CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: THE BALD KID

Liu Er held the meat bun, swallowing hard.

After thinking for a long time, he tucked one into his chest and carefully took a bite. It was truly delicious.

The two finished eating by the roadside, and Yun Jiao sat on the cart as Liu Er drove off.

The cart rolled through the village entrance, and the well-informed households all knew that the Jiang Family’s main house had split, and they were curious, glancing at the cart to see what had been bought.

Not far along, Yun Jiao saw that bald-headed child again, running from a distance behind the cart.

Yun Jiao asked Liu Er, "Uncle Liu Er, which child in our village shaved their head?"

In those times, it was believed that one’s body and hair were given by their parents, and only monks shaved their heads.

Otherwise, they were genuinely bald.

Liu Er sighed, "You mean him."

"He’s my cousin Liu Dagen’s son, named Ah Tie. His mother died a few years ago, and his father married a stepmother. Since then, no one has cared for him."

He tugged at the reins, making the horse slow down, "It’s not entirely his father’s fault. A few years ago, he developed a strange illness, a sore on top of his head."

"Back then, his mother was around and took him to see doctors in town and the county, but it couldn’t be cured."

"Later, they sought your father’s help. He took medicine and had his head covered in it, and it got better for a while, but it relapsed half a year later."

"After his mother died, no one would get medicine for him, and the sore became worse."

"Not only did it fester, but it also stank, and getting even a bit close was unbearable."

"His stepmother wouldn’t let him eat at home or sleep there. He now lives by himself in one of our Liu Family’s almost collapsed old houses."

"His father occasionally remembers to bring him a bowl of food, but sometimes he forgets. He’s constantly hungry or half-full."

"The child knows people avoid him, so he hides from everyone."

Yun Jiao sighed after hearing this, "This child is pitiful."

Liu Er continued, "Who says he isn’t."

"That head of his was shaved by a sympathetic monk from the temple. Sometimes they give him some herbs too."

Yun Jiao finally understood why the child was always following her. It must be because he heard she could treat illnesses and wanted his head sore to be treated.

The cart stopped in front of the Jiang Family’s main gate, and Liu Er helped unload the items.

Ah Tie was peeking from behind a tree.

Yun Jiao smiled at him and said loudly, "Ah Tie, I’m busy today. Come by tomorrow, and I’ll take a look at the sore on your head."

Ah Tie seemed surprised that Yun Jiao spoke to him, standing there bewildered.

Liu Er was taken aback by Yun Jiao’s words.

"Doctor Gu, do you really intend to treat this child?"

Yun Jiao nodded.

Liu Er hesitated for a moment, "But his father won’t give him any silver, as the family’s money is now in that stepmother’s hands."

Yun Jiao had already made up her mind, "It’s all right, I’ll take a look first. Maybe there’s a way that doesn’t cost money."

Liu Er was surprised and asked, "Is it using the soil from the stove?"

Yun Jiao chuckled, "Uncle Liu Er, stove soil isn’t a cure-all. It’s also medicine and can’t be used indiscriminately."

Liu Er carried the items inside, and Yun Jiao also brought in an iron pot.

Liu Er said, "Doctor Gu, if you’re really willing to treat him, I thank you on behalf of that child."

"Otherwise, with him stinking all day long, he won’t find a wife, and his life will be over."

At this moment, Mrs. Chen and the two children, Liulang and Sanya, came out of the house. Each of them took something and moved them inside.

The second and third households had finished eating by this time and were idle, so they stood in the courtyard to watch.