As the college entrance examination registration period drew nearer, Ji Zhaoxi worked very hard. She got up early in the morning to start memorizing her books, not even needing Qin Du to wake her up.
Just when the whole family was feeling anxious for the two youngsters, an unexpected incident occurred.
Mother Qin contracted a severe lung infection and asthma.
This was actually an old ailment of Mother Qin's. She would always get like this when the harsh winter arrived, but this year every corner had been sealed tight; it was impossible for any draft to come in.
Mother Qin, whose face had been rosy just a few days ago, suddenly turned pale. She lay weakly in bed, unable to catch her breath, coughing almost the entire night.
Qin Du and the others took Mother Qin to the local clinic. After examining her, the doctor told them that the clinic didn't have the specific medicine she needed and that they would have to go to the county town.
However, because of an avalanche, the road at the village entrance had long been blocked. Someone with good stamina could barely make it out, but it was absolutely impossible to pull a cart through.
"What medicine do we need? I'll go to the county town to buy it," Qin Du said immediately, without a second thought.
The doctor glanced at him. "Aminophylline and penicillin. But these medicines aren't easy to get. Even in the county town, you'll need connections, and Western medicine is very expensive."
Ji Zhuxin was also startled when she heard the cost of the medicine. Looking at Qin Du's red eyes, she comforted him, "It's okay, Qin Du. I'll go ask around for you."
No matter how mature Qin Du usually acted, he was ultimately still just a kid.
Ji Zhuxin put on her overcoat and went to look for the village chief's wife. Upon hearing the situation, the village chief's wife immediately wrote a letter for Ji Zhuxin.
She tightly grasped Ji Zhuxin's hand. "Don't worry. Give this letter to the hospital, and they will provide the medicine."
Ji Zhuxin's eyes turned red. "Sister Cuiping, you've helped me so much in this life."
Cuiping paused for a moment and just patted her hand. "It's nothing. Hurry up and go."
Watching Ji Zhuxin's retreating back, Cuiping sighed.
She could only help her this much. As for that boy, it would depend on his own luck.
By the time Ji Zhuxin returned to the clinic, Mother Qin had already taken some medicine and fallen asleep. Her face was somewhat swollen from the illness, completely lacking the vitality she had just a few days prior.
Panting heavily, Ji Zhuxin shoved the money and the letter into Qin Du's hands.
"Qin Du, hurry to the county town and buy the medicine. Ji Zhaoxi and I will look after your mother."
The corners of Qin Du's eyes reddened. He lowered his head and blinked hard, as if trying his best to suppress something.
"What are you still standing there for?"
But the next second, with a thud, Qin Du dropped straight to his knees in front of Ji Zhuxin.
His voice was incredibly hoarse. "Sister Zhuxin, when the day comes that I make something of myself, I will definitely repay you and Ji Zhaoxi."
Ji Zhuxin and Ji Zhaoxi were startled by him and quickly helped him up.
"What's wrong with you, child... sigh, don't say such things. Just hurry and buy the medicine." Ji Zhuxin's eyes also grew red.
"Ji Zhaoxi, quickly go see your Brother Qin Du off."
Ji Zhaoxi's voice carried a hint of a sob. "Brother Qin Du, please get up."
She held a bundle in her hands, filled with food and some lightweight daily necessities. Walking to the county town, who knew how long it would take.
The two stood at the door. Qin Du was extremely silent. Ji Zhaoxi wiped away her tears. "Brother Qin Du, you must be careful."
Just as they were parting, Qin Du suddenly hugged her tightly, holding her so hard it hurt.
He didn't say a single word. He merely gave her a deep look, shouldered his bag, and turned to walk into the mountains.
The medicine from the clinic couldn't last long. Mother Qin's complexion grew even worse. Lying in bed, she couldn't even manage a few bites of food all day.
Her coughing at night grew louder, and gradually, she started coughing up blood. Tears streamed down her face continuously as she looked at Ji Zhaoxi with pleading eyes.
Ji Zhaoxi didn't dare respond to her. She just kept applying warm towels to Mother Qin's neck to soothe her pain.
For two whole days, Mother Qin remained in this state. The skin on her hands was very thin, her veins clearly visible, and her skin tone was slowly darkening.
With red eyes, Ji Zhaoxi held her hand, not daring to move an inch.
She was scared. When her grandmother passed away, her hands had looked exactly like this. She didn't dare think about it anymore.
Qin Du still hadn't returned. Ji Zhuxin was incredibly anxious. She didn't know the situation outside or how far he had gotten, but the elderly woman's condition was truly worsening by the minute.
At first, the clinic's medicine could hold off the symptoms for a while, but now it had completely lost its effect on her.
On the third day, Li Ergou suddenly appeared at the Qin family home.
He ran in panting heavily, the skin on his face cracked from the cold. "Sister Zhuxin, Qin Du's medicine."
Ji Zhaoxi looked at Li Ergou and quickly poured him a cup of hot water. "Why is it you? Where is Qin Du?"
Li Ergou gulped down a few mouthfuls of water, his breathing finally steadying. "There's a temporary job hauling timber in the county town. You can earn ten yuan for three days' work. He went there."
He handed the medicine to them. "This medicine should last about a week. He probably wanted to earn more money to buy more medicine."
The door creaked open, and an elderly woman tottered in. Li Ergou quickly supported her.
"Is First Madam alright?" The elderly woman's hands trembled, and the teeth in her mouth had all fallen out.
Ji Zhuxin, while feeding Mother Qin her medicine, didn't forget to reply to her. "She's been coughing terribly these past few days. It's fine now; with the medicine, she shouldn't cough anymore."
The old woman looked at Mother Qin's condition and wiped her tears. Li Ergou said softly, "Mother, stop worrying. Hasn't the medicine been delivered?"
The old woman used to be a servant for the Qin family and had always stayed by Mother Qin's side. However, after Father Qin was publicly denounced, the servants had all scattered in a swarm.
Ji Zhaoxi and Li Ergou walked to the door.
"Was Brother Qin Du okay at that time?" Ji Zhaoxi asked anxiously.
Li Ergou guiltily avoided her gaze. "He was alright."
Actually, he wasn't doing well at all. At that time, his clothes were completely torn, his body was covered in wounds, and the cuts on his hands were purple from the cold.
As soon as Ji Zhaoxi saw his demeanor, she knew he was lying. "Tell me the truth right now."
"Ugh," Li Ergou said impatiently. "Think about it yourself. He went out from the mountain all by himself, so he was bound to get some injuries."
"At the time, my mother and I ran into him at the foot of the mountain. He gave the medicine to my mother, explained what to do, and left."
Ji Zhaoxi's eyes immediately turned red. Li Ergou glanced at her and sighed. "Don't tell Qin Du that I told you. He asked me not to let you know."
Since when did the relationship between these two suddenly become so good?
Occasional cries could be heard from inside the house, giving Li Ergou a headache just listening to them.
"Will he come back after finishing that temp job?" Ji Zhaoxi choked out.
Li Ergou leaned against the wall. "Probably."
Ji Zhaoxi suddenly remembered what Chen Yiping had told her and wiped her tears dry.
"Chen Yiping asked if you want to take the college entrance examination. If you do, he can lend you some books."
Li Ergou looked at her in surprise. He hadn't heard the name Chen Yiping in a long time.
It felt like hanging out with him was something from a past life. He had suddenly disappeared, not leaving his house for months.
Only later did he find out that they were all preparing for the college entrance examination.
