Ger, So Proud

Chapter 15: Lies

The journey was bumpy, and the two occasionally bumped shoulders.

This was the first time Lin Yu had been so close to someone other than the Zhang family. Whether it was because of his brotherly affection or because his bias against He Ze had disappeared, he couldn’t help feeling a bit uncomfortable, and his ears turned red.

“What’s wrong with you?” He Ze noticed Lin Yu’s constant shifting and thought he might be uncomfortable.

“Nothing, I’m fine.” Lin Yu glanced at He Ze, who seemed unaffected, and suddenly felt a twinge of regret. Quickly changing the subject, he asked, “How is Uncle He’s hand now? What did the doctor say last time?”

“The doctor said it’s a tendon and bone injury. It can be treated, but even if it heals, he won’t be able to do heavy work anymore. Plus, the medication ran out again these past few days, so the situation isn’t optimistic,” He Ze shook his head lightly, then shifted his gaze to Xu Qingsheng. “Dr. Xu, we’ll rely on you later.”

“Treating tendon and bone injuries is indeed difficult to recover from. I can only try my best. If it can be cured, that would be best, but if not…” Xu Qingsheng frowned.

“If not, please do me a small favor, Dr. Xu.” He Ze clasped his hands together and bowed to Xu Qingsheng. “My father has been a carpenter for half his life. He’s been worried ever since his hand got injured. As his son, no matter what, I hope Dr. Xu can give him some hope.”

“What do you mean?” Xu Qingsheng stroked his beard, looking at He Ze with doubt.

“It means what you understand. If it can be cured, that’s great; if not, I hope Dr. Xu can help cover it up.”

Whether it’s possible or not, in the end, he must heal his father. Rather than letting them suspect later, it’s better to make them believe now that the hand injury can be cured.

Xu Qingsheng remained silent. Lin Yu looked up at He Ze and, after a pause, also persuaded him, “Dr. Xu, He Ze doesn’t want to see his father sad. Please agree to his request!”

“Yes, yes, Dr. Xu, you doctors are compassionate. Since He Ze has this filial piety, please fulfill his request! Huh?” Zhao Fugui also turned around to say.

“This…”

Where’s the logic in a doctor deceiving a patient?

“Dr. Xu, there’s never anything absolute in this world. Everything is relative, including people and diseases. Can you confidently say that there’s any disease that can’t be cured? In your many years of practice, have you never encountered an accident?” Hearing He Ze’s words, Xu Qingsheng furrowed his brows.

“Dr. Xu, I’m not asking you to deceive my father. I just hope you won’t speak in absolute terms. I’ll handle the rest of the matter. This won’t tarnish your reputation. Please rest assured,” He Ze assured him.

“Where’s that coming from? What reputation does a rural doctor like me have…” Xu Qingsheng sighed. “In that case, I’ll agree to your request. However, I hope your request won’t be necessary in the end!”

“Naturally, thank you very much, Dr. Xu.”

He Ze thanked them with clasped hands, and both Lin Yu and Xu Qingsheng smiled. Zhao Fugui turned back to glance at He Ze, inwardly sighing, “He’s a good kid. After so many years of hardship, it’s finally paying off for his parents!”

“Old buddy, hurry up a bit! Are you hungry? You’ll have something good to eat when we get back! Giddy up!”

Zhao Fugui kicked the ox’s belly, and it seemed to understand his words. It let out a low moo and quickened its pace.

By the time they returned to the village, the sun had already hidden half of its body, and the evening sun glowed like fire, casting a poetic and picturesque scene with the verdant hills and golden streams.

“Then, Uncle Zhao, are you leaving first? We’ll find time later for me to visit your father.”

“Yeah, Uncle Zhao, please go back. Zhao-ama must be waiting anxiously. You’ve really helped me a lot today.” He Ze slung the wicker basket on his back and watched as Zhao Fugui drove the cart away.

“He Ze, I’m leaving too.” Lin Yu took out the things he bought from the basket, held them securely, and said, “You can send this basket to me another day. Let’s just carry it back today.”

“Sure, thanks.” He Ze nodded.

“Uncle Xu, I’m leaving now. I originally planned to ask you to check on my dad later, but it’s getting late today. Let’s do it another day. He Ze, remember to send Uncle Xu back.”

Xu Qingsheng wanted to say something, but he looked up at the sky and compromised, “Alright then, I’ll come by myself tomorrow. Your dad has been troubled for so many years, with good and bad times. I can’t afford to take it lightly.”

“Thank you, Uncle Xu.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Xu Qingsheng waved his hand, and as Lin Yu walked away, He Ze finally led him towards their own home.

When the two entered the He family’s courtyard, Dad Li and He An were sitting on a low stool, picking sweet potatoes still covered in soil.

Today, while He Ze was in town, the two of them went to the field to dig a basketful to bring back. Now they were selecting the ones with good appearance. Although they couldn’t sell them for much, every bit counted.

“Dad, I’m back.”

“Oh, Xiao Ze is back,” Dad Li looked up in surprise and saw Xu Qingsheng beside He Ze. He then asked, “Who’s this?”

“This is Doctor Xu from town, with superb medical skills. I invited him to come and see Father.”

“Hello, Doctor Xu, nice to meet you—”

Dad Li’s face showed a moment of joy, but the next second it turned into a frown. He walked up to He Ze, sighed softly, and said, “Xiao Ze, didn’t we already have your father’s injury checked before? Besides, our family now…”

“Dad, let’s see how it goes again. What if the last doctor you invited wasn’t skilled enough? Besides, Doctor Xu took my pulse today and said my injury is healed! In a couple of days, this bandage can be removed too!”

He Ze patted Dad Li’s hand and pointed to his forehead. When Dad Li heard his words, his face couldn’t hide his joy, and his voice trembled, “Is it… really better?”

“Brother, you…” He An, who was standing nearby, also walked up to them and couldn’t help but tightly grip He Ze’s arm when he heard He Ze’s words.

“Alright, don’t believe me? Ask Doctor Xu.”

“Doctor Xu, this…”

Dad Li looked at Xu Qingsheng expectantly, and he nodded, “Rest assured, this kid is indeed healed, robust and healthy, with no issues whatsoever!”

“That’s great! Thank you so much, Doctor Xu!”

Dad Li bowed deeply to Xu Qingsheng, but he quickly helped him up, “No need to be so polite! Your son’s recovery isn’t because of me. How can I accept such a big gift from you!”

“Alright, Dad, I told you before that I was feeling better, but you didn’t believe me. Now do you believe it?” He Ze’s voice paused for a moment, and his gaze swept around the courtyard. “Where’s Father? Let’s have Doctor Xu take a look at him. Who knows, maybe he can cure Father too?”

“Ah! Ah!” Dad Li responded twice in succession, wiping his eyes with the cuff of his sleeve as he spoke. When he looked up again, his eyes were a little red, but he was full of smiles. “Your father is still inside the house. Doctor Xu, please come in, please come in!”

The group of people entered the house. At that time, Old Man He was sitting at the table smoking his pipe. When Dad Li mentioned Xu Qingsheng, he initially didn’t want treatment, but he couldn’t resist the insistence of the other three members of the He family and eventually extended his hand.

Xu Qingsheng put down his medicine box, placed his hand on He Youcai’s pulse, and remained silent for a long time, his expression becoming increasingly solemn. Seeing his expression, the two glimmers of hope that had just arisen in He Youcai’s heart vanished in an instant.

Alas, it’s all fate!

Dad Li was extremely anxious, unable to hold back any longer. “Doctor, how is it? Can it still be cured? Can you give us a definite answer!”

“Dad, don’t worry, let the doctor finish taking the pulse.” He An also felt a sense of unease in his heart but embraced Dad Li’s shoulders to comfort him. “If brother’s severe injury can be healed, Father’s injury can definitely be treated!”

For a moment, all three pairs of eyes were fixed on Xu Qingsheng, who glanced at He Ze seeing him gently shaking his head.

Author’s note: Good morning everyone~~