma Donghua never showed her a pleasant face, but now she was so obsequious. It gave her a sense of vindication.
Those who once looked down on her were now vying for her favor and approval.
After a moment’s thought, she decided to speak up: "Auntie, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Taozi. Is she at home now? I’d like to pay her a visit."
Ma Donghua’s smile froze upon hearing Xiaofeng’s words.
Was Xiaofeng alright? Taozi’s troubles were ancient history; why bring her up suddenly?
Initially, when Taozi suddenly came to her senses, she had set up Su Peng and even attempted to get him to marry her. But after her plans fell through, she attempted suicide.
Yes, she had been resuscitated at the hospital, but after she went back home, where her parents barely looked after her, she vanished.
Now Xiaofeng was asking about Taozi out of the blue. What did she mean?
But judging by Xiaofeng’s demeanor, she seemed to have forgotten about the incident. Testing the waters, Ma Donghua said, "Xiaofeng, why bother with her? She’s not a good person and doesn’t wish you well."
Xiaofeng certainly noticed the change in Ma Donghua’s expression, unsure about what she had said wrong. Hearing Ma Donghua’s comment, she breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the implied meaning, "I was just asking."
Clearly, Taozi was jealous upon seeing her marry Acheng, resulting in their estranged relationship. Yes, that had to be it.