coobybook Chapter 469: Good intentions misunderstood
Chapter 469: Good intentions misunderstood
After walking a few steps, Li Wan'er spotted a beautiful silk scarf and was about to pay when Ouyang Tuoba and Pei Yan started arguing about it again.
"I come!"
"I'll pay!"
Seeing them arguing so heatedly, Li Wan'er laughed and said, "Oh dear, stop arguing, I'm too embarrassed to buy it."
Fang Xiaoxiao also said, "That's right, how are we supposed to go shopping if you guys keep doing this?"
The two then stopped talking, somewhat embarrassed.
After that, no matter what Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er bought, Ouyang Tuoba and Pei Yan always insisted on paying, which drew curious glances from the shopkeepers and people around them.
After strolling around for a while, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er were both tired, so they went into a teahouse to rest.
As soon as they sat down, Ouyang Tuoba and Pei Yan started arguing again about who should buy them snacks.
Li Wan'er looked at them and said to Fang Xiaoxiao, "These two guys are really hilarious."
Fang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh: "There's really nothing we can do about them."
Amidst their bickering, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er enjoyed this lively and fun time.
For the next few days, Li Wan'er stayed by Fang Xiaoxiao's side every day, taking amusement in the scene of Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba arguing fiercely for Fang Xiaoxiao's favor, laughing from ear to ear.
On this sunny day, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er sat in the courtyard, basking in the sun and chatting idly, enjoying the moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, an elderly woman stumbled into the courtyard. Her face was streaked with tears, her expression anxious and exhausted, her eyes red and swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time. As soon as she entered, she called out in a tearful voice, "Who is Fang Xiaoxiao?"
Fang Xiaoxiao quickly stood up and replied, "Auntie, I am Fang Xiaoxiao."
The old woman looked her up and down, her eyes full of suspicion and distrust. She frowned, her lips slightly pursed, and said, "You? What kind of amazing medical skills could such a young girl have? I searched everywhere and went to great lengths to find this place." With that, she shook her head in disappointment and turned to leave.
Just then, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba rushed over at the same time, blocking the old woman's way.
Pei Yan said urgently, "Auntie, please don't leave yet. Let's explain things clearly first."
Not to be outdone, Ouyang Tuoba chimed in, "Yes, madam, what brings you to see my wife?"
Upon hearing Ouyang Tuoba address Fang Xiao as "little lady," Pei Yan flew into a rage and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Xiao Xiao is my wife!"
The two started arguing again about how to address each other, their voices growing louder and louder, neither willing to give in.
Fang Xiaoxiao couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted loudly, "You two, stop arguing!"
The two then quieted down and looked at Fang Xiaoxiao somewhat embarrassed.
Fang Xiaoxiao turned to the old lady and said softly, "Auntie, please don't mind them. They're just like that, so impulsive. Please don't leave yet, tell me what happened."
The old woman looked Fang Xiaoxiao up and down again, her eyes still full of suspicion, but she still said, "My old man has contracted a strange illness, and we've seen many doctors, but nothing has worked. I heard that there's a doctor named Fang Xiaoxiao whose medical skills are exceptional, so I came here. But I didn't expect you to be so young; I'm really worried about you." As she spoke, the old woman sighed again, making the wrinkles on her face appear even deeper.
Fang Xiaoxiao understood the old lady's concerns and said with a smile, "Auntie, don't underestimate me because I'm young. I've been learning medicine from my master since I was a child, and I've cured many difficult and complicated diseases. Tell me about your husband's symptoms first, and maybe I can help."
The old woman hesitated for a moment, but still described her husband's illness in detail. Fang Xiaoxiao listened and thought, nodding from time to time.
After listening to the old lady's story, Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Auntie, how about this, you take me to see the old man so I can make a more accurate diagnosis."
The old woman looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with some doubt, but finally nodded and led Fang Xiaoxiao and the others to her house.
Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba followed closely behind Fang Xiaoxiao and her aunt, one on each side, like protectors. The group hurried along, heading east towards the outskirts of the city.
The closer they got to the outskirts of the city, the muddier and more rugged the roads became, and the more desolate the surrounding scenery grew. Finally, in a field overgrown with weeds, they saw the dilapidated thatched hut.
The thatched hut stood there all alone, exuding a musty smell of decay. The thatch on the roof was sparse and seemed ready to fall at any moment. The mud on the walls had peeled off, revealing the old bamboo strips underneath.
The old woman pushed open the creaking wooden door and led everyone into the house. The house was dark and damp, filled with a pungent musty smell. In the corner were piles of old, worn-out items, and on a simple wooden bed lay a haggard-looking old man.
Fang Xiaoxiao approached the bedside and carefully observed the old man's symptoms. The old woman cried beside her, "Young lady, my husband came back from Jiangnan not long ago, and he became like this within a few days. At first, his eyes were just red, and we didn't take it seriously. Later, he became weaker and weaker, and he kept complaining of stomach aches. We've seen several doctors, and they all said there's no hope for him. Young lady, you have to save him!"
Fang Xiaoxiao nodded gently, observing and pondering. She noticed that the old man was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, his lips were cracked, and his stomach was bloated. She reached out and touched his forehead; it was frighteningly hot.
Fang Xiaoxiao had a preliminary judgment in mind, and she turned to the crowd and said, "In my opinion, the old man may have dysentery."
Upon hearing the word "dysentery," the old woman turned pale with fright and said in a trembling voice, "What should we do? Young lady, can you really cure it?"
Fang Xiaoxiao comforted her, "Auntie, don't panic, I'll do my best. But dysentery is contagious, so everyone has to be careful." As she spoke, she took out several homemade masks from her bag and handed them to Pei Yan, Ouyang Tuoba, the old woman, and Li Wan'er, "Everyone, put on your masks first."
Pei Yan took the mask, quickly put it on, and looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with a firm gaze: "Xiaoxiao, don't worry about the treatment, I'm here."
Not to be outdone, Ouyang Tuoba put on a mask and said, "I'm here too. I will definitely protect you."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at them, a touch of emotion welling up in her heart. Then she turned her head and began to carefully inquire about the old lady and the old man's experiences in Jiangnan, as well as his diet and daily life after returning, trying to find more clues to determine the treatment plan.
After doing all this, the old woman's eyes were full of gratitude. She took Fang Xiaoxiao's hand and asked, "Girl, how much money will this cost? Although we are poor, we will sell everything we own to pay for your treatment as long as it can cure my husband's illness."
Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was about to say she wouldn't accept money, the old woman's son suddenly rushed in. He was dressed in coarse cloth, had a full beard, and looked very rugged.
When he saw so many people at his house and that Fang Xiaoxiao was treating his father, he immediately glared at her and, without saying a word, angrily stepped forward to block her, shouting, "Where did this little brat come from? Trying to swindle my family's money again? My father is so sick, and you quack doctors still won't leave him alone. Are you all trying to take advantage of his misfortune?"
Fang Xiaoxiao was startled by his sudden action, but she still patiently explained, "Brother, you've misunderstood. I'm not a quack doctor. I genuinely want to help you cure your illness."
The old woman's son ignored him and continued to curse, "Hmph, sincere? That's easy for you to say! All those doctors who came before, didn't they all swear they could cure him? And what happened? They all took the money and ran away, and my father's illness hasn't improved at all! You're so young, what skills could you possibly have? Stop pretending to be a good person!"
His voice was loud and harsh, and his saliva sprayed onto Fang Xiaoxiao's face.
Seeing his rudeness towards Fang Xiaoxiao, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba immediately stepped forward and said, "How can you speak like that? My wife kindly treated the master, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you also insult him like this."
The old woman's son glared at them and roared, "And who are you? Are you in cahoots with this girl? You're all trying to swindle money from our family, no way!"
Li Wan'er couldn't help but say, "You are really unreasonable. Fang Xiaoxiao is a highly skilled doctor who came to save your father's life. Instead of being grateful, you speak ill of her."
The old woman's son ignored him completely and turned to his mother, shouting, "Mom, how could you let these shady people treat Dad? They're just trying to scam money from him!"
The old woman hurriedly said, "Son, don't talk nonsense. This young lady really wants to help."
"Help? Mom, you're too naive! They just think we're easy to bully and want to take advantage of us." With that, he shoved Fang Xiaoxiao aside. "Get out of here and don't cause trouble in my house!"
Fang Xiaoxiao steadied herself, took a deep breath, and said, "Big brother, I understand your love for Dad, but your obstruction will only delay Grandpa's treatment."
"Stop spreading these alarmist rumors! My father was harmed by quack doctors like you. None of you will be allowed to lay a finger on him today!" The old woman's son remained firm, showing no intention of backing down.