CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: THE FLASHY JEEP

Fortunately, when Bai Ruxue went out, she brought with her the can of milk powder that Wang Cuihua had put away. She asked the doctor for hot water, mixed the milk powder to feed her brother, dampened a towel, placed it on the child’s forehead, and then wiped the child’s palms, soles, underarms, and both sides of the chest with alcohol.

The waiting time always felt long. Bai Ruxue anxiously watched her younger brother, whose fever wouldn’t go down. She went out several times to look around but saw no sign of Zhang Yuan.

"Xiao Xue, don’t worry for now. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll go find your great aunt. She’s in this town and maybe she can help us find a carriage, even if it costs a bit more!" Bai Daliang composed himself at this point, remembering that his only aunt lived here in Pingyang Town. He decided to wait a bit longer; if Zhang Yuan didn’t return, he’d go find his aunt.

"That’s the only option. Hopefully, great aunt can find a carriage. Dad, don’t wait any longer! Go quickly!"

"Okay! Xiao Xue, watch your brother! Dad’s going now!" Bai Daliang quickly headed out the door!

"Daliang, take the bike! It’ll be faster!" An Quanzi also headed out.

Soon after the two left, they came back grinning from ear to ear.

"Dad? Why are you back?" Bai Ruxue asked puzzled.

"Xiao Xue, quick, wrap up Xiao Feng! Xiao Yuan is waiting outside!" Bai Daliang beamed, "Xiao Yuan borrowed a jeep!"

Bai Ruxue was stunned. She had already learned that Pingyang Town only had one jeep, which was allocated to the new mayor!

Wang Cheng had told her that. At the time, she was inquiring about rich people in Pingyang Town, and Wang Cheng mentioned that the new mayor had quite a background, and even had a jeep arranged for him, a privilege previous mayors didn’t have.

If her guess was correct, the jeep Zhang Yuan borrowed was this one. Bai Ruxue grew even more curious about Zhang Yuan’s connections; his reach extended all the way to Pingyang Town. The person in Capital City must be a big official, but how big was a mystery!

"Okay, I’m coming!" Bai Ruxue wrapped Bai Rufeng’s small body securely, picked him up, and headed out while saying:

"Dad, you and Uncle Quanzi should go home. Tell mom not to worry; once Xiao Feng gets to a big hospital, he’ll be fine! Also, comfort mom a bit more! If she keeps crying, her eyes will be damaged!"

"You should go too, Dad! You’re still a kid at heart!" Bai Daliang said worriedly.

"Dad, you need to go home and comfort mom! I can handle it alone, and besides, Zhang Yuan is with me! Having more people just means more expenses, and who knows how many days we’ll be gone? How can you not be home? Don’t forget it’s the second day after the New Year, and all three aunts are coming back to their mother’s home! Who knows what trouble they’ll stir up when they arrive!" Bai Ruxue expressed her concern. She had secretly hidden food at home for her two younger siblings, but with the third aunt causing trouble and those three aunts, well-known for their sharp tongues inherited from Grandma Bai, might cause some issues.

Though her dad wasn’t very reliable, in critical moments he could stand up, and with him at home, her mom Wang Cuihua wouldn’t be bullied too badly.

"But..." Bai Daliang was still a bit worried. However, thinking about the medical costs for his son, he realized the truth in having fewer expenses with fewer people. He resumed, "Then take your brother, I’ll go home and gather more money, afraid you might run short with what you have!"

"No need, Dad. I have enough money! Plus, Zhang Yuan is there if needed! Don’t worry about it! Just go back and make sure our home isn’t ransacked by Grandma and those aunts! Also make sure mom is comforted! We don’t want her catching an illness during her confinement; after all, we’ve just managed to get her a bit healthier!" While they talked, An Quanzi followed behind, clearly impressed by Bai Ruxue.

At such a young age, she managed everything at home meticulously. She also had the courage to go to a big city she had never been to, just to get treatment for her brother!

Even he himself might hesitate to take on such a task.

Although Xue Yuan was accompanying her, he was only a nineteen-year-old young man.

"Okay, Dad understands!" Bai Daliang seemed like an obedient child, listening and agreeing with whatever Xiao Xue said.

As they spoke, they walked out of the health clinic, where Bai Ruxue saw a military green jeep parked at the entrance. It was the most impressive mode of transportation in this era, something money couldn’t buy.

Bai Daliang and An Quanzi both stared, wide-eyed. They had never even seen a jeep before, let alone sat in one; how could they not be amazed?

"Xiao Xue! Get in the car quickly!" Seeing they recognized the jeep, Zhang Yuan hurriedly approached and took the infant from Bai Ruxue, letting her get in and sit down first, before handing the child back to her.

He went to the other side of the car, "Secretary Guo, let’s go!"

He announced, and Secretary Guo, the big secretary beside the new mayor, started the jeep and they sped away.

Bai Ruxue had already explained everything she needed to, so she didn’t say another word to Bai Daliang as they left in a rush.

On the road, Zhang Yuan introduced to both, "Xiao Xue, this is Secretary Guo Chong, the big secretary beside Mayor Guo!"

"Secretary Guo, hello! Thank you for driving us to Chenxi County during the New Year!" Bai Ruxue greeted politely.

"Secretary Guo, this is my girlfriend, Comrade Bai Ruxue!" Zhang Yuan reintroduced them to Secretary Guo.

"Comrade Xiao Bai, no need to be formal! Emergencies happen, and during the New Year, nothing is more important than a child’s well-being!" Secretary Guo came across as a gentle man, appearing to be in his thirties.

Bai Ruxue noted that both the mayor and the secretary were surnamed Guo, suggesting they might also belong to a prestigious family. To be driving for the mayor, one wouldn’t be an outsider!

Thinking this, she glanced back at Zhang Yuan, wondering if he, sitting right beside her, could possibly be the son of a high-ranking official traveling incognito, entwined in her fate.

"Secretary Guo, just call me Xiao Xue!" Bai Ruxue immediately responded obediently.

"Alright, Xiao Xue! Add more covering to the child; it’s cold in the car!" Secretary Guo obliged her, since given her age, she was around a generation or more younger than him, so no need to be overly formal.

"Okay!" Bai Ruxue complied, ensuring her brother was well wrapped up.

The jeep may have been cold, but it was still far better than an ox or horse carriage!

They had traveled for about four hours, now past twelve, without signs of arrival, when Bai Ruyun pulled out three large steamed buns from her satchel, actually taken from the supermarket. Other items wouldn’t be convenient to bring out, but fortunately, the buns were just the right temperature, cold but not icy.

She first handed one to Secretary Guo, "Secretary Guo, here are some buns to tide you over!"

"Alright! Thank you, Xiao Xue, for bringing provisions! Just in time as I was getting hungry!" Secretary Guo accepted and took a bite, "These buns are really tasty!"

In these times, white flour buns were precious and not easily found even with money! Hence Secretary Guo enjoyed it despite its coldness.

"Zhang Yuan, have one too!" Bai Ruxue offered another to Zhang Yuan. Having not eaten since morning, they were famished, and Bai Ruxue herself took a bite, finding everything tastier when hungry.

The three of them resolved their lunch in the car with cold steamed buns.