Chapter 29: No Longer a Do-Gooder

"Miss Xie, thank you for saving my sister." Daya said, kneeling down along with Er-ya to kowtow to Xie Wanniang.

Xie Wanniang was startled and quickly stepped aside to avoid their grand gesture. "I have already bought Xiaoya, you know that, right?"

Daya and Er-ya nodded in unison. Daya wiped her tears and explained, "Please rest assured, we aren't trying to go back on our word."

"My parents have been poor for so long that whether it was them falling ill, or us sisters or my two brothers, they never wanted to spend money on a doctor."

"We usually just tough out minor illnesses, but this time with Xiaoya... if it weren't for you, she definitely wouldn't have survived. Your great kindness and virtue—"

Xie Wanniang waved her hand. "There is no great kindness or virtue here. I saved Xiaoya because your parents sold her to me; she is my personal property now."

She didn't want the labels of "kind" or "benevolent" pinned on her; she was just an ordinary person with a bit of sympathy.

Daya and Er-ya exchanged a look, at a loss for what to do.

Xie Wanniang gestured for them to rise. "Hurry and get up. Don't kneel; I cannot accept it."

Once the sisters had hesitantly stood up, Xie Wanniang’s tense shoulders finally relaxed.

She said, "I will not intentionally mistreat her, but I will not indulge her or let her ignore the rules just because she is young. If your family truly hopes for her to do well, from now on, only give to her—do not ask anything of her."

Daya and Er-ya looked embarrassed. They would both be married off soon, so they could easily follow Xie Wanniang's request to give without taking. But as for their parents, they knew all too well that those two would never be content with only giving.

Like most parents in this world, theirs viewed their children as personal property. Sons were meant to carry on the family line and provide for their old age, while daughters were expected to toil for the household until they were old enough to be traded for a sum of money through marriage.

Xiaoya was their flesh and blood, and they had raised her for five years; they would never give up on extracting a return from her.

The sisters exchanged a silent, knowing look. They had no say in their own household and dared not make any promises on behalf of their parents.

Xie Wanniang was not surprised by their reaction. "Since you intend to keep watch, I will return to my room. When the time comes, I will go wake my master."

Nodding to the sisters, Xie Wanniang walked out of the room.

***

About an hour later, she knocked on the window to wake the half-dozing Physician Chen.

Jiang Yuan, who had been sleeping in Hao Yu’s room, heard the commotion and came out with the physician.

Under the hopeful gazes of Daya and Er-ya, Physician Chen checked Xiaoya’s pulse and touched her little forehead. "Good, the fever has broken and the seizures have stopped. Let her take another dose of medicine at dawn, and she should be able to wake up."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief, but they soon heard the physician add, "However, you must still keep a close watch. If she starts burning up again, be sure to call me immediately."

The high fever had indeed broken for now, but that didn't mean it wouldn't return.

Fortunately, Xiaoya’s condition did not take a turn for the worse. Everyone except the two sisters slept until dawn without being called.

At daybreak, Xie Wanniang suppressed her sleepiness, climbed out of bed, and ran to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Hearing the activity, Jiang Yuan immediately came to the kitchen to help.

Daya and Er-ya took this opportunity to say goodbye. "We must head home now."

Although Xiaoya hadn't woken up yet, they couldn't stay to eat breakfast at Jiang Yuan’s house.

Xie Wanniang looked at the two strange sisters. "You’ve watched over Xiaoya all night, yet you’re leaving before she wakes up?"

Jiang Yuan guessed their thoughts. "My home is not so short of food that we can't afford a meal for you two."

Xie Wanniang realized. "Oh, so that’s what you were worried about. A-Yuan is right; I’ve already cooked enough for you."

She pointed to the large iron pot with the lid on. "Just stay and eat with my master."

She had made a mixed-grain noodle dumpling soup this morning, containing a full third of fine white flour, paired with eggs, diced vegetables, meat sauce, and pickles. The taste was absolutely divine.

Daya and Er-ya shook their heads and waved their hands, still trying to refuse, but Xie Wanniang pointed toward the room where Xiaoya lay. "If you leave and I’m busy cooking, who will look after Xiaoya?"

The two were stunned.

Xie Wanniang added, "Go get to work, don't just stand there."

***

The two obediently turned and went back to look after Xiaoya.

Xie Wanniang quickly finished breakfast. Just as Physician Chen finished his slow morning wash, she had Jiang Yuan carry a large bowl of dumpling soup to the old man, then filled another large bowl with the most dumplings for Jiang Yuan to collect himself.

For Daya and Er-ya’s bowls, she added a generous spoonful of meat sauce and some pickles before delivering them to the room.

Back in the kitchen, she was just about to scoop a bowl with smaller, softer dumplings for the still-unwell Xiaoya when Jiang Yuan handed her a bowl he had already prepared. "You eat first."

After saying this, he picked up a wooden spoon, scooped a portion suitable for Xiaoya, and set it in the cupboard.

Xie Wanniang smiled slightly, picked up her bowl, and went to the main room to eat with Physician Chen.

After the three finished, Jiang Yuan went to wash the dishes, while Physician Chen and Xie Wanniang went to the room where the sisters were.

Perhaps the soft sounds of the morning had gradually roused her, but as the physician and Xie Wanniang walked in, Xiaoya was just slowly opening her eyes.

Physician Chen gave a soft exclamation and walked over to take the little girl’s pulse.

Xie Wanniang waited a moment, and upon hearing the physician say that Xiaoya was much better and could eat and take her medicine, she immediately ran to the kitchen to fetch the bowl of dumpling soup that was still warm.

This bowl had smaller, fewer dumplings, but more egg and vegetable bits—a convalescent meal that was both easy to digest and nutritious.

Er-ya took the bowl and thanked Xie Wanniang. Daya took Xiaoya to use the toilet and wash up before bringing her back for Er-ya to feed her. As for herself, she took the initiative to go to the kitchen to heat up the medicinal decoction she had set aside the night before.

With Daya taking over the work, Xie Wanniang simply took over Jiang Yuan's chores, telling him to head into the mountains before it got too hot.

Jiang Yuan, knowing Xie Wanniang had to stay home today, nodded, picked up his gear, and bid Physician Chen farewell before heading out.

After he left, Physician Chen also prepared to head home. Xiaoya had passed the critical stage; as long as Xie Wanniang gave her the medicine on time and fed her some nourishing food now and then, she would gradually recover, and there was no need for him to stay on guard any longer.