Chapter 34: You Really Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover

She also took the opportunity to ask an elderly man in the back seat, who spoke with a thick Beijing accent, about the various hospitals in the city. The old man was a warm-hearted person and shared everything he knew without reservation. By the time the bus was nearing the station, she had gathered most of the information she needed.

After thanking him, she watched as the passengers disembarked one by one. "Dad, let me carry you off the bus."

Father Liu was unwilling to let her: "No need, just support me. I'll shuffle down slowly."

Mother Liu, however, felt a pang of regret; she shouldn't have refused her son-in-law's offer to see them off.

Liu Chuxue ignored his protests and walked straight up to him. "That leg of yours that isn't broken is almost as swollen as a steamed bun, yet you're still acting tough. You know our situation right now—we don't have any extra money."

She said it that way on purpose; otherwise, Father Liu might not listen to reason.

Father Liu raised his hand and gave his leg a light, frustrated tap. "Lamei, help me up."

He sighed inwardly. His daughter was right; he shouldn't push himself. If he aggravated the leg that wasn't broken, the cost would far outweigh the benefit.

Looking at his second daughter's thin, frail frame, his heart was filled with guilt.

Mother Liu felt even more heartache for her daughter. "Xue, let Mom do it."

Liu Chuxue quickly raised her hand to stop them. "Stop passing it back and forth. The driver will get impatient waiting. Let's just get off the bus first."

They were actually quite lucky today; the driver was a decent man. "Little girl, there are people looking for work just ahead. Stay seated for a moment while I pull the bus up a bit further; it'll save you a long walk."

The three members of the Liu family thanked him in unison.

As the bus stopped, several people crowded around. "Need a hand?"

Looking around, those waiting for work had either flatbed carts or wheelbarrows parked beside them.

Seeing Liu Chuxue preparing to carry her father off the bus, the driver warned, "Don't let anyone rip you off. It should cost no more than twenty cents to take you wherever you want to go."

Mother Liu quickly called out her thanks.

These people had been working here for years and would inevitably try to take advantage of strangers, but Liu Chuxue wasn't about to indulge them. "Alright, twenty cents, fixed price. Anyone want the job? If not, I'll just keep walking."

Seeing that she knew the ropes, they didn't dare try to fool her. A swarm of hands went up. "Me, me, me!"

Liu Chuxue pointed to a middle-aged man standing in the back. "Uncle, it's you."

The man was somewhat surprised. He pointed to himself with a backward finger, asking uncertainly, "You mean me?"

"Yes, you."

Having received confirmation, the man quickly pulled his flatbed cart forward. "Come on, come on, make way everyone, let this brother through!"

The man was an honest soul. After positioning his cart, he rushed over to help support the father. "Here, sir, hold onto my shoulder. Use my strength."

But Father Liu had one broken leg, and while the other wasn't broken, it had been caught in the same accident; it was so swollen that every step was excruciating.

Seeing that this wouldn't work, Liu Chuxue spoke up decisively, "Uncle, just hold the cart steady. I'll do it."

The man didn't object, assuming they were just used to doing it themselves and feared he might get in the way.

Instead, he watched as the girl placed her father on a nearby stone bollard, then bent down, scooped him up in a horizontal carry, and placed him steadily onto the flatbed cart.

He lost focus for a second and nearly let go of the cart's handles. By the time he snapped out of it, he blurted out, "Good heavens!"

The other street workers nearby also gasped in surprise. "You really can't judge a book by its cover. I didn't expect this little girl to be so strong."

It wasn't just the bystanders; even Father Liu and Mother Liu were stunned. "Xue, you...?"

(End of Chapter)