Diagnosis and Treatment

Sunlight streamed through the window into the room. The boy on the bed groggily rolled over and sat up.

"Awake?"

Gu Yu reached out with his eyes closed and tugged him over. Shen Jianan immediately slumped limply into the crook of his arm, then naturally burrowed into his embrace. Gu Yu curled his lips and gently stroked the back of his neck.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Mhm!"

Shen Jianan raised his head and rubbed against his chin like a clingy little cat. Gu Yu chuckled, lowered his head, and pressed a kiss to his hair. "Young master, shall this humble servant help you get up?"

"Hehe!"

Shen Jianan covered his mouth and snickered. Opening his eyes, he tilted his head up at him. "Whatever Little Gu says goes."

"As you command."

With a smile, Gu Yu slipped out the arm beneath his head, got up and dressed himself, then pulled Shen Jianan up to sit on the edge of the bed. He straightened the wrinkled undershirt on him before putting on his shirt, trousers, shoes, and socks.

Watching Gu Yu sit beside him and tie his shoelaces, Shen Jianan leaned against his shoulder and wiggled his feet.

"My white sneakers are broken. These Liberation Shoes don't really match my trousers."

"Wear them for now. In a few days, when I go to Abundant Source Town to collect the goods, I'll find someone to get you a few different pairs."

"All right!"

Shen Jianan smiled and nodded. Gu Yu reached out and patted the top of his foot. "All done."

"Mhm!"

The boy quickly got out of bed and saw that Gu Yu had already brought over their washing things and was beckoning to him. Smiling, he took his hand, and they walked out of the bedroom together.

Chen Ming and the other two were brushing their teeth and washing up in the courtyard. Hearing the movement, they all looked up. Seeing Gu Yu lead Shen Jianan out as if he were leading a child, Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng immediately bared their teeth in teasing grins.

"Oh my! Old Gu's taking his kid brother to wash up?"

"Tsk, tsk! Our little Jianan is so well-behaved. His big brother holds his hand and he doesn't fuss at all, unlike my elementary-school nephew, who's a little devil all day long."

Gu Yu cast them an expressionless glance. "Did you two eat shit last night? Why do your mouths stink so badly?"

"Definitely."

Shen Jianan chimed in, lifting his chin at the two of them. "So what if Brother Gu likes spoiling me? You're just jealous."

The two choked. "We're jealous!?"

"That's right, that's right. No arguments accepted."

Shen Jianan turned his head aside. Gu Yu laughed, affectionately pinched the boy's cheek, then handed him his toothbrush. "Brush your teeth. Ignore them."

"Mhm!"

Zhang Qiao and Qu Feng were so angry they nearly had heart attacks, rolling their eyes without stop. Chen Ming almost laughed himself mad. "Serves you right for having such loose mouths."

"You're the only good person here!"

The two shot him furious glares, picked up their washbasins, and left. Chen Ming and Shen Jianan laughed even harder. Helplessness flashed through Gu Yu's eyes. Everyone living in this courtyard was more childish than the last.

After washing up, the five each made themselves a bowl of Malted Milk and hastily filled their stomachs with Sponge Cake bought from the city before leaving the little courtyard together for the fields.

Zhao Gang and Zhao Hongjun were standing beneath a tree taking roll call. Spotting them from afar, they quickly called out, "Shen!"

"Hey!"

Shen Jianan waved to Gu Yu and the others, then ran to the tree at the edge of the field. "Secretary, Captain, what is it?"

"Nothing much."

The two smiled. "Just wanted to tell you that the blackboard will get its final coat of paint this afternoon. It'll be ready for use tomorrow."

"Okay."

Shen Jianan nodded. "Then tomorrow, we'll work overtime to get the Blackboard Newspaper done and strive to welcome the leaders the day after tomorrow with a brand-new look."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "But you'll have to lend me some people. Besides the people from the Educated Youth Station, Chengcai, Zhao Tian, Little Feng, Zhao Ming, Cheng Guang, and the others will all need to help with the Blackboard Newspaper."

The moment they heard that their own children were included, how could they refuse? They agreed on the spot. "All right, no problem."

"Then I'll be off."

Shen Jianan said no more. Turning around, he went into the fields to find educated youths such as Feng Yi and Lu Xiaoyue, as well as women comrades such as Bai Qiulian and Li Shuqin, and asked them to help make clothes.

When everyone heard there was money to be made again, they were overjoyed and immediately accepted his invitation. Shen Jianan then explained the pay.

"The clothes I make here are all in batches. The styles are already cut, and there are sample patterns. Those of you with sewing machines can follow the samples and make them. You'll get twenty cents for each piece. Those without machines can help make the accessories and get eight to twelve cents per piece."

Then he cautioned them, "Let me lay the ugly words out front: if anyone ruins the clothes or delays my delivery for any reason, their wages will be deducted. If the circumstances are serious, you'll also have to compensate me."

"That's only right. Those are the rules everywhere."

Li Shuqin swept her gaze over the crowd, then smiled at Shen Jianan. "Don't worry. If anything like that really happens, we absolutely won't shirk responsibility."

"All right."

Shen Jianan opened his mouth. "Go home and make arrangements for your families. In a couple of days, come to my place to pick up the work."

After saying that, he turned and returned to the little courtyard, where he began working on winter clothing designs. Though it was currently the busy farming season, he did not need to work in the fields. It was a privilege granted by several cadres, and there was no reason not to use it.

Once he started, another day passed. By the time he realized he was hungry, it was already around four in the afternoon. He hurriedly got up and ate a quick bite, then began cooking.

Just as he finished preparing the meal, the end-of-work whistle sounded. At that moment, a jeep slowly drove into Chaoyang Production Brigade. The villagers coming off work all looked surprised and unconsciously stopped by the roadside, watching the vehicle pass them as they began discussing it.

"Where did that come from?"

"How would I know!?"

"It's headed toward the end of the village. Could it be looking for Shen?"

"Could be. Should we follow and take a look?"

"I'm not going. Wasn't the lesson last time enough? If we make Shen dislike us, we'll be the ones who suffer."

"That's true. Then let's not go."

"Come on, let's go home and cook. Aren't you hungry?"

The cadres standing nearby heard the villagers' words, and looks of relief appeared on their faces. After so many incidents, these fellow villagers had finally come to their senses.

The jeep continued onward. Just as everyone had expected, it stopped at the foot of the mountain near the little courtyard. Gu Yu and the other three had just entered the house when they heard the commotion and hurried back out to look.

They saw Bai Yun and her husband helping an elderly woman out of the vehicle alongside a white-haired old man. A middle-aged man carrying a pile of things stood nearby. He looked seven or eight years older than Su Chen, so he was presumably his elder brother.

Gu Yu hurriedly sent Chen Ming to call Shen Jianan while walking down the mountain and calling out, "Sister Bai Yun, brother-in-law, you're here?"

"Yes, Little Gu."

Bai Yun and her husband smiled in greeting. "No need to come down. It's only a few steps."

"Okay."

"Sister Bai Yun, brother-in-law, Auntie, Uncle!"

Gu Yu had barely stopped when Shen Jianan's delighted cry and hurried footsteps sounded behind him. He quickly turned and warned, "Slow down. Don't fall."

Hearing that, the boy abruptly halted. He pursed his lips in a smile as he looked at Gu Yu and Bai Yun's family, who had already reached halfway up the mountain. "Come in quickly. I just finished cooking. Let's all eat together."

He knew they would be coming today, so he had slaughtered a wild chicken early in the day. Half was stewed with mountain delicacies into soup, while the other half was made into spicy chicken. He had also stir-fried shredded potatoes and Chinese cabbage, and cooked mixed-grain rice.

However, his mixed-grain rice was made differently from the villagers'. He had added a little soy sauce, stir-fried diced potatoes, diced salted pork, peas, and other ingredients. By now, a thick layer of golden rice crust had formed at the bottom of the pot, and it looked fragrant enough to make one's mouth water.

"All right, then we'll have a little with you."

Bai Yun's family had actually eaten before coming, but since their hosts had invited them, they could not very well refuse. They planned to take a few token bites later.

Yet after sitting in the courtyard and seeing the dishes laid out on the table, they felt that they could eat a little more. It smelled far too good.

Although Shen Jianan had made only ordinary dishes, they looked exceptionally appetizing, with beautiful color combinations. Even Ling Ying, who had no appetite due to illness, was tempted beyond measure. "Child, your cooking is truly excellent."

Taking Shen Jianan's hand, she said with a smile, "Just looking at it has made me a little hungry."

The moment Bai Yun and the others heard that, they became excited. The man standing beside Su Chen hurriedly spoke up. "If you like it, Mom, I'll learn from Jianan and make it for you when we get home."

Then he looked at Shen Jianan and the others, all smiling, and introduced himself. "I'm Su Min, your brother-in-law's elder brother. If you're willing, you can call me Big Brother from now on!"

Everyone: "..."

Looking at this stern, somewhat old-fashioned man in his early forties, why did they suddenly want to call him Uncle?

But now the "seniority" had been established. They already called the two elderly people of grandfather-and-grandmother age Auntie and Uncle.

If they called him Uncle too, would that not make the father and son, or mother and son, peers? Forget it, this would have to do! The few exchanged glances and called out stiffly.

"Big Brother/Su!"

"Ah! Good, good."

Su Min was delighted. Shen Jianan and Bai Yun's couple were also laughing hard. "Eat up! The food will get cold if we wait any longer."

Shen Jianan raised his hand in invitation, then served each of the two elders a bowl of soup. "Auntie, Uncle, try this. I stewed it for a long time."

"Okay."

"Let's eat, let's eat."

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and chatted as they ate, creating a lively atmosphere. After drinking a bowl of refreshing chicken soup, Ling Yun's appetite seemed to open up. In the end, she ate quite a bit of the meat dishes and half a bowl of mixed-grain rice.

If they had not been worried that her illness had left her stomach too weak to handle it, Shen Jianan, Old Master Su, Su Min, and Bai Yun's couple would all have wanted to give her more.

After dinner, the sky gradually darkened. Shen Jianan brought up the matter of fabric for winter clothes with Bai Yun. After pondering for a moment, she said she would settle it within seven days and told him not to worry.

Having received a satisfactory answer, Shen Jianan did not delay further. He immediately had them carry the things they had brought and followed him and Gu Yu in the car to the Cattle Shed. When they arrived, the old people had just put down their bowls and chopsticks.

The two elders of the Su family quickly greeted them. Su Chen's couple and Su Min set down the gifts and thanked them repeatedly, saying they had disturbed them. Their attitude was extremely respectful.

Lu Jianfeng smiled as he wiped his mouth. "Sit and rest for a while first. In ten minutes or so, I'll take this comrade's pulse."

"Okay, okay."

Su Chen, his brother, and Bai Yun quickly helped their parents sit down. Gu Yu and Shen Jianan consciously went to wash the elders' bowls and scrub the pot. Then they went outside to the foot of the mountain and gathered a bundle of firewood for them before returning to the Cattle Shed.

By then, Lu Jianfeng was already taking Ling Ying's pulse. Everyone surrounded them in silence, waiting for the results. After roughly five or six minutes, the old man finished his examination.

He gave a soft laugh and looked at Su Chen. "Did you bring the hospital's diagnostic report? Let me see it."

"We did, we did."

Su Chen nodded and hurriedly took a medical record booklet from his pocket. Lu Jianfeng casually accepted it and opened it to read for a few moments, then immediately scoffed in ridicule. "Hmph! Utter nonsense."

The Su family exchanged glances, all becoming tense. "Mr. Lu, wh-what do you mean?"

"Don't worry. She won't die."

Lu Jianfeng closed the medical record and spoke. "It's just a bit troublesome. She'll need acupuncture for some time and medicine for half a year. She should recover more than halfway by then."

"R-Really? It's that simple?"

The instant the Su family said that, Lu Jianfeng's expression changed. Shen Jianan secretly thought things were going badly and hurried to his side, wrapping an arm around the old man's shoulders and giving him a shake. Then, with a proud lift of his chin, he winked at the Su family.

"Would Grandpa Lu's words ever be false!? He's a master physician of this age, a living Hua Tuo! Back then, the people waiting to see him stretched from the capital all the way to France. If Grandpa hadn't been subjected to that... would he have ended up here?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The Su family were not fools. They had regretted their words the moment they left their mouths. After Shen Jianan's reminder, they felt a wave of lingering fear and hurriedly nodded along.

"We must have accumulated tremendous virtue to encounter such a fine doctor."

"If it weren't for your help, Jianan, we might never have found a miraculous physician with such wonderful hands as Mr. Lu."

"Mr. Lu, we'll have to trouble you!"

Meanwhile, Lin Yanqing and the other elderly people, along with Gu Yu, were so amused by Shen Jianan and the Su family that they lowered their heads to suppress their laughter. Lu Jianfeng had probably heard it too many times in the past and had become immune to it.

He turned to Shen Jianan with a face full of affection and patted his hand. "Go find paper and a pen for Grandpa, so I can write a prescription for your Aunt Ling."

"Mr. Lu, I have some here."

Before the old man could finish speaking, Su Min took out a tiny notebook and a Hero Fountain Pen from his pocket and respectfully presented them to him with both hands. Lu Jianfeng accepted them, opened the pen, and swiftly wrote two prescriptions in the notebook.

"The first is for drinking. Boil one dose for three days. Take it twice daily, once in the morning and once at night, one bowl each time. Do not drink more than that.

Remember to take it half an hour after meals. Avoid raw and cold foods, spicy foods, greasy foods, fishy-smelling foods, and other irritating foods.

The second prescription is for boiling into bathwater. It is mainly to nourish Comrade Ling's liver and kidneys and open her meridians. Once a week will do.

Come back in half a month. Bring a set of silver needles as well, so that I can give her acupuncture treatment then."

"Okay, okay."

The Su family answered respectfully. "We'll remember it all."

"Mhm."

Lu Jianfeng nodded, looking at the family with a smile. "Go home. Don't worry. As long as Comrade Ling follows my treatment, barring any accidents, living another twenty or thirty years will not be a problem."

"Okay, okay. Thank you, thank you."

Old Master Su let out a breath of relief. Holding his equally excited wife, he kept wiping away tears. The Su brothers and Bai Yun's eyes had all reddened as well.

"Elder Lu, the Su family will never forget your immense kindness. Don't worry, when we get back, we'll—"

"Hey!"

Lu Jianfeng raised a hand to interrupt Su Min, his expression indifferent. "Wait until Comrade Ling's condition improves before saying anything. I, Lu Jianfeng, never take advantage of others."

With things stated so plainly, what else could Su Min say? He immediately took his younger brother Su Chen, their parents, and Bai Yun to bid everyone farewell. "Then, Mr. Lu, everyone, we'll be going back first."

"Mhm. Go on. Remember to return for a follow-up in half a month."

"Okay."

The family nodded and thanked them again, then left in high spirits and drove away. After watching them go, Shen Jianan and Gu Yu returned to the Cattle Shed once more, said goodbye to Lu Jianfeng and the others, and only then walked hand in hand back to Half-Mountain Courtyard.