Bai Gu was stunned for a moment, and his eyes immediately turned to the old wooden bed.
Even though the light was dim, Bai Gu could still clearly see the little figure on the wooden bed at a glance.
The poor little man's body curled up into a small ball due to the pain, and his originally pale face was now even whiter. There were still a few pools of blood splashed on the side of the wooden bed. It was probably the waste blood vomited out due to severe lung disease and coughing.
Now he is unconscious on the bed, breathing so softly that it is almost inaudible, like a broken lamp in the fierce cold wind.
Bai Gu suppressed the fear and trembling in his heart, placed the sesame seed cakes in his arms on the table, and forced his tone to be calmer: "Xiao Xiao, go to the east alley to find Old Liu Tou, and ask him to show Ah Yue a look. Look. I'll take care of the rest."
Bai Xiaoxiao nodded, still feeling scared in his heart, and even after moving for a long time, he couldn't walk. Bai Gu sighed, walked over and comforted Bai Xiaoxiao, which gave her some strength to walk.
Looking at the small ball on the wooden bed, Bai Gu couldn't stop trembling in his heart.
Is this going to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Aunt Zhang?
Aunt Zhang was just sent away half a month ago. Is she going to leave again?
Although it is common for people to die in Lingding Alley, for Bai Gu, a sixteen-year-old ignorant boy, it is still difficult to accept the separation of life and death.
After all, how strong can the psychological endurance of a sixteen-year-old ignorant boy be?
Before Old Liu Tou arrived, Bai Gu had already wiped away the pools of waste blood and fed Xiao Tuanzi a little water to prevent her from being unable to support Old Liu Tou.
"Grandpa Liu, please take a look quickly, how is Ah Yue doing?" Seeing Old Liu Tou coming, Bai Gu quickly stood up and vacated his seat next to the bed.
Lao Liutou didn't say much. He sat down and took Ah Yue's pulse.
As soon as he took a pulse, a trace of solemnity immediately appeared on Old Liu Tou's face.
Old Liu Tou didn't speak, but the wrinkles on his forehead and between his eyebrows became deeper and deeper as time passed.
Bai Gu was worried, but he didn't know what he could do.
Another quarter of an hour passed, and Lao Liu's hand on Ah Yuemei still hadn't been let go, and his whole face was almost squeezed into a ball of paper.
If this were normal, Old Liu Tou's expression would probably make Bai Gu and the other children in Lingding Lane laugh for a long time. But now, Bai Gu really couldn't laugh, and neither could Bai Xiaoxiao.
An old face that is slightly sunken due to an intractable disease, a face of a young man who is worried and worried, a face of a young girl who is scared and panicked, and a little face that is distorted by unbearable pain.
Four faces, one old, three young, all crowded together in this small room, and it was difficult to relax for a long time.
The atmosphere in the room was very gloomy and depressing. Bai Xiaoxiao was lively by nature and was not very adaptable to this feeling. He walked to the door and sat down on the threshold. He hugged his legs with his arms and buried his little head in them. He did not speak or make any other movements.
Bai Gu saw it and didn't say anything.
No one wants to encounter something like this.
You can only solve it yourself, and no one else can help.
"Grandpa Liu, have a drink of water." Bai Gu went to find a wooden cup that was carved by himself and was barely clean. He poured a glass of water for Old Liu Tou and handed it over.
After taking the wooden cup, Old Liu Tou finally let go of his hand that had been on Ah Yuemui for a long time, took a sip of water, and sighed heavily: "This little girl's illness is very serious."
Although he had expected it, Bai Gu couldn't help but trembled in his heart when he heard the news. He hurriedly asked: "Then, can Ah Yue's disease still be cured?"
"It's difficult." The wrinkles between Old Liu's brows never loosened, "Xiao Nizi's disease is lung disease, which was brought out from her mother's womb. If my guess is correct, Xiao Nizi and Zhang died of lung disease not long ago. My wife, does it matter?"
"Ayue is Aunt Zhang's daughter. I saw how pitiful she was, so I took her over and lived with her."
"Good boy! Mrs. Bai taught you well, but it's hard for you."
Bai Gu had to support himself and Bai Xiaoxiao at a young age. It was already difficult to sustain himself and his life was extremely difficult. Now we have to add a little girl, which is really difficult.
"Then, Ah Yue's illness..."
"Old man, I advise you to get ready early. This little girl was born with lung disease, and she is too ill and her body is weak. I'm afraid she doesn't have much time."
"If it is cured, can it be cured?"
"It's very difficult. At least I have no way to cure the old man. I can only use some medicine to keep her from suffering. But treating the symptoms does not cure the root cause. The longer it is delayed, the more painful Xiao Nizi will be. It is better to prepare early." Old Liutou is also the same. He shook his head helplessly.
Bai Gu's heart slowly sank.
"But..." Old Liu Tou seemed to have remembered something, "When I was young, I met a noble man who gave me a few medical books, which allowed me to learn some basic medical skills. This noble man seemed to be a practicing doctor, and he was also a good practitioner. He should be more advanced than me, he might have a way."
When Bai Gu heard this, hope welled up in his heart: "Really? Where is that noble man?"
"I met him a few years ago, at the intersection of Liuxu Street on Oriole Road in the city. You can go there to look for him, but I don't know if he is still there now." Old Liu Tou paused for a moment, "By the way, that noble man, My surname is Wu."
"Orioles Road, at the intersection of Liuxu Street, my surname is Wu." Bai Gu silently remembered it in his heart.
Oh, by the way, doesn’t the old beggar often fool around in the city? It just so happens that he seems to have gone to Oriole Road now, so you can ask him for directions.
Old Liu Tou gave a few packets of medicinal powder to Bai Gu, and said some precautions. After that, he got up and left.
"Wait a minute, Grandpa Liu."
"Is there anything else you don't understand?" Old Liu Tou was a little confused.
Bai Gu took out two sesame seed cakes from the paper bag and handed them to Old Liu Tou with both hands: "Grandpa Liu, our family doesn't have much money, and we have nothing to give you to pay off the bill. Just accept these sesame seed cakes."
Looking at the steaming biscuits, Old Liu shook his head and pressed Bai Gu's hand back.
Normally, this sesame seed cake is a very popular food in Lingding Alley. Even people like Old Liu Tou, who are somewhat famous in Lingding Alley, cannot often eat it.
If there is an opportunity to eat, Lao Liutou will fight for it like others, but he will not behave too ugly.
After all, I am afraid of falling prices.
When a person is old and still has some fame, he needs some face.
But this time is different. Old Liu Tou did not refuse the sesame cakes for the sake of face, but out of concern for his elders.
What financial capabilities can a teenager have? Where does the food come from?
It was nothing more than begging and begging in exchange for this little food.
As for stealing? That is impossible. Old Mrs. Bai disliked stealing the most during her lifetime. The children who grew up under her hands would not pick up this bad habit even in a harsh environment like Lingding Alley.
Besides, it's not like Old Liu Tou didn't notice the situation of Bai Gu and Bai Xiaoxiao.
Sallow complexion, thin body, short stature, typical malnutrition, and stunted development.
Although most of the children in Lingding Lane are like this, Bai Gu is indeed a bit too bad.
At the age of sixteen, he was just over five feet tall, more than a head shorter than ordinary children. There was more than three ounces of excess meat all over the body, and Old Liu Tou was a little doubtful.
Bai Xiaoxiao was better off, after all, Bai Gu left a lot of food for her and ate the rest himself.
Sometimes I didn’t eat at all, and sometimes I even went hungry for several days.
This was also the direct cause of his severe malnutrition.
When Bai Gu saw Old Liu Tou's refusal, he was about to speak, but he heard Old Liu Tou speak: "Xiao Bai, listen to me. You are growing up now, so it's not okay to skip meals all the time! You may be fine now, it will take a long time No, your bones can’t hold it in!”
"I have something to eat...it's not like I don't eat every day..." Bai Gu retorted in a low voice.
"How dare you say that! Look at the whole alley. Except for the boy from the Li family at the end of the alley who is about to die of illness, is there any young man about your age who is not taller or stronger than you?" Old Liu Tou picked up Bai Gu's hand and said, After looking at it, he said, "Look at your hands. The girls in the alley are more sexy than you! If you continue like this, your body will collapse in the future! You won't be able to lift it up even if you want to!" "
The more Old Liu Tou spoke, the more excited he became, his tone full of hatred and sadness.
Bai Gu opened his mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say to Lao Liutou, so he closed his mouth.
Old Liu Tou sighed: "Xiao Bai, although life is very hard, you can't forget to eat. Your own health is the most important thing! It's really not possible..." Old Liu Tou came close to Bai Gu's ear and lowered his voice. He raised his voice and said a word. The latter's face changed instantly, and he looked at Old Liu Tou with some disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that. This is the best way to solve your physical condition at present. Although it is not very moral," Old Liu Tou smiled bitterly, "When you are really about to die, why do you care? What kind of morality can we have? Being able to survive is the greatest morality. In a small place like our Lingding Lane, there is no such thing as self-sacrifice for others, let alone a great saint who wants to benefit the world at the same time. Having enough to eat and living is what we do The most important thing for the people of Lingding Alley.”
Bai Gu slowly lowered his head, making him appear a little shorter.
Old Liu Tou stood in front of him and couldn't see his expression clearly. Seeing that he didn't speak, he thought he had explained the truth too deeply. Bai Gu couldn't understand it for a while, so he patted him on the shoulder and whispered softly. He said: "You have to choose your own path in the future. How to take it? What happens next? What is the result? You have to be prepared yourself. It is not easy to be a good person."
Unexpectedly, Bai Gu suddenly raised his head and grinned, "I'm fine, Grandpa Liu. I will take good care of myself and Xiaoxiao." Then he stuffed the sesame biscuits in his hand to Old Liu Tou, "But Grandpa Liu , you'd better accept this sesame seed cake, otherwise I won't be too embarrassed to bother you all the time to treat us."
Old Liu Tou didn't say anything, he just walked around Bai Gu, walked to the oil paper bag on the table, put the two sesame seed cakes back, and took out the two black dough dumplings inside.
Bai Gu could clearly see that Lao Liutou's expression darkened and became almost like the two black-faced pimples in his hands.
No, the color of that one seems lighter.
Besides, Lao Liutou is already evil!
After a moment of silence, Lao Liutou spoke: "Is this what you want to eat?"
Hearing the unkindness in Old Liu Tou's tone, Bai Gu could only laugh dryly and said: "This is delicious, it fights hunger, and it's much better than Shaobing..."
Under the increasingly sharp eyes of Old Liu Tou, Bai Gu spoke softer and softer, until in the end he couldn't hear clearly what he was saying.
This reason was so bad that Bai Gu himself couldn't bear to hear it.
Looking at the young man in front of him who was smiling more ugly than crying, Old Liu Tou felt angry and amused. He said helplessly: "You should keep the sesame cakes to eat. I will take these two black noodle dumplings and treat them as your promise." Pay it forward."
"Also, in the future! Remember to take good care of yourself and eat!" Old Liu paused, "Eat at least one meal a day! If not, go to my place. You may not eat much, but at least you can keep your stomach healthy. If you have something, your body won’t be too hurt.”
Seeing that Bai Gu didn't speak, Old Liu Tou kicked him with a dissatisfied look on his face, "I'll just say it directly, if you don't pay attention, you won't be thirty years old!"
Bai Gu's lips trembled, his sallow face darkened a little, and he whispered, "I know."
Old Liu Tou's expression softened a little. He also knew that he had been a little impatient just now, and what he said had hit Bai Gu hard.
Although that's true.
It's just not suitable to tell him face to face.
At least not right now.
"Of course, if you start taking good care of your health now, you won't be able to predict what will happen in the future." Old Liu Tou patted Bai Gu's shoulder and consoled him.
But Bai Gu's next words made Lao Liutou laugh, and he couldn't help but kick him again.
"But Grandpa Liu, you should also be careful. The black pimples can be a bit hard. Be careful of your old teeth, so they don't get chipped."
"You brat!" Old Liu Tou knew that if Bai Gu started to talk poorly, it meant that he was in a good mood and could still joke.
It seems that this kid didn't take what he said just now seriously.
That's good.
Old Liu Tou explained a few more words to Bai Gu and left.
Bai Gu walked out of the door and sent Old Liu Tou off. But found that it was snowing.
Although it was just the first snow, it was unusually heavy. Lingding Lane has turned into a white scene.
Maybe it took a long time. It was already dark after all.
Bai Gu stood at the door and raised his head.
The dark sky is scattering snowflakes wantonly, constantly eroding the remaining warmth of late autumn. The young man couldn't help but shudder.
"Xiaoxiao, get up, keep it warm in the house, don't freeze." Bai Gu reached out and patted the snow off Bai Xiaoxiao's body. This little girl has been sitting there for who knows how long. With so much snow on her body, she is not afraid of freezing?
Bai Xiaoxiao responded in a low voice, stood up stiffly, and swayed.
Bai Gu quickly supported her. It looked like he was frozen.
Bai Gu sighed, this little girl is really annoying!
"Please wait a moment. There are sesame cakes on the table. You can eat them slowly. I'll go and clean them up first." After helping Bai Xiaoxiao into the room, Bai Gu went to take out the towel and washbasin that had just been used to wipe off the blood.
When Lao Liutou came, he didn't have time to put these things away.
The snow at the door is already a finger thick. It seems that the snow will not stop tonight.
Bai Gu casually poured the blood in the basin onto the alleyway, since the snow would cover it anyway.
After washing the wash basin with the clean snow next to him, Bai Gu stood up and prepared to go back to the house.
The pool of blood on the alley was made more eye-catching by the snow on the ground. Bai Gu caught a glimpse of it inadvertently, and suddenly remembered the two lines of poetry on the wall at the entrance of the alley.
The snow fell on the green peaks and turned into white heads, and blood splashed on the branches of red plum blossoms.
This was written by the scholar whose finger was bitten off by a dog a few years ago.
At that time, the scholar had just arrived at Lingding Alley, and it happened to be a snowy day. I guess he saw some red plums on the mountain not far away on the way here, and his finger was bitten off when he was competing with a vicious dog for food. The scholar was inspired by this, so he dipped his blood in it and wrote on the old wall at the entrance of Lingding Alley. These two poems.
Bai Gu saw it at that time and was curious, so he asked the scholar what these two sentences meant.
The scholar said that after two meals, he explained to him.
Bai Gubuyi said that there can only be two sesame cakes at most.
The whole family started bargaining at the entrance of the alley.
Finally, with Bai Gu's argument and unreasonable words, the deal was settled with a sesame seed cake.
Bai Gu only remembered that while the scholar was chewing sesame seed cakes, he talked to Bai Gu about a lot of artistic conceptions and principles, which made Bai Gu have a big head and two heads.
In the end, he pretended to be profound and said something to Bai Gu.
"When you grow up, you will understand."
After saying that, he left, leaving a confused Bai Gu behind.
At that time, Bai Gu only felt that this sesame seed cake was wasted.
But now, Bai Gu feels that these two sentences are not bad when applied to the scene in the alleyway?
Although it feels a bit like lining a cesspool with gold edges.
But those two poems seem to be still on the wall? How come it's been several years and your color hasn't faded at all?
Bai Gu shook his head and stopped thinking about this. It was more important to go back home and eat sesame cakes!
It's snowy and very cold.
