Visiting the Sick

East City Guesthouse.

After a night's rest, the fatigue from the journey had finally vanished. Shen Jianan and the other two were lively again. They had gotten up early, washed up, and prepared to go out for breakfast. They had not eaten a single grain of rice last night, and now they were starving.

After carefully asking the front desk for directions to the places they needed to visit that day, the three headed out to the State-Run Restaurant.

After breakfast, they did not waste any time. They went straight to the department store, bought everything they needed, and then headed for the bookstore.

Before leaving, however, Shen Jianan paid for a Seagull 203 Camera and several rolls of film himself. (The 203-model 120 folding camera was produced in Shanghai in 1964. Priced at sixty yuan, it was one of the best-selling cameras of the time.)

Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng could not understand why he wanted to buy a camera.

"I have a great use for it."

The boy waved the camera in his hand, smiling as he lifted his chin slightly. "Just wait. Within three months, this camera will create value dozens of times greater than its price."

Seeing how pleased with himself he looked, the two laughed and nodded. "Fine, whatever you say."

"Hehe!"

Shen Jianan bared his teeth at them, then carefully put the camera into his backpack. He gently patted the bag. "Let's go. We're heading to the bookstore."

"Alright!"

After leaving the department store, the three turned left and walked along Central Street for half an hour before reaching the bookstore. Once inside, they did not linger. They directly asked the staff to get them several red books, Quotations from Chairman Mao, and the era-specific books they needed. After paying, they returned to the guesthouse.

By the time they put their things down, it was already past one in the afternoon. After lunch, Shen Jianan said he wanted to visit someone at the city hospital and told the other two to do as they pleased. They only needed to meet back at the guesthouse before six.

How could Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng agree? Their boss treasured Shen Jianan like the apple of his eye. If they had brought him out and failed to watch over him properly, only for something to happen, would they not be skinned alive when they returned?

"No! If you're going, we're going too. At worst, we'll wait downstairs in the inpatient building."

"Exactly."

Qu Feng took over, looking Shen Jianan up and down. "You're so tiny. What if you run into bad people?"

The boy rolled his eyes speechlessly. "Big brother, I'm just short, alright!?"

Zhang Qiao remained unmoved. With his arms folded across his chest, he leaned against the wall and looked at him. "Aren't you younger than Qu Feng and me? Aren't you our little brother?"

Shen Jianan choked. After thinking it over, he could only nod. Otherwise, if they kept wasting time, who knew when he would get to visit the sick? "Fine. You can wait downstairs then."

"No problem."

The two agreed readily. Shen Jianan smiled, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed for the city hospital with them. Once they arrived, Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng consciously went to sit and wait in the hospital garden.

Carrying the malted milk powder and two cans of tangerines he had bought along the way, Shen Jianan stopped several medical staff members to ask for directions before finally finding the ward of Bai Yun's grandmother-in-law, Ling Ying.

Standing at the doorway, he saw Bai Yun and her husband, along with a white-haired old man, standing with their backs to him in the senior cadre ward. He raised a hand and knocked on the door, calling out shyly, "Sister Bai Yun, brother-in-law."

Everyone turned at the sound and saw the sweat-soaked boy standing in the doorway with a mesh bag in hand, smiling at them. Bai Yun froze for a moment, then smiled and stepped forward to greet him, with Su Chen following close behind.

"Jianan, why are you here? Come in and sit."

"Okay!"

Shen Jianan followed them into the ward with smiling eyes. The white-haired old man and the frail-looking elderly woman in the bed hurriedly waved him over. "You've had a hard time coming all this way, child."

"Not at all."

The boy walked to the bedside, naturally placed his gifts on the bedside table, greeted them with a smile, then sat beside the bed and asked about the elderly woman's condition with concern.

Su Chen's expression changed slightly, and he shook his head. "The doctor told her to go home and recuperate."

"It's alright. I've lived to this age already..."

The old woman smiled weakly.

"Mom!" "Dear!"

Old Master Su and Bai Yun both frowned, clearly unwilling to hear her speak as though she had given up on herself. Shen Jianan felt guilty. It was all his fault for asking carelessly.

But he truly wanted to help, so he could only brace himself and say, "Sister Bai Yun, brother-in-law, how about... how about..."

Seeing him stumble over his words, Bai Yun knew the child must have a good suggestion. She asked, "Jianan, just say what you want to say. We're like siblings. There's no need to beat around the bush like strangers."

"Oh!"

Shen Jianan nodded. He then took a deep breath and said seriously, "Back in Xinghe Town, Brother Wang told me that Auntie's condition was because she had... damaged her health at the root in the past.

"So I was thinking, if you're willing, I can call my mother and ask her to help Auntie contact the best hospital and doctors in Hai City.

"We can give it a try there. Maybe they can help improve Auntie's health somewhat."

He paused slightly. Looking at the four people whose hope had been rekindled by his words, he hesitated before saying, "But personally, I lean more toward another option."

Su Chen saw his difficulty and immediately raised a hand in invitation. "Go on."

Shen Jianan nodded and continued, "At the Chaoyang Production Brigade where I live, there's a Grandpa Lu. Before he was sent down, he was a doctor.

"I heard that in the past, even dignitaries in Capital City had to pull strings and queue up to see him. Grandpa Lu is practically a national master, and several generations of imperial physicians came from his family.

"He was also denounced and sent down because his proud personality offended people, but I've spent time with him, and he definitely isn't that kind of person.

"If... if I go and beg him, perhaps Auntie's illness still has hope. It just depends on whether you're willing...?"

"Let's go to your brigade and give it a try!"

Before Shen Jianan had even finished speaking, Old Master Su's eyes had already reddened. Holding his wife's hand, he said in a trembling, choked voice, "Comrade Ling Ying, let's try again, alright?"

Seeing how distressed he was, the old woman hurriedly nodded. "Alright. I'll listen to you."

"Then I'll go back and speak to Grandpa first."

"Alright, alright!"

The whole family thanked him gratefully. "We'll have to trouble you, child." "Jianan."

"It's no trouble."

Shen Jianan waved with a smile, then stood to say goodbye. Bai Yun and Su Chen walked him out. Once they reached a place where no one else could hear them, the boy asked them to keep the matter confidential.

The two nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry. The old lady's situation is special. We're already asking someone else for help. We won't drag anyone into trouble."

Su Chen reached out and patted the boy's shoulder. "Just help your brother-in-law get this done when you return. I'll also find a way to make Old Master Lu's life a little easier. We'll meet at the Chaoyang Production Brigade three evenings from now."

Shen Jianan nodded at his words. "Alright. Then thank you, Sister and brother-in-law."

After saying that, he bid them farewell again, then turned and went downstairs. He left the city hospital with Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng. Once they passed through the gates, all three felt relaxed. Shen Jianan asked if there was anywhere they wanted to go.

"Let's go check out the city transport team!"

Qu Feng looked at them with a pained expression. "I'll pay. Tomorrow, let's take a freight truck! I really don't want to haul a pile of things and squeeze into that tiny broken bus with so many people."

"That's a good idea!"

Zhang Qiao strongly agreed. "I don't want to get carsick again either. Throwing up leaves your mouth sour and foul. Besides, we bought so many things, and some of them can't be handled carelessly. If a few get crushed in the crowd, it won't be worth it."

Since they had already made the arrangements, Shen Jianan could only follow the majority and nod in agreement. He went with them to the city transport team.

Unexpectedly, their luck was exceptionally good. They happened to run into Brother Wang, the driver who had previously delivered the sewing machine and fabric for him.

The man happened to be delivering goods back to Xinghe Town the next day. His truck bed was not full, so he offered to take them back.

The three were delighted. They hurriedly paid the fee, agreed on a departure time with him, and left the transport team.

Early the next morning, the three got up early, checked out, and carried their belongings to the transport team. Passing the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Shen Jianan bought two bags of food and a pack of cigarettes.

When they arrived, he gave Brother Wang the cigarettes and half a jin of egg cake. The man could not refuse, so he accepted with a smile before speaking quietly.

"If you trust me, then whenever you want to buy something in the future, just ask me to bring it for you. It'll save you from running back and forth. It's not just troublesome, it also wastes time and lodging fees."

Hearing that, Shen Jianan happily thanked him again and again. "Then it's settled. We can't let you lose out either. We'll at least pay you enough for a meal each trip."

He held up one hand toward the man. Brother Wang smiled without speaking, tacitly agreeing. Shen Jianan and the other two then consciously picked up their things and quickly climbed into the truck bed.

At eight sharp, Brother Wang called for two of them to sit in the cab, but none of the three wanted to. They said they had been suffocated and vomited the day before yesterday and wanted to get some air in the back, where there was more room.

Brother Wang shook his head with a laugh and could only let them have their way. "Alright then. Sit tight, we're setting off."

As soon as he finished speaking, he started the truck and sped toward Xinghe Town. Compared with the rural shuttle bus, the transport team's vehicle was much faster. Thus, when the four arrived in Xinghe Town, it was only a little past one in the afternoon.

Shen Jianan had Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng take Brother Wang's truck back to the brigade while he went to the Public Security Bureau to find Zhang Dayong.

Seeing how dusty and travel-worn he looked, Zhang Dayong thought he had run into trouble again. Shen Jianan shook his head and explained, "No, no! I went to the city to help the brigade purchase supplies. I didn't have time to go back and change clothes, so I look this disheveled."

"Oh! I see, I see."

Zhang Dayong smiled as he poured him a cup of water. "Then did you come to see me about something?"

"Yes!"

Shen Jianan stood and said solemnly, "I'd like to invite you to the Chaoyang Production Brigade to give the villagers a legal education class."

Zhang Dayong was stunned, then asked, "Was this your idea, or was it proposed by the brigade cadres?"

"I proposed it, and the brigade cadres approved it unanimously."

He did not beat around the bush. He directly explained his original intention for proposing the class and his follow-up plans, speaking with complete sincerity.

Zhang Dayong was dumbfounded as he listened. He had never expected this child, who was not even an adult yet, to have so many far-reaching thoughts. At the same time, he vaguely felt that if he worked with Shen Jianan, they might achieve unexpected results.

So he smiled and agreed, saying that the legal education class could be expanded into three sessions. Shen Jianan could not have been happier. He hurriedly thanked him and arranged to hold the first session three evenings later.

"Alright! It's a deal."

Zhang Dayong agreed. Shen Jianan did not delay any longer. After saying goodbye, he went to the Educated Youth Office and the government office, inviting Liu Jiang and Li Zhong respectively to attend their legal education class.

Liu Jiang did not care what the Chaoyang Production Brigade was doing. He only knew that Shen Jianan was a capable educated youth under his supervision.

If Shen Jianan managed to accomplish something, Liu Jiang would gain both political achievements and prestige. Therefore, before Shen Jianan had even finished speaking, he immediately agreed.

As for Li Zhong, he had always been extremely dissatisfied with the Chaoyang Production Brigade and frustrated by its several cadres. However, he appreciated Shen Jianan and had even once considered having Liu Jiang transfer him to another brigade.

But he later decided against it. That place was already full of useless fools. If he plucked out the one good fruit, what future would it have left? So he did not do it.

Now, hearing the child invite him to the legal education class and say that the cadres had reflected on themselves, recognized the problems within themselves and the brigade, and sincerely wished to correct them, Li Zhong felt a little less disgust toward Zhao Gang and the others. At the same time, he liked the boy before him even more.

"Alright, I'll go!"

Li Zhong looked at the exhausted Shen Jianan with a kindly expression. "When the time comes, I'll bring a few more people to support you. Make sure you do this properly and strive to get the Chaoyang Production Brigade back on its feet, alright?"

"Yes!"

Shen Jianan nodded solemnly, then smiled and said goodbye. "Then I'll head back first, Minister Li. See you in three days."

"Alright!"

Li Zhong stood and walked him to the door. He watched the boy, wearing a small shoulder bag, skip out of the building. The smile on his face deepened unconsciously. "What a good child."

After leaving the government office, Shen Jianan hurried back toward the Chaoyang Production Brigade without stopping. By the time he passed through Red Flag Commune, it was already past four in the afternoon, so he went inside to find Lei Zhensheng and invite him to the legal education class.

The man had initially been unwilling, but after hearing Shen Jianan inadvertently reveal that several leaders would also attend, he immediately agreed. He even kindly had the Commune's tractor driver take Shen Jianan back to the brigade.

Shen Jianan breathed a sigh of relief. He finally would not have to walk.

When the tractor had traveled halfway, he and the driver ran into Chen Ming, who had come to pick him up on a bicycle. Shen Jianan thanked the driver and had him turn back, then climbed onto the back seat of Chen Ming's bicycle.

When the two returned to the brigade, Zhao Gang was leading people in making the blackboards. The previous day, they had bought cement and fine sand. They had made two cement panels, each roughly three meters long and 1.4 meters wide, on the walls at the brigade entrance and inside the courtyard.

At that moment, several men who knew masonry work were repeatedly sanding the walls with sandpaper. Once the entire surface had been polished smooth and even, they could apply the first coat of paint.

"You're moving pretty fast!"

Shen Jianan remarked with a smile.

"Of course."

Chen Ming rang his bell as he said, "If the place selling cement hadn't been in the neighboring town, we could have finished the blackboards yesterday."

"They're back, they're back!"

Hearing the bicycle bell, everyone looked up. Seeing Shen Jianan and Chen Ming, they all called out with smiles.

"Educated Youth Chen, Educated Youth Shen, you've worked hard!"

"Come into the brigade office, sit down, rest, and have some water."

"Are you hungry, Educated Youth Shen?"

Hearing the commotion, Bai Qiulian came out of the courtyard and asked him, "Should I go home and get you something to eat?"

"No need to be so polite, Auntie Qiulian! You all carry on with your work."

Shen Jianan smiled and jumped off the bicycle. Like a little sparrow, he ran over and called to Gu Yu, who was perched atop the wall helping Zhao Hongjun and the others build a rain shelter. "Brother Gu, I'm back."

"Mm!"

A smile spread across Gu Yu's face. "Stand to the side. Be careful something falls and hits you."

"Alright."

Shen Jianan obediently nodded and stepped back a few paces. Only then did he tell everyone that he had invited Li Zhong, Liu Jiang, and the others to attend the legal education class.

When Zhao Gang and the other cadres heard this, they were overjoyed. They said they would definitely finish the blackboards before tomorrow afternoon and could not delay the educated youths' work on the bulletin boards.

Feng Yi and the others were equally full of enthusiasm. One after another, they gathered around Shen Jianan and spoke about the parts they wanted to take charge of.

"I don't object to whatever you want to handle. There's only one thing: I hope the things we make will have a clear theme. Just don't turn it into a mishmash."

"Of course."

Wang Hongbo curled his lips in a smile and called to Chen Ming, who was parking his bicycle. "Chen Ming, I remember you're pretty good at drawing. How about you handle the illustrations?"

Chen Ming nodded readily. "Alright, no problem."

"Then that's settled."

Shen Jianan tilted his chin toward everyone. "Discuss it among yourselves first. I'll head back to the courtyard and put my things down."

"You should just go back and rest!"

Zhao Gang waved at him from above. "Don't come over again. If there's anything, we'll talk tomorrow."

Everyone else chimed in as well. Unable to refuse them, Shen Jianan simply agreed. He then turned and ran back to the Half-Mountain Courtyard with a smile.

Taking the things Zhang Qiao and the others had brought back for him, he went to the cowshed to find Lu Jianfeng.