C7 Heal

Zong Liming, the eldest, was a straightforward man. "Our sister shouldn't have gone to the fields. Not only did she get hurt, but she was also tricked into marriage by Ren Yuanbo. It's really unfortunate."

The second brother rolled his eyes. "All we're hearing now are rumors. We don't really know what happened yet."

"She might have been set up," the third brother said, clearly agitated. The thought of someone taking advantage of their sister made his blood boil.

Meanwhile, Zong Fulai, feverish and unaware of her third brother's accidental insight, was trapped in a nightmare. Her dreams and memories began to merge, revealing truths she had once ignored. Her family had sacrificed so much for her.

When Zong Qingshan returned home to find his daughter flushed and tearful, he was both worried and angry. "How could you three brothers let this happen to your sister? She's burning up with fever!"

The brothers exchanged glances, confused. Hadn't they all seen the same person? The eldest felt the need to speak up. "Dad, when we went in earlier, she seemed fine. We just stepped out to prepare some medicine and grab a bite."

Zong Qingshan realized he might have overreacted. Despite their intentions, it was often the women in the family who took care of such matters.

The second brother quickly caught on. "Dad, we should have been more attentive. I'll ask Fulai's sister-in-law to check on her. Women are usually more detail-oriented."

Seeing their father fall silent, he hurried to the kitchen to fetch his wife. "Honghua, something's off with our sister. Can you go to her room and help out?"

Honghua dried her hands quickly. "Sure, I'll go right away."

This sister-in-law of hers, though not favored in most rural families, was genuinely cherished by everyone. Zong Fulai was indeed a fitting name, blessed with good fortune. Yet, this marriage seemed questionable. Was it real or just hearsay? Honghua pondered this as she made her way to her sister-in-law's room.

Upon seeing Zong Fulai's condition, she understood immediately—it was a severe fever, no wonder her father-in-law was so worried. Quickly, she used warm water to wipe her sister-in-law's face, removed the thin blanket from her, and then went to the kitchen to bring the medicine and help her drink it.

In less than half an hour, instead of the fever subsiding, it seemed to get worse. Such a serious condition couldn't be ignored at home; if the fever caused any lasting harm, she'd never forgive herself.

Hurriedly, she went to find her father-in-law. "Dad, her condition is getting worse, and her temperature keeps rising. It would be best to have a doctor take a look."

"But everyone's busy in the fields right now, and the village's carts are all in use, and we don't have a bike," Zong Qingshan said, troubled. If he could, he would certainly want to take his daughter to see a doctor.

"Wait, I remember someone telling me that alcohol can help reduce a high fever. I'll get some for you to try."

Zong Qingshan found a bottle of old liquor they had been saving. "Use it sparingly, don't waste it."

"Okay, Dad. I'll start by wiping her armpits, face, and the soles of her feet to see if it helps. If not, I'll try her whole body," Wang Honghua replied obediently.

Whether it was the alcohol rub or the end of a bad dream, Zong Fulai's fever finally began to subside. Before heading to work in the afternoon, Zong Qingshan, determined, told his wife to stay home with their two-year-old grandson. "If her fever spikes again, come get me immediately!"

He had already made up his mind to delegate his tasks so that if his daughter's fever returned, he would personally carry her to the hospital.

Wang Meizhu brought a chair and sat by her daughter's bedside, holding their grandson. Zong Aibin sat quietly on his grandmother's lap, happily playing with a rubber band in his hands.

Zong Fulai's mother frequently checked her forehead, anxious the entire afternoon, but fortunately, the fever didn't return.

As dusk approached, she woke up and saw her mother and grandson dozing by the bed. She wanted to laugh, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Zong Fulai smiled quietly through her tears, but her stuffed nose made an untimely "sniff" sound.

Wang Meizhu was startled awake and looked at her with concern. "Sweetheart, you're awake. Why are you crying like this? If something's wrong, just say it. If your mom can't help, your dad and brother can."

"Mom, it's nothing. I'm just happy." She wiped her tears away with her hand, genuinely feeling joy.

"You silly child, must be the fever talking. You don't even know what happiness is." Her mother touched her forehead with the back of her hand, then checked under her arm; the temperature was normal.

Being tickled under her arm made Zong Fulai burst into laughter.

Happiness should bring laughter, not tears. Wang Meizhu shook her head. "Crying while happy? That's just putting on a brave face. Alright, I won't say more, don't want to catch your silly bug. I'll go get the porridge I kept warm for you."

Seeing her daughter getting better, she felt relieved. She tucked the sleeping grandson under the light blanket at Zong Fulai's feet and headed to the kitchen to fetch some food.

She placed the porridge and side dishes on the table by the bed. "Take your time eating, and keep an eye on Binbin. I'll go make dinner for everyone."

The aroma of the thick white rice porridge mixed with egg made her eyes well up again.