Chapter 2: Can You Send a Child to Us?
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Several minutes later, Zhang Xiaofan came back with several herbs in hand.
The mountains near Shitou Village are known as Herbal Medicine Mountain, making it easy for Zhang Xiaofan to find the required herbs.
Next, Zhang Xiaofan crushed the herbs and applied them to Sun Qian's snake-bitten wound.
"Xiaofan, will I really be all better in another day?"
"Of course, why would I lie to Sister Sun?"
Zhang Xiaofan's handsome face was filled with confidence.
His confident and sunny appearance sent ripples through Sun Qian's heart.
Although she had been married to Zhao Tieniu for a year, Sun Qian had yet to experience the happiness a woman deserves.
Deep inside, she fantasized about a handsome man loving her, making her feel like a real woman.
"Xiaofan, I can hardly walk, why don't you help me back to the village?"
Sun Qian's gaze towards Zhang Xiaofan carried a hint of seductiveness.
"Sister Sun, didn't you just say your foot doesn't hurt that much anymore? I still need to hurry back to see Grandpa, so I'm going to leave first!"
Zhang Xiaofan dared not assist Sun Qian any further, her look seemed to devour him.
Plus, he was certain Sun Qian could walk by herself, so he dashed away, leaving her casting a melancholy look.
...
When Zhang Xiaofan got home, he found there was nobody there.
So he spent some time tidying up his own room.
"Xiaofan, are you home?"
A shouting voice suddenly came from outside.
Zhang Xiaofan went out and saw a dark-skinned man standing at the gate.
"Brother Tieniu?"
"Xiaofan!"
Though it had been two or three years since they had seen each other, Zhang Xiaofan recognized Zhao Tieniu at a glance,
"Xiaofan, do you still remember Brother Tieniu?"
Zhao Tieniu was hearty and spoke loudly, walking over to give Zhang Xiaofan a big bear hug.
"Of course, I remember. Brother Tieniu is the first man from our Shitou Village to join the military."
Coincidentally, Zhang Xiaofan was the first from Shitou Village to go to university, and Zhao Tieniu the first to join the army.
"Haha! You, a university student, are much more impressive than your brother here!"
Zhao Tieniu patted Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder and said, "Your sister-in-law just told me about how you saved her, so I came looking for you, as a way to show my gratitude, you must come over to our place for a couple of drinks!"
"Some other time, Brother Tieniu, I've still got to find Grandpa."
"Grandfather Zhang will naturally return once it gets dark! I, Zhao Tieniu, am a man who repays his debts. You saved my wife, today I must toast to you!"
Zhao Tieniu insisted, pulling Zhang Xiaofan towards his house.
Unable to decline such insistence, Zhang Xiaofan simply followed.
Before long, they arrived at Zhao Tieniu's house.
As soon as they entered the yard, Zhang Xiaofan saw a beautiful woman, who was Sun Qian.
At the moment, Sun Qian had changed into a dress, looking completely like a fair and beautiful city woman, rather than someone from the countryside.
"Hello, Sister Sun!"
Zhang Xiaofan greeted Sun Qian.
Sun Qian smiled slightly and moved a stool over, "Xiaofan, please sit."
Her eyes carried seductiveness and enticement.
This made Zhang Xiaofan somewhat flustered; he thought to himself, Sister Sun, Brother Tieniu is right here, could you not give me those ambiguous looks!
Zhang Xiaofan wondered, could Sun Qian be the flirtatious type? Otherwise, how could she dare to flirt with another man with her husband present.
"Wife, I need to talk to Xiaofan about something, could you step into the room for a bit?"
Zhao Tieniu sat down and spoke.
"Hmm."
Sun Qian cast one last glance at Zhang Xiaofan, her pretty face unexpectedly showing a trace of shyness, which confused him.
Sun Qian turned around and went into the room, then closed the door.
On the table, a brand-new bottle of Wuliangye and three home-cooked dishes.
"Xiaofan, this is a bottle of Wuliangye a comrade gave me, I've been reluctant to drink it, but today I must share it with you!"
Zhao Tieniu enthusiastically poured Zhang Xiaofan a drink.
The two of them began to drink, talking as they did, the atmosphere quite harmonious.
Gradually, though, Zhao Tieniu's expression grew heavy with concerns.
"Brother Tieniu, you seem troubled, what's the matter?"
Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help but feel curious.
"Ah!"
Zhao Tieniu heaved a long sigh.
His face was full of bitterness.
"Xiaofan, my heart aches!"
After speaking, he promptly drained his cup.
"Brother Tieniu, whatever is troubling you, just tell me already, maybe I can offer some advice."
Zhang Xiaofan offered comfort.
But Zhao Tieniu simply shook his head bitterly, "Xiaofan, you can't give me advice, however, you can help me out."
Zhao Tieniu suddenly looked up, gazing intently at Zhang Xiaofan.
His eyes seemed to carry a plea.
"Xiaofan, do you know why I came back after discharging from the army?"
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head.
"I was injured down there," Zhao Tieniu glanced at his groin.
"Ah?" Zhang Xiaofan was shocked.
"The doctor told me I could still use it, barely."
"But it needs to be soon, as the injury is irreversible and may worsen."
"Thinking I might not be able to have children, I hurriedly discharged and came back to marry after a few blind dates."
"But..."
After speaking, Zhao Tieniu drained another cup, appearing helpless and self-deprecating, "My wife hasn't even experienced what it's like to be a woman, not even once!"
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan was shocked.
He couldn't help feeling sympathy for Zhao Tieniu and for Sun Qian, such a beautiful woman living like a widow.
"Brother Tieniu, haven't you seen a doctor about this?"
"It's no use, I've been to the hospital several times already," Zhao Tieniu's face was full of sorrow.
It's indeed desperate for a man to face such a problem.
"Xiaofan, besides wanting to thank you, I also wanted to have some courage with this drink, to ask for a favor."
"Brother Tieniu, just say what it is."
Zhao Tieniu had been so unfortunate, Zhang Xiaofan naturally wouldn't spare any help within his means.
Zhao Tieniu fell silent for a long time before saying, "Xiaofan, could you give us a child?"
"Ah?"
Zhang Xiaofan was astonished.
He understood all too well what giving them a child meant!
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