Chapter 19: Just Make a Scene to Your Heart's Content

By the time the village chief had organized enough manpower, Ge Xiulan still hadn't seen a trace of her nephew, Ge Baocheng. She couldn't help but grow anxious: Could that boy have waited for no one and headed up the mountain ahead of them?

Throughout the trek up the mountain, Ge Xiulan spent the entire time slandering Liu Chuxue's reputation: how a young girl shouldn't stay out all night; how they were only acting out of confusion due to the second son's situation; how it was wrong to let a girl cross the mountains alone; and how, if something truly happened, they wouldn't know how to face the second branch of the family, or worse, what would happen if her future in-laws found out.

The village chief could no longer bear it and roared, "Shangga's wife, can you just be quiet for a moment? Is this really the time for this?"

Seeing that she had achieved the effect she wanted, Ge Xiulan knew when to stop: "Right, right, right, Village Chief, you're right. Finding people is the most important thing right now."

The village chief led the gathered villagers up the mountain, but even as they neared the halfway point and could see the North Suburb Farm below, they found nothing unusual.

At this point, not just the village chief, but even Ge Xiulan began to panic.

All along the way, Ge Xiulan had been scanning for her nephew's silhouette. If he didn't show up soon, she wouldn't know how to save face; she couldn't exactly lead the group toward the cave.

If she did that, while Liu Chuxue's reputation would certainly be ruined, it would take a massive amount of effort to try and pull the girl into their family as a niece-in-law.

While she was still racking her brains for a solution, the village was already in an uproar.

Old Lady Liu, accompanied by her third daughter-in-law and several grandchildren, blocked the path of the second daughter-in-law, who was currently going door-to-door to borrow money. "Zhao Lamei, you shameless thing! We've given you too much face over the years. You can't even produce a son, and now you dare to defy your elders? Who gave you permission to come out here and make a spectacle of yourself?"

Before returning to the village, Chuxue had already instructed Mother Liu to disregard everything and just go for it. Today's mission was to borrow money and separate the household; if possible, severing ties altogether wouldn't be a bad idea. The key was to cause as much of a scene as possible.

With a rare spectacle to watch, the villagers were in no hurry to go to work, instead crowding around to watch the Liu family's drama unfold.

On the other side, Chuxue and Xia Qiu had to use a great deal of persuasion before they finally found the construction site manager to explain their purpose. "Sir, I know you are telling the truth, and we understand your difficulties since my father was injured on this site. But my father's leg truly cannot wait any longer.

I believe you are all aware of our family's situation. I beg you to lend us a hand to help my father; we will never forget your great kindness."

The managers were somewhat conflicted, but the young girl wasn't wrong. "How exactly do you want us to help?"

Sensing an opening, Liu Chuxue spoke up immediately: "The health clinic suggested that my father be treated for his leg injury at a higher-level hospital. I assume you have all heard the news."

The managers exchanged glances and nodded to the sisters.

Liu Chuxue continued, "I also went to the county hospital yesterday to ask an acquaintance for information. After reviewing the medical records, the doctor suggested we go directly to a large hospital in the city for treatment. However, my grandparents say the family is in hardship and are afraid they cannot afford much money, so they want to save my father by finding a way themselves.

I know the construction site has its own rules and regulations, but we truly have no better option right now. I ask the leaders to make an exception and see if we can receive a one-time advance on some of the money, so we can take my father to the city hospital to handle the hospitalization first.

We will find a way to cover the expenses incurred during the subsequent treatment. Once the advanced money from the site is used up, we will bring the receipts to settle the account. Would that be acceptable?"

Hearing Liu Chuxue's words, the managers huddled together to discuss it. "This girl is not simple; she really is a newborn calf that fears no tiger."

(End of Chapter)