Gu Qingyao examined him. He had a cold and was running a fever. He was severely ill and he was so young that his brain might be damaged if the fever continued.

She hurriedly took some medicine from her small bag for him. Ever since she had acquired her inters.p.a.ce, Gu Qingyao had gotten into the habit of bringing a small sling bag along so that she could take items out whenever she wanted.

Gu Qingyao stripped away the stiff and tattered quilted jacket that was completely unable to keep out the cold. Then she undid her large quilted jacket and bundled the entire child against her chest.

She was warm and the quilted jacket was made of modern silk floss. It was soft, light and warm. Although she had made the outer layer out of old material, the quilted jacket was very comfortable to wear.

Mu Mu was already unconscious with fever. When Gu Qingyao put him against her chest, he opened his eyes weakly and glanced at Gu Qingyao before fainting again.

He had been orphaned from a young age and had seldom been carried by a woman. He had never experienced a mother's embrace.

His older brothers had raised him since he was young.

When Gu Qingyao put him against her chest, he sensed the warmth and smelt a faint fragrance. He immediately snuggled close to Gu Qingyao and clutched her clothes tightly.

Gu Qingyao wrapped him up properly and said, “Hurry. We have to give him medicine when we get back. How did he become so ill?”

They hurriedly followed Gu Qingyao and continued towards the Qing River Brigade. Jiang Xun looked guilty.

“It's all my fault. Mu Mu seemed rather lethargic yesterday, but I was working for someone and did not pay much attention. It's winter now, and we can't find any food. We can only eat our stores, and I was afraid that what little grain we have won't be enough, so I certainly never pa.s.s up an opportunity to work for someone in exchange for food.”

“I've been working for the past few days. Ping Ping went with me, and only Xiao Jing and Mu Mu remained at home. When I got back this evening, Mu Mu was already so ill he was unconscious.”

Gu Qingyao did not speak. These children were really pitiful. Heaven knows how hard Jiang Xun had worked for them to survive up to now without starving to death.

But a child's abilities were limited, and he was still immature. How could he possibly take care of everything?

Considering Mu Mu's state, if they had not met her, he would probably have died.

In these times, medical care was poor. Many people had nowhere to seek treatment when they fell ill. They could only soldier on. If they managed to carry on, then it would be all right. But if they could not, then they would have to resign themselves to their fate.

As a very young child, Mu Mu was especially vulnerable.

“Don't worry; fortunately, you met me. Just come back with me and when he has taken some medicine and rested, he will recover.”

Jiang Jing, who was the youngest, was still crying. “Is younger brother really all right? Will he die? Stone's younger brother was like Mu Mu. He had a high fever and they could not wake him. Then he was gone. Wu wu wu…”

The child was terrified so he was crying as he walked.

Gu Qingyao patted his head. “What a good boy! I'm a doctor, and your brother has already taken some medicine, so he will be fine. He's only sleeping now. Tomorrow morning, he will wake up and talk to you.

“Be a good boy and stop crying!”

Besides his own older brothers, very few people had coaxed him so gently. Jiang Jing sniffed and looked at Gu Qingyao without saying anything.

Jiang Xun carried him on his back and in a while, the child fell asleep on Jiang Xun's back.

Gu Qingyao sighed at this scene. This Jiang Xun was so young. It had not been easy for him to support the children.

The snow fell more and more heavily. After walking for more than an hour, they finally reached the Gu house.