CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: LOOKS FAMILIAR

"I have it!"

Yi Chichi, who had made some money and grain tickets, cheerfully went back to the room to get a smoked chicken and slapped it into Wu Yongfei’s hand, like a newly rich person overnight, speaking with an irritating expression.

"Xiao Wuzi, show some respect for your chef’s dignity and make sure this chicken meets its worthy end!"

Wu Yongfei, holding the smoked chicken, which seemingly couldn’t rest in peace, was too lazy to care about her and asked Bai Chen and the others, "What do you guys think?"

"Listen to her, but..."

But what?

Yi Chichi’s ears perked up, and then she made eye contact with Bai Chen.

"What?"

"This time, we provide the oil!"

An earnest expression, a resolute tone.

Yi Chichi, "...Alright."

So, Yi Chichi got to enjoy her long-anticipated little (smoked) chicken stewed with mushrooms.

The people at the Youth Corps Courtyard were all enthusiastic when it came to eating. Cooking took nearly two hours, but eating from chopsticks down to empty bowls took less than half an hour.

Cleaning up the dishes and kitchen wasn’t something Yi Chichi had to worry about; Bai Chen and the others took care of it.

At this time, Wen Shi and the others came to deliver the grain tickets, ten pounds of national grain tickets, and ten pounds of military grain tickets.

"Don’t forget to make the medicine."

While handing over the grain tickets, He Yunsong seriously reminded her, looking at her with restrained resentment in his eyes.

Yi Chichi casually replied, "Don’t worry, I have a great memory, definitely won’t forget."

Saying this, she reached out to take the grain tickets He Yunsong handed over.

But he wouldn’t let go.

"What do you mean? Reluctant to give or what?"

With back and forth, she got annoyed, glaring at He Yunsong fervently.

"Hey, your temper isn’t too good."

He Yunsong reluctantly released his grip, unable to help but complain.

Yi Chichi didn’t bother with him, counting the grain tickets while asking Wen Shi, "Why are you even friends with him?"

"Maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly back then."

Wen Shi smoothly replied, and He Yunsong exploded, "You guys mmm mmm mmm..."

A big hand suddenly covered his mouth, Wen Shi ignoring the person struggling to pry his hand away, giving Yi Chichi an awkward yet polite smile.

"We’ll be going now, I’ll give you the address later."

"...Alright, goodbye, take care!"

Yi Chichi watched as Wen Shi dragged away He Yunsong, who was kicking like a mad dog, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, realizing he was actually really strong.

Wen Shi was a delicate beauty with an androgynous appeal, while He Yunsong was a handsome and tall man, larger built than Wen Shi.

Looking at their builds, in any scenario, He Yunsong should overpower Wen Shi.

Yet reality flipped this notion.

He Yunsong was helpless against his strength.

This contrast was simply incredible.

Bai Chen and the others thought so too.

"Mr. Wen not using his strength for work is such a waste!"

Zhou Yunhao looked on enviously, glancing at his arm, not much thicker even under layers of clothing, and couldn’t help but sigh, "If I had his strength, I could earn ten full work points daily."

Yi Chichi, whose work points always stayed around four or five, about the same as a child’s, chose to remain silent.

She didn’t have that ambition, nor did she want full work points; she didn’t rely on work points to eat.

Thinking of this, she turned and went inside.

"Chichi, where are you going?"

"To wash up and sleep, tomorrow I’ll get up to make ointment."

Bai Chen and the others checked the time, realizing it was still nearly ten minutes to six, thinking of sleeping, yet they weren’t sleepy.

Not sleeping...

"How about we chat some more?"

"I won’t, I need to sleep."

Yi Chichi waved off their suggestion, preferring to go to bed early and rise early for a healthy routine.

Waking up would be another wonderful day!

The next morning was sunny, bright yet not warm at all, the sunlight falling on the windows turning the frost into water, slowly dripping off along the window sill.

Leaving wet traces on the cobblestones.

She thought she was up early enough, but Bai Chen and the others were up even earlier.

Turns out, they forgot to feed the stove during the night, so the bed wasn’t warm, and they were frozen awake around five o’clock.

Yi Chichi was immensely grateful that the stove hole in her room was right by the door, making it convenient to add wood.

After breakfast, she tidied up her things and bid farewell to Bai Chen and the others before leaving the Youth Corps Courtyard to go to Uncle Yaozi’s place to make medicine.

"All day long watching you make medicine, yet you never share any with me."

Uncle Yaozi, whom she had roped in to lend a hand, was full of complaints, yet still helped maintain the fire’s intensity without pause.

Yi Chichi chuckled, "You don’t need it."

"What’s this ointment for?"

"Skin moisturizing and callus removal."

Uncle Yaozi blinked, tempted to ask how many recipes she actually knew.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but realizing it might be inappropriate, he swallowed them back and simply said, "By the way, I need to go to the county in two days, you’ll come and watch the place."

"??? I don’t know how to treat illnesses, and there’s no point in watching over."

"For stomach aches or minor issues, just follow the labels on the medicine bags; for major problems, send them to the commune."

Having said that much, it was clear there was no way to refuse.

Yi Chichi had no choice but to agree.

Two days flew by in a blink, and when Uncle Yaozi headed to the county, Yi Chichi arrived early at the medical room, opened up, first lit the stove to warm up the place, and then boiled some hot water to wipe down the medicine cabinet.

Once the cleaning was done, she checked all the medicinal herbs and products as instructed by Uncle Yaozi, ensuring there were no issues before starting her own activities.

Just as she threaded her needle, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

She looked up, and Wen Shi, wearing a military overcoat and a silly fur hat, stepped in. Upon seeing Yi Chichi, he blinked, "...Yi Zhqing, where’s Uncle Yaozi?"

"He went to the county."

Yi Chichi replied succinctly, "Does Mr. Wen need something from Uncle Yaozi?"

"My mom’s not feeling well; I need some painkillers for her."

Medications can’t be taken lightly.

"What exactly is bothering your mom?"

Wen Shi looked a bit confused, "I’m not sure, she won’t say."

Feeling at a loss, Yi Chichi quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, Mr. Wen, the medical room has no painkillers,"

Currently, the pharmaceutical industry isn’t well developed, and it’s tough for many large hospitals to get Western medicines, let alone small places like this medical room.

"If you’re uneasy, you can bring your mom here for me to take a look."

After a pause, she added, "You can also take her to the commune."

Wen Shi glanced at the muddy rural roads outside, pondered for a moment, then asked her, "Can you treat illnesses?"

"No, but I can take a look."

Wen Shi didn’t quite get her, wanted to ask, but Yi Chichi had already put up a barrier against any deep conversation, so he could only helplessly say, "Could you accompany me?"

"Huh?"

"My mom is in pain and has taken to bed."

"Let’s go!"

Yi Chichi’s expression changed, grabbing the medical kit to signal Wen Shi to lead the way.

Then, the two headed towards the Wen Family household.

On the road, they ran into Aunt Ma, and Yi Chichi greeted her, "Aunt, are you out for a walk?"

"Only a fool would come out for a walk in this freezing weather; I’m going to the medical room for some hawthorn slices, Niu Niu’s stomach is bloated and uncomfortable."

"I have some here."

Yi Chichi opened her medical kit and handed over some hawthorn slices. Aunt Ma took them absentmindedly, her gaze falling on the medical kit.

"This thing looks familiar,"

Her brow furrowed, her expression full of suspicion.