Chapter 70 (1/2)

Comforting Treatment

Xia Lei also went to the police station. It was a case of self-defence but the whole incident had to be documented and explained. They had to sort out those who needed to be held responsible, those who needed to be hospitalised and those who needed to be thrown behind bars. These all needed time so by the time Xia Lei walked out of the police station, it was getting late.

Instead of going home, Xia Lei drove to Thunder Horse Workshop.

Thunder Horse Workshop was not closed and the lights were still on. Xia Lei saw Zhou Xiao-Hong cleaning up the rubbish in the workshop when he got out of the car. The rubbish bins by the road were already heaped full of brick rubble, some broken things and broken glass.

Zhou Xiao-Hong held broom and dustpan in her hands, sweeping the floor of the workshop carefully under the lamplight. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong when she was standing still but she limped when she moved.

Xia Lei suddenly recalled that a thug had hit her on the thigh with a metal pipe and began to get worried. He walked quickly into the workshop and asked in concern, “Xiao-Hong, you’ve injured your leg. Why are you still working?”

Zhou Xiao-Hong only realised that Xia Lei had come when he spoke and she hurriedly put down the broom and dustpan. “You’re here, Big Brother Lei. I’m fine… I’ll get some water for you.”

Xia Lei pulled her to a chair and sat her down. “Sit here. I’m not thirsty. You rest and I’ll clean up.”

“How can this do? I should be the one doing these odd jobs,” said Zhou Xiao-Hong

She made to stand up but Xia Lei pressed her down with a finger, laughing as he said, “What dirty jobs have I not done? I was like you. I did whatever dirty job or hard labour just to earn money. Just sit there and Iet me do the cleaning or I’ll get mad at you.”

This seemed to work. Zhou Xiao-Hong listened and sat without moving while looking at Xia Lei clean up.

Zhou Xiao-Hong was actually almost done when Xia Lei had arrived. She had only a few corners left, which Xia Lei cleaned up in ten minutes.

Xia Lei went to Zhou Xiao-Hong’s side and asked in concern, “Have you gone to see the doctor, Xiao-Hong?”

Zhou Xiao-Hong shook her head, “I haven’t. Doctors are expensive in the city…” She laughed in embarrassment, “I can’t bear to spend the money.”

Xia Lei frowned, “You dummy. Is money more important than your health? What if you had a serious injury and didn’t have it treated in time? What will you want money for if you lose your life?”

“For my mother and father’s living expenses. And my brother’s studies.” Zhou Xiao-Hong seemed quite cheerful about it.

“Won’t you care a little more for yourself?”

“I’m fine, Big Brother Lei, I’m really…” At that point, Zhou Xiao-Hong moved and the movement pulled at the leg injury. She was in such pain she couldn’t speak.

Xia Lei asked a little worriedly, “What? Does it hurt a lot?”

Zhou Xiao-Hong was about to deny it but a groan of pain escaped her lips.

“That’s it. I’m taking you to the hospital,” said Xia Lei.

“No, I really… Ah…” Zhou Xiao-Hong seemed to be in even greater pain.

Xia Lei was not going to blather on any more. He looked at Zhou Xiao-Hong’s left thigh and the material of her blue work-clothing disappeared instantly. A plump thigh entered the field of vision of his left eye.

The thigh area of Zhou Xiao-Hong’s upper femur was red and swollen. The skin had split where it had been hit by the metal pipe and the injury was red, obviously inflamed. Xia Lei’s frown deepened at the sight. An injury like this was not dangerous but if left untreated, it could fester and become infected. It could lead to the worst and most dangerous thing too and that was muscle necrosis and tetanus.

“Your injury is so bad and you still say it isn’t?” Xia Lei said accusingly.

“You didn’t… See my injury, so how do you know?” Zhou Xiao-Hong looked curiously at Xia Lei.

Xia Lei then discovered that he had let it slip and followed up with a plausible line, “You look to be in so much pain that I can guess without looking. How about this - it’s late and the outpatient doctors may be done working. I’ll go to the pharmacy and get some hydrogen peroxide and bandages. Oh, and some amoxicillin. You have to take some anti-inflammation medicine.”

Zhou Xiao-Hong’s curiosity increased, “How do you know all these, Big Brother Lei?”

“I learnt it from books, of course. You should read more too when you have the time. Learn something useful. Okay, you wait for me. I’ll go to the nearby pharmacy and buy some medicine for you.” Xia Lei left Thunder Horse Workshop and walked towards the closest pharmacy.

His medical knowledge was from books but it was just some simple information. He had never thought of becoming a doctor and he didn’t have the requirements to do so, so he never delved deeper.

Pharmacies these days sold all sorts of medicines and you could get whatever you need if you paid in cash or swiped your credit card. Xia Lei quickly bought the items he needed but found Zhou XIao-Hong missing when he got back to Thunder Horse Workshop.

Xia Lei went to the doorway of the inner room and asked, “Xiao-Hong, are you in there?”

“Mm… I’m here… You can come in.” Zhou Xiao-Hong’s voice was a little strange.