Chapter 12: Little One’s High Fever Subsides, Begins Calling Me Mom

On the third day of training at the county research station, Su Yao followed Lin Mei into the workshop to measure parts. Outside, the rain had been falling all day. Her hand holding the pencil felt cold, her heart uneasy, as if something was about to happen.

“What’s wrong, Su Yao?” Lin Mei noticed her distraction. “Did you measure the wrong size?”

“No, it’s nothing.” Su Yao wiped off the markings and remeasured. “I’m just a little worried about the children.”

The training required her to stay at the station, so she entrusted her three children to Widow Wang. Before leaving, Lu Xingchen patted his chest, promising to take good care of his younger siblings. Thinking of this, she felt slightly reassured.

Just after dinner, a loud pounding came at the dormitory door. Su Yao opened it to find Lu Yuxuan drenched, mud splashed up his pant legs, his worn shoes torn with blood seeping from his toes.

“Brother... brother has a fever... a bad fever...” Lu Yuxuan gasped for breath, his face pale as death.

Su Yao’s mind went blank with a buzzing sound. The enamel bowl she held clattered to the floor, porridge spilling everywhere. Grabbing Lu Yuxuan’s arm, she asked urgently, “When did it start? Have you called a doctor?”

“It was fine this morning... by noon he said he felt cold...” Tears mixed with the rain on Lu Yuxuan’s face. “Grandma Wang called the barefoot doctor, but he said there’s nothing he can do...”

“I’m going back right now!” Su Yao grabbed her coat and dashed out. Lin Mei called after her, “I’ll ask Professor Zhang to send a vehicle!”

The rain grew heavier, stinging her face. Su Yao and Lin Mei ran toward the garage, mud splashing everywhere. Professor Zhang was already waiting, pointing to a three-wheeled motorcycle. “The keys are on it. Be careful on the road!”

“Thank you, Professor!” Su Yao climbed on, holding back Lu Yuxuan who wanted to come along. “Your foot is bleeding. Stay in the dormitory.”

“I want to go with Mom!” Lu Yuxuan grabbed the handlebars. “I’m not afraid of being tired.”

Su Yao’s heart ached as she stroked his head. “Be good.” She started the motorcycle, wheels splashing water half a meter high.

Through the rain curtain, the muddy country road stretched out, the headlights lighting only two meters ahead. Su Yao’s palms were sweaty as she gripped the handlebars. Since childhood, Lu Xingchen had been frail; last time he caught a cold after being soaked in rain and coughed for half a month. With such a heavy rain this time, what if the fever worsened?

She didn’t dare to think about it. She pressed the throttle harder. The motorcycle bounced over the potholes. Her bones ached but she didn’t feel the pain, only one thought in her mind: faster, faster.

Passing the commune, she turned toward the clinic to buy fever medicine. The doctor, hearing the child’s high fever, gave extra penicillin shots. “If the fever doesn’t come down, give these. Remember to do an allergy test first.”

The rain showed no sign of letting up, thunder rumbling dully. Su Yao tucked the medicine close to her chest, afraid it would get wet. Crossing a stone bridge, the motorcycle slipped, and she fell with the bike into a roadside mud ditch.

Her elbow hit a rock, the sharp pain making her gasp. She had no time to check herself, struggling to get up and steady the bike. The chain had come off. Squatting in the mud, she fumbled to put it back on. Her fingers were scraped raw and bloody by the chain, the mud mixing with the blood stinging her eyes.

After a frustrating ten minutes, the chain was fixed. Mounting the bike again, she realized the headlight was out. She had to rely on occasional lightning to guide her through the pitch-dark, rainy night.

Two miles from the village, she saw a blurry figure holding a lantern at the entrance. As she got closer, it was Widow Wang, soaked through in a raincoat.

“Su, you’re back!” Widow Wang’s voice cracked with tears. “Xingchen’s burning up, talking nonsense…”

Su Yao jumped off the bike and ran to Widow Wang’s house. Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan huddled by the stove. When they saw her enter, Lu Shihan burst into tears, “Mom! Brother isn’t talking!”

On the coarse cloth-covered kang bed, Lu Xingchen lay with a flushed face, deep red and blotchy, lips tinged blue and purple, breathing rapidly like a bellows. Su Yao touched his forehead—scorching hot, far worse than his last fever.

“What did the doctor say?” Su Yao took off her raincoat and prepared the medicine.

“Dr. Li came by. He said it’s wind-cold invading the body and gave fever medicine, but the child vomited both times,” Widow Wang wiped her tears. “This kid’s stubborn. He hasn’t cried even with such a fever, just kept saying he was waiting for you.”

Su Yao’s heart felt stabbed by needles. She gently picked up Lu Xingchen, his burning body trembling. She recalled the spiritual spring water stored in her system space. Excusing herself to fetch water, she mixed it with warm water and fed it to him with a small spoon.

“Xingchen, drink some water...” Her voice trembled, tears falling onto his face.

Lu Xingchen, dazed, opened his mouth but coughed after a few sips. Su Yao’s tears spilled in desperation. Widow Wang comforted her, “Don’t rush, take it slow.”

She poured the spring water onto a towel and applied it to his forehead, palms, and soles. The cool towel eased the child’s furrowed brow somewhat. Su Yao stayed by the kang, changing towels whenever they warmed, wringing out a wetness that was indistinguishable as sweat or tears.

Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan kept watch too. Lu Yuxuan tried to wipe his brother’s cheek with his small hand like Su Yao. Lu Shihan clung to her brother’s clothes, whispering, “Brother, get better soon, I’ll give you candy.”

The rain persisted, thunder growing louder. Looking at Lu Xingchen’s burning face, Su Yao felt a heavy stone pressing her heart. She kept touching his forehead, praying the spring water would help.

At midnight, Lu Xingchen suddenly convulsed, mumbling indistinctly. Su Yao was terrified, her soul shaken. She quickly prepared the penicillin, performing the allergy test as instructed by the doctor. Seeing the small swelling on his arm, her heart leapt into her throat.

“It will be alright, it will be alright...” she muttered repeatedly to rally herself.

The allergy test was negative. Trembling, she gave Lu Xingchen the injection. He whimpered softly as the needle pierced his flesh, and her tears flowed again.

After the injection, she continued applying the spring water to his forehead. Hours passed; the rain lessened, and faint light dawned. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she leaned against the kang, falling asleep.

“Mom...”

A faint call startled her awake. Su Yao shot up. Lu Xingchen opened his eyes, still dazed but clearer than before.

“Xingchen! You’re awake?” Her voice cracked. She felt his forehead—still warm but no longer dangerously hot.

Lu Xingchen blinked, seeing the bloodshot eyes and mud-streaked face of Su Yao. He grabbed her clothes and whispered hoarsely, “Mom... cold...”

That word “Mom” spread warmth through her like a flood. Though close, he had never called her that so naturally before, always with caution.

Su Yao could no longer hold back and pulled him close, tears silently streaming down onto his hair. Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan gathered near her, leaning in.

She hugged all three children, feeling their small warm bodies, silently promising herself: From now on, I am your real mother. No one will ever separate us.

At dawn, Lu Xingchen’s fever broke completely. Resting in Su Yao’s arms, he drank half a bowl of thin porridge with much more spirit.

“Mom, your arm’s bleeding.” He pointed to her elbow, where the wound had scabbed over, still stained with mud.

Su Yao only then felt the pain but smiled, “It’s nothing, just a small injury.”

Widow Wang brought in boiled eggs, her eyes reddened seeing the scene. “It’s good he’s better.” She pressed an egg into Su Yao’s hand. “Let the children have some nourishment.”

Lu Xingchen handed an egg back to Su Yao. “Mom, you eat.”

“You eat, Mom’s not hungry.” Su Yao returned it to him.

“If you don’t eat, neither do I.” Lu Xingchen pouted, determination in his eyes.

Su Yao’s heart warmed. She peeled the egg and broke it in half, giving him one piece. “We’ll eat together.”

Lu Xingchen nibbled carefully. Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan also took eggs and imitated their brother by sharing half with Su Yao.

Seeing her three sensible children, Su Yao felt her heart overflow—every hardship was worth it.

That morning, Lu Zhanye arrived in light rain. He stood at the door, looking at the warm scene inside, his gaze softening.

“I heard the child was sick, came to check.” He placed a cloth bag on the table containing several packs of milk powder and fruit candies. “The correspondent brought these from the city. For the children.”

“You’ve gone to so much trouble,” Su Yao felt embarrassed.

“It’s my duty.” Lu Zhanye looked at Lu Xingchen. “Feeling better?”

Lu Xingchen nodded quietly. “Thank you, uncle.”

“You’re welcome.” Lu Zhanye’s eyes fell on Su Yao’s arm. “Injured?”

“It’s nothing, I fell yesterday.” Su Yao was shy.

Without a word, Lu Zhanye took a small medical kit from his bag, pulling out iodine and gauze. “Let me clean that, don’t want it to get infected.”

His movements were practiced, as if he often did this. Su Yao watched him carefully tend the wound, his touch gentle and unlike a soldier. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting soft shadows on his face, his long lashes fluttering.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

“No.” Su Yao’s heart raced. She quickly looked away.

Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan watched curiously. Lu Shihan whispered, “Uncle is like Mommy, knows how to bandage.”

Lu Zhanye paused, a faint smile touching his lips.

When the wound was done, Lu Zhanye packed up his kit. “I have business at the commune. I’ll come pick you up this afternoon to take you to the county. Need to check Yuxuan’s foot.”

“No need to trouble yourself, it’ll heal in a few days.”

“You can’t take a chance with a foot injury,” Lu Zhanye said firmly. “I’ll come this afternoon.” Then he left.

Watching his figure disappear into the rain, Su Yao’s heart felt unsettled. This silent man always appeared when she needed him most, like a dependable mountain.

That afternoon, as promised, Lu Zhanye arrived. Su Yao took the three children and rode in his jeep toward the county. Lu Xingchen leaned on her, more lively now, curiously watching the passing scenery.

At the county hospital, the doctor examined Lu Xingchen and said it wasn’t serious, prescribing medication to consolidate his recovery. Then they treated Lu Yuxuan’s foot wound, wrapping it carefully.

“The child is really tough, running ten miles with such a big scrape,” the doctor remarked.

Su Yao stroked Lu Yuxuan’s head, both pained and relieved.

After leaving the hospital, Lu Zhanye drove to the supply and marketing cooperative. “Go inside and buy some things for the children.”

“No, you’ve done too much already,” Su Yao protested.

“Take this.” Lu Zhanye handed her some money and ration tickets. “Buy new clothes for the kids.”

Su Yao couldn’t refuse and accepted them. She took the children inside, buying each a new outfit and two pounds of fruit candies.

On the way back to the village, the rain stopped. The setting sun shone through the clouds, gilding the village in golden light. Lu Zhanye parked at Su Yao’s home and helped unload their things.

“Thank you for everything today,” Su Yao said sincerely.

“Just doing what’s right.” Lu Zhanye looked at Lu Xingchen. “Rest well.”

Lu Xingchen nodded and suddenly said, “Uncle, thank you.”

Lu Zhanye was momentarily taken aback but smiled. “You’re welcome.”

Watching the jeep drive away, Su Yao brought the children inside. Lu Xingchen held his new clothes and quietly said, “Mom, I’ll eat well from now on, so I don’t make you worry with illness.”

“Silly child.” Su Yao hugged him. “Being sick isn’t your fault.”

Lu Shihan held out a candy, unwrapped it, and offered it to Lu Xingchen. “Brother, have some candy, it’s sweet.”

He bit into it and passed the rest to his sister. Lu Yuxuan sat nearby, smiling at his siblings.

Looking at this scene, Su Yao’s heart was warm. She knew there would be storms ahead, but as long as the family was together, there was nothing to fear.

That night, after washing the children and dressing them in their new clothes—Lu Xingchen in blue, Lu Yuxuan in gray, Lu Shihan in pink—the three stood like blooming flowers.

“Mom, do we look nice?” Lu Shihan twirled, her dress swirling.

“Beautiful. Our children are the most beautiful,” Su Yao smiled, tears shining in her eyes.

Late at night, Su Yao lay in bed watching her three sleeping children. Lu Xingchen’s small hand still clutched her clothes, as if holding on to the whole world. She gently stroked his hair, a profound peace filling her heart.

The system panel popped up: [Gained children’s heartfelt recognition. Reward: Child-exclusive vitality enhancement serum, capable of boosting immunity.]

Su Yao looked at the tiny blue bottle, warmth flooding her heart. Carefully, she poured the liquid into the children’s water cups to give them in the morning.

Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing the children’s peaceful faces. Su Yao silently vowed: As long as I’m here, you will grow up healthy and happy.

She closed her eyes, smiling as she drifted to sleep. In her dreams, the three children held her hands and ran beneath the radiant sun, their laughter clear and bright like silver bells.