The two of them were walking toward the Educated Youth Station when they encountered Zhao Na in the fields along the way.
Seeing that Su Qiu was limping, as if injured, Zhao Na hurried over to ask what had happened.
“Su Qiu, what happened to you?”
Su Qiu wore a bitter smile and helplessly explained the situation.
After hearing this, Zhao Na frowned. She quickly stepped forward to support her while cautiously eyeing Wei Ye.
“Thank you, comrade. I’ll just help Educated Youth Su back.”
She had heard of this man before. He was known for being unruly. Although he had just saved Su Qiu, there were many gossips in the village, and who knew if he had other intentions.
Wei Ye met her guarded, almost thief-like gaze but said nothing. He placed the sickle into the pig fodder basket and turned toward the pigsty at the back of the mountain.
It was clear he intended to deliver the pig fodder first.
Seeing this, Su Qiu opened her mouth and called out: “Comrade Wei, thank you.”
Wei Ye did not even turn his head, only waved his hand dismissively.
Su Qiu finally relaxed slightly, while Zhao Na, who was supporting her, frowned even more deeply.
“Su Qiu, this man may look decent, but he is a troublemaker in the village. I heard that after he returned from being discharged due to injury, his personality changed drastically. He often shouts at his family. You should stay away from him.”
Su Qiu raised her brows. She felt that Comrade Wei was an exceptionally good person.
“Rumors are not reliable. How many truthful words can come out of this village’s mouths? Someone who risks himself to save another cannot be that bad in character.”
Zhao Na was momentarily at a loss for words and did not continue persuading her.
After all, he had just saved Su Qiu. It was normal for her to feel grateful.
“Fine, fine, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ll help you back to the Educated Youth Station first. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, we’ll need to take you to the clinic.”
After speaking, Zhao Na went to ask for leave from her team leader and helped Su Qiu back to the Educated Youth Station.
At this time of day, they were not supposed to have finished work yet.
However, when they returned, Geng Jiao and Wang Xuefei were actually washing up.
Seeing Zhao Na supporting Su Qiu back, both of them were shocked, and Wang Xuefei immediately asked: “What happened?”
Zhao Na helped Su Qiu sit on a wooden stool and casually explained: “Su Qiu was bitten by a snake while cutting pig fodder on the mountain.”
Upon hearing that she had been bitten by a snake, the two city girls’ faces turned pale.
Geng Jiao, who rarely targeted Su Qiu at that moment, could not help but say: “She was bitten by a snake—she should be sent to the hospital. Why bring her back here? Doesn’t the village have a doctor to look at her?”
Zhao Na glanced at her and explained calmly: “The snake venom has already been sucked out, and medicine has been applied. We’re just observing her for now.”
Geng Jiao hesitated as if she wanted to say more, but eventually remained silent.
She thought to herself that even a minor headache or fever required a hospital visit, yet being bitten by a poisonous snake was treated so lightly—this countryside was truly backward.
At the same time, she felt relieved. Last night, she had given gifts to the Production Team Leader’s wife. Originally, she had been assigned to work with Su Qiu feeding pigs, but she had refused because it was too dirty. Otherwise, she might have gone up the mountain to cut pig fodder as well and could have been bitten by a snake too.
After settling Su Qiu, Zhao Na went out to look for the village doctor.
Because of her injured ankle, Su Qiu could not get out of bed and could only lie down to rest.
Wang Xuefei kindly brought over a cup of water. “Su Qiu, drink some water.”
“Thank you.”
Su Qiu sat up to thank her and took a sip.
Wang Xuefei looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. Perhaps seeing that everyone was suffering in similar ways, she could not help but speak.
“You might want to give more gifts… and try to get assigned to another job.”
Upon hearing this, Geng Jiao crossed her arms and said proudly: “They’re all money-grubbers. I directly gave 200 yuan, and now I only need to earn work points.”
She did not need to work. She returned earlier than others. Although it cost money, she did not have to suffer.
Wang Xuefei was not as wealthy as Geng Jiao. When she came to the countryside, she did not bring many valuable things. She could only use a silk scarf she liked and two cans of meat that Geng Jiao had given her in exchange for a relatively easier job.
Although she still had to endure wind and sun, it was not as exhausting as before.
After hearing this, Su Qiu understood they were well-intentioned. She glanced at Geng Jiao and said directly:
“You gave too much. In the future, they will only demand more. You cannot overfeed them from the beginning.”
Geng Jiao frowned immediately. “I already gave him 200 yuan. How much more does he want? Am I supposed to just let them take advantage of me?”
Seeing her reaction, Su Qiu said helplessly: “Anyway, just be more cautious. My current job is fine for now, I don’t need to change it.”
“If you don’t appreciate kindness, forget it. Do whatever you want.”
Geng Jiao snorted and stopped paying attention to Su Qiu, busying herself with changing clothes.
Wang Xuefei, on the other hand, did not think much of it. From Su Qiu’s appearance and behavior, she likely came from a similar background and had already exchanged her belongings for a pig-farming job. She probably did not have the means to switch to something easier.
After all, not everyone was as wealthy as Geng Jiao, who had brought 1,000 yuan from home.
Meanwhile, she only had 50 yuan in her pocket, and all her food and daily needs had been supported by Geng Jiao along the way.
Thinking of this, Wang Xuefei lowered her gaze, her fingertips curling slightly, feeling an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
Su Qiu merely glanced at this scene and said nothing.
Just then, Zhao Na’s voice came from outside the door.
“Su Qiu, I happened to meet the village doctor on the way and brought him here to see you.”
Geng Jiao neatly folded her changed clothes and put them away, while Su Qiu adjusted herself and sat on the bed.
Zhao Na led in an elderly man carrying a medical kit.
The old man had white hair but was full of energy, and his expression appeared kind.
“You’re the girl that the Wei family boy mentioned, right? Which foot was bitten by the snake?”
Wei family boy?
It should have been Wei Ye.
Su Qiu felt even more grateful and quickly pointed to her left foot. “Old sir, the wound is on the outer side.”
The old man approached, looked closely, and opened his medical kit. He took out several small porcelain jars and a few silver needles.
“Alright, raise your foot and turn it sideways. It’ll be done in three to five minutes.”
Su Qiu cooperated and lifted her foot.
The old man moved with practiced speed. He took a piece of cotton, dipped it in alcohol, and disinfected the wound with fire.
He then used silver needles for acupuncture, his hands steady and precise, moving so quickly it was almost dazzling.
The others watching frowned and instinctively shrank back, while Su Qiu’s eyes shone brightly.
She felt no pain from his actions. Only a faint warmth and burning sensation remained around the wound.
She liked Traditional Chinese Medicine culture and had studied some unique medical techniques before transmigrating. Seeing such skillful fire acupuncture now truly fascinated her.
After three minutes, the old man removed all the needles. From a black porcelain jar, he scooped out an unknown black medicinal ointment and evenly applied it to the wound and surrounding area, then wrapped it with a white cloth strip.
“Do not let it get wet within seven days. After the pain subsides, move it gently.”
“Alright, thank you, old sir,” Su Qiu said politely.
Her ankle, which had hurt with even slight movement earlier, now only felt a faint warmth without pain.
Su Qiu could not help but admire the old man’s exceptional medical skill.
While he was packing up, she shyly asked: “May I ask your surname, old sir? Your fire acupuncture is truly amazing.”
Yang Wenqing looked at her and chuckled. “Little girl, you have good eyes despite your age. My surname is Yang. This fire acupuncture is passed down in my family. If you want to learn it, you would need to become my apprentice.”
Su Qiu’s eyes lit up. “Is what Old Master Yang said true? Then I will bring gifts tomorrow and formally become your apprentice.”