CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 57: ENTANGLED BY SNAKES

That evening, when Jiang Lao Shi and Jiang Lei returned home, they found Jiang Xin and the child had joined them.

Upon hearing about Qin Dazhuang and Mother Qin’s situation, Jiang Lao Shi sighed too.

He thought Qin Dazhuang was an honest and straightforward young man.

He believed his daughter marrying Qin Dazhuang would be a good match.

But who knew being honest and straightforward also had its downsides.

Jiang Xiaoxiao announced her plan to return to the hometown.

Jiang Lao Shi had no choice either.

There was no possibility of taking casual leave at his job, so he really had to stay.

"How about this: let your brother go back with you. He’s a boy, and in case you need to do some labor or errands, having him there would be more convenient."

Jiang Lao Shi had indeed considered this.

Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t hold back.

Indeed, having her older brother go back might really come in handy, you know, sending people from the village to the small county hospital requires quite a journey.

It was nothing like the developed transportation of later years; many times, you needed people to push a wheelbarrow to get the patient to the hospital.

Finding a tractor would mean that village was prosperous.

Jiang Lei! Nodded, "I’ll go, don’t worry! Dad, Mom, I’ll definitely take good care of Xiaoxiao and Grandma."

He was the man of the family, after all.

As soon as it was decided, the next morning, Jiang Lei and Jiang Xiaoxiao took the early bus directly back to the village.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had a thousand yuan from her mom Fan Xiuying tucked inside her arms.

It wasn’t that Fan Xiuying didn’t want to give more money.

She was afraid something might go wrong on the road.

There were plenty of pickpockets along the way.

Jiang Lei kept his eyes wide open all the way, worried someone might target his sister.

Fortunately, the journey was safe and sound.

They arrived at the village entrance just past three in the afternoon.

Both rushed straight to Grandma’s house.

Before they even entered the house, they heard crying from the yard.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s heart skipped a beat.

What’s going on?

Could it be she was too late?

Impossible, she remembered Grandma lived for at least ten more years in her last life.

Both rushed into the yard.

They saw First Uncle and Second Uncle kneeling in the yard.

First Aunt and Elder Aunt were all kneeling and crying together.

Seeing people busy in the yard, it seemed they were preparing white cloths to set up a mourning tent.

Upon entering, Fan Jianguo saw them.

"Xiaoxiao, Shitou, why did you come back?"

"Uncle, what happened to Grandma?"

Fan Jianguo was filled with grief and anger, "Your grandma is not going to make it. The doctor has already said to prepare for the funeral."

Jiang Xiaoxiao rushed in, unwilling to believe it.

Impossible.

Grandma clearly lived well in her past life.

How could it be!

Once inside the room.

She saw Grandma’s face pale gray, her body slightly trembling, not like she was about to die.

Grandpa had droopy eyelids, his beard unshaved for days.

He sat woodenly in front of Grandma, unmoving.

One hand tightly held Grandma’s, silently sobbing.

Grandpa, who had been a militia member, had been strong all his life.

This time he was finally crushed.

Jiang Xiaoxiao rushed over.

Motioning to her third brother, Jiang Lei.

"Jiang Shitou, move Grandpa away."

Jiang Lei felt embarrassed; why call him Shitou again.

But seeing Grandma’s state, he felt sad too.

Grandma had been so good to them as grandkids.

Saved up the treats all year for them.

He’d eaten quite a lot of peach crisp and Jiangmi sticks from Grandma’s cupboard.

Though they didn’t taste as good after a long while.

But they were the sweetest memories of their childhood.

Yet now Grandma only breathed out, no breathing in.

Without a word, Jiang Lei moved Grandpa aside.

"Grandpa, sit over here, I’ll support you."

He didn’t know what his sister planned, but he just knew to listen to her.

The higher-up’s instructions.

He had to follow them.

Grandpa didn’t want to let go, tightly gripping Grandma’s hand.

"What are you doing? I’m not leaving your grandma, I... When she’s gone! I won’t live either."

Jiang Lei picked Grandpa up in one swoop.

Standing at 1.85 meters tall, he was definitely strong.

Grandpa was moved aside by sheer force.

Seeing this, First Uncle Fan Jianfeng was furious.

He shouted.

"Xiaoxiao, Shitou, what are you doing? At this time, you’re still messing around, put Grandpa down."

Jiang Lei didn’t let go, looking at Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Jiang Xiaoxiao asked Second Uncle, "Second Uncle, what happened to Grandma? She doesn’t look like she’s dying!"

Fan Jianguo’s face darkened.

"The village doctor saw your grandma. She’s got snake shingles, told us to prepare for the funeral. Once the snake’s head and tail connect, it’s over. I wanted to send her to the hospital but you First Uncle wouldn’t allow it. Called Aunt Wu Fu from the neighboring village for a ritual dance.

Aunt Wu Fu said it’s useless. It’s already haunted, unable to break the curse, your grandma insisted on preparing for the funeral. Wouldn’t listen to anyone."

He was anxious too.

His mom wouldn’t listen at all.

This was fatal.

The government advocates against feudal superstition, but his mom believed it.

At this rate, she was really in danger.

Jiang Xiaoxiao understood, it was shingles, known popularly as snake fire girdle.

Commonly said as the snake wrapped around.

Getting this illness was sheer agony.

No wonder Grandma looked pale and trembling, because of the pain.

"Uncle, you all leave. Let me have a few words with Grandma, maybe I can persuade her."

Fan Jianguo and Fan Jianfeng exchanged a glance.

They’d worn out their lips; Grandma didn’t listen.

Could a young girl succeed?

But what other choice did they have now?

"Second Uncle, First Uncle, you know Grandma cares about me most. Let me try to persuade her; maybe Grandma will listen. Trying is better than not trying."

Jiang Xiaoxiao had no other way; she couldn’t watch Grandma suffer like this.

Fan Jianguo nodded. "Alright, since that’s the case, do your best to persuade your Grandma, we must hurry to the hospital. Seeing a doctor is necessary after getting sick. Listening to some nonsensical old stories, that’s not okay."

Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded, but while she pushed First Uncle and Second Uncle out, she went to the kitchen.

Took out a kitchen knife, and went straight to the backyard where they chopped wood.

Nobody knew what she was doing; but before long the knife returned to the kitchen, and then Jiang Xiaoxiao went into the house, shutting the door and drawing the curtains.

Fan Jianfeng looked speechless, "You all indulge Xiaoxiao every day, look at her age, she’s simply dictatorial."

"Big Brother, just say less! Aren’t you aware how my sister dotes on this girl? Parents love her so much. Who has the say here, you or me? If you don’t let her try, are we really going to watch Mom suffer in agony?"

Fan Jianguo couldn’t stand his brother’s disapproval of Jiang Xiaoxiao and her sisters.

His brother had a strong preference for boys over girls.

"Bah, what nonsense are you spewing? Is it my fault Mom is like this? Careful, I’ll smack you." Fan Jianfeng wasn’t happy.

"Fine, fine. I won’t speak anymore; you’re the eldest, you make the decisions. So, do we pull Xiaoxiao out now?"

Fan Jianguo knew his brother was putting on his family head airs.

Fan Jianfeng smirked; he knew it wouldn’t work.

Just let Jiang Xiaoxiao try; he knew how much Grandma and Grandpa adored this little girl, hoping she could persuade Grandma.