A century of poverty

Chapter 107 When all seems lost, a glimmer of hope appears.

As I hung things out to dry, I also scooped up the water that had seeped into the ground. By the afternoon, there was no more standing water inside the house.

The air was damp, and the things that were drying wouldn't come to a dry finish.

This flood has served as a wake-up call for me; the rainy season is here, and we need to move out of this house.

I carried my child and walked street after street under the blazing sun, knocking on doors and asking around whenever I saw a tall, brightly lit house. But either the house was occupied or it wasn't for rent.

I told Zhiqiang, "When you go out to get your injection, ask around and find a house that doesn't have a cellar. We'll move there. We can't live here anymore."

A few days later, Zhiqiang returned and said, "Xiao Yang's family has a room for rent that doesn't have running water. We can move there!"

We went to check it out. There were three rooms in Beijing. The two rooms on the east side were where Sister Yang's family of three lived. The room on the west side was for rent, but the location didn't allow for water access.

This was yet another hasty decision.

Zhiqiang found the tricycle that had helped us move last time and moved it from the Li family's house to the Yang family's house.

The room was divided into two rooms, one facing north and one facing south. After the furniture was placed in it, it was cramped and narrow. There was also a garage with windows on the ground outside the window, which blocked the windows and prevented ventilation.

There was a window about one square meter in size on the back wall of the back room. We put the two borrowed iron beds together in the back room.

The cooking utensils were placed next to the passageway leading into our house.

I spread all the cardboard on the bed, but it was still uneven. The joint between the two sheets was always high and hard, making my back stick out. My back is already bad, so I had no choice but to bear it. Zhiqiang felt the same way; we both understood each other without saying a word.

The back room was stuffy and suffocating. I got up and opened the back window, but a stench hit me, so I had to close it again. The toilet was just a meter away from the window; it's all my fault for not checking carefully when I was looking for the room.

It seems the weather is conspiring against us, with continuous high temperatures of 29°C to 31°C, and a temperature difference of only two degrees between day and night. During the day, I sit on the edge of the bed, holding my child, and look out the back window at the cicadas chirping incessantly in the trees; the hotter it gets, the louder they chirp.

My child was irritable from the heat, so I filled a large basin with water outside and bathed him in it to cool him down, doing this several times a day to cope with the heat.

The child was too hot to sleep at night, and I kept fanning him, but it didn't help.

I felt heartbroken and guilty for not being able to provide him with a good living environment, and for him to suffer with us at such a young age.

Zhiqiang lay down and sat up repeatedly, not getting a single hour of sleep all night.

The daytime heat is unbearable.

In the afternoon, Zhiqiang came up with a good idea. He said, "This afternoon, let's take blankets and the child to the poplar grove by the river. It'll be cool and breezy there. We can coax the child until he gets sleepy, and maybe we can even take a nap!"

That's a good idea, I agree.

I put the child in the back of the bicycle, pushed the bike, and Zhiqiang held an umbrella as we walked towards the river.

In the distance, the leaves of the tall poplar trees rustled and shimmered—that was the wind! We saw a glimmer of hope for coolness.

Beneath the poplar trees, there were simple huts built along the riverbank. We walked along the winding path into the woods. In front of the huts, an old woman dressed in traditional black clothing stared at us with hostility until we were out of sight.

We finally found a patch of dry, white soil. We spread out a blanket and put the child on it. The child played excitedly, not sleepy at all.

As we breathe in the fresh air and gaze into the distance, we feel instantly relaxed, forgetting all our worries.

We'll come again tomorrow afternoon after the injection.

So the following afternoon, we returned to the poplar grove by the river via the same route. Unfortunately, this time, as we approached the grove, we encountered the strange old woman from the previous day.

As we approached, she raised a broom and swatted at a flock of chickens resting in the shade, yelling, "These bastards, why aren't they leaving this place!"

Hearing that, my heart felt as if it had been struck by two heavy hammers, sinking painfully to the brink of despair. In our dire straits, we sought refuge and comfort by the deserted riverbank, only to be met with unwarranted insults and ostracism.

What bad luck have we had? Have we really reached the end of our rope?!

Pretending not to hear, we continued deeper into the woods. Reaching the spot where we'd stayed yesterday, we spread out a blanket and put the child on it. The two adults were completely different from yesterday, and the child was affected as well; we didn't play for long before heading home.

When you reach the end of the watercourse, sit and watch the clouds rise.

It was midday, and the heat was unbearable. Sister Yang called to us, "Qinglian! Come on, take the children to this room for a while, it's cool here."

I took the children to the east room where they were staying, and it was indeed cool.

This house also has windows at the front and back, with no garage in the front and no toilet in the back. The windows are open, allowing for cross-ventilation.

The north-facing kang (heated brick bed) was covered with a linoleum, and a mattress was laid on top of the linoleum. Sister Yang sat on it.

Sister Yang patted the mattress: "Come on, put the child here to play for a while."

Me: "Is that okay? What if you wet the mattress?"

Sister Yang: "It's alright. Everyone has seen a baby pee. My son Cao Jun hasn't peed for years."

I put the child down and sat on the mattress. Cao Jun came over, gave the toys to Su Long, and played with him.

Sister Yang asked, "What's wrong with Zhiqiang? It's been so long and he's still not better?"

I replied, "Pleurisy, tuberculous. Tuberculosis bacteria are hard to eliminate. If it were just inflammation, it would have healed long ago."

Sister Yang: "That's right! I know about this disease. When your brother-in-law ran a restaurant in Anshan, one of his neighbors had it, and he was cured at the Qianshan Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment Center. If you're worried, you should take him there to get checked out!"

I listened attentively: "Oh! Okay, once this dog days are over, I'll take him there to have a look."

After chatting for a while, Sister Yang led me to visit the central hall. Against the east wall stood a large "Sanwu" brand sofa, with a coffee table in front of it. North of the sofa was a large stove, and to the north was the kitchen, fully equipped with cooking utensils.

Behind the partition between the front door and the washroom is the washroom.

I praised, "That's really great. Your family's conditions are top-notch even by our standards."

Sister Yang: "Your brother-in-law has been running a restaurant for the past few years and has made some money, but it's far less than what your eldest sister-in-law makes."

I said, "That's too modest."

Sister Yang: "I'm not being modest, it's true."

The next day, as I was making breakfast, Sister Yang brought over some treats in a small bowl: "Have some for Su Long to try. This is what Cao Jun's father brought back for Cao Jun last night!"

Me: "No need, no need, leave it for Cao Jun to eat. Su Long is still young and can't eat anything."

Sister Yang: "It's been over a year since my birthday, so I can eat something now. I'll eat a variety of things."

Cao Jun would often come over to play with Su Long, taking him to the neighbor's yard to catch dragonflies. Eighteen-month-old Su Long would toddle behind Cao Jun. Cao Jun would catch a dragonfly, pinch its wings, and hand it to Su Long, telling him, "Here you go." Su Long would imitate Cao Jun and pinch the dragonfly's wings.

The dragonfly's head swiveled wildly, its large eyes gleaming. Two jagged teeth bit Su Long's fingers; he grinned, but didn't let go, continuing to follow behind Cao Jun.

I followed a few steps away. After all, they were both children; Su Long had just learned to walk and couldn't speak much yet.

There was a shallow patch of water with reeds in the low-lying area of ​​the neighbor's yard. He saw Cao's army walking on the exposed ground and knew not to step into the water. I was relieved.

The hottest period of summer begins with the start of autumn. After the start of autumn, the heat will no longer be a problem.

When I was wearing long sleeves and trousers, I discussed with Zhiqiang, "Let's go to Qianshan Hospital to see a doctor for you," and Zhiqiang agreed.

I went to Sister Yinhuan's house alone to discuss with her: "Second Sister, I'm taking Zhiqiang to Qianshan for medical treatment tomorrow and we'll be back the same day. I'll leave the child at your house for a day, can you take care of him for me? Bring me all the food and drinks, okay?"

The second sister said slowly and deliberately, "I can't take you. You'll have to find someone else!"

I said, "The child is very well-behaved, doesn't cry or fuss, and understands what I say. He came back this afternoon."

Second sister: "That won't do either, don't send it to me."

Me: "Second sister, you know my situation. We live close by, and it's not worth sending anyone else to help me out once."

Second sister: "It's no use saying anything, I'm not going to bring it for you."

It was only then that I realized she was hard-hearted and wouldn't change her mind no matter what I said. "Alright then, I'm leaving." I turned and left.

I didn't expect her to be home every day. I thought it would be a sure thing, but I was met with a firm rejection.

When I got home, I said to Zhiqiang, "We can't go to Qianshan tomorrow, there's no one to take care of the kids."

In the central hall, Sister Yang said, "Those of you who should go, leave the children at home with me, I'll look after them."

I said happily, "I'm so sorry, I've caused you so much trouble by coming here."

Sister Yang: "That's no trouble at all. I don't go anywhere. I stay home every day."

After a two-hour train ride, we took a bus and got off at the "Qianshan Tuberculosis Treatment Center" outside the "Qianhualianshan" scenic area.

After getting off the bus, I stood across the road and looked at the treatment center on the hillside in the distance. It was quiet and deserted.

What's going on? We crossed the street and went up the steps. When we got to the building, no one was coming in or out. We went to the window and peered inside, but there was no one there.

Not wanting to leave empty-handed, we lingered in front of the building. Just then, someone walked by. I quickly went up to them and asked, "Hello, we're here for a medical appointment. Why is no one here?"

The person who came replied, "They moved away."

I asked again, "Where did you move to?"

The newcomer said, "I don't know. I'm new here. I heard they moved everything out six months ago."

We were disappointed to find nothing. Returning to where we got off the bus, we stood under a tree, gazing at the buildings with a sigh: We'd come all this way, it wasn't easy, and we left the kids at home. We couldn't even get medical treatment. We couldn't even go in from outside the scenic area, simply because it wasn't the right time.

We returned the way we came and arrived home early in the afternoon.

Upon returning, Zhiqiang spent another week receiving intravenous drips at the village clinic.

I went to the hospital again for a chest X-ray. The doctor said, "The fluid buildup is less than before. You've had acupuncture for six months; take a break for a few days and take care of yourself. Come back for a check-up in a while."

No more injections needed. Zhiqiang rode his bicycle, looking around. If he could afford it, he bought some of his favorite foods to take home.

After the National Day holiday, I went to the hospital for a check-up. The fluid buildup was gone, and I felt much better.

Zhiqiang: "It's alright. I'll go check out the old boiler room I used to work at, and report back. I'll be working on the boiler in the winter."

When I inquired at the "Natural Gas Company," the boiler foreman was still the same person, who readily agreed: "We haven't filled all the positions yet. You can come over in a few days when the boiler is being inspected."