Amid the Sisters-in-law’s chatter, a sudden voice rang out.
“Xiao Jun! Xiao Jun!”
A woman stumbled out of the house, holding a little boy in her arms. The boy, about five or six years old, was limp, his limbs dangling.
The woman shouted, “Something’s wrong! My Xiao Jun just fainted! Quickly, find a doctor! Find a doctor!”
Startled and exhausted, she collapsed to the ground with the child in her arms.
The Sisters-in-law, who had been watching the commotion, immediately changed direction and surrounded them, their faces full of panic.
“Why is this child so pale? Oh my God! He isn’t breathing!”
“Take him to the medical unit, quickly!”
“The medical unit is far from the compound. If we rush there now, it might be too late.”
“What do we do…? Wait! Comrade Fang! Find Comrade Fang! She’s a Medical Aide in the health unit. She must know what to do!”
The Sisters-in-law dashed toward Fang Siyue, dragging her along.
“Comrade Fang! Something’s wrong! Hu Chunling’s Xiao Jun fainted! You need to go check on him! Saving the child is urgent!”
Upon hearing it was a child in danger, Song Yuntang and the Fu elders ignored everything else and rushed over to see what had happened.
In her haste, Song Yuntang instructed Niannian and An’an, “Niannian, stay home with An’an. Don’t open the door unless it’s Mom.”
Niannian looked up earnestly and said, “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll protect my sister!”
Song Yuntang felt reassured and quickened her pace.
When she arrived, she saw Hu Chunling surrounded by people, holding her nearly lifeless son, and… standing nearby in a daze, Fang Siyue.
The Sisters-in-law urged, “Comrade Fang, hurry! Save him now!”
“I… I…” Fang Siyue looked at the child’s ghostly pale face, completely at a loss, unsure what to do.
Though she had attended medical school and joined the health unit as a Medical Aide, she had little skill—mostly just giving injections or IV drips. She hadn’t studied properly and always followed the doctors’ instructions in the unit.
Now, she had no idea how to handle this situation.
Annoyed by the urging, Fang Siyue shouted, “The child’s already gone! There’s nothing to be done!”
The words caused a deadly silence to fall over the crowd. No one even dared to breathe heavily.
Only Hu Chunling wailed, tears streaming down her face.
“My child… my child… please, save my child… save him…”
Hu Chunling placed her only hope on Fang Siyue, bowing repeatedly, begging. Fang Siyue, however, stepped back as if afraid Hu Chunling’s desperation would bring her bad luck.
Song Yuntang could no longer stand it.
“If you won’t save him, I will!”
Before the astonished crowd could react, she hurried to Hu Chunling and the child, crouching down swiftly.
Song Yuntang immediately checked the boy—from pulse to breathing, even inside his mouth—asking questions throughout.
“What was he doing before he fainted?”
“Eating… eating eggs.” Hu Chunling wiped her tears and answered calmly, her eyes pleading, clinging to Song Yuntang as if she were the child’s last hope.
“Does he have any usual illnesses?”
“Yes… mild asthma… the doctor said it’s not serious, just needs to be cared for. He’ll grow out of it.”
Song Yuntang understood immediately. “It’s a sudden allergic asthma attack.”
The allergy caused swelling in his throat, compressing the airway. The asthma worsened the situation, leading to respiratory arrest.
Having identified the cause, Song Yuntang acted decisively.
“Don’t let him lie down. Hold him upright, lean slightly forward…”
This posture helped him breathe.
She located the boy’s wrist and found a point called “Neiguan,” also known as the asthma point.
Song Yuntang produced a silver acupuncture needle and inserted it at Neiguan.
Her movements were precise, swift, and effective. The needle turned gently, not too deep because he was a child. After a few seconds, she withdrew it.
Then, she pressed the point repeatedly with firm pressure.
Her expression was focused, her gaze sharp. All her attention was on saving the child, oblivious to the surrounding crowd.
Fang Siyue, snapping out of her initial shock, watched Song Yuntang perform something she could never do. If Song Yuntang saved the child, she would be completely outshone.
“You… you don’t actually believe her lies, do you? She’s just a rural woman, maybe not even educated. How could she save someone? She’s just fooling around! What if she kills the child?”
While Fang Siyue shouted, someone calmly said,
“Comrade Fang, she can’t do it. You do it then.”
Fang Siyue choked on the words, unable to reply, her face turning green.
Meanwhile, Song Yuntang continued pressing and checking the child. Hu Chunling, holding the boy, cautiously touched the area under his nose.
“…He’s breathing! He’s breathing!”
The boy, once nearly lifeless, began showing chest movement. His color returned.
Hu Chunling cried tears of joy, hastily trying to thank Song Yuntang.
Song Yuntang spoke calmly, “Your child is temporarily out of danger. He still needs medication. Take him to the medical unit immediately—don’t delay.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Hu Chunling repeatedly thanked her, lifted her child, and hurried toward the medical unit, some Sisters-in-law helping.
Seeing the child breathe again, Song Yuntang felt relief and wiped the sweat from her brow, only then realizing she was surrounded by so many staring eyes.
…
Elsewhere, Fu Weicheng was at the military camp, training soldiers on the grounds, young men strong and radiant under the sun.
He watched the training intensely, his stern face unrelenting, though his eyes briefly flickered in distraction.
He had been at the camp all morning, unable to check on Song Yuntang or the children. He didn’t know if they had slept well or had breakfast.
“Regiment Commander Fu, finally found you.” Lin Xiangdong suddenly appeared at his side, anxious. “I just saw your father and mother at the camp entrance with Fang Siyue. They headed toward the Family Quarters. Could they be going to see your wife?”
Fu Weicheng immediately became alert, recalling Fang Siyue’s usual arrogant behavior.
Danger! His wife was in danger!
In an instant, he took long strides, moving swiftly.
Without looking back, he commanded, “East! You handle the rest of the training.”
Fu Weicheng rushed to the Family Quarters at top speed. Upon arrival, he saw Song Yuntang surrounded by people—Fang Siyue, his parents, and several unknown Sisters-in-law. She stood alone, seemingly outnumbered.
He didn’t know what had happened, only seeing his wife isolated, and a surge of worry burst through him.
He strode forward and entered the crowd, stopping in front of Song Yuntang.
Song Yuntang noticed him immediately. His brows were low, jaw tense, eyes dark—serious and imposing. Before she could react, her wrist was grasped by a warm, strong hand.
A deep, steady voice filled with concern rumbled.
“Song Yuntang, did they bully you?”