Chapter 29: 29, The tragedy of the times

When Ren Xiaosu learned that the officer’s name was Wang Congyang, his heart stirred with alarm; he feared this man would cling to him relentlessly.

At dawn, Ren Xiaosu opened the door to find Wang Fenggui sweeping the general store with a broom. Upon seeing Ren Xiaosu, Wang Fenggui set down the broom and approached, lowering his voice to ask, “What happened last night?”

“Nothing,” Ren Xiaosu shook his head. “The private soldiers within the stronghold still suspect me and conducted another search.”

“Bah,” Wang Fenggui muttered indignantly. “They treat us refugees like thieves every day. I told them it was Old Luo’s people, yet they still dare to search again.”

“Enough, enough, stop the act,” Ren Xiaosu said, glancing at Wang Fenggui in exasperation. “Why do you take offense for me?”

Wang Fenggui laughed. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’ve already sent the new anesthetic in.”

At that moment, a man rushed in from outside, his arm bleeding. Though still far from the clinic, he shouted, “Doctor! Save me!”

Perhaps the blood loss had frightened him, but Ren Xiaosu saw at a glance that the wound was nothing serious.

In the settlement, if it wasn’t life-threatening, it wasn’t considered a big deal.

Ren Xiaosu glanced at him. “Come in. Your wound isn’t severe—you won’t die. How did you get injured?”

“I was on my way to the factory, but realized I’d forgotten something and turned back. I found someone stealing from my tent, tried to catch them, and they stabbed me,” the man explained. “Doctor, is it really not serious? I’ve lost so much blood.”

“It’s nothing,” Ren Xiaosu said calmly.

Relieved to hear he wouldn’t die, the man relaxed slightly. Ren Xiaosu studied the wound again, pondering whether to use his newly acquired anesthetic.

Ren Xiaosu looked at the man and said, “We have anesthetic here. Once administered, treating the wound won’t hurt at all.”

“Really?” the man paused. “Does it cost money?”

“Of course,” Ren Xiaosu replied irritably. “Would I give you such expensive medicine for free? Look at your wound—it’s at least four inches long. Stitching it inch by inch, you’d be in agony.”

Ren Xiaosu spoke the truth. The wound was too long; the anesthetic would have to be applied carefully, or the dosage wouldn’t hold.

Thus, he genuinely worried the man might not endure the pain.

At that moment, Xiao Yu Jie emerged with an iron tray holding a syringe and a small vial of anesthetic. The syringe was from the old clinic.

Medical conditions were limited—there were no disposable needles. Each use required thorough sterilization. Logically, this was improper, but what could Ren Xiaosu do?

He could only sterilize meticulously, such as holding the needle over the fire longer…

This time, Xiao Yu Jie waited until the needle cooled before preparing to administer it. But just as she was about to, she hesitated. “Xiaosu, do we inject the anesthetic outside the wound or inside it?”

They had never used this anesthetic before, so Xiao Yu Jie was uncertain—would injecting it directly into the wound make it work faster?

Ren Xiaosu was equally stumped. “I don’t know either.”

The man listening nearby nearly urinated. “So you’ve never administered anesthetic? Do you even know how to treat wounds…”

He had heard of Ren Xiaosu’s skill in treating external injuries, and with Ren Xiaosu’s reputation soaring in the settlement, he had come to the clinic first.

But now it seemed that wasn’t the case!

“Where exactly do we inject, Xiaosu?” Xiao Yu Jie urged.

Ren Xiaosu studied the patient’s complexion, then mused, “Let’s inject into the leg. That way, he won’t run off later.”

The patient: “???”

……

“Mission Complete: Reward 1.0 Strength.”

“Mission: Treat 20 Patients.”

Though Ren Xiaosu completed the third consecutive task of treating ten patients that day, his gratitude coins dropped from ten to eight—many people, even after being healed, lacked the integrity to show thanks.

Yet Ren Xiaosu felt his life had become exceptionally fulfilling.

He treated patients by day, substituted classes in the afternoon, and in the evenings, chatted in the courtyard with Xiao Yu Jie and Yan Liuyuan. He had dug up the courtyard soil, preparing to plant vegetables. One of his greatest wishes had always been to have a courtyard where he could grow scallions, garlic sprouts, and greens.

Now, Ren Xiaosu felt his strength had nearly doubled that of a normal adult male, his muscles growing firmer.

Ren Xiaosu asked the palace in his mind, “What are my current strength and agility stats?”

The palace replied, “Strength 5.5, Agility 4.1.”

Ren Xiaosu remained silent. For now, his attributes seemed balanced—he probably wouldn’t suddenly turn into a muscle man.

Yan Liuyuan suddenly asked, “Brother, why don’t you treat all those patients? That’s money.”

Ren Xiaosu glanced at him. “I won’t treat them.”

“The previous doctor wouldn’t treat them either, but they still got treated,” Yan Liuyuan mused, pressing further.

“We can’t follow his example,” Ren Xiaosu explained. “Look at his fate—when he got into trouble, did anyone help him? One must have principles.”

“But if we get into trouble, no one might help us either,” Yan Liuyuan muttered quietly. “They won’t help us. In this age, many people wish us harm.”

Ren Xiaosu met Yan Liuyuan’s gaze. He knew the boy was young, still forming his worldview, and his environment destined him to absorb too much malice.

Ren Xiaosu admitted Yan Liuyuan was right—this era made everyone selfish, and even harboring ill intent seemed justified. But Ren Xiaosu had to make Yan Liuyuan understand: others were others, and they were themselves.

“Remember this, Liuyuan,” Ren Xiaosu said solemnly. “Don’t let the era’s sorrow become your own.”

Yan Liuyuan fell into thought, while Xiao Yu Jie watched the brothers with bright, shining eyes. Suddenly, she felt that as long as Ren Xiaosu stayed by Yan Liuyuan’s side, he would never stray.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Someone exclaimed, “The band is back! Weren’t they supposed to go to Block 112? Why are they here?”

“Yes, and the man who was guiding them is gone!”

Ren Xiaosu looked up, remembering the girl in the duck-tongue cap whose firearms skills were flawless.

……

Thanks to NATO team leader Baili Jieliao and student Bararay for becoming the new book ally, thanks to these familiar IDs returning here, thanks for the support.