Chapter 11: The Injured Man
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The already narrow lane was crowded with people, though no one seemed to know exactly what had happened.
The ox cart could go no farther and came to a stop.
Jiang Lihua stepped forward to take a look. A man lay sprawled in the road, apparently injured, motionless where he had fallen.
The onlookers chattered among themselves.
“Could he be dead?”
“He’s not dead. Look, his chest is still moving!”
“I must say, you people are something else. You see a man lying on the ground and won’t even lend him a hand. What has become of the world?”
Everyone turned to look at the man who had spoken.
He was still fanning himself smugly.
“You criticize us, but why don’t you go help him?”
“Exactly. Fanning yourself in weather this cold—you must be an idiot.”
The man folded his fan and pointed at them.
“You ignorant villagers! I was trying to educate you, and you have the nerve to turn around and criticize me!”
Jiang Lihua shook her head. This was what people in the modern world called a self-righteous hypocrite: unwilling to do anything himself, yet forever ordering others about.
She stepped forward and crouched beside the injured man, trying to help him up. Unfortunately, she was simply too small and weak to manage it.
“Can any of you help me carry him onto the ox cart? I’ll pay ten coins.”
The moment the fan-wielding man heard there was money involved, he rushed forward.
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it! I’ve always loved helping people.”
The crowd looked at him with disdain.
Jiang Lihua was speechless.
After the man had been moved onto the cart, Jiang Lihua gave the fan-wielding fellow ten coins.
He cupped his hands in greeting. “Miss, I am Scholar Zhang from Daxi Village. May I ask where you are from?”
“Pear Blossom Village,” Jiang Lihua replied casually.
“Driver, I’ll give you another ten coins if you take this man to the clinic in town.”
The driver had been reluctant to transport the injured stranger, fearing trouble. But as soon as he heard that he would be paid an extra ten coins, he agreed at once.
When they reached the town clinic, the driver even helped Jiang Lihua carry the man inside.
She gave him another five coins, and he left beaming with delight.
The physician had already finished taking the man’s pulse. Jiang Lihua hurriedly asked, “Doctor, how is he?”
“This gentleman suffered internal injuries. He fainted after traveling such a long distance.”
“When will he regain consciousness?”
“I’ll administer acupuncture immediately. He should wake after the time it takes an incense stick to burn.”
“All right. Thank you, Doctor.”
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After seeing Jiang Lihua out of the consultation room, she went to the small restaurant next door and bought a bowl of porridge.
“Miss, that gentleman has woken up. You should go in and see him.”
Jiang Lihua carried the porridge inside.
The man saw her and tried to sit up to thank her.
“Don’t get up yet. The doctor said you suffered internal injuries and had traveled a long way. I thought you would be hungry when you woke, so I bought you some porridge while the doctor was treating you. Eat this first.”
“Cough, cough. Thank you, Miss.”
Gu Qingran took the porridge and began to eat. He truly was hungry. After being injured, he had spent the entire journey fleeing and had barely eaten anything.
Once he had finished the porridge, some color returned to his face.
“Thank you, Miss. My name is Gu Qingran.”
“There’s no need to thank me. Since you’re all right now, I have somewhere to be, so I’ll take my leave.”
Gu Qingran called after her. “Miss, might I ask your name? How can I repay you?”
“There’s no need to repay me. Just pay your own medical expenses.”
Gu Qingran was rendered speechless, then burst out laughing.
“Hahaha…”
He had never met a young woman so direct.
“Please tell me your name, Miss. Otherwise, I’ll have to send someone to find out. I sincerely wish to repay you for saving my life.”
“Jiang Lihua. I’m leaving now.”
With that, Jiang Lihua departed.
She had promised to visit Liu Yunxin that day, and the injured man had delayed her for quite some time.
She hurried toward the rouge shop.
As soon as Little Red saw her, she took the initiative to say, “You’re here? I’ll take you inside to see Madam.”
Although Little Red’s tone remained cool, it was far better than her previous hostility.
Jiang Lihua found the change puzzling. “Miss Little Red, what happened to you? Didn’t you dislike me?”
“Jiang Lihua, are you looking for trouble? Isn’t it a good thing that I’m treating you better?”
“Hahaha, of course it is. I was only curious.”
Little Red promptly returned to her haughty self.
“Hmph. This is Madam’s room. Go in by yourself.”
With that, she turned and left.
Jiang Lihua watched her go and shook her head with an amused smile.
“Madam, it’s Lihua. May I come in?” she asked, knocking on the door.
Liu Yunxin’s slightly weary voice came from within.
“Come in, Lihua.”
Jiang Lihua entered and saw Liu Yunxin reclining in a chair, her face full of exhaustion.
“Madam, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’ve simply been rather unsettled these past few days and haven’t slept well at night.”
Seeing that Liu Yunxin did not wish to say more, Jiang Lihua asked no further questions.
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She took off her bundle and removed the individually packaged BB creams.
“Madam, please have a look. There are fifty boxes of baby cream here. Each box should last about a month.”
Liu Yunxin picked up a small box and opened it. The contents were the same as before, though the packaging was different.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered it.
“Lihua, you could have a symbol printed on the boxes.”
At the mention of this, Jiang Lihua looked vexed.
“You’re right, Madam. I was in such a hurry this time that I only thought of it after the boxes had already been made.”
Seeing her regretful expression, Liu Yunxin laughed softly and was about to speak when Little Red’s voice came from outside.
“Madam, the young master has arrived.”
“Ask him to wait in the front hall. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Come, Lihua. We’ll discuss this later. Let’s talk about your restaurant business first.”
With that, Liu Yunxin hurried toward the front hall, leaving Jiang Lihua to follow behind.
As soon as she entered the hall, Liu Yunxin looked her son up and down.
“Your mother was worried sick! You’ve been gone for so long, you good-for-nothing boy.”
“Mother, haven’t I returned safe and sound?”
“As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters. Come, Ran’er, let me introduce you to Lihua.”
Jiang Lihua had only just entered the hall when Gu Qingran recognized her.
“Miss Lihua? I never expected us to meet again so soon.”
Liu Yunxin looked between them.
“You two know each other?”
“Yes. Your son was injured and fainted on the road. Thanks to Miss Lihua, I was taken to the clinic, and she even bought me porridge. Otherwise, I might not have had the strength to come see you, Mother.”
Liu Yunxin immediately grew anxious.
“Where are you injured? Why are you so careless?”
Gu Qingran reassured her, “I’m fine now, Mother. Don’t worry.”
“You’re always causing your mother concern. I’ve been feeling so restless these past few days—so it turns out you were injured.”
“All right, Mother. Lihua is still here, and didn’t we have something to discuss?”
Only then did Liu Yunxin remember Jiang Lihua. She hurriedly turned to her and said, “Lihua, thank you so much. It seems we were truly destined to meet.”
Liu Yunxin had initially been wary of Jiang Lihua because of the strange products she had brought out. Now, all such reservations had vanished.
“Son, Lihua wishes to discuss a business arrangement with your restaurant.”
As she spoke, Liu Yunxin explained to her son the agreement she and Jiang Lihua had reached previously.
Gu Qingran nodded after listening.
“If Mother thinks it is a good idea, then I have no objections.”
“However, I think we should first produce a small amount and test its effect here in town. If the response is favorable, we can then begin supplying the restaurants in the surrounding areas. What do you think, Lihua?”