Gu Zhiming was drenched in cold sweat. This matter had nothing to do with him in the first place.
If he got dragged into it and both he and his wife ended up in jail, wouldn’t the whole village point fingers at them and curse them forever?
“Everyone, please disperse. This is our family matter. It’s not serious enough to trouble the public security officers. We all know better—go on, go home.”
Gu Zhiming tried to smooth things over, hoping to drive everyone away so he could finally have some peace and quiet.
But no one paid him any attention. Today, the villagers were unusually united—they were determined to see He Xiufang taken away by the police.
He Xiufang simply collapsed onto the ground and began to wail hysterically. “Heavens! You might as well just let me die! The whole village is against me—how am I supposed to go on living like this?!”
She usually cared a great deal about her appearance, but today she couldn’t bother. Her face and hair were smeared with dirt.
She didn’t even feel the pain from the lashes Jiang Yunshu had given her.
Meanwhile…
After hurrying all the way, the group finally arrived at the clinic. Lu Huian had her eyes tightly shut, her breathing labored.
“Doctor Wang, are you still on duty today?”
Seeing that it was Doctor Wang on shift, Jiang Yunshu felt relieved.
The doctors at the village clinic varied in skill, but Doctor Wang was one of the better ones.
It wasn’t particularly busy today, though this was already Jiang Yunshu’s third visit.
Doctor Wang teased, “A regular customer, huh? Who’s in trouble this time?”
The villagers crowded outside while Jiang Yunshu stood with the three children behind her.
“The children were beaten—they’re seriously injured. Their grandmother is also very ill. Please treat the children first.”
Doctor Wang lowered her head and immediately noticed the wound on Da Bao’s forehead.
Then she glanced to the side—Er Bao’s neck injury was just as striking.
In comparison, Xiao Bao’s condition was slightly better.
Children often got bumps and bruises, but injuries this severe were rare.
“How did they get beaten like this? What happened?”
Doctor Wang frowned and took a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, carefully cleaning Da Bao’s wound.
The bleeding had to be cleaned first. Her face was full of concern.
“That He Xiufang is too cruel. Sooner or later, she’ll get her retribution.”
Even without being told, she could guess what had happened.
When the alcohol touched the wound, it burned sharply. Da Bao clenched his little fists tightly, doing his best to endure it.
Jiang Yunshu’s eyes grew moist, and she turned her head away.
After bandaging all three children, Doctor Wang hurried to check on Lu Huian.
The villagers had already laid her on a bed.
Jiang Yunshu reached out and gently grabbed Doctor Wang’s arm.
On the way here, she had taken Lu Huian’s pulse—it was weak and floating, far weaker than normal.
She had likely been ill for a long time—and it was pneumonia.
“On the way here, she was coughing badly. Maybe you should wear a mask, just in case.”
Jiang Yunshu didn’t speak too plainly. After all, many people had helped today, and they had all come into contact with Lu Huian.
To avoid unnecessary panic, she only told Doctor Wang, who would be in close contact with her in an enclosed space.
“Your grandfather was a military doctor, and your mother was once a medic. I trust your judgment—I’ll go get a mask.”
Jiang Yunshu came from a medical family. If she said this, there must be a reason.
Doctor Wang had her own judgment as well, so she didn’t ask further.
Although Lu Huian’s condition had been delayed, it was still within a controllable range.
However, the village clinic had limited equipment and capability. To fully cure her, she would need to be transferred to a larger hospital.
Doctor Wang prepared an IV and hooked it up for Lu Huian. Da Bao clung to Jiang Yunshu’s leg, his face full of worry.
Jiang Yunshu gently stroked his face. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”
With timely treatment, Lu Huian’s pneumonia wouldn’t be life-threatening.
But right now, Jiang Yunshu had no medicine on hand. The only thing she could do was take good care of the three children first.
As it grew later, Jiang Yunshu carefully lifted Xiao Bao’s sleeve.
The scars on the children’s bodies—old and new—were shocking to see.
Usually, He Xiufang would avoid being seen, but today, upon hearing she might have to pay money, she must have been furious and beaten them mercilessly.
“If she bullies you again, you must learn to resist. Even if you’re small and weak, you should know how to ask for help, understand?”
Jiang Yunshu gently blew on Xiao Bao’s wound.
Er Bao leaned against her, silent.
Today’s events also helped Jiang Yunshu understand why Xiao Bao didn’t speak.
He was already frail, constantly suffering physically, and on top of that, he endured verbal abuse and beatings.
Over time, it was only natural for psychological problems to develop.
He chose not to speak, sealing himself off.
In a way, it was a form of self-protection.
“Sister, we understand. From now on, I’ll protect my younger siblings.”
Da Bao sat beside Jiang Yunshu, quietly watching the IV drip.
Jiang Yunshu stroked his head, her heart full of tenderness.
Though Da Bao was the same age as the others, he carried the responsibility of an older brother.
It was clear their father and grandmother had raised them well.
Having once lived under someone else’s roof and been schemed against by her stepmother, Jiang Yunshu understood the hardship of relying on others.
She sighed and turned her gaze to the wound on Er Bao’s neck, her eyes reddening.
Unfortunately, they weren’t related—this was as much as she could do.
“Auntie, don’t cry. It actually doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Er Bao was the first to notice Jiang Yunshu’s mood. When she turned, she saw Jiang Yunshu wiping her tears.
Da Bao and Xiao Bao looked over at the same time, and Jiang Yunshu hurriedly wiped her face.
Xiao Bao’s eyes were bright like a clear lake. He reached out his little hand and wiped the tears from her face.
Jiang Yunshu forced a small smile. “If anyone bullies you again, come find me. I’m not afraid of anything. If someone dares to do evil again, I’ll beat them until they’re crawling on the ground begging for mercy.”
Thinking of how Jiang Yunshu had beaten He Xiufang earlier, Er Bao looked at her with admiration.
“From now on, I’ll protect my siblings too. If anyone dares bully us, I’ll beat them till their butts are split open!”
Er Bao’s eyes were lively like a little deer’s, with a hint of anger in her pupils.
Her small pouting mouth looked like a freshly steamed bun.
Jiang Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh at her adorable expression.
“Alright, Er Bao is the bravest, isn’t she?”
The previously heavy atmosphere suddenly became lively.
Looking at the three little ones snuggled together, Jiang Yunshu’s heart nearly melted.
On closer look, Da Bao and Xiao Bao looked quite similar.
With their sharp brows and spirited features, they likely resembled their father.
Er Bao, however, was different from the two boys.
She had round almond-shaped eyes, soft and gentle, with no trace of sharpness.
Her face was delicately oval—though only a few years old, it was clear she would grow into a beauty.
But within her fine brows, just like Jiang Yunshu, there was a small mole.
That made Jiang Yunshu feel that the two of them were truly fated.