Chapter 224: Chapter 224: How Many Days Remain

The situation has become so severe that Zhang Jiantang knows nothing, yet incites the patients. Such a person truly deserves death.

Now, there are no doctors, no medicine, and no effective measures for isolation. Even worse, because of Zhang Jiantang’s malicious instigation, along with their inner fear and resistance, those patients do not trust her and won’t listen to her.

This is a contagious disease, and if not isolated, it will only expand the source of infection.

The only good news now is that if infected, red spots will appear on the body, which is clear information.

But the mayor doesn’t believe it, and Huang Zheng doesn’t know if he can persuade the Government, and it’s unsure when the Government will send someone. If they know that red spots mean one is infected with the epidemic, many people might hide it. After all, the word “epidemic” can scare people away, being avoided like the plague.

If the red spots are on the chest, covered by clothes, will the villagers willingly step forward and admit they have red spots? Will they confess?

If someone deliberately hides it, they will eventually become another source of infection.

Only when the Government sends people to forcibly check everyone and then isolate and treat the infected, while closely observing the non-infected, can it be controlled.

But now she is powerless.

Seeing Liu Dahai’s eyes, she thought of the child Hu Tou whom they sent away.

Now, all three members of Liu Dahai’s family have red spots, evidently all infected, while Hu Tou hasn’t. So, Hu Tou was sent to his uncle’s place, which may not necessarily be safe either.

Because no one knows if anyone in Hu Tou’s uncle’s family is infected.

Within this household, with his grandfather and parents all infected, could Hu Tou escape?

Xia Wenjin furrowed her brows and rubbed her temples in distress.

Liu Dahai was frightened, thinking his condition was already very severe, prompting Xia Wenjin’s expression. He hoarsely said, “Little brother, how many days do I have left?”

Xia Wenjin was startled. She looked up, smiled, and said, “It’s not that serious. Don’t worry. As long as it’s an illness, it can be treated.”

Liu Dahai sighed. The robust man had slightly moist eyes and a somewhat bleak expression: “I’m not afraid to die, just if I die, what will happen to my father and my wife? The child is still so young!”

His voice was filled with bitterness, originally bloodshot eyes now entirely red.

Xia Wenjin also felt a bit bitter. She was taught by a famous master, and her medical skills were not weak. However, since an epidemic is a plague, it’s not a common case. Diagnosing and prescribing must all be studied anew.

She is a doctor, not a god.

She sighed lightly and said, “Don’t lose hope. I have asked someone to buy medicine and invite a doctor. I believe a doctor and medicine will arrive in a few days. For now, I will prescribe some medicine. Later, I will go to the town to get it for you.”

“I’ll go, I’ll go myself!” Liu Dahai said embarrassedly.

Xia Wenjin looked at him seriously and said, “Brother Qin, promise me one thing!”

“What is it?”

“From now, this moment, do not leave your house, do not meet anyone!”

Liu Dahai was stunned: “How can that be? I can’t always trouble you to get the medicine. I also need to see if the child is okay at his uncle’s house!”

“From this moment on, you must not go anywhere!” Xia Wenjin said sternly, “I remember telling you yesterday that this condition might be contagious. If it is contagious, every additional place you go to poses extra danger to others. Besides, who knows if a different condition might cause a new epidemic.”

Liu Dahai said, “I understand. I won’t go out to avoid infecting others.”

Xia Wenjin nodded and said, “That’s one way to put it!”

After checking Uncle Liu, Liu Dahai, and Liu Dahai’s wife, she went to town to get medicine.

There is only one medical clinic, not many pharmacies, just two. One of them belongs to Zhang Jiantang.

After learning about the medicinal herbs in the pharmacy, Xia Wenjin couldn’t help but sigh silently.

There is too little medicine.

Located by the mountain, the town should logically have sufficient supplies, but the medicinal herbs here are not only limited in variety but also in quantity. Yesterday, it seemed Zhang Jiantang had slightly more, but still limited.

Xia Wenjin gathered a few herbs. She didn’t know if they were effective but had to take them back and decoct them for Uncle Liu, watching which symptoms showed relief.

Upon returning, she first went to Auntie Kang’s place, gave her two packets of medicine, asking her to decoct them for the family to take.

Auntie Kang was quite puzzled and laughed, “What’s this medicine for? Why take medicine when we’re fine? It’s such a waste of money!”

While teasing Hong’er, Xia Wenjin laughed and said, “Auntie, this medicine clears heat and dispels summer heat in the summer. Many on the town fall ill from the summer miasma. Drinking this can boost resistance, a preventive measure!”

Auntie Kang said, “How can I accept this when you’ve already paid us well for your stay and now getting medicine for us!”

Xia Wenjin smiled, “Auntie, don’t say that. This medicine doesn’t cost much. I may stay for a few more days, but Auntie, don’t mind!”

Auntie Kang said with a beaming smile, “Mind? Not at all! How could I? Hong’er really likes you, and right, where’s the little gentleman?”

“He had matters to attend to and left earlier!” Xia Wenjin paused and said, “Auntie, remember to decoct this medicine and drink it, Uncle and Hong’er too, once a day. This is a two-day supply; in a couple of days, I’ll bring more.”

“Don’t worry about us; focus on your business!” Auntie Kang said kindly.

Xia Wenjin was about to leave but then turned back, saying, “Auntie, I have a question!”

“What is it?”

Xia Wenjin pointed to her own chest and asked, “Auntie, look here, is there any sudden appearance of red dots or spots?”

Auntie Kang was startled and looked at Xia Wenjin with a strange expression.

Xia Wenjin noticed the suspicion in her gaze. She knew her youthful appearance, dressed as a man, asking a woman this was inappropriate, even with their age gap, seeming frivolous. She explained helplessly, “Auntie, I help at Doctor Zhang’s clinic. I’ve seen some who have fallen ill with miasma; initially, they didn’t know, but red dots appeared first, then turned into red spots, before feeling unwell and visiting the clinic. Some miasma cases have no red spots, but the treatment is different for those without!”

With this explanation, Auntie Kang understood and said, “I don’t think there are any!”

Xia Wenjin said, “Auntie, check yourself and Hong’er too. When Uncle comes back, ask him. It’s important for health!”

Speaking in a relaxed tone, as if casually chatting, Auntie Kang didn’t feel tense or panic at all and, laughing, held Hong’er’s hand, checking him first.

Hong’er laughed, “Grandma, why are you pulling my clothes? Brother Wenjin is watching!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep