Ding Shijun followed Jiang Li and turned to close the yard gate.
Jiang Jianguo, furious, cursed loudly from outside, but Ding Shijun splashed a bucket of cold water on him, forcing him and Wu Huani to grumble their way off.
He had thought they wouldn’t give up so easily—after all, in this life, even without Jiang Li pushing for Jiang Jianguo to apprentice, they had come looking for him themselves.
But now it seemed that there was probably another reason behind the apprenticeship request. Whatever the reason, Jiang Jianguo’s own willingness didn’t seem all that strong.
Makes sense. In the previous life, if Jiang Li hadn’t ignored his scolding, insisted he let her arrange the apprenticeship, and tirelessly monitored his studies, how could he have achieved what he did later?
As long as he didn’t get apprenticed, that was enough—Jiang Li didn’t want to waste any more thought on the reasons behind it.
Turning back, Jiang Li saw Jiang Ting and his wife sitting at the round table in the yard.
The couple looked at the three of them with a certain meaning in their gaze.
“Speak. What brings you here?” Liu Xu scanned the three of them with a slightly displeased expression.
After learning that Jiang Li was Jiang Jianguo’s sister, Liu Xu’s feelings had been a little complicated. But hearing that Jiang Li had already severed ties with the Jiang family, she felt the girl still had some sense.
Jiang Li pushed Ding Shichen forward:
“To be honest with you, we’re here seeking medical help. Big Brother Ding hurt his leg in battle. He had surgery before, but the wound hasn’t healed properly.”
As she spoke, she naturally squatted to start unwrapping the bandages on Ding Shichen’s leg.
“I’ll do it!” Ding Shichen stopped her hand and carefully removed the bandages himself.
At a glance, Liu Xu pursed her lips: “Oh my, leaving a wound in such a state… don’t you want to keep this leg?”
Ding Shichen blushed but answered sincerely: “I do.”
“If you want it but don’t take care of it, look what it’s rotted into!” Liu Xu roughly tore the bandages open.
“Treating this now will be a hassle. We’ll need to debride the dead tissue and check the bone’s recovery. If it’s growing crooked, a second surgery will be needed before stitching it up.
“Not healed properly for at least half a year.”
Jiang Li’s face lit up: “So it can be treated?”
“If you’re not confident, you can go to a hospital in the city for surgery.” Liu Xu clapped her hands.
Ding Shichen was about to refuse treatment when Jiang Li, smiling, responded:
“No, no, no. I trust Dr. Liu’s medical skill. We’ll treat it here. Wound cleaning, surgery—everything is up to you. As long as Big Brother Ding’s leg is healed, I’ll do whatever you ask.”
Liu Xu gave her a look of disbelief: “Have you always been this stupid?”
Always so open-hearted with everyone. Before, she had knelt for seven days for someone she didn’t even know.
And now, even more extreme—she promised anything for the man in front of her. If that’s not stupid, what is?
“Big Brother Ding is different from the Jiang family,” Jiang Li explained awkwardly:
“The Jiang family is my family. I always thought that as long as I gave enough, they’d see my worth and treat me as family.”
“But I later realized I was too naive. Thankfully, Big Brother Ding helped me avoid marrying that old man and escaping that family.”
“Besides, Big Brother Ding was injured on the battlefield. He’s a hero, and he deserves my help in getting medical treatment.”
Liu Xu tapped her on the head: “Stupid is stupid, and you make all these excuses for yourself.”
“But I happen to be free lately. I’ll treat this leg, but it’s a serious injury. During treatment, he shouldn’t move around too much.”
“If you agree to stay and work for me as a maid, I’ll give you a room to stay in. How about that?”
“That’s great!” Jiang Li replied happily.
“No.” Ding Shichen refused immediately.
The two voices were almost simultaneous.
Jiang Li looked at Ding Shijun: “Persuade your brother. If he won’t listen, tell Mom to talk to him.”
This was an outright threat!
Ding Shijun snickered: “I’ll listen to my wife. Big brother, you stay here. Don’t worry about Mom or your younger brother—I’ll watch over them!”
“Perfect timing—it’s summer vacation, and none of the three of us have to return to school. You can focus on healing your leg.”
“Exactly,” Jiang Li nodded:
“If you’re worried, I’ll come back every couple of days to make sure your mom and brothers are fine.”
Ding Shichen was about to refuse again, but Liu Xu waved her hand impatiently:
“Enough. If you keep whining, I won’t treat him. Li girl, go cook. Red-braised rabbit—you promised. No treatment without it.”
Jiang Ting got up and patted Ding Shichen’s shoulder: “If you’re so worried about your family, cooperate with Dr. Liu’s treatment.”
“She may be lacking in some things, but her medical skills are exceptional. With this leg injury, I guarantee in less than six months, you’ll be running around without any aftereffects.”
“By then, you can help your brothers, your mom, whatever you like.”
“Exactly, exactly.” Jiang Li nodded along: “Big Brother Ding, don’t hesitate. Mom and your brothers also want you healthy.”
“If you refuse treatment, letting the injury drag on, your mom and brothers will be the ones suffering.”
“Think about it—if something happens to you, your brothers are still young. Who will take care of Mom?”
Seeing Jiang Li’s earnest expression, Ding Shichen felt moved. Who wouldn’t want to be healthy and spend more years with family?
If it weren’t absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t have let his injury worsen. Now, with a chance to heal, of course he wanted to recover.
But…
“How much does Dr. Liu charge?”
So he was worried about money?
Jiang Li patted her chest:
“Don’t worry. Dr. Liu is kind. Since she agreed to treat you, she won’t pressure you for payment. If necessary, I can work for her to cover the medicine.”
“If you owe a lot, you can pay it back slowly after your leg is healed.”
Ding Shichen instinctively didn’t believe her—what kind of doctor lets people run a tab?
Besides, the villagers were poor, and this couple, though resettled for years, didn’t seem wealthy.
Ding Shichen looked at Jiang Ting: “Is that true?”
“Indeed!” Jiang Ting replied honestly:
“She’s not lying. When she was little, she often carried a child here to ask for medicine. Over time, we lost count of how much she owed.”
“Later, she worked for Dr. Liu to pay off the medicine. If you’re worried, we can write an agreement in advance.”
Hearing this, Ding Shichen realized he had been narrow-minded:
“No need, no need. Sorry, Professor Jiang. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that the family needs money for Mom’s medicine and my three brothers’ tuition. I can’t waste it.”
“If I can run a tab, I’ll definitely repay you many times over later.”
“Alright, alright. A grown man whining—he’s no match for this girl,” Liu Xu said, turning back with a teasing look:
“Li girl, hurry up and cook that red-braised rabbit.”
She looked amused, clearly expecting Jiang Li wouldn’t have a rabbit, just waiting to see her embarrassed.