Chapter 99 - 99 Someone Jumped into the River
99 Someone Jumped into the River
Inside the east bedroom, Xu Duojin and the villagers inquired about Xie Yunjin’s medical condition. Seeing how pale Xie Yunjin looked, Xu Duojin asked, worried, “Did the surgery go okay? You don’t look well. Should I get a doctor over here?”
He suddenly remembered that Xie Yunjin’s wife knew medicine, “Perhaps your wife can take a look?”
Lin Erdan agreed. Yunjin’s wife was rather skillful when it came to medicine.
Just then, Lu Jiao came in with some water. She said in a calm tone, “He just underwent surgery and his legs hurt. After today, the pain should ease.”
She then brought water to Xie Yunjin, “Have some painkiller.”
Xie Yunjin remembered what Lu Jiao said before about how it was best to avoid painkillers.
He gritted his teeth, “No. I can do this.”
Lu Jiao saw how pale he was and how much sweat was starting to form. It appeared that the pain was rather intense.
Some people were born more sensitive to pain than others. It wasn’t good to fight through like this.
“It’s okay. Having some is fine. You just have to make it through the night. Tomorrow will be better.”
She put the pill near Xie Yunjin’s lips, which were sealed tightly.
The stubborn way he acted reminded her of the First Born.
Lu Jiao had a thought. How come she felt like she was taking care of five children?
“If you don’t take this, you likely won’t be able to sleep. Not sleeping is bad for healing as well. It’s better to take this.”
Lu Jiao supported Xie Yunjin and without his consent, shoved the small pill into his mouth.
Xie Yunjin angrily stared at her. Lu Jiao grinned, “Here, have some water.”
Defeated by her amiable gaze, Xie Yunjin took a sip of water and swallowed.
He then lay down and started to ignore Lu Jiao.
Lu Jiao didn’t mind and went outside.
Xu Duojin meaningfully said to Xie Yunjin, “Brother Yunjin, your wife is doing this for your benefit. You should listen to her.”
He then remembered how Lu Jiao helped him with his snake bite and showed appreciation towards Xie Yunjin, “You and your wife saved my life. I don’t know how to repay you. I fear I’ll never be able to.”
Xie Yunjin gently shook his head, “Don’t feel burdened. We are all neighbors and we are lucky if we get to help each other. It’s nothing worth remembering about.”
Xue Duojin’s eyes got damp after he heard that.
“Yunjin, I may be a rough guy who doesn’t even know how to eat, but I do know that I am indebted to those who save my life. If you ever need anything, tell my wife and I. We will do everything we can to help.”
Xie Yunjin wanted to tell him that there was no need. However, at that moment, someone rushed inside, all fl.u.s.tered.
“Is the third aunty here?”
Lu Jiao heard the voice and recognized it to be the voice of the Village Leader’s youngest daughter, Xie Xiaojuan.
“Xiaojuan, what’s wrong?”
The people inside the east bedroom stopped talking to find out what was happening.
Xie Xiaojuan came inside and shouted in agitation, “Third aunt, come and help me. Widow Li’s daughter-in-law tried to kill herself by jumping into the river. Can you come and see if you can save her life?”
Widow Li’s daughter-in-law, Xia Lian, had a hard life. Because she had too many siblings, her parents decided to sell her to Widow Li. That was a hole for her. She never got to stay warm nor was well-fed. Plus, she had an endless pile of housework daily.
She also ended up having two daughters. Widow Li started to torture her after she failed to bear a son and used her like she was a farm animal.
Lu Jiao hated Widow Li but pitied Xia Lian. After she heard about what happened, she didn’t ask more and placed the empty bowls on the table. She followed Xie Xiaojuan out.
The four little ones ran to her.
“Mommy.”
Lu Jiao said to them, “I have something I must do. Stay home with grandma.”
It wasn’t clear what condition Xie Lian was in. If she died drowning, the four little ones would be traumatized to see that. Lu Jiao didn’t want them to see so she ordered them to stay home.
Lady Tian didn’t want the children to make a fuss at a time like this and went to calm them down.
Lu Jiao and Xie Xiaojuan half-jogged to the river.
There was a tributary in front of the village. Though it wasn’t wide, it was deep.
Lots of people had gathered there by now. They all cursed at Widow Li for being ruthless and forcing her daughter-in-law to choose death.
“I think she’s gone. She’s not breathing.”
“I don’t feel any air coming out of her nose.”
“How can someone like Widow Li live in our village? She’s dragging us down! We need to kick out the Shen family.”
“Yes, she doesn’t deserve to stay.”
The crowd noticed Lu Jiao and quickly asked, “Make room. Yunjin’s wife is here. Let’s see if this girl can be saved.”
“She’s not even breathing. How can she be saved?”
Everyone parted ways to welcome Lu Jiao. Lu Jiao first laid the patient flat on the ground, then she checked for her pulse, heart rate, and breathing. After the initial examination, Lu Jiao concluded that Xia Lian’s heart was no longer beating.
Lu Jiao didn’t take any time to be overwhelmed and started performing emergency protocols right away. She first cleaned out the mud and vomit from Xia Lian’s mouth, then unb.u.t.toned her shirt in preparation to get rid of the water inside.
The crowd grew larger. Lu Jiao ordered with her head still down, “Everyone, make some room so she can get some air.”
The villagers spread out a little. Someone asked impatiently, “Yunjin’s wife, can she be saved?”
Lu Jiao ignored them. After getting rid of as much water as she could, she laid Xia Lian flat to perform CPR.
She glanced around as she applied pressure to Xia Lian’s chest, wondering if she could find someone to do mouth-to-mouth.
Of course, she could do it herself. But in front of this whole crowd, people may gossip. After all, these people weren’t educated and may twist her actions for something else.
Lu Jiao raised her head and saw Shen Xiaoshan standing in the back. This b.a.s.t.a.r.d sure didn’t look sad for someone who just saw his wife jump into a river.
Angry, Lu Jiao called out, “Shen Xiaoshan, get over here.”
The villagers looked for Shen Xiaoshan and found him quickly. Someone pushed him out of the crowd.
Lu Jiao ordered, “Blow air into your wife’s mouth.”