Chapter 77: Settling the Score with the Li Family
But Wen Fa was only a ten-year-old child—no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get close to Wen Nong, and could only watch helplessly as his little brother was carried farther and farther away by the current.
“At that time, I think there was someone on the other side of the river. I saw this person just whoosh—flew right over the river, scooped Wen Nong out of the water, then flew back to our side and set him down. Before we could react, that person had already vanished. We were too focused on checking if Wen Nong was okay… ah-choo…” Wen Fa had already changed into dry clothes and was now kneeling in front of Granny Luo, face full of guilt.
Granny Luo held Wen Nong’s hand worriedly and said, “Get up quickly, go see if your mother’s ginger soup is ready—drink a few bowls right away.”
But Wen Fa didn’t move. He looked at Granny Luo and said, “Grandma, I didn’t take good care of my little brother and sister. You should punish me.”
Granny Luo sighed. “How many hands do you have? And it’s not like you weren’t trying to look after them. This isn’t your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I shouldn’t have let you all go out in the first place.”
Just then, Li came in carrying a few bowls of ginger soup. Granny Luo personally fed Wen Nong, then made sure both Wen Fa and Jin Xiuyi each drank a full bowl before she was satisfied.
Although Wen Nong was out of danger, he was listless.
“We need to take him to see the doctor,” Wen Yao said, placing a hand on Wen Nong’s forehead—it was still ice cold.
Cai said, “When we got back, I heard Father sending Old Third to find Eldest Brother and summon the doctor.”
Jin Xiuyi sat by the bed watching over Wen Nong and nodded repeatedly. “Grandpa, Grandpa definitely won’t let anything happen to Wen Nong.” As he spoke, he started crying again, big tears falling one after another.
Wen Yao was still worried and wanted to go find Doctor Jin herself, but Granny Luo held her down. Her foot was injured so badly—how could she walk?
She called Wen Jin and told him to go into town to fetch Doctor Jin immediately.
Li untied her apron. “I’ll go with Wen Jin.”
On the way, they ran into Old Man Wen and the others returning. Upon hearing that Li was taking Wen Jin to fetch the doctor, Old Man Wen didn’t say much, only urged them to hurry. If they saw Wen Xiuyi and the others on the road, they were to send them straight home.
Once home, Old Man Wen went to see Wen Nong.
Granny Luo looked at him angrily. “Where’s the Li family?”
Old Man Wen’s brows were deeply furrowed, his expression ugly. “The village chief showed up and told them to go back first. But a monk may run, the temple doesn’t. When Eldest and Old Third return, we’ll go settle this properly.”
He looked at Wen Nong and sighed heavily, filled with distress. “Are you all stupid? If he wanted the eggs, just give them to him. If something had happened to you, how would this whole family carry on?”
Wen Ying stood stiffly, eyes swollen red from crying, and said hoarsely, “Why should we give them to him? Grandma made those eggs for us! That Li Erhu—if I see him again, I’ll beat him to death.”
Though Wen Nong was listless, he nodded firmly in agreement from under the quilt, completely supporting her words. Even Jin Xiuyi looked indignant.
They had gathered the eggs themselves, and Granny Wen had boiled them for them—why should they be taken away?
Old Man Wen glared helplessly at the three children. Stubborn little mules, every one of them.
Wen Yao placed a hand on Wen Nong’s forehead—it was still cold. “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
Wen Nong shook his head, his tiny hand gripping hers tightly. He pointed anxiously at her foot.
Wen Yao’s eyes turned red, tears welling up again. She sniffed. “I’m fine. As long as you’re okay, I’m okay.”
Still half-dazed, Wen Nong held onto her hand tightly and soon fell asleep.
The whole family stayed gathered in the room.
Until the sound of a carriage came from outside.
“Where’s Wen Nong? Wen Nong!” Wen Xiuyi’s voice arrived before he did. He burst into the house, still wearing his apron. Seeing Wen Nong lying motionless on the bed, his face went pale.
“Son, my son—what’s wrong? Daddy’s home, don’t be afraid!” Wen Xiuyi rushed over in two or three steps and knelt at the bedside, looking at Wen Nong’s pale little face in worry. He reached out to touch him—burning hot.
Wen Jun and Doctor Jin came in a few steps behind. The moment Jin Xiuyi saw Doctor Jin, he burst into tears again.
“Grandpa, please save Wen Nong! Wuuuuu…”
Doctor Jin didn’t stop to comfort him. He immediately pushed Wen Xiuyi aside and began taking Wen Nong’s pulse.
“Fortunately, he wasn’t in the water long and didn’t swallow much. No major issues—just caught a chill and now has a fever. I’ll write a prescription right away. Ah Wang will go back and fetch the medicine. As long as the fever comes down, he’ll be fine.” While speaking, Doctor Jin opened his medicine case and began writing the prescription.
Jin Xiuyi rushed over and hugged his grandfather’s leg. “Grandpa, Wen Nong will be okay, right?”
Doctor Jin patted his head. “Yes, he’ll be fine. I’ll give him medicine. And you? Are you alright?” He finally thought to ask about his grandson.
Jin Xiuyi choked through his tears. “Grandpa, I’m okay. Wen Nong fell into the water to save me. You have to save him!”
Doctor Jin gave a wry smile. How did this kid make it sound so dramatic? It was enough to scare the patient’s family, so he quickly explained, “Wen Nong is fine. He just caught a chill after falling in. Don’t frighten yourself—or Granny Wen and the others.”
Jin Xiuyi stopped talking, but his tears kept falling.
Doctor Jin handed the prescription to Ah Wang and told him to drive the carriage back immediately to get the medicine. He stayed at the Wen house to monitor Wen Nong’s condition.
Now that Wen Nong was stable, Wen Xiuyi asked what had happened. When he heard it was the Li family again, his fists clenched.
“So the lesson Yao Yao gave them last time wasn’t enough. Yao Yao, you stay here and take care of Wen Nong. Wen Jun, come with me.” Wen Xiuyi stood up and headed out.
He left Wen Yao behind to ensure someone stayed with Wen Nong in case of emergencies. Earlier, Wen Jun had quietly checked Wen Nong’s condition and whispered to Wen Yao that if his fever got too high, she should give him some pediatric ibuprofen and bring the fever down first—worrying about being discovered came second to the child’s health.
Doctor Jin saw this and followed. “I’ll go with you.”
When the Wen family looked at him in surprise, Doctor Jin stroked his beard and said, “This happened because of Yi’er. You all heard it earlier—if not for Wen Nong, Yi’er would’ve fallen in. I should go with you to the Li family and demand justice.”
The Wen family all agreed—he was right.
And so, Wen Yao stayed to look after Wen Nong, while the rest of the family stormed off toward the Li house, full of righteous fury.
Villagers along the way saw the Wen family’s imposing formation and tagged along. After all, the Li family brat had nearly gotten the Wen family’s treasure killed. This feud was now well and truly cemented.
Some who had seen Doctor Jin at Jishi Hall recognized him—clearly, this time the Li family was in serious trouble.
