Chapter 338: A Wheelchair

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: A Wheelchair

’Together? Greet them together?’

"Really, there’s no need. You don’t have to..."

"You can’t handle the toasts."

Ji Huan was actually speechless.

In the end, the two of them left the east room together.

In the main hall, the side rooms, and the courtyard, the guests were all seated and the dishes had been served.

Ji Huan and Guan Shan went around to every single table.

When everyone saw Guan Shan again, their reactions were mixed, though most were met with awkward silence.

But as she’d expected, the guests were all friends and acquaintances. To avoid embarrassing Ji Huan, they would recover from their stupor and force a smile, forgetting all the congratulatory words they had prepared.

Guan Shan showed little emotion on his face. He would offer a word of thanks at most, then raise his cup and drain it in one gulp.

Ji Huan was all smiles the entire time, secretly tugging his sleeve more than once. ’Does he have to be so earnest? A single sip would be fine.’

After making their rounds, the two returned to the main table in the central hall.

This was the first table they had toasted. Now that they had returned, Ji Huan didn’t rush to take her seat.

She filled her and Guan Shan’s wine cups and turned to face Village Chief Meng, who was in the seat of honor.

"Uncle Village Chief, thank you for acting as matchmaker for Guan Shan and me, and for officiating our wedding. We’d like to offer you another toast."

Everyone knew the real story behind the matchmaking, but the gratitude was genuine, and that was enough.

Village Chief Meng raised his cup. "Yes, yes, yes. I’ll drink to this happy occasion. You two... live well from now on. Live well."

Ji Huan and Guan Shan sat down. Xin Ziqi then stood up to toast them.

He always treated her with the formal respect of a junior, and since Ji Huan couldn’t stop him, she just let it be.

At the main table in the hall, besides the bride and groom, were the two honored guests, Xin Ziqi and Village Chief Meng. Ji Liansong, Shi Yong, and Ji Mingfang served as accompanying guests, while Hu Dacheng barely managed to fill a seat at the end of the table.

Hu Liang, on the other hand, was like a social butterfly, flitting between the rooms. The real task of hosting fell on his shoulders.

"Eat up, drink up, everyone! Drink to your hearts’ content!"

The hired chef’s skills were excellent and the meat dishes were plentiful. The guests all ate until their mouths were glistening with oil, and it was safe to say a good time was had by all.

When the feast ended, Ji Huan and Guan Shan stood at the main gate to see off the guests one by one.

After the buffer of a meal, seeing Guan Shan again didn’t elicit the same ghost-seeing expressions as before.

At least the male guests would now clasp their hands in a brief salute to him before leaving.

Even after most of the guests had left, there was still no time to rest.

The tables had to be cleared, the dishes had to be washed, the tables and chairs had to be returned, and the house and yard had to be swept. There was no end to the chores.

After paying the chef and seeing him off, Widow Xie and the others were back to work, bustling about without a moment’s rest.

"Where’s Dabao?" Ji Huan asked.

Ji Mingfang, who was sweeping with a broom, heard her and said, "Auntie Xie set aside some food for him in the west room at noon. He’s sleeping now."

’The house has been so chaotic today, and I’ve been surrounded by people. Dabao must have thrown a fit. I’ll have to comfort him properly tonight.’

Just then, Xin Ziqi walked over. He had stayed until the end because he had something to discuss.

"I have something to show you."

Ping’an called Hu Dacheng over to help, and the two of them lifted a large object out of the carriage.

When Ji Huan saw what it was, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He’d brought a wheelchair on her wedding day. This was about as appropriate as giving someone a clock as a birthday present.

Xin Ziqi obviously didn’t realize anything was amiss.

"As you suggested, I searched for many carpenters but had no leads. As it happens, back when my senior was a traveling doctor, he met a craftsman skilled in mechanisms. We invited him over, and after studying it for some time, we finally managed to build a wheelchair. Take a look. See if it differs from your original concept."

With that, he sat down in it and had Ping’an push him in a few circles on the flat ground by the door, demonstrating it for Ji Huan.

There were differences, of course.

The design was rather stiff. The frame couldn’t be folded, and the armrests and footrests weren’t detachable.

Moreover, the solid hardwood wheels had none of the shock-absorbing properties of rubber. It was fine on level ground, but it would be unusable on slightly rougher roads.

It was the most basic model of a wheelchair—essentially just a chair with wheels attached.

’But given the limited resources, creating something like this was already quite an achievement. Things like smart electric or manual folding models are completely out of the question.’

"With this, injured and disabled patients, as well as elderly people with mobility issues, will have a way to get around. They won’t have to be stuck inside all the time; they can go out. It also makes it easier for family members to move and care for them. This can be the flagship product for the Equipment Workshop’s next phase."

Hearing Ji Huan say this, a look of relief appeared on Xin Ziqi’s face.

"Precisely. The Equipment Workshop has already launched its first batch of medical instruments, including various surgical scalpels, plaster bandages, plaster splints, and suture needles and thread. It took a great deal of effort to lobby and promote them, but thankfully, the feedback has been positive. Several clinics in town, as well as nearly half the clinics in Yeyang, have placed orders. My men in the Southern region have also sent word back; the orders they’ve received are several times our local ones. And this is just the beginning."

’This was a huge breakthrough and a major accomplishment, yet he spoke of it so casually, without a trace of pride. His calm and steady disposition was truly remarkable.’

"So when do you plan to launch this wheelchair?"

"The end of the year at the earliest. The other parts are fine, but the round wheel axles are just too much trouble to make."

While they were talking, Hu Dacheng dragged a reluctant Widow Xie over.

"Mom, I wasn’t lying! Doctor Xin really made a walking chair! With this, Granny Xie can come out and get some sun. Not just in the yard, but outside the yard, too..."

"What are you babbling about?" Widow Xie said, completely bewildered.

Ji Huan waved her over. "Aunt Xie, come and see! This is a wedding gift from our Doctor Xin. I don’t have a use for it, so I’m taking the liberty of regifting it to Granny Xie. No objections, Doctor Xin?"

Xin Ziqi finally realized that in his eagerness to share his achievement with Ji Huan, he had completely overlooked the timing of the gift.

But seeing the teasing look on Ji Huan’s face, he knew she hadn’t taken it to heart in the slightest.

"It’s yours. You can do with it as you please, of course."

"It really exists?" Widow Xie exclaimed in astonishment.

Ji Huan had her sit down to try it out. She pushed her a few steps forward. It was a little clumsy, but it could indeed move.

"Oh my heavens! It really works! Putting wheels on a chair, who would’ve thought... Wuan, are you really giving this to me?"

’With this, Mom won’t have to lie in bed all the time!’

"Why not?" Ji Huan gestured toward Guan Shan. "If it had been finished earlier, Guan Shan could have used it. Too bad he missed his chance."

Seeing her gloating expression, Guan Shan probably recalled the many inconveniences and embarrassing moments from when his mobility was limited. He pressed his lips together, said nothing, and turned his face away.

Fearing this might cause friction between the couple, Xin Ziqi added a quick word.

"Actually, it was Ji Huan who suggested making the wheelchair to me after Guan Shan’s surgery. Her intention was to help him suffer less. I just couldn’t find the right craftsman, which caused the delay."

Guan Shan turned his head back.

’This man...’ Ji Huan wanted to laugh, but they were out in the open. ’I’ll let him save some face.’

Widow Xie pushed herself around a few more times, absolutely overjoyed. "Wuan, in that case, I’ll be shameless and accept it."

Ji Huan tilted her head and made a "be my guest" gesture.

Just then, Hu Liang returned from escorting Fifth Grandpa home. Widow Xie quickly explained the situation and had him and Hu Dacheng carry the wheelchair back for Granny Xie to try.

Xin Ziqi took this opportunity to take his leave, but Ji Huan stopped him.

"I have something for you."

Xin Ziqi’s interest was piqued.

Whenever Ji Huan said those words, she was never about to give him something ordinary.

’What could it be this time?’