If the man really had a fever, Li Long did have medicine.
Aspirin was practically a cure-all in many people's eyes at the time.
"Did he come with you?" Li Long asked at the door. "If he's coming, I'll give you the medicine now so you can have him take it. If not, take the medicine back with you."
He still had to save the man.
"Thank you, thank you! My brother can't even get up. He's in the earth cellar. He didn't come-I ran here myself... Thank you!"
Li Long lit the oil lamp, found the medicine bottle, shook out seven or eight tablets, wrapped them in a piece of paper, and went to the door.
"This is aspirin. Give him one tablet. If his fever doesn't go down, give him another. Don't give him too many."
He unlatched the door and saw the man outside.
The man also saw Li Long and the gun in his hand.
"Here, the medicine." Li Long passed him the paper packet with his left hand. "It's wrapped in paper, and it's raining outside. Keep it safe."
The man took the packet, bowed to Li Long, then turned and hurried off into the rain.
Li Long watched his retreating figure. He was heading southwest.
He shut and latched the door.
He had noticed the man glance at his gun earlier. He had no idea whether the man could tell if it was loaded, or whether a round was chambered and the safety was off.
Li Long wasn't paranoid. He simply didn't want to stake his life on testing whether people were good or evil.
He added some coal to the stove, banked it, blew out the oil lamp, and went back to sleep.
When he woke again, the rain had stopped and it