The children of the Qiao family

Chapter 12

Yicheng boiled a large pot of hot water and washed Simei's hair.

Yicheng found that although there was dust in her hair, it was not greasy and dirty, and her clothes were neat and proper.The Shen family didn't treat her badly.

Yicheng asked his sister: Why don't you stay in the Shen family?

Simei said: I miss you.I still miss my father, and I still miss home.

Yicheng rubbed his younger sister's thick and long hair vigorously, saying that she was worthless, and the family had nothing to think about.

I don't know why, but I feel pain and joy.

Sanli also came over to wash Simei's hair and clean her ears.The second strong man jumped aside and said: You must have come back because you didn't want to do your homework or study, na na na, I guessed right, right?

Simei grinned happily: I don't want to study every day, it's so annoying, second brother, you still take me to play, huh?
Yicheng also laughed, and he also found that Simei had lost a tooth, and asked: Where is the tooth?
Simei took out her trouser pocket for a long time, and found a small tooth: Brother, this is the tooth that fell out from the bottom, you throw it on the roof for me.

Qiao Yicheng said, "Okay, I'll throw it for you, and you'll grow a new tooth in a few days."

The Shen couple rushed over from Suzhou.

Ms. Shen shed tears and said: Simei, why don't you want to be my daughter?Did we treat you well?
Simei said: Good.

Ms. Shen said: Would you like to go back with us?

Simei shook her head.

This year, at the class party of Qiao Yicheng's class, they performed in groups. Out of the eight groups in the class, six of them chose the same song to sing.

Qiao Yicheng was sandwiched among his classmates, singing indifferently but with a surging heart:

In another 20 years, we will meet again,
How beautiful the great motherland should be.

The sky is new and the earth is new,

The spring is brighter, and the cities and villages are full of brilliance.

Ah, dear friends, on whom does this miracle depend?
rely on you, rely on me,
It depends on our new generation in the 80s!
4
Joe is seven or five years old.

Thin, a little ailment from time to time, the second aunt can get some medicine and take it.

Qi Weimin loves him very much. According to Qiao Yicheng's words, Qi Weimin, a weirdo, drags his tail everywhere, and feels very good.

During group day activities, Qi Weimin took him with him to make dumplings and watch TV at his classmates' homes.

Qi Qi is very quiet, holding her brother's calf or sitting on her brother's feet, she sits for a long time.

Qi Weimin's classmate couldn't laugh at first, and joked with Qi Weimin, saying that he would learn to be a father from now on.Later, they also liked this kid very much, and when they walked up and down and pulled his protruding ears, Qiqi would look up at the person who pulled his ears, innocently aggrieved.

Qi Weimin came home from school that day, and heard from his mother that Qiqi accidentally fell and seemed to have twisted his foot.

When Qi Weimin went to see, he found Qiqi sitting on a small chair. Qi Weimin squatted down and clapped his hands, calling: Qiqi, come here, brother hug her.

Qiqi didn't even move.

Qi Weimin helped him to stand up, but he only stood for two seconds before falling down again.

Qi Weimin said: Mom, it seems serious, I need to take him to have a look.

It's rare that the second aunt didn't object, and she didn't say anything about finding some ointment paste at home, so she packed up and went out with Qi Weimin in her arms.

Qi Weimin said: Go to the children's hospital.

The second aunt said: Go to the health center, there are too many people in the children's hospital, and there are dead people queuing up.

Qi Weimin thought about it and followed his mother.

The light in the health center is very dark, and there is a thick blue cloth curtain hanging at the door. There are really few people, only one health worker, who is so young, with messy hair, and looks like he just woke up.

Qi Weimin put Qiqi on the narrow bed covered with old yellow sheets. The hygienist came over and removed Qiqi's injured foot. Qiqi screamed in pain, and the hygienist said: "What's your name? Child, I didn't try hard. .

Qi Weimin begged him: My brother is very timid, please be gentle.

The hygienist said: Children can't get used to it.

After a brief inspection, they said nothing was wrong, prescribed some anti-inflammatory drugs, and a tube of ointment for external application, and sent them back.

In the evening, Qi Weimin washed Qiqi's feet, carefully applied the medicine, and said to his mother: "It looks good, it's not swollen, why is Qiqi so painful?"Don't even dare to walk.

The second aunt lowered her head and said: "Children, if you have a little problem, let's make a fuss."

Qi Weimin fed Qiqi to take medicine again. The tablet was so big that he had to break it and it was very bitter. Qiqi swallowed it obediently and drank a lot of water. Qi Weimin could almost see how the water flowed through his thin neck go down.

Qi Weimin's younger sister also likes to be close to her elder brother, so she especially doesn't like this little guy who has been taken care of by her elder brother. While her elder brother is away, she grabs Qiqi's fine hair and pulls it vigorously.

Qiqi had tears in her eyes, and she groaned twice, but didn't dare to cry.Qi Weimin gave his sister twenty cents to coax her away.

On the second day, not only was Qiao Qiqi not well, she couldn't even stand up.

Qi Weimin said: "Mom, it doesn't look like a foot problem. I'm afraid it's a leg injury. Let's take Qiqi to the Children's Hospital. We can't delay."

The second aunt was stunned for a moment, probably also felt that the matter was serious, so she agreed.

The children's hospital was really crowded, the hall was full of people, the sick children were held in the arms of their parents, most of them were crying and fussing, and Qi Qi looked very quiet, lying softly on her elder brother's shoulder, like a rag doll.

After waiting for two and a half hours, it took only 2 minutes to see a doctor. The doctor's diagnosis surprised Qi Weimin and the second aunt.

Possibly polio.

The doctor told him to exercise more, but Qi Weimin said boldly: "He is in pain and dare not walk."

The doctor said: If you don't dare to move, you won't let him move?Move even if you don’t want to, it’s important to heal your illness.

The doctor turned his head and said to Qiqi: Are you disobedient?Will you be obedient?
Qi Qi was so frightened that she shook her head and nodded confusedly.

The doctor laughed.

Back home, Second Aunt found a glass salt water bottle, let Qi Qi sit on a small chair, put the salt water bottle under his feet, and let him step on it and roll it.

This game attracted Qiqi at first, but he only rolled a few times and refused to move.

Qi Weimin said: Qiqi, don't be afraid, just roll slowly, come on.

Qiqi said: Brother, it hurts.

After Qi Qihui spoke, he kept calling Qi Weimin "elder brother", so that Qi Weimin's brothers and sisters would feel better, because they called "big brother".

Qi Weimin found another salt water bottle and sat beside him to play with him.

Qi Qi tried her best to step on the bottle and roll it.

Every day, Qi Weimin would roll the salt water bottle with Qiqi while reciting.

Qi Weimin's father Qi Zhiqiang's factory is in the suburbs, and he comes back with the factory car every Saturday, and has to leave early on Monday morning. This time when he came back, he found that Qiqi's leg was still not healed.

Qi Zhiqiang gave his wife some money, which was the bonus they had just given out.

Qi Zhiqiang said: Qiqi must be cured, if not, go to Shanghai.

At that time, Shanghai symbolized fashion and advancement, and it seemed that all problems could be solved in Shanghai.

The second aunt didn't make a sound, her heart was churning up and down.

I can't sleep at night, thinking, what if it is really polio?If he is disabled, will that evil Qiao Zuwang give up?If you really want to be responsible for this child's life, can you afford it?I have three children to raise.

Second Aunt couldn't fall asleep anymore, so she got out of bed to watch Qiqi.

Qi Qi still slept on the small wooden bed she had when she was a child, it was a little narrow, and Qi Qi had to curl her legs slightly when she slept, but later Qi Zhiqiang's skillful hands changed the bed into a decent little wooden bed, Qi Qi was very happy that day, unexpectedly He called out to Qi Zhiqiang, Dad.

Although it wasn't my own, after raising it for five years, even raising a cat and a dog, I have feelings for it, and I feel distressed and reluctant to part with it.

However, the second aunt was very scared and worried.

Qi Qi didn't fall by herself, he followed Second Aunt and stepped on Second Aunt's slippers, Second Aunt didn't care, and took a step forward, Qi Qi fell down.

To keep him, it will take countless energy, time, and money, and when will it be the end?
After the weekend, when Qi's father and son went to work and went to school, the second aunt changed Qi Qi into new clothes and carried him back to Qiao Zuwang's place.

Qiao Zuwang happened to be off on Monday, and when he was about to go out, his second aunt stopped him at the door.

The second aunt said: "The child is sick, and you should take care of it. If you have a headache, I'll forget it. I won't complain to you, and I won't ask you for medical money. But now, the child is very sick." , You can't ignore it, this is your own son.

Qiao Zuwang said: I am a good child who was handed over to you.

The second aunt put down her face and said: This is unreasonable.A child is not an object. If you give it to me, I will keep it safe for you. It will not change for many years. This is a child. If the child is sick, you have to accept your fate.To tell you the truth, I took my child to see a doctor, and I didn’t say anything about how much money I paid back and forth. No matter what, it was my sister’s blood and blood. I don’t care about it. I can't bear it, but you have to think about it for me. I don't have a job, and I have three children. You also have pity on me.

Qiao Zu didn't answer.

The second aunt said: The son is yours. If you don't raise it, the country will not allow you, and the police will arrest you.

Just as Qiao Zuwang was about to say something, Qiao Qiqi suddenly opened her arms towards Qiao Zuwang in the arms of her second aunt.

Qiao Zuwang was stunned, and subconsciously hugged him, and the second aunt heaved a sigh of relief.

The second aunt cooked for the father and son, and when she left, she told Qiao Zuwang that she would come and help take care of Qiqi whenever she was free.

The second aunt stretched out her hand to Qi Qi who was sitting on the bed, and Qi Qi came over to be hugged by the second aunt. The second aunt stuffed biscuits and candy in his pocket, as well as a brand new two-cent coin. The second aunt said: "Little Seven, don't blame the second aunt, there is nothing the second aunt can do.

The second aunt handed over the money from Qi Zhiqiang to Qiao Zuwang, saying that it was for Qiqi's medical treatment, and it was out of her heart.

After the second aunt left, Qiao Zuwang regretted it immediately. Looking at the ten yuan in his hand, he didn't expect to be soft-hearted for a moment. He followed this woman's way, wanted to reason, but didn't make any sense, and was afraid that the police would really come to arrest him. Asking him about the crime of not having a child, I was exhausted all day.

But what about the days ahead?This little sick child is alone at home, his brothers and sisters have to go to school, and he has to go to work.

After returning home, the second aunt only told her eldest son that Qi Qi was picked up by his father and said that he would take him to an old Chinese doctor for treatment. The second aunt said the same to her husband.

Qi Weimin ran to Qiao's house to see Qiqi every day after class.

Qiao Zuwang entrusted Qiqi to the care of the neighbor's woman in the same courtyard, and paid the money.When Qi Weimin went, Qiqi was sitting on her bed, surrounded by a small quilt.

The irrelevant children are taken care of, how can they be so meticulous, the neighbor's woman only visits him once or twice in the morning and afternoon, feeds some food, and hugs him out of bed to pee.

On this day, Qi Weimin found that Qiqi was on his body.

Qi Weimin boiled water to wash Qiqi.

Qiao Yicheng just came back from school, looking at this boy who was only two months older than himself, nursing the five-year-old doll. The little doll wrapped his hands and feet around his body, and Qi Weimin patted him kindly.

His smiling face slapped Qiao Yicheng's heart, like a punch, Qiao Yicheng couldn't help but go over to help.

That night, Qi Weimin stayed at Qiao's house.

It was the first time for Qiao Yicheng to review class at the same table with his cousin, taking turns holding Qiqi on his lap.

Qiao Yicheng had to admit that Qi Weimin was simple-looking, but he had a very bright mind. He could do algebra very quickly, and he was also very good at physics.

When Qiqi sat on Yicheng's lap, she would be more careful, and her buttocks were hanging halfway, and she didn't dare to sit down. After a long time, she relaxed, and reached out to touch a scab on the back of her brother's neck. She touched it carefully, and touched it again For a moment, I thought my brother would not know.

Qiao Yicheng smiled in the shadow of the falling lights.

It was too crowded for three boys to sleep on the same bed with a baby. Qiao Yicheng proposed to sleep sideways. He and Qi Weimin sandwiched Qiqi between them. Er Qiang made faces at Qiqi through him to tease him.

After all, he was sixteen or seventeen years old, and the bed was not long enough. Qi Weimin got down and moved a long bench for himself to rest his feet.

After the brothers were all asleep, Yicheng suddenly said to Qi Weimin: There is a classmate in our class whose mother works as a cleaner in the children's hospital. She said there is an old doctor named Wei who is very capable and specializes in orthopedics.

Qi Weimin got up all of a sudden: I will take Xiao Qi there tomorrow.

The next day, Qi Weimin asked for leave and went to the Children's Hospital with Qiqi in his arms.It was still crowded, chaotic and smelly.Qi Weimin did not register, so he asked a nurse at the information desk where he could find Dr. Wei.

The nurse said coldly, "Why are you looking for Dr. Wei?"
Qi Weimin said: I want to ask him to see a doctor for my brother.

The nurse raised her eyelids and glanced at the half-grown child again: Dr. Wei is taking care of students now, and he doesn't treat people. Besides, you can see whoever you want. Do we need order in our hospital?
Qi Weimin was so overwhelmed by her that he couldn't speak, so he asked several doctors and nurses without giving up, but no one took the child seriously.

Qi Weimin had no choice but to search for Qiqi all over the building with his heart in his arms.

He managed to find the sign, which said that the orthopedics department was on the sixth floor, so he walked up with Qiqi in his arms.Qiqi took out a shiny coin from his pocket for a long time, showed it to his brother, and said: Money.

There are fewer orthopedic staff, Qi Weimin turned around, and suddenly heard someone calling: Teacher Wei.

Qi Weimin turned his head to look, and saw an elderly man with snow-white hair, tall, and surprisingly thin, dressed in a doctor's white robe, which made him look like a fairy.

Qi Weimin held Qiqi in his arms and blocked the old doctor's way: Doctor Wei!Doctor Wei!

Qi Weimin really found the right person, this is old doctor Wei.He was a Kuomintang military doctor who was captured during the liberation of Nanjing. During the "Cultural Revolution", he was criticized and had two broken ribs. Now he is back in the Children's Hospital. He is over 70 years old and no longer works in outpatient clinics. He only takes care of students.

Old Doctor Wei looked at the half-grown child in front of him and the little guy in his arms.

What's your business?he asks.

Before Qi Weimin could speak, tears fell and he shrugged his shoulders and rubbed his face.Qi Qi had never seen Elder Brother cry before, so she curled her lips in fright and wanted to cry.

(End of this chapter)