Read Novel Full Chapter 236: Sharing a room
Chapter 236: Sharing a room
There are too many scammers these days, but when the elderly get hurt in the head. They can’t get over it if she doesn’t see a doctor.
Jiang Ning carefully examined Grandma Zhong. She had a persistent cough due to a lung infection, along with some symptoms from a previous concussion. Besides these, there weren’t any major issues.
Her mood wasn’t optimistic; she constantly felt that death was approaching.
However, a lung infection wasn’t a minor issue, especially considering her weakened immune system, which could easily lead to pneumonia if left untreated for too long.
“Grandma, you don’t have any major health problems. Just take some cough suppressants and expectorants, and your concussion will improve with time.”
Grandma Zhong wasn’t hopeful. She sent her daughter-in-law out and held Jiang Ning’s hand, asking, “Little Jiang, be honest with me. How much time do I have left?”
It was too difficult. The Zhong family had finally saved up some food over the past two years, but now it was almost depleted due to treating her illness.
Every day she lingered was like sucking the blood out of her children and grandchildren.
If they ran out of resources, how would the Zhong family survive?
“Grandma, I’m not lying. You really don’t have any major issues. It’s just that the concussion requires prolonged rest.”
Jiang Ning comforted her, “A good mood is better than any medicine; you’ll get better.”
Since she was already there, she decided to give Grandma Zhong some acupuncture.
At the same time, Jiang Ning called Zhong’s mother over and taught her how to massage certain acupressure points. “These points can help alleviate headaches and dizziness. Press them whenever you have time; it’ll be beneficial for recovery.”
Surprisingly, after acupuncture and massage, Grandma Zhong felt much better.
Knowing that the Zhong family was financially tight, Jiang Ning refrained from prescribing expensive medicines. “Make a decoction with loquat leaves; it’s good for suppressing coughs. I don’t recommend other medications.”
Jiang Ning looked at the tent, “Grandma, are all four of you squeezed into one tent?”
“Where else can we fit?” Granny Zhong sighed, “Two buildings collapsed in the research building, and all the remaining people are crammed into one office. Zhong Ping and his son still have their workstations, and at night, Zhong Ping’s wife sleeps on the workstation, while the father and son come back to accompany me.”
Alas, she was burdening the younger generation.
The harsh environment was not conducive to recovery. Jiang Ning frowned slightly, “How about I help you find a house?”
Grandma Zhong shook her head, “Where would we find a house? We’ve searched everywhere nearby. If it’s too far, it’s not safe for Zhong Ping and his son to commute. The environment here may not be great, but at least there are security personnel around; it’s not too dangerous.”
Living here, at least they could see each other every day.
If they lived too far away, she might pass away one day without her children and grandchildren by her side.
The meaning of life varies for everyone.
Jiang Ning didn’t insist, sat for a while, then got up to leave.
Zhong’s mother warmly invited her, “I’ve made some sweet potatoes and dried potatoes. Why don’t you eat before you go?”
“No, we have other matters to attend to.”
After saying goodbye, Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen left and rode again the scooter.
Mother Zhong brought in the brewed medicine, “Mom, should you drink this medicine?”
“Of course, you’ve already spent money on it.”
Alas, these three fools were never thrifty. They even helped count money when they were being cheated.
If she died, what would happen to these naive ones?
Zhong’s mother came in and sat beside her mother-in-law, but there were some things under the blanket, and she almost spilled the medicine.
Grandma Zhong tried to sit up, “What’s wrong?”
Mother Zhong’s lifted the thin blanket, revealing a bottle of cough syrup, a box of antibiotics, and two sticks of Gastrodia elata. (Chinese medicinal herb).
Grandma Zhong reacted quickly, “Little Jiang has already taken care of us enough. We can’t accept these expensive things. Quickly, hide them and chase her out.”
But Mother Zhong sat still, “Mom, you’re sick; you need these medicines.”
“They don’t owe us anything, and we can’t afford to pay them back.”
“Since Jiang Ning has brought it out, she doesn’t lack these things, but for you, it’s a lifesaver.”
No matter what Mother Zhong said, she didn’t agree. “We, the Zhong family, have noted her kindness, and we will repay it when the opportunity arises.”
Afraid of upsetting the elderly, she added, “We still have a jar of pickled fish at home. Shall we give it to her?”
If you ask yourself, who wouldn’t want to live? Especially Grandma Zhong, who couldn’t rest assured about her three blocks of wood (her children and grandchildren).
She sighed deeply. “Alright, you go find something to cover the jar and don’t let anyone discover it.”
Mother Zhong took a piece of cloth, wrapped the jar, and stuffed it into her backpack, then hurriedly went after Jiang Ning.
But where was the shadow of the little scooter?
…
Seeing the points system, He Tianming’s heart sank halfway.
On the way back, the two discussed. Due to the early warning of the earthquake, most survivors had survived. This was a great thing, but resources were limited, which meant the living conditions would become more severe.
Yang Weimin was anxious, “Old He, Aoyuan risked their own safety to give up three buildings as refugee resettlement houses. They only exchanging for 5000 points. The earthquake reward for early warning last time was 2000 points, and organizing earthquake rescue teams was 3000 points. This was all you fought for actively. Together, it’s just enough to exchange for two sets of houses. There are over 100 people in our community. What should we do?”
He Tianming thought carefully, “If we relocate, it’s definitely impossible to live as comfortably as in Aoyuan. We must prepare for tough times. We can’t decide for the members; we need to see their willingness before making plans.”
With no one else present, Yang Weimin went straight to the point, “Old He, are you moving?”
“I’m planning to. What about you?”
“In any case, I have to move.” Even if not for himself, he had to consider his son.
Although the Aoyuan members had some skills, they were just ordinary people in the apocalypse. It was unrealistic for each household to buy a house, but there might be some hope in pooling resources.
Yang Weimin was surprised, “Pooling resources?”
This was a good idea. If each household saved up 2500 points and contributed 250 kilograms of grain, there might be a chance to get a house.
“Old He, our two families know each other well; we can pool resources together.”
With time pressing, they immediately called a meeting of community members downstairs when they returned to the neighborhood.
He Tianming tried to reach out to Huo Yishen with a walkie-talkie, but there was no response for a long time. He must have gone out.
With only Huo Yishen and Jiang Ning missing, Yang Weimin couldn’t make up his mind. “Should we wait for them to come back?”
He Tianming also wanted to wait, but at the same time, he knew clearly in his heart that the two of them had their abilities and connections. Living in two houses was already a compromise, let alone pooling resources.
Time was points, and some quick responders had already started scavenging, searching for stainless steel doors, door frames, and knocking down concrete walls to find reinforcement bars.
The two might not return for days.
“No, let’s not wait. Let’s first gather opinions from the members, and I’ll talk to them later.”
So, representatives from each household gathered at the sales office.
“What? Are they crazy? It takes 5000 points and 500 kilograms of grain to buy a house, and it still doesn’t have a living room or a toilet?”
“Pooling resources? How is that possible? We already find our own homes too narrow; squeezing the whole family into one room, we can’t even stretch our legs.”
“500 kilograms of grain? Doubling sweet potatoes and potatoes, isn’t that 1000 kilograms!”
Upon hearing the news, each household exploded in dissatisfaction, expressing their grievances one after another.
He Tianming remained silent. He let them vent their pent-up emotions…
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