When Tang Wei was carried back, he was barely hanging on to life, having attempted suicide twice. If not for the sudden upheaval at home, he might still be looking for opportunities to end his life. But now he didn't want to die; he just wanted to live well, though living was incredibly hard.
Tang Wei had become a cripple, so continuing his studies was out of the question. The old lady's attitude towards him plummeted, to the point where she wouldn't even pay for his medicine. Every time he went to ask her for money, it was like trying to carve flesh from her body.
Lady Chen and Tang Wanwan had to work twice as hard to earn enough for a few coins worth of medicine. And what good medicine could it buy? As a result, his health deteriorated further. The once young and handsome boy now had a sallow complexion, lifeless eyes, and even a strand of white hair by his temples, which was heart-wrenching to see.
His eyes, in particular, shocked Tang Wanwan—the lifeless, hollow look, as if he were a marionette devoid of vitality. She had to find a way to give her brother a reason to live; otherwise, even if she found the spiritual medicine to heal his body, his heart would still be shattered.
"Brother, I'm tough. I'll be fine in a couple of days. Today, I even gave Auntie a good scare."
Tang Wei was unaware of what was happening outside but was pleased to hear Mrs. Wang's wailing cries. However, he felt more heartache for his sister. "A Wan, you did great, big brother is proud of you."
"Brother, how does your leg feel lately?" As she spoke, Tang Wanwan brought a basin of hot water, ready to help her brother clean up a bit. In truth, she wanted to check the extent of Tang Wei's leg injury so that she could assist in treating it with herbs. Her medical knowledge wasn't profound, just a smattering. But given her intelligence, it wouldn't be surprising if she came up with some remedy.
She used to be a child prodigy with a perfect memory, the undisputed academic star of her area, excelling at everything she learned.
"No, no need, A Wan, brother is fine." As Tang Wei spoke, his face turned beet red.
"You should go out." With that, Tang Wei pulled the blanket over his head, not wanting his sister to see his embarrassed state.
"Brother, I just want you to be comfortable. I asked the town doctor, for a leg injury like yours, proper treatment can bring hope for recovery."
Hearing this, Tang Wei couldn't help but show a bitter smile; he felt even more heartbroken. He knew his sister was comforting him; she was so sensible at such a young age. In a typical family, a girl her age would already be considered for marriage. Those who married early might even have a child running around by now. Yet A Wan had turned down marriage proposals to take care of him and their siblings.
So it was he who was holding the family back.
But Tang Wei's resistance was futile. Tang Wanwan wouldn't allow her brother to avoid her. She gently pulled back the blanket bit by bit, using a warm towel to wash his face. Her nimble little hands gently unblocked his meridians, and she massaged his calf, above his knee, and body lightly.
"Brother, don't worry. I learned this technique from an old doctor. After massaging, the pain in your legs will ease quite a bit."
"But we don't have money, why would anyone teach you?" Tang Wei was a bit curious seeing his sister speak so confidently.
"I just kept pestering him and helped the old doctor sun herbs and pick medicinal plants. He saw I was diligent and taught me."
Tang Wei didn't know whether his sister's words were true or not, but if someone in the family dared to do this, it would only be her. None other. His sister had always been independent and cared for people, always considering others first, never herself.
"Is it comfortable? Brother, not hurting, right?"
Perhaps never having been massaged this way before, Tang Wei's face, usually marked by pain, now showed a rare look of relief. He nodded slightly, humming contentedly.
He even slowly fell asleep.
Seeing her brother finally sleep without a furrowed brow.
Tang Wanwan felt a slight joy in her heart, it seemed effective. She quietly got up, rolled up her brother's trouser leg bit by bit, and went to examine his leg injury.
Even though she was mentally prepared, seeing this frail boy tormented by illness still brought tears to her eyes uncontrollably. But this wasn't from her own heart, most likely influenced by the original host's emotions. She wouldn't easily cry.
Observing Tang Wei's leg injury, Tang Wanwan quickly made her judgment: severe destruction of the meridians accompanied by severe muscle atrophy, and because the limb hadn't moved for a long time, it had partially stiffened.
Additionally, he already seemed to have bedsores on his backside, and the part below his thigh was starting to fester, red and swollen.
This smell probably emanated from here.
If Tang Wanwan hadn't changed her core and checked Tang Wei's injury, within months, he wouldn't need to seek death—it would be agony that would kill him.
If the medication used was wrong or ineffective, he might be infected early, and once infected, even Hua Tuo coming back to life would be powerless.
Fortunately, there was still time. First, treat his bedsores and damaged meridians, and then re-break the crooked leg bone to reset it.
But such an operation would require anesthetics.
She didn't know the formula, what to do? Maybe wait until climbing the mountain, and see what she finds. If not, just experiment bit by bit.
Tang Wanwan was masochistic by nature; others retreat from difficulties, she relishes them, the more challenging something is, the more excited she becomes.
Fortunately, she had already found a good excuse earlier, saying she had persuaded the town's old doctor to teach her herbal recognition and massage techniques. Telling her family this should prevent any slip-ups, right?
But how to treat her brother was a problem she needed to think over carefully.
At night, Lu Yujin was knocking on the window outside. He originally wanted to sneak in, but unexpectedly, the window had been sealed by someone and couldn't be budged.
This window had been sealed by Tang Wanwan. Seeing such an unsafe window triggered her professional habits. So, while having nothing to do after dinner, she found a piece of wood, split it with an ax, and within a few moves, had the window sealed tight.
Seeing this tightly sealed window, Lu Yujin felt like crying. Had he known, he wouldn't have come this way; now he'd lost his shortcut, how could he secretly come to see A Wan again?
Then followed this interesting conversation.
"A Wan, can I call you this?"
"Sure. Should I call you Lu Yujin or Young Master Lu?"
In the bright moonlight, the boy's face was a bit unclear, but his expression was most likely not pleasant, as Tang Wanwan was too formal with him.
"You can call me Brother Lu too, we're quite familiar, aren't we?"
"Just because I ate your bun, we're familiar? Or do you miss that meat bun?"
"No, no, you misunderstood. I mean, you can be casual with me, call me brother, or even big brother."
How cheesy.
Tang Wanwan inwardly rolled her eyes at Lu Yujin, so this is what you're like, Lu Yujin.
People thought you were an old-fashioned guy, obtuse, but who would've thought you're actually a self-appreciative introvert.