Ajiu's pupils contracted. She didn't understand what her mother was saying, but the name itself sent a shiver down her spine.
Blood worm disease? That was the illness where worms infested the blood vessels, wasn't it?
"Are there other ways to treat it?" Ajiu pondered. It seemed she had inadvertently used poison to fight poison, employing snake venom to kill the worms. If her mother had a viable alternative to snake venom, she wouldn't have to take such risks.
Cai Lihua shook her head. "Resources are limited, and we don't have the equipment for blood transfusions here."
"Blood transfusions?" Tuoba Yan and Ajiu exclaimed in unison, both startled to the point of being unable to stand steady.
Humans could undergo blood transfusions? That meant draining all their blood and then transfusing it back. By the time they could transfuse it, the person would likely be gone.
"Sister-in-law, are we still leaving?" Aunt Li, after listening to the conversation, had grasped the main point: Qian Shi's illness had been cured by Jiu'er.
This meant they didn't need to run. For a woman like her, with two children, being able to live peacefully here for a few days was something she would pray to heaven for.
"Oh, we're not leaving. Since everyone is better, it's best to settle down for a while."
It was Ajiu who said this, and her words resonated deeply with Mao Junlan.
"That's good, that's good... Tiechui, Tie Dan, both of you go inside."
Just then, a knocking sound came from the door.
"It must be your father," Cai Lihua said, hurrying to open it.
Meng Shaode glanced at his wife and was immediately drawn to Ajiu's presence. "You scared me to death! Where did you run off to? Don't you know how dangerous it is outside? And your grandmother, she's missing again."
Meng Shaode, filled with worry and fear, was furious.
"Dad, I'm back now, aren't I? Besides, Grandma is always mysterious, she might be meditating on the mountain."
Ajiu had to quickly explain.
"But that's no time for it! What time is it now? She's still out of her mind all day. No, she must see a doctor for this illness."
Meng Shaode rarely lost his temper, but today his anger was more intense than usual.
"Shaode, don't be angry. Our mother is ill, and her behavior is indeed different from ordinary people," Cai Lihua comforted him.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Speak of the devil.
Wang Shi, coughing and looking frail, entered the house. "I really need to see a doctor."
"Grandma, what's wrong?" Tuoba Yan went to help her.
"Internal injuries."
Wang Shi coughed violently, her eyes occasionally flicking towards Ajiu.
Her gaze seemed a bit lecherous. Ajiu generously offered her water skin.
Instantly, a wicked, smug smile appeared on Wang Shi's face. She turned her back and gulped down the water.
Handing the empty water skin back to Ajiu, Wang Shi patted her belly with a beaming face. "You all carry on. I'm going to sit now. Carry on, carry on..."
With that, Wang Shi turned, her hands behind her back, and left the house again.
The couple exchanged a look.
"Mother, please don't wander off again..." Meng Shaode suddenly realized.
"Not wandering off. I'll be on the stone roller by the door. Don't worry about me."
Before leaving, Wang Shi closed the door, shutting herself outside.
"Don't mind her. It's so late, our daughter must be hungry. Lihua, go make something to eat."
Meng Shaode nudged Cai Lihua.
"Oh, I'm going now." She never slacked when it came to feeding her daughter.
At night, Ajiu began to contemplate how to cultivate rice. In fact, what Grandma said made sense.
It was especially wasteful of water.
What if...
With this thought, Ajiu rolled out of bed and went into the yard. Looking at the cowshed, she pondered, then grabbed a handful of dry grass and put it into the feeding trough, pouring some water into it like Grandpa Ox and stirring.
Where should she plant some?
The black beans brought back by the barrel could also be planted soon. Otherwise, in another two months, it would be cold.
Her eyes fell on Grandpa Ox's water缸.
While they were away, Aunt Li had moved the water缸 to collect rainwater.
It was now empty. Ajiu decided to take a gamble.
She poured a pot of spiritual spring water, scattered the rice seeds into it, and with a determined heart, Ajiu used the most she had this time.