Chapter 18: Are the injuries severe?

Huanya sat before the hearth, shoveling food into her mouth in quick bites while tossing two more pieces of firewood into the flames.

"I need to boil some water. It’s hot out, and Brother Tiancheng needs to be wiped down often, or he’ll get sores."

She muttered to herself, and seeing the fire catch, she took a few more bites of rice.

"What kind of sores?"

"Ah!"

Huanya was startled by the sudden voice. She turned around, and upon seeing Mother Song, she let out a sigh of relief. She asked curiously, "Auntie, why are you here? Has Brother Tiancheng finished his meal?"

"No, he asked me to come check on you."

Huanya blinked. "Check on... me?" What was there to check on?

Mother Song said, "After all, you just arrived at our home. Even though you’re here to work, you’re still just a young girl. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving you to eat all by yourself."

But Brother Tiancheng was eating by himself, too.

Huanya thought this to herself but did not say it out loud.

As if reading her mind, Mother Song smiled and said, "Tiancheng is a grown man, after all; he doesn't need me to keep him company."

Hearing this, a warmth suddenly flooded Huanya's heart.

She bit down on her chopsticks and asked cautiously, "Is Brother Tiancheng’s leg very serious?"

Mother Song paused, then let out a soft sigh. "Old Songzi, the barefoot doctor who came yesterday, said that if he could be sent to the county town, he might make a full recovery. But as it stands, the wound is healing very slowly, and with the hot weather, it’s prone to festering."

Upon hearing this, Huanya thought for a moment and said, "It's hot—we should prepare ice. Ice compresses can help stop the pain and bleeding."

Mother Song was surprised. "Truly?"

Huanya nodded. "My father was the same way."

At the mention of her father, Huanya’s eyes suddenly reddened. She sniffled and added, "Once the surface looks a bit better, we can use hot compresses to promote the healing of the wound."

"I’ve never heard of that method." Mother Song wanted to ask more, but seeing Huanya’s teary eyes, she hadn't the heart.

She cleared her throat and said, "Alright now, your father and mother must be watching over you, so don't cry."

Huanya nodded vigorously. "Mmhmm!"

Remembering something, she asked, "Auntie, why don't we buy Brother Tiancheng a wheelchair?"

"It would be much more convenient if he had one."

At the very least, he would be able to come out and eat with everyone else.

Hearing this, Mother Song sighed. "There isn't much money left in the house."

"Huh?" Huanya looked at the rice and flour. The Song family ate so well, and they had such a large courtyard—did they really have no money?

Seeing the expression on Huanya’s face, Mother Song guessed what she was thinking.

Knowing the young girl had no ill intent, Mother Song was silent for a moment before saying, "The family used to be quite well-off. Tiancheng's father was a hard worker who brought in good money, but later he fell ill, and it cost a great deal. On top of that, with Chengzi studying, the family savings haven't been substantial for a long time."

"Later, after he fell, the dowry that was sent out..." Mother Song paused, shifting the subject.

"With his bones broken, the wound is difficult to heal. The doctor said he needs to eat well, so I bought rice, flour, and raised some chickens."

"But between the medical visits and the medicine, there was simply no money left to buy him a wheelchair."

Huanya was stunned, suddenly remembering that Mother Song had even bought her yesterday.

She opened her mouth, her throat feeling dry.

She had originally thought the Song family was well-off. In that case, had she... had she only added to their burden?

"Don't overthink it." Seeing her face turn pale, Mother Song shook her head slightly. "I bought you because there was truly no one left at home to help with the chores. Besides, a wheelchair costs ten taels of silver—much more expensive than you."