February 1st.
Meng Anzhi is currently seeing patients at the Anzhi Hall Clinic.
An old woman wearing a gray padded jacket and carrying a basket of soil walked in. Her hair was gray and she looked tired. She looked around and paused when her gaze landed on Meng Anzhi.
She slowly walked to the table and asked softly, "Miss, I'd like to ask, does Anzhi Hall offer free medical consultations on the first day of every month?"
Meng Anzhi raised her eyes and said gently, "Indeed. Does the old man need a medical consultation?"
"No, it's my son... He's been weak since birth, he can't handle strenuous activity or be startled. We've seen so many doctors and tried countless medicines over the years, but he just hasn't gotten better."
Meng Anzhi glanced towards the door. "Where is he? Didn't he come over?"
The old woman hesitated for a moment, then said, "Young lady, would you please come home with me...? My son can't walk that far."
Meng Anzhi glanced at the sky, thought for a moment, and said, "Grandpa, I can't leave today for the free clinic. How about this... give me the address, and I'll come over later..."
The old woman, feeling embarrassed by the refusal and unable to ask for help again, hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I live in the Back Street Ward..."
Meng Anzhi noted down the address, and after waiting a moment without any response, she looked up and said, "What's your name? I'll be able to ask when I get there."
The old woman hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I'll wait for you at the door of the Back Street Ward; you'll see me as soon as you get there..."
Su Mu, who was treating patients nearby, chuckled, "Old man, you don't know when Doctor Meng will be there. If you two miss each other, Doctor Meng will have made a wasted trip. Leave your name so we can find you easily, right?"
The old woman hesitated, then said, "The Liu... the Liu Household. We're the only family with that surname in that Back Street Ward, it's easy to find out." She then looked at Meng Anzhi expectantly, " Doctor Meng, you must come! My son has been sick since before the New Year and hasn't gotten better."
Meng Anzhi wrote down the address. "Don't worry... I'll come over as soon as I'm done here, no later than 5 PM."
Old Madam Liu sighed, turned and walked out. Before leaving, she glanced back at Meng Anzhi, as if she wanted to say something, but then swallowed her words.
After leaving Anzhi Hall, Old Madam Liu didn't go home but went to the calligraphy and painting shop first. "The shopkeeper..."
Upon seeing the newcomer, the shopkeeper's expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward and pushed Old Madam Liu towards the door, saying, "Why are you here again? Didn't I already tell you? I won't accept anything from your house anymore. Come on, come on..."
Old Madam Liu, "Shopkeeper, I'm really desperate, otherwise I wouldn't have shamelessly come here. These fan paintings are very well done, why don't you take a look? Perhaps you'll find something you like."
" Madam Liu, out of consideration for our past relationship, I don't want things to get too ugly. You should leave immediately and not cause me any trouble, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Without a word, the shopkeeper pushed her out and warned his employees, "From now on, if she ever comes near the shop, get her out."
The waiter quickly agreed, but although he felt sorry for Old Madam Liu, he couldn't help her at all and could only sigh and let it go.
Old Madam Liu was walking back with her basket on her shoulder. As she passed the meat stall, she thought of her increasingly thin son, walked up to him, and pointed to a cleanly shaved bone.
"Child, how much are these bones?"
The stall owner glanced at Old Madam Liu, cut off a large piece of fatty meat with a knife, and handed it to her, "Here you go... it's free."
"How can that be? I..." Before she could finish speaking, the stall owner interrupted her, " Madam Liu, you don't know me... but I know Lord Liu."
He put down his knife and continued, "Years ago, Lord Liu took his son to the clinic for treatment, and I happened to be there as well. At that time, I was kicked out because I didn't have money to buy medicine for my mother. It was Lord Liu gave me a tael of silver. Although my mother still couldn't be saved, I have always remembered this kindness."
This meat only costs a few dozen coins. If you want to eat it again, just come over, until you've paid off that one tael of silver.
Upon hearing this, tears streamed down Old Madam Liu's face. She silently packed the meat into her earthen basket, turned around, and left without a word.
As soon as Old Madam Liu entered the Liu Household, she rushed into the kitchen, took the fan out of the earthen basket and hid it in the rice jar, and then took out the meat and placed it on the chopping board.
She rubbed her face vigorously, forced a smile, and said loudly, " Kangjian... Mom bought a piece of meat today, I'll make you lard rice for dinner tonight."
"Cough cough..." A weak cough came from outside the kitchen. "Mother... did you sell the fan?"
"They're sold! The shopkeeper even praised your painting skills for improving. It's just that it's still cold in February, so the fans aren't selling fast... I suggest you rest more and paint again when it gets warmer."
Liu Kangjian walked into the kitchen, glanced at the pork on the cutting board, and then believed what Old Madam Liu had said. He laughed and said, "I knew it! How could so many bookstores refuse us?"
He took Old Madam Liu's hand and said with self-reproach, "Mother... it's my fault for dragging you down, but I've figured it out. Staying at home painting fans all the time isn't a good thing."
Now that my father isn't home, I'll set up a small stall on Vermilion Bird Street when the weather gets warmer. I'll write some letters and paint some fans; that should be enough to cover our expenses in a day."
Old Madam Liu forced back her tears and smiled, "Oh... I'll go wash a couple more clothes for someone then, and when I have time, I'll help you sell fans on the street. I'll make sure your father doesn't worry about us."
As the mother and son talked, their eyes reddened. Old Madam Liu turned her face away and changed the subject, "I went to the Anzhi Hall today. Doctor Meng said he'll be coming to provide free medical consultations tonight, so don't let him know."
"Mother..."
"Hey... silly son, why are you crying..." Old Madam Liu reached out to wipe away his tears, "When we make money, we'll give them the consultation fees."
She took a deep breath and said, "Alright, go inside and rest. Mom will cook for you."
Old Madam Liu turned around, unsure what to grab, and picked up a ash rake. After thinking for a moment, she put it down and took a gourd ladle. Liu Kangjian didn't say anything and silently turned and went into the house.
As night fell, Old Madam Liu was already standing by the stone signpost in the Back Street Ward, waiting. She kept stamping her feet with her hands in her pockets. When she saw Meng Anzhi coming alone, she hurriedly went to greet her.
" Doctor Meng, why did you come alone? It's so dangerous in the dark at night."
Meng Anzhi smiled and said, "It's nothing... I'm used to making night calls all the time. Where do you live? Take me there."
"Yes..." Old Madam Liu responded and led Meng Anzhi home. She was on tenterhooks the whole way, afraid that someone would suddenly appear and greet her.
If Doctor Meng finds out that she is Liu Wenbin's wife, a good scolding is the least of his worries; he's afraid she'll refuse to treat her son in the future.
With a heavy heart, Old Madam Liu pushed open the courtyard gate and led Meng Anzhi towards Liu Kangjian's room. "Knock, knock, knock..." " Kangjian, Doctor Meng is here."
"Cough cough... Mother... cough cough... Come in, cough cough..."
Old Madam Liu pushed open the door, " Doctor Meng, please slow down, it's a bit dark in the room..."
Meng Anzhi looked down at the road, and when she looked up again, she saw a man in his thirties standing next to the desk. The man was dressed in plain clothes and was holding a calligraphy brush in his hand.