CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: WANG XIANG FALLS ILL

Early the next morning, Xiaomi felt herself being picked up in a daze, and a soft cloth was gently rubbed across her face, but it didn’t wake her completely.

However, as soon as they stepped outside, a gust of cold wind hit, and Xiaomi shivered awake instantly.

"Xiaomi’s awake, is it cold?" the second mother asked, placing her on the ox cart and sitting down herself. Tiedan was already asleep in Dawa’s arms, snoring softly.

Xiaomi shook her head, "Not cold."

Since the beginning of winter, the weather has been cold, but there were no signs of snow yet. She hadn’t heard her parents mention anything about snow either.

Xiaomi guessed that in the Fu’an Village area, it rarely or might never snow in winter. With all the surrounding mountains, the air was damp and cold, as if one was living directly in icy slush.

Xiaomi speculated that this place should be quite similar to the southern subtropical area where she lived in her previous life.

The second mother lowered the straw curtain and shouted to the front, "All set, Hu, we can go now."

Winter mornings are unlike those in summer or autumn, as it’s cold when stepping out, chilling to the bone wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Jiang Hu had specially set up a windproof canopy on the ox cart, so whether transporting vegetables or heading to town, they weren’t exposed to the wind.

However, Jiang Hu still sat outside to drive the ox cart.

It was still dark outside, and Xiaomi hadn’t had enough sleep, rubbing her eyes and yawning before continuing to sleep in her mother’s arms.

Erni, wearing her new cotton-padded jacket, sat next to the second mother. Dawa, holding Tiedan, was on the other side, both leaning against the second mother, half-asleep.

In front of them were several bamboo baskets filled with vegetables that had been prepared the previous afternoon. The baskets were stacked in a way that didn’t crush the vegetables.

The ox cart quietly passed through Fu’an Village and was about to leave as usual when suddenly it was stopped.

"Brother Jiang!" Liu Yang suddenly appeared from the side, slightly anxious, "Brother Jiang, could you give us a lift?"

This was the first time Jiang Hu encountered such a situation since raising the ox.

Previously, when Ding Laoye encountered Liu Yang, his attitude was notably poor. Villagers knew Jiang Hu tended the ox, and the landlord was ill-tempered, not allowing the ox to work.

Even Liu Yang, who liked to come by for a drink of water or ask for some wild grass and bugs from their field, always walked to town by himself.

The sudden stop of the ox cart caused it to shake, waking the people inside the canopy, including Xiaomi, who opened her eyes.

Liu Yang’s voice continued, somewhat pleading, which was the first time to see him in such a manner.

Jiang Hu didn’t refuse directly, "What’s the matter, why so urgent?"

The second mother nudged Erni, asking her to sit beside Dawa, then lifted the cart curtain and poked her head out.

It was dawn, thoroughly dark outside. Even with moonlight, only vague silhouettes were visible. At a distance, someone was leaning against a tree.

The second mother asked, "Is that Wang Xiang? Is she not feeling well?"

Liu Yang nodded urgently, ignoring any customary decorum.

"It’s my wife, she wasn’t feeling well yesterday, and the village doctor said she’s pregnant. But her belly still hurts today, so I want to visit the doctor in town."

The second mother was initially thrilled, "Really? Wang Xiang is expecting?"

Then, she became worried, "Why is her belly aching, is it a strong pregnancy reaction?"

Liu Yang shook his head, "She says it’s not, she’s given birth before, and said it’s a different feeling."

As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could see the worry on Liu Yang’s face clearly.

The second mother looked to Jiang Hu, "Hu?"

Even though Ding Laoye had forbidden using the ox cart to make money by transporting people or goods, surely Wang Xiang’s case warranted some leniency?

Jiang Hu didn’t hesitate and nodded directly, "Go ahead and come aboard. The entrance is at the back, the cart is a bit high, so be careful while helping your wife up."

Liu Yang was grateful, "Thank you, Brother Jiang, thank you, sister-in-law."

He then quickly went back to assist Wang Xiang, who was leaning against the tree.

Jiang Hu got down from the ox cart, got Xiaomi over, allowing the second mother to lend a hand in assisting.

Getting closer, Wang Xiang’s discomfort was more apparent—her body slightly trembling and her breath rapid.

The second mother was somewhat alarmed, "Why is it so severe?"

There’s a village doctor, indeed, but he could only check pulses and had no herbs, so no medicine.

After settling Wang Xiang into the ox cart, Liu Yang hurriedly climbed in too, finding a corner for Wang Xiang to lean against him.

"She started feeling unwell in the middle of the night, but it was too late to do anything but wait till now."

"I wanted to carry her to town, but then I heard you coming."

Liu Yang had lost all his usual glib charm, his eyes never straying from Wang Xiang.

Jiang Hu noticed too, passed Xiaomi back to the second mother, "Don’t worry, the ox cart is faster than walking, we’ll be there soon."

He then helped them lower the curtain and went back to drive the cart forward.

Xiaomi, after this bit of commotion, wasn’t drowsy anymore. She understood somewhat what was going on, but the inside of the ox cart was pitch-black, making it hard to see anything.

Wang Xiang barely managed a greeting to the second mother before leaning against Liu Yang, closing her eyes to rest.

Clearly, she was genuinely uncomfortable; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so out of sorts.

However, Liu Yang’s worried demeanor surprised Xiaomi.

But then she realized, reflecting, where in the world are those grandiose romances? Mostly, it’s mutual support and companionship.

Liu Yang and Wang Xiang were just ordinary people. The couple had fled hardships together before settling down, enduring many sufferings, and now were more than just married partners—akin to closest family.

Not just them, but Jiang Hu and the second mother too, every couple that weathered hardships together are like this.

"Hot," Xiaomi suddenly remarked, "Aunt is hot."

Saying this, she wriggled out of the second mother’s embrace, and before anyone reacted, pulled a cabbage leaf from the bamboo basket and tiptoed to place it on Wang Xiang’s forehead.

The second mother quickly intended to stop her but then heard Wang Xiang, who had been groaning in discomfort, suddenly let out a comfortable sound.

Liu Yang noticed it most, feeling that his wife’s whole body seemed to relax a bit.

He pressed the cabbage leaf Xiaomi placed on Wang Xiang’s forehead, the coolness contrasting sharply with Wang Xiang’s feverish breath.

"Wife, does it feel a bit better?" Liu Yang asked hurriedly.

Wang Xiang nodded, "Mm."

Liu Yang breathed a sigh of relief and gratefully smiled at Xiaomi, "Thank you, Xiaomi."

Before leaving, there hadn’t been any fever, and in his haste, he almost didn’t notice it.

The second mother also took out a small handkerchief, usually carried to wipe Tiedan’s drool.

But now, she put it to another use, preparing some warm water she had brought for the children, moistening the cloth for Liu Yang, so he could wipe Wang Xiang’s armpits and neck.

Of course, she didn’t forget to tell Dawa to turn his head and not to look.