CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: LIN YUN IS INJURED

On her way back from the Zhu family to the Lin Family, Lin Xiang had to pass by the educated youth’s living quarters.

When Lin Xiang arrived at the living quarters, the courtyard was crowded with people.

Huang Jiayun’s voice was loud as she tearfully narrated her grievances; even from a distance, Lin Xiang could sense her distress.

"Our second brother doesn’t have enough money for the betrothal gift, why should I help? I went to the countryside to be an educated youth, working myself to the bone every day, yet I can’t even earn full work points. Even when I feel unwell, I don’t dare to easily take leave, because if I do, I won’t earn any points, and then there won’t be enough grain to eat at the end of the year."

"I’m barely able to support myself; where would I find the money to help my second brother?"

Mrs. Huang did not expect that her daughter, who was always so delicate before going to the countryside, could, after just a few years as an educated youth, speak as loudly as a rural woman.

She spoke to her softly, but didn’t expect her to cry out loudly enough for the entire living quarters to hear!

"Yunyun, you misunderstood my intention. I didn’t mean to ask you for money for your brother."

"If you didn’t intend for me to give money, why did you come all the way to Ji Province? Just the train tickets for you and the third one must have cost tens of yuan both ways, which is about a month’s salary for you!"

"You are my daughter, and it’s only right for me to visit you. Yunyun, you are quite emotional right now, so let’s not discuss this for the moment. I booked a room in the guesthouse in town for your brother and me. Come with me tonight, and we can share a bed and have a good chat, okay?"

Compared to the agitated Huang Jiayun, Mrs. Huang’s demeanor was very calm, which made Huang Jiayun seem like an inconsiderate child.

Perhaps still longing for familial affection, Huang Jiayun wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and responded tearfully, "If I want to go to town, I need to visit the team leader to get leave and an introduction letter; otherwise, I can’t leave the Li Hua Team."

Mrs. Huang, aware of the restrictions on educated youths, accompanied Huang Jiayun to the team office.

The team leader, upon hearing that Huang Jiayun’s mother and brother had come, first checked their introduction letters and credentials. Once verified, the leader issued Huang Jiayun’s introduction letter.

"There’s no work in the fields for the next few days, and since you’re free anyway, I’ve issued a two-day introduction letter for you, so you can spend more time with your family."

"Thank you, team leader."

At the same time, Lin Xiang returned home.

Dong Sheng had caught several fish and kept them in the water tank.

He listened to Lin Xiang’s advice and specifically caught black fish and bream, which have fewer bones and more meat.

Lin Xiang picked out two black fish and grabbed some pickled vegetables she had made from the jar, "Today, I’ll make you pickled fish; it should be ready in about an hour."

Mrs. Lin, who was rubbing her back, sore from sitting too long, shouted to Lin Xiang, "We’re running low on oil at home, use it sparingly!"

"Got it!"

Last time, thanks to Chef Shen’s help, she bought some spices, so Lin Xiang currently had plenty of seasonings. Coupled with her excellent culinary skills, the aroma of the pickled fish filled the kitchen even before it was finished cooking.

Mrs. Lin took a deep breath, "Smells delicious."

"Who wouldn’t say so? Just smelling it makes my mouth water."

In the kitchen, Lin Xiang called out, "Mom, could you get me some sweet potato starch?"

Mrs. Lin grabbed a handful and joined her in the kitchen, "Girl, how much longer until dinner’s ready?"

"The fish is nearly ready; once I finish steaming the rice, we can eat."

"Alright, I’ll have Dong Sheng go to the back hill and call your Fifth Uncle for dinner."

"What’s Fifth Uncle doing on the back hill?"

"Fifth Uncle saw that our firewood supply was nearly depleted, and since you’ll go to the market in a couple of days, he thought to help us chop more wood."

The firewood in the woodshed was cut by Lin Yun some time ago, and since then, it hadn’t been replenished. Indeed, not much was left.

Being from the future, Lin Xiang’s awareness of such details was not particularly sharp, but Fifth Uncle had noticed.

"Okay, let Dong Sheng call him over; he should be back by then."

Lin Xiang had just put the rice on to steam when Mrs. Lin entered the kitchen again, "Girl, someone’s here for you."

"Who is it?"

"That little girl who came last time, the one from the city."

Lin Xiang’s first thought was of Shi Lemeng.

"Mom, could you watch the stove for me? In a couple of minutes, take out the fish to avoid overcooking. The rice is also steaming, so mind the timing!"

She wiped her wet hands on her apron, took it off, and went out.

As expected, Shi Lemeng was pacing in the courtyard.

Seeing Lin Xiang, Shi Lemeng rushed over to her, "Lin Xiang, Lin Yun is in trouble."

"What’s happened to my brother?"

"He got injured, and now he’s in the hospital..."

Lin Xiang’s mind went blank, "You’re saying my brother got injured? When did it happen? How did he get hurt?"

Shi Lemeng’s eyes were red, and her voice had a sobbing tone, "I don’t know either! I was accompanying Tiantian for a routine check-up at the hospital today and accidentally saw Lin Yun lying in a hospital bed. Strangely, two people were guarding outside his ward. Even when I said I knew Lin Yun, they wouldn’t let me in."

So Shi Lemeng rushed over to find Lin Xiang.

Lin Xiang frowned deeply.

She was trying hard to recall the original storyline she’d read.

The book didn’t mention Lin Yun getting injured. She wondered if it was something the author had omitted or if it was a butterfly effect caused by her entering the story. Either way, events not mentioned in the book were truly happening in reality.

Lin Xiang felt panicked, "Wait a moment, let me tell my mom, and I’ll go to the hospital right away."

She rushed into the kitchen, "Mom, my brother got injured, and he’s now in the hospital, unconscious. I need to hurry to the hospital."

Mrs. Lin, in the midst of serving dishes, asked in surprise, "Wasn’t he working in town? How did he get injured?"

Moreover, being unconscious sounded serious.

"I don’t know either, which is why I have to go see what’s going on now."

Mrs. Lin only slightly furrowed her brow. Lin Xiang wasn’t expecting any words of concern from her, she just said, "You and Fifth Uncle, and Fifth Aunt can have the meal without me. If my brother is seriously hurt and needs someone to stay with him, I’ll call from the team office."

With that, Lin Xiang turned around to leave.

"Wait!" Mrs. Lin called her back, "Do you have enough money with you? Hospitalizing your brother will cost quite a bit. If you’re short, I can give you some."

"No thanks, I have enough money. Mom, I’m leaving now!"

When Shi Lemeng arrived, she was riding a bicycle, and Lin Xiang took the back seat as they headed to the hospital together.

"Lin Yun is in a ward on the third floor; I remember it clearly. Follow me," Shi Lemeng guided Lin Xiang to the ward she had seen earlier with familiarity.