My Childhood Sweetheart Is a Crazy Beauty
Chapter 151: Second Patient

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Second Patient

"Disease Number Two?"

Tang Chuxia looked at the Clan Uncle in puzzlement.

The Clan Uncle nodded, "Disease Number Two!"

He said excitedly, "Last year, quite a few people here got this disease. It onset rapidly, and before you could get them to the clinic for an IV drip, they were gone."

Tang Jianbing nodded along, "I know about this, it spread like wildfire. People at our factory were talking about it. Later, I heard many people died, and several villages were quarantined before the disease was brought under control!"

Tang Chuxia searched through the original host’s memory but found no record of Disease Number Two. There was certainly no mention of it in the book.

What exactly is Disease Number Two?

She couldn’t help but become curious.

The Clan Uncle was not very eloquent, unable to explain clearly, as they entered the Clan Leader’s courtyard.

Great-grandma heard Tang Chuxia mention Disease Number Two, "Why bring up that scary disease out of nowhere?"

The Clan Uncle spoke sheepishly, "Mother, I just thought of how Uncle and Aunt got sick before they passed, and it was similar to Disease Number Two!"

Great-grandma sighed, "No, your uncle and aunt didn’t have Disease Number Two, it’s not contagious!"

Great-grandma was still quite robust, holding Tang Chuxia’s hand as they entered the house. The table was filled with several large plates of dumplings, stuffed with cabbage and meat, radish and meat.

The old lady was very hospitable, urging them to eat.

Madam Tang and Father Tang showed no restraint, and asked Tang Chuxia and her two brothers to eat as well.

After the meal, Tang Chuxia clung to great-grandma’s arm to inquire about Disease Number Two.

Despite her age, great-grandma had some medical knowledge from her younger days, helping villagers with diagnoses and prescriptions. Later, as she aged, she only focused on being a midwife.

Seeing Tang Chuxia’s genuine interest, she explained, "Disease Number Two! It’s truly deadly!"

In great-grandma’s account, Disease Number Two appeared mysteriously, with no known cause.

Once infected, the fever wouldn’t break, and within a day veins couldn’t be found. Medication and injections were useless. IV drips had some effect, but if you couldn’t find veins, how could you administer them?

No one could last more than a day with vomiting and diarrhea, a fever that wouldn’t retreat, and unable to take any sustenance or IV.

In the end, people wasted away to husks—they simply couldn’t survive.

Listening to the symptoms, Tang Chuxia couldn’t help but recall a trip to a desert region in a past life. There, in a small tribe, if elders knew they were nearing end of life, they’d stop eating or drinking, and after vomiting and eliminating, they’d be buried in sand by families. When exhumed during memorials, they would be uncorrupted.

Could Disease Number Two operate on a similar principle?

Seeing Tang Chuxia silent, great-grandma chuckled and patted Xiaxia’s hand, "It’s rare for you to come back, so let’s not dwell on such ominous topics. Later, accompany your cousin for her bridal viewing!"

Tang Chuxia: "Ah? Bridal viewing?"

Next to her, Madam Tang laughed, "Your great-grandma’s complimenting you. Your cousin Xiuxiu is meeting a suitor later; you can go and have some fun."

Great-grandma stuffed Tang Chuxia’s hands with candy, "You must help Sister Xiuxiu scrutinize carefully. If that man lets his eyes wander, make sure to tell grandma."

Tang Chuxia glanced at Sister Xiuxiu, whose face was flushed with shyness, then nodded vigorously, "Grandma, rest assured, I’m good at this!"

Tang Jianjun reminded her, "Be careful not to scare him. The people in the village are quite straightforward."

Tang Chuxia gave a reassuring gesture, hooked arms with Sister Xiuxiu, and went to change clothes and tidy up. They couldn’t meet a suitor so casually; it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Seeing the two girls arm-in-arm, getting ready, Madam Tang put away her smile and spoke earnestly with great-grandma, "Aunt, you must tell me the truth; did my in-laws’ deaths have anything to do with Wanqiu?"

Great-grandma was surprised, "How could you, being her mother, say such things about your child?"

Madam Tang smiled wryly and recounted Tang Wanqiu’s background. Great-grandma clapped her hands, "I wondered why your in-laws were always so awkward about the child. So that’s the reason!"

Gossiping is a woman’s nature; great-grandma and Madam Tang chatted endlessly. The Tang brothers listened nearby, their gazes at Father Tang carrying a hint of danger.

Father Tang felt his standing in the family slipping. With a stony face, he said he was going out to visit relatives.

Once he left, great-grandma lamented to Madam Tang, "What a mess, how come Xiuyuan is still so immature?"

Madam Tang shrugged, "If he dares to divorce me, I’d admire him!"

Great-grandma hurriedly tried to mediate, the rest of the conversation not worth noting. The Tang brothers suggested joining Tang Chuxia and the others for entertainment.

Naturally, the elder agreed.

Tang Chuxia finished dressing up Sister Xiuxiu, even her mother exclaimed how beautiful she looked.

Actually, all Tang Chuxia did was change her hairstyle and tidy her untidy eyebrows. Without using any cosmetics, just applying lipstick, the transformation was striking.

She was impressed; even simple village girls had great potential.

Xiuxiu blushed bashfully, unwilling to go out, so Tang Chuxia pulled her along.

The suitor was coming to their home for the viewing; Xiuxiu didn’t need to greet him outside, just wait at home.

Led in by the matchmaker, the suitor’s eyes first landed on Tang Chuxia, but quickly shifted away. When his gaze fell on Xiuxiu, his eyes lit up.

Xiuxiu blushed even redder.

The man wasn’t tall, yet stood half a head taller than Xiuxiu. Although his quilted jacket had patches, they’d been well-cleaned and tightly stitched. His hands, rough with calluses, uneasily offered cigarettes.

Tang Chuxia played the role of the cousin from the bride’s family to perfection, saying little, only observing.

At last, when the elders left, giving the young ones time to converse, Tang Chuxia pointed at the man’s jacket and remarked, "Those embroidered bamboos are quite unique!"

The man’s face showed some confusion, then he touched the embroidery on his jacket and nodded, "My sister embroidered it. Originally there was a hole here, but my sister said mere patches wouldn’t look good, so she figured out how to embroider something herself."

He spoke with pride in his voice.

Tang Chuxia was surprised. She’d assumed Sister Xiuxiu’s potential partner came from an entirely farming household, yet the embroidery suggested otherwise.

"That stitching is impressive. If she embroidered a full piece, it wouldn’t sell cheaply!" At this, the man’s face changed.

"My sister just tinkers by herself; she’s never sold any!"

Before Tang Chuxia could respond, Tang Jianbing patted the man’s shoulder, "Brother, don’t be so nervous. My sister just adores these small things. She means no harm. You chat with Xiuxiu, we’ll step outside."

Tang Jianbing gestured for Tang Chuxia to leave.

As per procedure, the suitor and Xiuxiu needed time to converse privately.

Once outside, Tang Chuxia grabbed Tang Jianbing’s arm, "Brother, I’ve seen that embroidery before!"