Chapter 80: Datou Speaks
In the end, with the village chief mediating, the Li family apologized and compensated Datou with five taels of silver for medical expenses. Only then did the Wen family let the matter rest.
Since the Wen family no longer pursued it, Jin Xiuyi also let them off. However, before leaving, he sternly warned Li Erhu that if he ever learned Li Erhu was bullying other village children again, he would have his father come and arrest him.
No one dared doubt Jin Xiuyi’s words. Even the village chief had said the Jin family was not to be offended—something even the county magistrate could not afford to do.
On the way home, Wen Ying lowered her voice and couldn’t help asking Jin Xiuyi, “Can your father really throw anyone into prison if he wants?”
By now Jin Xiuyi had returned to his usual childlike demeanor. Blushing, he said softly, “I was just scaring them. My father is an honest and upright official. How could he imprison an entire family for no reason? For behavior like Li Erhu’s, at most he’d have to pay medical expenses and receive a small punishment. He wouldn’t actually be arrested.”
Wen Ying was stunned. So that was possible too. Still, the behavior felt oddly familiar to her.
Along the way, except for Wen Jun, the rest of the Wen family kept sneaking glances at Doctor Jin and Jin Xiuyi, unconsciously walking behind them. Even when Wen Ying chatted with Jin Xiuyi, Madam Li tried to pull her away, afraid she might offend the young master.
Who would have thought Doctor Jin’s son was so formidable—a fourth-rank official in the capital. How big of an official was that?
Doctor Jin noticed the strange looks from the Wen family. But since he had already accepted Wen Jun as his disciple, some things would inevitably come to light sooner or later. It was better to let them get used to it now.
When everyone returned home, Wen Xiuyi rushed straight to Luo Shi and Old Wen’s room to check on Datou.
“How is he?” Datou was still asleep, so Wen Xiuyi could only whisper to Wen Yao.
“His fever just broke. He’s asleep,” Wen Yao said.
Wen Xiuyi finally relaxed and sat where Wen Yao had been, keeping watch over Datou.
Wen Jun pulled Wen Yao aside and whispered, “How is he?”
“Thirty-nine point five degrees. I gave him Meilin. He sweated, the temperature came down, and he fell asleep not long ago.”
Wen Jun let out a sigh of relief.
Doctor Jin came over, heard the fever had subsided, and quickly checked Datou’s pulse and temperature. He was astonished. “It really went down. Girl, how did you manage that?”
Ah Wang hadn’t returned yet, and the medicine hadn’t even been taken. Yet the fever had broken.
Wen Yao couldn’t exactly say she’d given Datou children’s ibuprofen, so she played dumb. “I just kept wiping his forehead, body, palms, and soles with a cloth. They were so hot, so I tried to draw the heat away. I didn’t expect it to actually work.”
After another check, Doctor Jin saw that Datou’s palms and soles were indeed cooler, and a basin of water sat nearby. Only then did he believe her.
“This is a good method. As long as the high fever goes down, he’ll be fine. Keep a close watch these next few days. If the temperature rises, wipe him more. Children fear high fevers the most. Many have become foolish after fevers weren’t reduced in time. You must be careful,” Doctor Jin warned.
The Wen family nodded repeatedly. In the countryside, stories of children becoming slow-witted after high fevers were all too common.
“Dad…”
At that moment, a faint voice caught everyone’s attention—so soft they thought they’d misheard.
Until—
“Dad.”
Wen Xiuyi couldn’t believe his ears. He stared at the groggy child on the bed, then pointed at himself in disbelief. “Datou… was he calling me? Datou can talk now?”
Everyone crowded around. “Datou? Datou?”
The child didn’t respond in his sleep. His face grew more distressed, brows tightly knit, looking uncomfortable.
After that first “Dad,” Datou kept calling for him, over and over, breaking Wen Xiuyi’s heart.
“Dad’s here. Dad’s here. Don’t be afraid,” Wen Xiuyi climbed onto the kang and knelt beside him, coaxing gently.
No one had expected Datou to speak at a moment like this. When Luo Shi came to her senses, tears filled her eyes as she rushed into the courtyard to thank the heavens and the Wen family’s ancestors for finally letting the child speak.
Held in Wen Xiuyi’s arms, Datou gradually calmed down, his brows smoothing as he drifted back to sleep.
Doctor Jin said, “This misfortune turned into a blessing. The reason Datou wouldn’t speak before was psychological. Now that the burden is gone, he won’t fear speaking anymore.”
The family thanked Doctor Jin repeatedly, and he felt deeply gratified seeing their joy.
When Ah Wang returned with several packets of medicine, Doctor Jin gave instructions on how to decoct them and what Datou should eat. Then he prepared to leave with Jin Xiuyi.
Since Datou had fallen into the water, Wen Jun didn’t need to return with them. Though he hadn’t studied with Doctor Jin long, he could handle basic patient care, so Doctor Jin left him behind.
Seeing Doctor Jin about to leave, Luo Shi hurriedly took out the five taels of silver from the Li family. “Doctor Jin, how much for the consultation and medicine? Is this enough?”
Doctor Jin pushed the money back. “Old sister, you’re being too polite. Xiao Jun is my disciple—once a teacher, always a father. We’re family. How can I charge for treating my own child? Keep this money and buy Datou something nourishing.
And we owe Datou. If not for him, the one who fell into the water would’ve been Yi’er. How could I possibly take your money?”
Luo Shi didn’t want to take advantage, but since Doctor Jin insisted, she accepted it, planning to give it to Wen Xiuyi later to buy tonics for Datou.
After seeing Doctor Jin and Jin Xiuyi off, the family returned to the room and gathered around Datou, eagerly waiting to see if he would speak again when he woke.
Wen Xiuyi sat on the kang, gently patting Datou’s body to help him sleep peacefully.
Luo Shi came in and said, “You should stay here for the next few days. With Datou like this, running back and forth is troublesome. Tomorrow, when you and Wen Jun go out, Yao Yao can’t handle everything alone. Here, we can help.”
