Chapter 20: How Can You Be So Malicious?

“Her method isn't necessarily bad. I've been worrying about this matter as well, and this way, it's a win-win. Letting people receive treatment with money first not only buys time for the wounded to undergo surgery but also gives their families time to figure out how to raise funds. It also means we aren't exactly breaking the rules.”

Soon, Liu Chuxue went to the finance department, signed the paperwork, and obtained the hundred yuan advance from the construction site. Although it didn't meet her expectations, it wasn't a wasted trip; with this money, she could at least take the people to the city hospital to begin treatment.

As for the expenses during the treatment period, she would find other ways.

By the time they left the construction site, Xia Qiu was still in a daze. "Chuxue, we actually got the money just like that?"

Liu Chuxue gave an "mm" in response without slowing her pace; after all, there was still a tough battle waiting for them in Liushu Village.

Xia Qiu felt as if it weren't real. "Chuxue, I was so nervous just now that I didn't understand a word of what you said to them."

Worried that her mother might struggle to handle things alone, Liu Chuxue couldn't help but quicken her pace, explaining somewhat distractedly, "The construction site said before that since Dad wasn't injured during working hours, they would only cover half of the medical expenses."

Liu Xiaqiu hurried to catch up. "I know that, but Mom said yesterday that the doctor at the health clinic mentioned that if we go to the city hospital for his leg, two or three hundred yuan might not even be enough. You took this hundred yuan, but what happens later?"

Chuxue knew she had misunderstood. "This money is just an advance from the construction site. Once the medical expenses exceed two hundred, the site will still cover half of the subsequent costs."

Now Xiaqiu understood, but her mood grew heavy. Thinking that even if the site covered half, the other half would still be an unaffordable burden for them, her face was filled with worry.

Seeing her like this, Liu Chuxue said, "Sister, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome, so you don't need to worry too much. The families we visited yesterday are those who usually get along well with Mom and Dad; they should lend us some money. Combined with what Dad had saved privately before, it should be enough to hold us over for a while. As for what comes after, we'll just have to take it one step at a time and find other ways."

Before the two had even entered the village, they heard the sound of an argument and began to jog forward in concern.

Before they even got close, they heard Liu Mother's angry voice: "As an eldest aunt, how can you say such slanderous things about your own niece?"

"I was only worried something might happen to her, that's why I misspoke!"

"Was that just misspoke? You were trying to ruin her! How can you be so malicious?"

"Zhao Lamei, who are you calling malicious?"

Ge Xiulan spoke and moved as if to push Liu Mother.

Previously, the village chief and his men had failed to find Liu Chuxue along the way, so he had sent two people to the Qiu family farm in the northern suburbs to ask around. The others had taken a different route to head back while searching, as it was almost time to start work.

Upon returning to the village, Ge Xiulan learned that her second sister-in-law was going from house to house borrowing money from the villagers. Her mother-in-law was currently leading the younger generation to stop her, so she had rushed over in a flurry.

Ignoring the matter of whether she was borrowing money or not, she immediately blurted out that Liu Chuxue had not returned home all night. Liu Mother could not tolerate her; she cast aside her usual temperament and lost her temper at Ge Xiulan for the first time.

Just as a major confrontation was about to erupt, Liu Chuxue's voice came from behind the crowd of onlookers: "Mom, what happened?"

When the crowd saw clearly that it was Liu Chuxue, they immediately erupted. Some were looking for trouble: "Chuxue, your eldest aunt said you didn't come home all night. Where were you?"

(End of Chapter)