"Suisui... Suisui... Grandma... Open your eyes and look at us, Suisui... Suisui..."
Old Mrs. Ji and Eldest Aunt Wang Dongxue saw that Suisui's eyes remained closed. They became frantic and started shouting in despair.
"Mother, Eldest Sister-in-law, stop shouting! Suisui is severely injured. We should get her to a doctor quickly!" the Third Aunt, Zhu Xiuxiu, still having some wits about her, hurriedly reminded them.
Old Mrs. Ji quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and, finally regaining her senses, said, "Yes, Eldest Daughter-in-law, let's take Suisui home quickly. Third Daughter-in-law, go to Ping'an Pharmacy in town and fetch the old doctor. Also, have someone send word to Suisui's uncles; they must come home before dark!"
Old Mrs. Ji gave the orders decisively.
"Alright, Mother, I'm on it now," Third Aunt Zhu Xiuxiu replied and then rushed off towards Ping'an Pharmacy in town.
Eldest Aunt Wang Dongxue carefully picked up Suisui and started walking towards home.
Zhao Chunxiang quickly moved to block them, knowing that if she missed this opportunity, killing Li Suisui later would be much harder.
However, just as she stepped in front of Eldest Aunt Wang Dongxue, Old Mrs. Ji, who was beside them, lifted her foot and kicked Zhao Chunxiang forcefully from the side, sending her tumbling into the large pit, giving Old Mrs. Li a companion down there!
Eldest Aunt Wang Dongxue cut open Suisui's clothes, her tears splashing down uncontrollably.
"The Li family is truly ruthless! To beat her so severely... I can't even bear to look at Suisui's wounds."
Second Aunt Huo Xing'Er, who hadn't gone to the mass grave, brought in the boiled water, tears still streaking her face. "The water is ready. I'll clean Suisui's wounds."
Old Mrs. Ji, however, said, "I'll do it. You're heavy-handed; be careful not to hurt Suisui."
Second Aunt Huo Xing'Er hesitated, then held the basin of water while Old Mrs. Ji wet a cloth and began to clean Suisui's wounds.
"The doctor is here! Make way, quickly!"
Third Aunt Zhu Xiuxiu was gripping the doctor with one hand and carrying a medicine box in the other. It looked as if she had practically dragged the old doctor all the way back.
"Oh, my! You woman, you're terribly rough! My old legs are about to break from all that running! Can't you just..."
"Doctor, saving a life is as urgent as putting out a fire! Please don't be angry yet. My niece's life is hanging by a thread. Please, examine her first. After you've seen to her, I will sincerely apologize to you!"
Third Aunt Zhu Xiuxiu hurriedly pushed the doctor towards Suisui's bed.
"Aiyo, stop pushing! I'll examine her, I'll examine her..."
When the old doctor saw the child on the bed, her flesh torn and battered, his expression changed instantly. "How could she be injured so severely? She must have been brutally beaten to end up like this, right?"
Old Mrs. Ji wept. "My granddaughter hasn't had parents to care for her since she was born. She was beaten by her own paternal grandmother."
The doctor shook his head and sighed upon hearing this. "What a sin! This child's internal organs are all shattered. I'm afraid..."
She's beyond saving...
"Doctor, can you please think of something? She's still so young! I beg you, please save her!" Eldest Aunt Wang Dongxue's tears poured out in torrents as she pleaded with the old doctor.
The old doctor shook his head helplessly. "I am no immortal. Even if I wished to save her, I am powerless to do so!"
Old Mrs. Ji closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. "I've heard," she began, "that you possess a remarkable skill: using golden needles to stimulate acupoints, you can allow someone severely injured and on the brink of death to live for one more hour. Is this true?"
The old doctor was stunned by Old Mrs. Ji's words, a sense of panic rising within him.
I'm the resident doctor at Ping'an Pharmacy, and I've concealed my true identity. How could she...
"You... Who are you? Why..."
"Doctor, please help this child hold on a little longer. Let her wait for her uncles to come home and see her one last time!"
"You... Who exactly are you?" The old doctor looked around, his guard up.