After observing for a while and confirming that Xiao Bao had no adverse reaction, Jiang Yunshu finally stood up.
She looked a bit embarrassed. “Doctor Wang, I’m sorry. I left in a hurry today and didn’t bring any money.”
The clinic had its own rules.
Fortunately, it was already late and no one else had seen them. Doctor Wang waved her hand indifferently.
“I already said I’d cover today’s medicine. Don’t worry about it. Take them home first.”
The cost of a single injection wasn’t much, but over time, it could add up to quite a sum.
“How can that be? I brought the child here—how can I let you pay? I’ll definitely bring the money tomorrow.”
Doctor Wang didn’t argue further and nodded. “Alright.”
Da Bao blinked. “Auntie, we’ll definitely repay the money for Xiao Bao’s treatment.”
Among the three children, Da Bao was relatively taller, but his hair was just as dry and yellow.
Not to mention their dirty clothes—just their stick-thin bodies made it clear they couldn’t possibly afford it.
“Later, take them to the Gu family. It’s still light now. If it gets any later, it’ll be dark when you head back.”
Doctor Wang tossed the syringe into the trash and kindly reminded her.
Not everyone in the village had good intentions.
The Gu family and Jiang Yunshu’s home were in opposite directions, so it wasn’t safe for the children to go back alone.
Jiang Yunshu picked up Xiao Bao and thanked her. “Thank you, Doctor Wang. Sorry for troubling you today.”
Doctor Wang was about to get off work. She waved her hand. “Go on.”
They were all villagers—“trouble” was too strong a word.
The children were sensible, but they did have relatives.
The kind-hearted aunties in the village would secretly give them some food, but no one could interfere too much.
Besides, no family was well-off.
Taking in three extra mouths to feed for no reason—it was understandable that the Gu family’s eldest daughter-in-law would be resentful.
“Auntie, are you cold?”
On the way, Er Bao looked up at Jiang Yunshu’s thin clothes, worried.
The pretty auntie had been exposed to the wind and had jumped into the pond several times. If she got sick, they would feel bad.
Jiang Yunshu held Xiao Bao. He was very light—probably only around twenty pounds.
She tugged at her clothes with one hand.
“Don’t worry, Auntie is an adult. I’ll be fine. My clothes are already dry.”
Fortunately, the fabric was thin and of poor quality—not warm, but it dried quickly. Otherwise, in this weather, she might really catch a cold.
“Does your aunt treat you badly?”
Jiang Yunshu hesitated. She hadn’t wanted to bring up the children’s painful past.
But seeing how well-behaved they were made her heart ache.
Children only a few years old—others would still be treasured at home.
Yet these three were bullied everywhere. According to Doctor Wang, they even had to work every day just to get food.
How could children this young, who couldn’t even eat their fill, have the strength to work?
Even if they weren’t one’s own children, basic decency meant at least feeding them.
“Auntie is actually quite nice,” Da Bao said. “Grandma says that since Auntie lets us live in the house, she’s a good person. Grandma also says that when we grow up and leave the village, things will get better.”
At the mention of leaving the village, Da Bao’s eyes sparkled with longing.
Jiang Yunshu had heard a bit about their grandmother, Granny Lu.
She had always been kind and gentle.
The three children had been raised by her, and she did truly love them.
But as Doctor Wang said, now that the Gu family’s third son had sacrificed his life, even Granny Lu had to live under the authority of the eldest son’s household.
At first, she could still look after the children a bit, but her health was poor. Even if she felt heartache for them, she was powerless.
In the end, with their parents gone, it was the children who suffered.
“Your grandma is right. Grow up safely. Once you leave the village and see the outside world, no one will dare bully you anymore.”
A gust of wind blew, and Xiao Bao curled up in Jiang Yunshu’s arms. She held him tighter.
The road ahead was long, and who knew when these children would finally see better days.
Looking at their shadows on the ground, Jiang Yunshu felt a heaviness in her heart.
The Gu family’s eldest son was henpecked, and his wife was a smiling tiger—pleasant in public, but completely different in private.
Xiao Bao’s health was poor and required medicine and care. She likely wouldn’t agree to that.
The sun was setting, leaving only a half halo over the mountain, painting the sky a fiery red.
Their shadows stretched long. Xiao Bao still tightly clutched the longevity lock Jiang Yunshu had retrieved from the pond.
“Auntie, will we see you again?”
Er Bao suddenly stopped, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
The villagers always called them wild children.
Aside from their grandmother, only this pretty auntie was willing to help them.
He didn’t want to trouble her, but he also wanted to be friends.
Er Bao lowered his head shyly.
Jiang Yunshu took his hand. “Of course we will.”
Da Bao pointed toward a fence gate not far ahead, his voice downcast. “Auntie, that’s our uncle’s house.”
Jiang Yunshu looked over. It seemed like no one was in the courtyard.
The three children’s expressions stiffened—they clearly lived in constant fear.
Jiang Yunshu frowned. “Will your uncle and aunt get angry when they see you like this?”
Da Bao and Er Bao looked at each other, only then noticing how dirty they were.
Er Bao’s small body trembled slightly, the fear in his eyes piercing Jiang Yunshu’s heart like a needle.
She set Xiao Bao down and crouched in front of them. “Do your uncle and aunt often beat or scold you?”
Da Bao hesitated, nodded, then quickly shook his head.
Jiang Yunshu knew they didn’t want her to worry.
Such young children, already learning to read people’s expressions—it made her heart ache.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll explain everything for you.”
Perhaps the injection had taken effect—Xiao Bao’s flushed face had faded a little.
“Well, well—you still know how to come back? You little brats, running around all day! Look at the time! Why aren’t you helping fetch water and wash vegetables? We’re not raising you for free meals!”
Just as Jiang Yunshu was about to take the children forward, a sharp, biting voice came from behind.
She turned around and saw Gu Zhiming—and behind him, He Xiufang.