The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Sudden Death

Shen Lu thought for a few seconds before finally nodding.

She helped Zeng Xiaodao up. "Can you walk? Let’s go to my place and treat your injuries."

"I can." Zeng Xiaodao grimaced, his blood-stained lips pulling into a grin. "Shen Lu, thank you for helping me."

"Don’t talk."

’If he hadn’t saved me before, I wouldn’t even give him a second glance if he died on the side of the road.’

The moment Shen Lu helped Zeng Xiaodao into the room, Fu Cheng sensed it. He forced his right eye open when he smelled the heavy stench of blood.

’I recognize the boy Shen Lu helped in. He came to the stall twice and didn’t have to pay for his food. I think his name is Zeng Xiaodao?’

’What happened to him?’

’Why is he so badly injured, and why did Shen Lu bring him back?’

Worried about getting blood on the sofa, Shen Lu had Zeng Xiaodao sit in a chair.

"I have medicine." Zeng Xiaodao managed to pull out a folding first-aid kit. "Could you please help me patch myself up?"

Without a word, Shen Lu opened Zeng Xiaodao’s folding first-aid kit with practiced ease.

The kit wasn’t as large as Fu Cheng’s, and it contained far less: just a few packets of medicinal powder, two rolls of gauze, and a box with a suture needle and catgut.

Shen Lu looked at the gash on Zeng Xiaodao’s arm. It was a downward slash, more than ten centimeters long.

The skin was red and swollen, the flesh peeled back, and it was already showing signs of inflammation.

Even though she wasn’t a medical student, she knew it needed to be cleaned and then sutured.

"Just pour the powder on it and wrap it. It’ll be fine." Seeing Shen Lu’s hesitation, Zeng Xiaodao didn’t press her.

’I heard she was a child switched at birth and used to live a life of luxury. Forget stitching wounds, she’s probably never even held a needle before.’

"Wait here." Shen Lu got up and left, leaving Zeng Xiaodao completely bewildered.

But she returned moments later, followed by an old woman.

"So it’s you, kid." Granny Jin raised an eyebrow. She clearly knew Zeng Xiaodao, and quite well at that.

"Grandma Jin," Zeng Xiaodao greeted her dutifully.

Granny Jin wasn’t one for idle chatter. Shen Lu had already briefly explained Zeng Xiaodao’s situation when she went to get her. She walked over, picked up the suture needle, and was about to begin when Shen Lu hastily stopped her.

"I-I have some saline solution left from when I changed Fu Cheng’s dressing. We should clean the wound before you suture it."

’I can’t believe Granny Jin is this rough. Zeng Xiaodao’s wound is filthy. How can she not clean it first?’

The part about the saline, however, was a lie. The little bit of saline in Fu Cheng’s first-aid kit had been used up long ago. What she brought out was just plain water, though it was very clean.

Neither Granny Jin nor Zeng Xiaodao suspected a thing. In fact, they both thought she was being incredibly kind.

Medicine was extremely expensive here, so they never imagined she would willingly use saline on Zeng Xiaodao.

Shen Lu quickly washed the wound for him, rinsing away most of the dirt and revealing the raw, red flesh beneath.

Granny Jin told him to brace himself and began stitching the wound.

Her technique was average at best, but she worked quickly, finishing in less than half an hour.

After sprinkling on the medicinal powder and wrapping the wound in gauze, Zeng Xiaodao was drenched in sweat from the pain, having nearly ground his back teeth to dust.

"Can’t you just stay out of trouble for once?" Granny Jin sighed. "Do you have to make your grandmother worry sick?"

Zeng Xiaodao pressed his lips into a thin line and didn’t answer.

Seeing his stubborn expression, Granny Jin lost the will to lecture him. ’Everyone has their own path. It’s a waste of breath to say more if he won’t listen. I might as well save my energy.’

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