A ragged cub at the beginning

"How did you raise this child? Is he your biological child?" The old doctor was so angry that his beard trembled. "The child's qi and blood are both deficient. Didn't he eat regularly? Besides the feet, there are other external injuries!" After saying that, he confidently opened the child's clothes, and when he saw the chest, his beard trembled with anger. He called the medicine boy and went to the yamen to report the case.

Tang Xu was shocked and quickly called the medicine boy: "Wait! Don't go! It's not! This, this..." She was about to shout that this is not my child, but then she thought of Qiyue, and quickly put him on a stool beside her, and whispered to the old doctor: "Doctor, to tell you the truth, this is not my child! It's my sister's! My sister is gone! I took him in like this today! I just washed the child and found the wound on his body, so I rushed him here!"

"Really?" The old doctor looked at her suspiciously.

"Really? If I did it, would I bring him to see a doctor?" Tang Xu's mind worked so fast for the first time, just wanting to prove that he was not a child abuser. "Look at the injuries on his body, which ones look like they've been seen by a doctor?"

The old doctor seemed to be convinced. He muttered a few words in a low voice, but his eyes were still full of distrust. He picked up a pen and wrote a prescription, "Take this prescription for three days first. The child is too weak to take medicine. It is best to take food to supplement his body. For the wound on his foot, go to the backyard. My son is an expert in external injuries. Let him take care of this toe. For the other wounds on his body, ask my son to get a bottle of medicine and rub it on him after warming it up at home."

"Okay." Tang Xu looked at Qiyue and said, "Doctor, I plan to raise this child as my own son. Please don't tell anyone about these things, otherwise the child will be sad if he knows."

The old doctor looked at her deeply, blew his beard, and said impatiently: "I'm not the kind of person who talks too much, don't worry. But next time if this child has new injuries, I will report it to the police!"

"Okay, okay, thank you very much." Tang Xu didn't care about the old man's threat. This attitude instead proved the doctor's kindness.

There was only one middle-aged man in the backyard, drying herbs. He turned around when he heard the noise and saw that he was a gentle and good-tempered man. "Are you looking for external injuries?" Then he saw the conspicuous toe and frowned. "What's wrong with this kid's foot? Come in quickly!"

There was a bed against the wall, and the table was filled with bottles and jars. Bai Zhe waited for the child to lie down, then carefully examined the wound, with a serious expression, "This nail can only be pulled out, and the rotten flesh is best scraped off, but the child is too young, so I'm afraid Ma Fei San can't be used."

Although he had expected this, Tang Xu still couldn't help but feel anxious at this moment and asked, "That must be very painful, is there no other way?"

Bai Zhe took out his needle bag and said, "You can use silver needles to relieve pain, but the effect is not that good. It will definitely still hurt."

Tang Xu had no other choice but to cover July's eyes and turn his head away.

After a while, Bai Zhe called a medicine boy in and ordered, "Hold the child tightly, I'm going to start."

The medicine boy helped hold down the child's legs, and Tang Xu hugged the child's upper body tightly, whispering to Qiyue: "It's okay, it's okay, it will be healed soon, I'm here to treat your injury."

"Woo..." Qiyue's cry was very soft, and it would be almost inaudible if it wasn't so close. He opened his mouth and tried to struggle but was firmly trapped. He lowered his head and tried to curl himself up, wails spilling from his throat, tears streaming down his face.

Tang Xu held his face in her arms, choking and repeating: "It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay..." She didn't dare to look back, and just repeated neurotically. She was afraid of seeing such scenes since she was a child, afraid of seeing other people's wounds, afraid of seeing other people bleeding.

After an unknown amount of time, the little body in his arms stopped trembling. Tang Xu touched his forehead, which was covered with sweat, and his hair was wet with sweat.

"Alright." Bai Zhe bandaged the wound and wiped the sweat off his face. "Don't let the wound get wet or bear any force. Change the dressing every morning and night. Come back tomorrow morning. If it's inconvenient for you to come and you want to change the dressing at home, I'll give you the medicine."

Tang Xu quickly shook her head. Her scalp tingled when she thought about the scene of the gauze being peeled off the wound. "No, no, no, I'll change it here."

"Okay, come again tomorrow." Bai Zhe nodded.

After paying the medical fee, Tang Xu fled in panic at the condemning looks from the shopkeeper behind the counter and the pharmacist who dispensed the medicine.

Walking into the bustling street, July seemed to have recovered and looked around secretly. There was no expression on his face, but all his emotions were in his eyes: curiosity, shock, love...

Tang Xu looked at him with a smile, and his steps became slower and slower. When passing by a stall selling wooden products, Qiyue moved her body, tilted her head and showed a little reluctance.

The vendor saw someone stop in front of the stall and enthusiastically sold the product, "Girl, buy a toy for your child. My things are all made with great care. I guarantee there won't be even a single splinter. Take a look."

"Which one do you want?" Tang Xu carried the man to the front and let him choose by himself.

"Young master, look at this rattle? Little windmill? Sepak takraw? Spinning top?" the vendor said as he handed each item to July.

Qiyue was dazzled by all these things. He had never played with any of them before and didn't even know how to play them. He frowned and grasped the air with his hands, looking extremely confused.

Tang Xu didn't know which one to choose, so he just took them all. "Take one of each and give me a discount. Otherwise, I won't take any of them."

This is a big business, the vendor smiled more sincerely: "Good, good, good! Everyone knows that I, Old Wang, do business honestly." He took a small bamboo basket and picked up toys while muttering: "This rattan ball is five cents, the rattle is five cents, the small windmill is three cents, the spinning top is ten cents, the slingshot is eight cents, and Ni Jiaojiao is two cents. I'll give you thirty cents. Ni Jiaojiao is a gift, and I'll even put a small basket in it for you. Do you think it's okay?"

Tang Xu calculated that the profit of these small things was not high, so he gave three cents and gave a basket. "Okay." He counted the copper coins and handed them over.

Ye Qiyue held his little basket, his eyes bright, it was full of toys for him! He looked at his mother, he seemed a little bit unbelievable, he felt that his mother was different, it was obviously a familiar face and voice, but she didn't scare him as much as before. And today he had a full stomach and toys, he was a little happy, although it was painful to see the doctor.

There are only two pieces of silver and a silver note left in my wallet. According to the prices here, I should be able to get through half a year, but medical treatment and medicine are expensive, and my foot won't heal in a day or two.

I had rented the small courtyard for half a year, and I had to renew the lease in less than four months. I had to find a way to make money to pay for July's clothes and daily expenses.

Thinking of this, she stepped into Zhou's Cloth Shop. Qiyue's clothes were a little big, and the sleeves and pants were a little long.

"Girl, you're here? But the clothes..." Wang Xiaofang saw the problem at a glance, "It's a little too big, the child is too thin. Come, carry the child to the back, I'll fix it in a while." After saying that, she went into the backyard, "Old Zhou, you stay in the shop for a while, I'll make some clothes for him."

"I'm coming." A middle-aged man came out of the house, nodded slightly to Tang Xu, and went out.

Wang Xiaofang took her into a room that was obviously a studio. There were fabrics all over the table and a few ready-made clothes hanging on the wall. "It's a bit messy, don't mind." She smiled shyly and took the basket of needles and thread.

Ye Qiyue felt a little uncomfortable when taking off her clothes and was reluctant to let go of the toy basket.

"Be good, put it aside for now." Tang Xu coaxed him a few words, letting him stuff mud into his hands and scream. He took off his outer coat, and the inner coat was not too big, so Wang Xiaofang took the needle and thread and sewed it in a few strokes to close a section.

"I want to make two more sets of autumn clothes and two sets of winter clothes for my children," said Tang Xu.

Unexpectedly, it was a big order. Wang Xiaofang was overjoyed. "What kind of material do you want? I can give you a lower price when the time comes. Where do you live? I will send it to you directly after it is finished."

Tang Xu didn't know how to choose, but he felt that the material of Qiyue's clothes was good, so he said, "The material he's wearing will do. I live in the alley across the street, at the end, the innermost one."

"Oh, that family! I know you came here two months ago, right? I never saw you go out on weekdays." Wang Xiaofang said with a smile, with a hint of tentativeness in her words. Many people didn't know that this family had just moved in. They only knew that someone was living there when they heard some noises in the house, but they never saw anyone come out. The residents nearby were very curious and made all kinds of speculations.

Tang Xu laughed dryly and thought: You definitely won't see it, people all avoid the front door and climb over the wall to go in and out.

The clothes were ready in a short while. Four sets of clothes cost more than one tael. Winter clothes need to be stuffed with cotton, which is not cheap in this era. Tang Xu felt a little pain in his heart for the money.

"Do you want shoes?" Wang Xiaofang looked down and saw the child's bare feet exposed. One of the toes was wrapped tightly and it was unknown what injury the child had suffered.

"Yes!" Tang Xu had forgotten about it if the boss lady hadn't said it. You don't need to make too many shoes, because children's feet grow fast. However, Qiyue's feet can't wear ordinary shoes now, because it will press on the injured parts. If he doesn't wear shoes, it won't work either. Although the sun is strong in the afternoon, the temperature in the morning and evening is not high, so he can't not wear shoes. "Boss lady, can you make slippers?"

Wang Xiaofang was stunned for a moment, wondering if she had heard it wrongly. "Ah? What shoes?"

Tang Xu explained it to her and demonstrated it on July's feet. Wang Xiaofang understood and said, "I can do it!"

After paying several dozen coins to make a pair of slippers and cloth shoes, Tang Xu asked where to buy vegetables before leaving the cloth shop. Wang Xiaofang enthusiastically introduced her to the South Market, where the entire street was lined with small stalls selling vegetables, fish, meat, and daily necessities. After thanking her, she went to the market to buy some vegetables and seasonings and went home. Tang Xu felt like her arms were no longer her own.

It felt light for Ye Qiyue to hold, but after a long time her arms felt sore and numb. It was true that the journey was long but the burden was not light.

Just after she put Ye Qiyue down, the door suddenly slammed. Tang Xu felt her whole body tremble, and an unfamiliar fear surged up. She shook her head. This was not her emotion. It belonged to the original owner. After years of being hunted down, the original owner, who was originally at ease, had a conditioned reflex to the door ringing.

"Girl, I'm your next-door neighbor." Someone outside the door called out. It was a young woman's voice.

Tang Xu relaxed and opened the door. There stood a boy, one big and one small, outside. The little boy who had shown the way in the morning looked over with a smile, and then was patted on the back of the head by the woman.

"I live in the house on the right. My husband's surname is Fang and my maiden's surname is Dong. This is my son, Fang Zijun." Dong Wanwan brought the basket in her hand to the front. "I heard that you bought candied haws for my son Jun. This child is ignorant. I'm sorry for your expense. This jar of pickles is made by me. You can try it. Don't be disgusted."

"How can I be so embarrassed? My name is Tang Xu." Tang Xu was not good at dealing with this kind of situation. Refusing seemed like she was disgusted. If she didn't refuse, she would have bought the candied haws voluntarily. "This, a string of candied haws is not worth much. Your brother Jun also showed me the way."

"Ms. Tang, don't be polite, take it and eat it." Dong Wanwan smiled and stuffed the pickle jar into her hand. "The cloth shop doesn't need anyone to show you the way, it's just because you just arrived. Otherwise, even if no one showed you the way, you would have seen it as soon as you got out of the alley." But she was still a little confused. Logically, you should know the location of the cloth shop as long as you have been out of the door. How could she know that people used to climb over the back wall to get out.

"Those candied haws were obtained thanks to the enthusiasm of your brother Jun." Tang Xu couldn't refuse. "Thank you very much. It just so happens that I like this kind of food. I am grateful to Jun for this."

Dong Wanwan was very happy to hear this. As a parent, what child doesn't like to be praised by others? She said happily: "If you don't mind, just call me Sister Wan. You just arrived and don't know many places. If you have any questions, just come to my house and ask." Then she said goodbye and prepared to go back.

Fang Zijun stretched his head and asked, "Is that my brother?"

Tang Xu turned around and saw Ye Qiyue who was busy playing with toys, and said with a smile: "Yes, I have a younger brother named Ye Qiyue."

"Tell your brother to come out and play. I'll take him out to play! I'm the boss in this area! I'll take care of... Ouch... Mom! Why did you hit me!" Fang Zijun was patting his chest, feeling very heroic, but he was slapped and knocked crooked.

"What kind of boss are you? A bragging boss!" Dong Wanwan poked him with her finger again and said to Tang Xu, "Although my child likes to brag, there is no problem with him taking your child to play. He will keep him safe and no one will bully him." While educating the child, Dong Wanwan looked into the room again. This Miss Tang didn't look like she was married, but she had a child. They were said to be siblings but had different surnames. It was really strange.

Tang Xu didn't notice her looking at him, he just smiled and said to Fang Zijun: "My son July has a foot injury, so it's not convenient for him during this period. I will definitely come to play with you when he gets better."

"Oh, is that so?" Fang Zijun was a little disappointed. He glanced inside the room and suddenly shouted, "Qiyue, you better get well soon, and then come play with me."

"Ouch!" Dong Wanwan slapped him again, "This crazy kid scared me."

Tang Xu was also startled and laughed out loud. He stretched out his hand to stop him, "Stop hitting him, stop hitting him. Jun Ge'er is lively and has a very likable personality."

"I'm just a person who likes to show off. Sorry for making fun of me. We'll go home first. We'll be making dinner soon. We won't disturb you." After Dong Wanwan said this, she grabbed Fang Zijun's ear and carried the child back.

Tang Xu opened the jar, and a sour smell hit her face. There was white radish inside, which smelled pretty good. She happily put it in the kitchen, and then filled a basin with water to clean every place in the house. The original owner had not thought about this before, and did not clean anywhere except the bedroom.

Although I was exhausted and sweaty, I still found some useful things, such as a bamboo mat, which I washed and spread in the yard so that July could sit on it and play.

While brushing the bamboo mat, he suddenly heard a whistle. Looking back, he saw that it was Qiyue blowing mud. He seemed to be frightened. He didn't expect the sound to be so loud. His eyes were wide open, his mouth was pursed, and he stared at Tang Xu closely, as if he was afraid that she would suddenly attack him.

Tang Xu smiled and said, "It's so loud. Is it fun?"

Ye Qiyue's tense body slowly relaxed and she nodded slightly.

Tang Xu heard that this kind of whistle can be filled with water and can make bird sounds. She poured some water into it and said, "Blow it twice more and it will make bird sounds."

This time, Ye Qiyue blew twice gently, the sound was as clear as a bird's song, and he looked at Tang Xu with bright eyes.

"sounds so good!"

After comforting July, the mat was brushed and hung on bamboo poles in the yard to dry.

I just cleaned it up and looked around. This yard has a front and a back. The front is about 40 to 50 square meters. A kitchen and a woodshed are built next to the main house. The main house has five rooms, one of which is a bedroom, and the other three are empty. The backyard is only half the size of the front yard, and a toilet is built there. Tang Xu thought that she could grow some vegetables in the backyard, which would definitely be enough for the two of them.

After I cleaned up and was about to make dinner, there was another knock on the door.

It turned out to be another neighbor, Zhao Yunniang's mother, a woman with a gentle smile and a bulging belly. She came over with a few hot steamed buns and also came to thank her for the candied haws. Tang Xu was afraid of touching her belly, so he didn't dare to refuse.

I closed the door and felt secretly happy. Dinner was ready. I would stir-fry some carrots and shredded pork, put them in a steamed bun, and have some egg and vegetable soup. Perfect!

It was perfect indeed. Both the adult and the child were very full.

Although I was full, I still had to take the medicine. Fortunately, July was not resistant to the bitter medicine and drank it in small sips as if she couldn't taste it.