Li Man tried to hand over the prepared warm towel. “Wipe him down. Wipe his neck, armpits, chest, palms, and everything else. Every spot needs to be wiped.”
Li Hua only doubtfully looked at Li Man。
“Go on, it’ll help cool him down.” Li Man directly stuffed the damp towel into his hand and continued to say, “He probably got sick because he took a rinse using cold water yesterday and was working outside in the rain all morning today.”
Li Hua thought her words were very logical and hurriedly followed her directions in wiping down Li Yan.
Once he was halfway done, Li Man took the damp towel from him, cleaned the towel in the water, and wrung out the excess water again before handing it back to him. After that, she gently checked Li Yan’s temperature by touching his forehead. Although his temperature had dropped after being wiped by the towel, it was quickly going back up again.
Second Shun was still standing in the hut. Seeing that the two of them were so busy that they had forgot about him, he opened and closed his mouth before quietly saying, “Li Hua, should we get a doctor to come over to check on him? It won’t be good if his cold gets worse.”
Li Hua’s expression was solemn as he put the towel into the basin. He said to Li Man, “Watch over him for a bit. I’ll call oldest brother over.”
Medical treatment was poor in ancient times, so even a minor illness like a cold could take someone’s life. Li Man also started to worry. She hurriedly nodded. “Okay.”
Li Hua rushed out to look for Li Mo.
A few moments later, three brothers came into the hut.
Li Shu was the first one to run to the bed and worriedly asked, “What’s wrong with second brother? Wasn’t he okay before?”
Li Mo followed him over and stretched his hand out to check Li Yan’s temperature. His expression became graver. “I’ll go find the doctor and bring him here.”
“Oldest brother, I’ll go with you,” said Li Hua.
Li Mo glanced at him and said, “No need, stay at home and take care for your second brother. It’ll be enough for me and your third brother to go.” Fourth brother was much more cool-headed than their third brother. If something happened at home, he would feel less worried if he remained here.
Li Hua glanced at Li Man. With second brother sick, he would worry too if she was the only other person left here, so he said to Li Mo, “Okay. Oldest brother, take some money with you. That way, if the doctor gives you a prescription, you’ll be able to buy the medicine before coming back. It’ll save you a trip.”
After agreeing, Li Mo walked over to the wardrobe and took out a small bag. When he opened the bag to look inside, his eyebrows slight furrowed. He stuffed the entire bag into his clothes, turned around, and said to Li Shu, “Third brother, let’s go.”
“En.” Li Shu wiped the sweat from his forehead and followed after his oldest brother.
Li Man saw that the two of them were going out just like this. It was misty outside from the rain, and she didn’t know how far that doctor’s house was. If they were out in the rain for too long, she was worried that the two of them would get sick too. She hurriedly followed after them and said, “Do you not have any raincoats, bamboo hats, or umbrellas?”
Umbrellas were something that only rich people used. However, a raincoat… Li Mo suddenly remembered. “We do have a raincoat. I’ll go get it.” He hastily ran to the kitchen and pulled out a raincoat from the pile of junk that was behind the cupboard. He had woven this raincoat from Chinese alpine rush several years ago. Although it was covered in dust, it looked passable after he shook off the dust. At the very least, it could provide some cover from the rain.
Li Mo went back and gave the raincoat to Li Shu, “Third brother, put this on, and we’ll leave.”
“Oldest brother, what about you?” Li Shu asked while he put on the raincoat.
Li Mo shook his head. “I’m okay.”
The two of them walked straight into the misty rain.
Second Shun hurriedly followed after them. “Li Mo, wait. I have a raincoat at my home. Wait a bit. I’ll bring it over.”
—
Li Man was standing at the doorway. The three of them had already walked far way. Was Li Mo even wearing a raincoat? Sigh. The men in this family were really awful at taking care of themselves.
“Fourth brother.” Li Yan’s weak voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Sitting on the side of the bed, Li Hua hurriedly answered, “Second brother, I’m here.”
