LightReader

Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Discharged from the Hospital

"You, child, it's one thing to help others, but why do you accept things from people?" Bai Daliang said disapprovingly.

"I said the same, but they insisted it was just a token of appreciation and that they don't mind. Also, they asked me to check in on their mom every few days because they're not often home and worry about her being alone. They said they'd give me ten yuan a month!" Bai Xue performed with playful exaggeration.

"Oh dear, just coming by every few days is enough, and you don't have to do much, why would they pay so much?" Bai Daliang was so surprised he almost sat up.

"Dad, didn't I tell you? They aren't short of money! Besides, I have to travel thirty miles back and forth, it's not easy."

"You child, can't your dad do it instead? Just tell dad where the old lady's house is! Dad will go visit!"

"Stop, dad! They're likely the family of high-ranking officials, and because I saved the old lady, they can't just let anyone in!" Bai Xue anticipated this from her dad and had already prepared her excuse!

"Is that so? Can you handle this cold, sweetheart? Maybe we shouldn't take this up," Bai Daliang said, worried and a bit guilty seeing his frail daughter.

"I'm fine, Dad! If I can manage farm work, a bit of walking is nothing! And with those ten yuan, the younger ones won't have to suffer hunger and cold as much, right? A bit of hardship for me is worth it! That's what big sisters are for! And besides, I've already agreed to help them!" Bai Xue immediately felt quite noble.

"It's all because I'm useless that you kids are suffering!" Bai Daliang began to blame himself again.

"Alright, Dad, things will get better gradually, it's just how things are now, what can we do?"

Bai Daliang didn't really understand what "how things are now" meant, but hearing the comforting words his daughter painted, his mood lifted.

The ox cart was driven by the second uncle and arrived around one o'clock. Bai Daliang's IV drip was finished, and Doctor Zhao came in with two vials of medicine, asking Bai Xue to settle the bill.

"Sister Qiyue, my dad is being discharged, can you help me with the bill?" Bai Xue said familiarly to Chen Qiyue at the cashier's desk.

"Sure! I'll calculate it right away!" Chen Qiyue beamed at Bai Xue.

The five yuan fragrance she bought was amazing, and it smelled lovely.

When her married sister visited home, she adored the fragrance and begged her to give it to her, making her feel proud in front of her sister.

She used to be the one envying her sister, and now it was her turn to boast.

Moreover, the twenty kilos of grain she brought back were refined, much better than what the grain store sold, so her mom didn't mind the five yuan spent on the fragrance. Her mom even praised her maturity several times.

The family wasn't short on money; her father was the director of a milk powder factory. But in these times, even money couldn't buy necessities.

"Xiao Xue, your dad's medical expenses total seventeen yuan and eighty-four cents. Here's the change!" Chen Qiyue said after calculating for a bit.

"Alright!" Bai Xue responded politely and sweetly.

Quickly, Chen Qiyue handed back the change, and before Bai Xue could turn around, she spoke mysteriously.

"Xiao Xue, do you have any other good things? If you do, sell them to me? The fragrance is wonderful, I love it!"

Bai Xue thought for a moment but didn't agree immediately. She knew who her father was and their background, so selling to her wasn't safe. However, before she could speak, Chen Qiyue insisted eagerly:

"Don't worry, it's confidential! I understand! I won't even mention where I got it from!"

"Alright, if I come across anything good, I'll think of you, Sister Qiyue!" Bai Xue finally agreed.

"Great! Sister doesn't worry about money! Just bring me the good stuff! Grain too!" Chen Qiyue said happily.

"Noted, I'll be off now!" Bai Xue turned and headed back to the ward.

Bai Daliang was all set to go; Bai Dajiang had already taken out the bedding they brought and laid it outside. Bai Xue helped her dad, holding the items from the supermarket, and they slowly walked out, afraid that Bai Daliang might fall.

As they passed the cashier's desk, Chen Qiyue waved warmly. Bai Xue also waved back politely.

On the way home, Bai Xue didn't walk with the ox cart. Her dad was sitting too, so she could cover herself with a blanket, but it wasn't warm, and she was freezing all the way.

Upon reaching home, as soon as they entered the yard, the younger ones ran out.

"Dad, Big Sis, you're back? Dad, are you alright?" Bai Ruyun, the eldest among them, was the first to speak.

"Dad, are you okay?"

"Big Sis, are you cold?"

Then the little ones started speaking one after another, bombarding them with questions.

"Alright, alright, stop for a moment, let Dad go inside, there's still a wound on his head! He needs proper care!" Bai Xue motioned with her hand to clear the way for Bai Daliang to walk inside.

"Big Sis, let me help Dad!" Bai Ruxia pushed Bai Xue aside and supported Bai Daliang.

"Big Sis, let me carry that!" Younger brother Bai Rushan took the bags from Bai Xue's hands.

Bai Xue let Bai Rushan carry the bags.

The group moved into the house, and Bai Xue looked back to see second uncle Bai Dajiang driving the ox cart away.

"Second Uncle, come in and warm up before returning the ox cart!" Bai Xue stopped and called out.

"Second Uncle should hurry back to return the cart, just in case!" Bai Dajiang continued driving.

"Well, then come for dinner later!" Bai Xue shouted again.

"Second Uncle already ate! Not coming, you quickly go inside, Xiao Xue, it's terribly cold out!" Saying this, the ox cart's wheels creaked as they pressed the snow heading toward the team office.

Bai Xue no longer insisted and quickly ran back inside.

When Bai Xue entered, Wang Cuihua was still crying over her husband's head injury.

"Mom, stop crying! You just had a baby, it's not good to cry!" Bai Xue hurried over to comfort her.

"Yes, Mom, you're still weak, and you just fainted not long ago. If you cry like this, the two eggs you ate won't do anything, and there won't be milk for the little ones!" Bai Ruxia, being straightforward, spoke plainly.

"Okay...okay, Mom won't cry anymore, won't cry, as long as your Dad is back, it's all good!" Wang Cuihua hastily wiped her tears.

"Cuihua, how are you? I heard from Xiao Xue that you fainted and I was so worried!" Bai Daliang, supported by his children, sat on the kang, asking his wife.

"I'm fine now. It's just that seeing you with blood all over your head, I panicked and fainted..." The couple continued their conversation.

Bai Xue didn't involve herself with them and turned around to unwrap the packet of candies from the bag Bai Rushan hadn't yet put down, distributing them among her siblings.

"Here, Big Sis brought candies for you, two each, come and get them!"

As soon as Bai Xue said this, the four little ones ran over joyfully but waited patiently without jostling.

The two younger sisters were thirteen, and the two younger brothers were both ten. Originally, all four were in school, and the girls were about to enter junior high when their grandmother insisted they stop studying. They had already started earning work points, and although they all craved candy, they were sensible.

More Chapters