Chapter 55: This is Truly Killing Me

Although Mother Liu somewhat disapproved, she didn't want her daughter to suffer in the hospital alongside her, so she could only harden her heart and say, "Do as you see fit."

Liu Chuxue finished the water in her coarse porcelain bowl, tidied up, and prepared to head out to run errands.

Just as she reached the ward door, she saw the husband of that beautiful woman from before walking in carrying a bag. He looked coldly at the man in the bed by the door, handed over the bag, and then extended two receipts with his other hand. "One is a receipt for fabric purchased from the Friendship Store, and the other is for the processing and auxiliary material fees from the state-run tailor shop. Together, they amount to forty-eight yuan and sixty cents."

These words immediately caused the man, named Geng Ernian, to darken. As a Grade 4 fitter, his monthly salary was fifty-two yuan and ninety cents. Even if he compensated according to the receipts, he wouldn't have more than a few yuan left at the end of the month, let alone the fact that he had boasted about paying double compensation. It was truly asking for his life.

However, in front of so many people, he couldn't easily go back on his word, so he tested the waters: "Comrade, there's no one to wear these clothes if I take them back. How about this: I'll have my family wash the clothes, and once they are dry, we'll deliver them to Deputy Factory Director Gu. Then, I'll pay the amount on the receipts as compensation, treating it as a way to soothe that lady's nerves."

The man did not respond to the suggestion, but instead placed the bag on the hospital bed. "Just pay according to the receipts; there is no need for double compensation. Since we have taken the money, the clothes belong to you. How you choose to handle them is your right; we will not interfere."

How could he not see that this man was still trying to use these clothes to curry favor with his brother-in-law? He was certainly dreaming.

And indeed, that was exactly what Geng Ernian was thinking, but unfortunately, the other party wouldn't give him the chance.

Liu Chuxue did not stay to watch the spectacle. Judging by the identities of those people, as long as Geng Ernian was a smart man, he wouldn't dare delay the payment.

She walked quickly out of the hospital and took her letter of introduction to the state-run guesthouse across the street. "Sister, do you have any rooms left?"

The woman was busy with needlework and didn't even look up. "A single room or a large dormitory?"

Without a second thought, Liu Chuxue replied, "A single room."

The woman continued, "A standard single on the first floor is eighty cents a night, and one upstairs is one yuan a night. Which one?"

Since she had her space as a backup, she did not hesitate. "I'll take the one upstairs."

The woman finally stopped her needlework. "Hand over your letter of introduction for registration."

Liu Chuxue handed it over, and the woman glanced at it. "Oh, you're from Liushu Village?"

Liu Chuxue was somewhat surprised. "You know Liushu Village, Sister?"

The woman's attitude improved significantly. "My second brother-in-law is from geli Village, right next to yours. A few years ago, when his mother was sick, I accompanied my family there once."

After completing the registration, the woman handed the letter back and kindly reminded her, "Keep it safe. It's a real hassle if you lose it while traveling."

Liu Chuxue thanked her and, using her pocket as cover, tucked the document into her spatial study.

The woman continued to ask, "How many nights?"

Liu Chuxue thought for a moment. "Sister, please register us for three nights first. If needed, I'll renew."

The money in her hands had other uses, and she didn't dare pay for more than ten days at once; she didn't want to cause any trouble for herself.

Having settled things here, she hurried back to the hospital.

Seeing her enter, Mother Liu asked, "Xue, how is it?"

Liu Chuxue nodded to her. "I've booked three days for now. We'll see how things go."

Hearing "three days," Mother Liu found it acceptable. She figured that after three days, her husband's condition should stabilize. If nothing unusual happened, she would let her second daughter return to school, mainly because she would also feel more at ease leaving her youngest daughter at home.

(End of Chapter)