"We must treat her, no matter what! Even if we have to sell everything we own, including the house!" Old Man Bai's voice was thunderous, shocking not only Second Aunt Cui but also Wang Xiangxiu. Even the security guards at the entrance and the security office staff were stunned, not knowing what to say.
It wasn't that they didn't understand - true love really could be this absurd!
Second Aunt Cui swallowed hard while carefully examining Old Man Bai. He didn't seem mentally ill at all! Could this really be love?
She didn't understand, but she was deeply moved. Old Man Bai's genuine feelings touched her heart, and she said, "Well, you don't need to sell everything. Let's hurry to the hospital. Come on, I'll take you there!"
Old Man Bai: "Let's go!"
Wang Xiangxiu: "Wait, let me ask for leave first!"
Old Man Bai turned to Wang Xiangxiu in disbelief: "At such a critical moment, you're still thinking about asking for leave? What's more important - your mother-in-law's life or getting permission to leave? Forget about it, let's go now!"
Wang Xiangxiu wanted to explain that she would already lose her perfect attendance bonus, and if she skipped work without notice, she would face even more wage deductions. Their family needed every penny, and all their expenses were carefully calculated. She stamped her foot in frustration, feeling even more upset with Bai Fendou, that unreliable man. If he were here now, couldn't he have helped by requesting leave on her behalf? Now she had no choice but to skip work, and Wang Xiangxiu was furious.
But there was no other option, so she followed Old Man Bai as they rushed to the hospital.
Tomorrow, she would have to sweet-talk her workshop supervisor to get some leniency.
Wang Xiangxiu harbored her resentment silently as she quickened her pace.
What they didn't know was that as soon as they left, rumors began to spread.
"Have you heard? Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law was bitten by a dog and taken to the hospital. Old Man Bai seems even more worried than her daughter-in-law!"
"Have you heard? Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law is in the hospital, and Old Man Bai rushed there like a madman..."
"Have you heard? Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law is sick, and Old Man Bai wants to sell his house to pay for her treatment..."
"Have you heard? Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law is in the hospital, possibly pregnant, and Old Man Bai rushed there like crazy - it must be his child..."
"Have you heard? Bai Fendou is going to have a little sibling."
"Have you heard? Old Man Bai wants to sell his house to pay the bride price for Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law because she's pregnant..."
...
Rumors are rumors precisely because they become more outrageous as they spread.
However, the people involved were unaware of this as they finally reached the hospital. Aunt Su was being examined, having already received her injection. Old Man Bai took the initiative to pay the fees. Zhao Guihua watched for a while, thinking that Old Man Bai was truly the brightest star in the constellation of devoted admirers.
Aunt Su must have had some mysterious connection with dogs; otherwise, why would she have such an inexplicable relationship with various canines?
After receiving the rabies vaccine and having her wounds dressed, Aunt Su was still in pain all over from her fall. Given her age, the hospital decided to keep her for observation.
Old Man Bai busied himself running back and forth, taking care of everything.
By this time, Wang Xiangxiu had learned that her mother-in-law's injuries were caused by provoking stray dogs, and she didn't know what to say, her expression darkening. Aunt Su held Wang Xiangxiu's hand and sobbed quietly, saying, "Xiu'er, I... I didn't mean to. You know me, I'm the softest-hearted person, I would never hurt animals..."
She said this more for the neighbors' benefit than for Wang Xiangxiu's - maintaining one's public image was important.
Tearfully, she continued, "This dog had previously bitten Jin Lai, so I thought it must be aggressive. There are always children playing in our alley, especially after school. I was worried it might bite the children, so I tried to chase it away with stones. I really had good intentions. But I didn't expect the dog to be so fierce - two of them attacked me together, biting me like this. I was really just thinking of the children..."
Hearing this explanation, everyone suddenly understood, nodding in agreement and saying, "Aunt Su, we were wrong to blame you."
"We really didn't know that's what happened."
Aunt Su cried softly, saying, "Don't blame yourselves. I was in too much pain at the time to explain..."
"Indeed, we should report this to the neighborhood committee. We can't let stray dogs run around freely - what if they bite children?"
"Yes, exactly."
Zhao Guihua watched as Aunt Su quickly turned the situation around, reflecting on how it had taken her so long to see through this woman in her previous life. It wasn't surprising at all - she was quite the actress, worthy of teaching at a film academy.
As everyone continued discussing, Zhao Guihua headed upstairs. Her little Tiger's ward was on the third floor, and coincidentally, Bai Fendou and Zhou Qun were in the same ward, both looking rather miserable.
When Zhao Guihua opened the door, little Tiger immediately called out happily: "Grandma!"
He had been admitted two nights ago and would be discharged tomorrow morning. Though he didn't have to go to school, the child found the hospital quite boring. Even with familiar faces in the ward, the little one still felt terribly bored!
Liang Meifen quickly made room: "Mother-in-law, why have you come at this hour?"
As soon as she asked, she felt awkward, thinking her question wasn't very appropriate - a grandmother could visit her grandson anytime she wanted. Just as she was about to smooth things over, Zhao Guihua said, "I came with some people from our compound who needed medical attention."
At these words, Bai Fendou in the diagonal bed and Zhou Qun by the window both looked over simultaneously.
Of course, this included Liang Meifen and Jiang Lu, who was caring for Zhou Qun.
Everyone's eyes held expectation, sensing that something might be happening. Even little Tiger looked confused. He knew why he was there - he was a greedy child who had eaten something he shouldn't have and ended up in the hospital.
But why were all these adults in the hospital too?
He secretly glanced at the two uncles across the room, who were there because of a fight. How embarrassing to fight at their age! The little boy was deeply puzzled - weren't they afraid of losing face at their age?
But now...
While the child was lost in confusion, everyone else was staring expectantly at Zhao Guihua when they heard a familiar voice from the doorway - Old Man Bai's: "Sister, don't worry, rest easy here. I'll take care of everything."
Bai Fendou: "???"
He had many questions - wasn't that his father?
Who was his father talking to?
Just then, the ward door opened, and... multiple gazes met at once.
Zhao Guihua: Steady as a rock!
She was indeed a woman who had seen it all, unlike the others.
Zhao Guihua spoke first: "How did you end up in this ward too?"
Aunt Wang spoke in a flat voice tinged with resignation: "Old Man Bai found the doctor, and since Bai Fendou is in this ward, Old Man Bai thought we could help take care of each other."
The whole situation felt rather strange.
Old Man Bai smiled proudly: "It worked out perfectly - someone just got discharged, leaving an empty bed. Isn't it convenient?"
Convenient, yes, but was it really appropriate to have your son and the object of your affection in the same ward?
"Ahem, ahem." Aunt Su coughed twice, and Old Man Bai immediately helped her onto the bed. Since Aunt Su had been bitten on her bottom, she could only lie on her stomach. As she was helped onto the hospital bed... little Tiger rubbed his crew-cut hair, feeling very confused.
Why did she have to lie like that?
Being a child, when he didn't understand something, he had to ask. The little one immediately questioned: "Grandma, why does Grandma Su have to lie like that?"
Zhao Guihua: "She was bitten by dogs on her bottom and thigh."
Zhao Guihua took this opportunity to teach her grandson a lesson, saying, "So, Tiger Head, you see, children shouldn't mess with stray dogs. And you shouldn't think that just because you're growing up, you can throw stones at dogs. Actually, when stray dogs go wild, even adults can't handle them. Look at your Aunt Su, she got bitten after hitting a dog and had a bad fall. Little one, don't copy that."
Tiger Head immediately nodded and fearfully snuggled into his grandmother's embrace, saying, "Tiger Head understands, Tiger Head won't hit dogs."
Zhao Guihua nodded with a smile, "That's right, we don't hit them, and then dogs won't easily attack our Tiger Head."
"Then I'll be good."
Zhao Guihua smiled and ruffled her grandson's hair, while others remained silent.
Oh, now they understood - Aunt Su had been bitten by a stray dog.
Tiger Head even made his own connections, "Tiger Head won't hit dogs, and won't use firecrackers to scare dogs either. Jin Lai got bitten by dogs because of that. Can't hit dogs, can't use firecrackers on them, and can't provoke them."
Zhao Guihua: "Our Tiger Head is so clever."
Tiger Head broke into a happy smile; he was indeed a smart child.
The others' gazes toward Aunt Su became even more peculiar.
Old Man Bai: "Zhao Guihua, what are you saying? Sister Su was trying to protect all the children's safety when she hit that dog. How can you say such things? It must break her heart!"
He immediately criticized Zhao Guihua.
Zhao Guihua remained unfazed and said, "I'm teaching my own child, what's it to you? Why are you butting in? What are you, some kind of Earth Guardian? Wanting to manage everything, how ridiculous."
"Pfft!" Everyone in the ward burst out laughing - they'd never heard such a phrase before.
The young man in the bed opposite Bai Fendou slapped his bed with laughter, "Hahahahaha, that's a good one!"
Earth Guardian.
These days, who had ever heard such a term?
Old Man Bai's face turned red, and Aunt Su spoke softly: "Brother Bai, don't say anymore... Old Zhao isn't wrong, I did hit the stray dog first. I did it for the children, and I don't expect everyone to understand."
These words only fired up Old Man Bai more: "That won't do! I know exactly what kind of person you are. You did a good deed, how can we not speak up about it? Your spirit is something everyone should learn from. You deserve recognition, how can we let people misunderstand you?"
He turned and said, "Aunt Wang, you must report this to the street committee. We must apply for a merit award for Sister Su. She deserves it!!!"
Aunt Wang spoke in her usual flat tone, coldly saying, "There wasn't a single child there, not even one person around. Trying to get a merit award - do you think the street committee staff are all idiots?"
With a deadpan face, she said, "Alright, the hospitalization is arranged, and her family is here, so I'll be leaving."
She truly didn't want to stay a moment longer, feeling embarrassed to even know someone like Old Man Bai.
"If you won't go, I will!" Old Man Bai shouted.
Zhao Guihua mused quietly: "Wonder if making up false stories could get someone arrested..."
Old Man Bai: "You!"
Zhao Guihua put her hands on her hips: "What 'you'?! Can't I talk to myself? Who are you to act tough with me?"
Seeing this old woman getting fierce, Old Man Bai pressed his lips together and fell silent.
Zhao Guihua thought to herself, what kind of people are these?
At this point, everyone's thoughts had shifted yet again. At first, they thought Aunt Su was just messing with animals, then they believed she was selflessly devoted to protecting children, and now they found Aunt Wang and Zhao Guihua's words reasonable.
If you say you were driving away stray dogs for the children's sake, but it was around noon, almost lunchtime, and there wasn't a single child around... that story... it just doesn't hold up.
Everyone exchanged glances, and just as Aunt Su was about to defend herself again, little Tiger Head spoke up, quietly saying to his grandmother: "Grandma, I think being in the hospital is just like being at home. It's the same people at home and in the hospital."
Bai Fendou, Zhou Qun, and Aunt Su: "..."
If you put it that way, we're not very happy either.
Zhao Guihua: "Yes, they want to keep you company."
Tiger Head: "Wow."
Zhao Guihua pinched his little nose and said, "What 'wow'? Can't you tell grandma's just trying to comfort you?"
"Grandma, you're bad." The little boy pouted.
Zhao Guihua: "Grandma's not bad, grandma's thinking of buying you steamed buns tonight."
Tiger Head immediately started salivating and became happy: "Tiger Head wants to eat!"
Zhao Guihua looked up at her eldest daughter-in-law and said, "You should go home and rest a bit, then come back in the afternoon."
Liang Meifen looked at this bed, that bed, and the window, at this lively environment, and very much didn't want to leave - she really wanted to stay. Zhao Guihua saw through her thoughts and said, "If you don't want to leave, then stay. Nobody's stopping you."
Liang Meifen quickly said, "Then I'll stay here, I'm worried about Tiger Head."
Tiger Head loudly declared, "I'm fine, I'm super good now!"
Hearing the words "super good," Aunt Su suddenly thought of Old Man Lan. If it weren't for Old Man Lan's sarcastic remarks, she wouldn't have gone out; if she hadn't gone out, she wouldn't have encountered the big black dog; if she hadn't encountered the dog, she wouldn't have wanted revenge and hit it; if she hadn't hit it, she wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
Thinking about it this way, her heart was filled with hatred.
This Old Man Lan was truly a harbinger of bad luck, a huge jinx!
It was all because of him that she was so unlucky.
Hindsight is twenty-twenty - if she had known, she should never have left the courtyard!
Aunt Su's face went through various expressions, but fortunately, she was lying face down with her face buried in the pillow, so her expressions weren't visible. As for the others, Zhou Qun seemed quite pleased - his mother disliked Aunt Su, and naturally influenced by his mother, he also disliked this rival. Seeing her suffer like this, he was particularly happy, and it showed on his face.
Bai Fendou, however, was a bit worried. He didn't care much about Aunt Su personally, but he thought she was a good person - after all, how many mothers-in-law would treat their daughters-in-law so well? If she wasn't a good person, who was? Besides, Xiu had always respected this mother-in-law, so he naturally felt fondness by association.
Although he was concerned about Aunt Su, his eyes were glued to Wang Xiangxiu by the bedside.
Everyone had different expressions, and Zhao Guihua could tell what each family was thinking with just one glance. However, she was puzzled - Zhou Qun and his wife were really carefree, just leaving their mother at the factory, completely abandoning her?
Zhao Guihua was confused but didn't plan to remind them. Someone like Madam Zhou Li deserved to suffer a bit.
If she suffered more, she might behave herself for a few days, instead of jumping around like someone possessed.
Suddenly, everyone fell silent, and the ward became quiet. Now they could only hear the sound of the nurse's cart in the corridor. Creaking, the ward door opened. The young nurse entered and was startled: "Wow! How come there are so many people here!"
Everyone gave weak smiles, and someone said, "We came to see what's going on."
Does that even make sense?
But others said, "Don't talk nonsense, we're leaving."
"Right, we need to get home."
The atmosphere in the ward was awkward, and people started leaving - after all, they couldn't just hang around here, and they hadn't had lunch yet.
The young nurse first went to Bai Fendou's side, checked the medical chart at the head of the bed, and said, "Time to change your IV."
Bai Fendou's hospital stay was really getting his money's worth, with five IVs a day, all because he had passed out earlier. Bai Fendou lay down miserably and said, "Dad, come help me up a bit."
This old man, really useless.
Old Man Bai went forward to help his son lie down properly, watching him get the IV, and asked, "Which one is this?"
"The third one, still two more to go."
The nurse then distributed medicine to other beds. When Tiger Head saw the IV bags and pills, he snuggled closer to his grandmother, a bit scared - hospitals were truly frightening. Sure enough, the nurse also gave him his afternoon medicine, but fortunately, Tiger Head only needed one IV per day, which would start in the afternoon. He quietly sighed in relief and swallowed the pills with a grimace. Looking quite pitiful.
Seeing the child like this, Zhao Guihua felt in her pocket and pulled out a piece of candy, saying, "Here, have something sweet."
Hutou immediately beamed with joy and said, "Grandma, you're the best."
He looked at his mother, who never gave him candy when she was around.
Liang Meifen: "..."
Is this candy free? Is it easy to save money at home?
Liang Meifen pretended not to hear and didn't care what her son was thinking. Besides, does he think he can have candy three times a day? Dream on, even the landlords back in the day didn't have such a luxurious life. Liang Meifen: "Mom, what did you have for lunch? Isn't today the housewarming for Sister-in-law's grandfather? How was the feast?"
Zhao Guihua: "Haven't eaten yet, we were busy sending Aunt Su. Honestly, I think Aunt Su should treat us to a meal; we helped and even delayed our lunch. Otherwise, I would have been at the feast. A housewarming feast, no less."
Aunt Su feigned ignorance.
Upon hearing this, Liang Meifen felt a sharp pang of regret. She looked at Aunt Su with disdain, thinking she was a huge jinx.
She said regretfully, "Should I go downstairs to buy something for you to eat, or will you go back home to eat?"
Zhao Guihua: "You go buy something. I'll stay here and keep my grandson company."
Little Hutou immediately broke into a bright smile.
However, the smile quickly faded. His little mouth turned down, and his eyebrows furrowed tightly as he looked at Uncle Zhou Qun's hospital bed. Zhou Qun's patient gown had been pulled down, and the nurse was reapplying a new medicine pack to his waist. The moment it was applied, a strong medicinal smell filled the air.
Hutou didn't like this smell.
Bai Fendou didn't like it either. He mocked from his hospital bed, "Oh, is your waist really done for?"
Before he finished, he met Jiang Lu's seething gaze, which sent a chill down Bai Fendou's spine. A burly man like him was momentarily scared into silence by the venomous look.
The room fell into an eerie silence. The nurse pushed the cart out, and Zhao Guihua went to the windowsill to pour hot water. She glanced out the window and saw someone carrying a basket standing under the shade of a tree. Zhao Guihua's eyes flickered, and she turned back to say, "Eldest daughter-in-law, don't go buy food. I'll go home to eat, and I'll come back in the afternoon."
Hutou: "Grandma~"
Zhao Guihua: "You're a big boy now, you need to be strong."
Hutou: "Alright."
He wasn't too happy about it, but Liang Meifen was pleased. With her mother-in-law gone, they didn't have to spend money on lunch, saving more!
Zhao Guihua didn't care what Liang Meifen was thinking. She didn't say goodbye to anyone else and simply left with her hands in her pockets. The neighbors who had come with her all left. She went downstairs, found the figure standing under the tree shade, and casually approached, saying, "Second Aunt Cui, why are you in the city?"
The old lady turned around, looking at Zhao Guihua, not recognizing her.
Zhao Guihua winked at her and said, "You came to deliver something, why didn't you say so?"
The old lady immediately understood. She lowered her voice: "Eggs, three cents each."
Zhao Guihua also lowered her voice: "How many are in that basket?"
"Thirty."
Zhao Guihua: "I'll take them all. I didn't bring anything to carry the eggs, so I'll give you a dollar, and you give me the basket too, okay?"
"Sure, why not? Deal!"
The two quickly completed the transaction, both satisfied.
The old lady thought that the basket could be made with some twigs at home, and getting an extra dime was quite a profit, as each egg was only three cents. The basket was worth more than three eggs.
Zhao Guihua also thought it was a good deal. Although money was tight, a dime for a basket wasn't cheap, but they didn't need to haggle, allowing for a quick handover and departure, saving time and effort. Plus, the basket was useful at home, and no one in her family knew how to weave one.
Zhao Guihua bought the eggs and quickly walked home with the basket, feeling elated.
You know, this price couldn't be found on the black market, and even at the supply and marketing cooperative, the quota was limited and had already been claimed.
Zhao Guihua quickly returned home with the egg basket, locking each egg in the cabinet. In these times, it wasn't just about the value of the goods, but the difficulty in purchasing them.
"Mom, why did it take you so long to come back?" Ming Mei ran in, saying, "Come, let's go eat."
Zhao Guihua was surprised: "Haven't you eaten yet?"
Ming Mei: "We already ate, but Mom saved some good stuff for you."
Zhao Guihua smiled: "No need, I'll just eat something simple. I just came back from the hospital, and I don't have much of an appetite, the smell, oh."
Ming Mei was actually a bit puzzled: "Isn't it just the smell of disinfectant? It's not that bad, right? Brother Zhixi often smells like that too."
Zhuang Zhixi worked in the clinic, where they often sprayed disinfectant, so he often carried that smell. The family was somewhat used to it. Zhao Guihua shook her head: "No, it's Zhou Qun, he used some kind of medicine, oh my, the smell was unbearable."
Ming Mei was taken aback, hearing that Zhou Qun's kidneys were failing.
Ming Mei silently sympathized with Jiang Lu.
"But it's good that they're all in the hospital, they can take care of each other. Second Aunt Cui said that Old Man Bai even mentioned selling his house to treat Madam Su. Is Madam Su that seriously ill?"
At this point, Ming Mei was extremely curious.
Zhao Guihua's mouth twitched: "..."
Ah, this... for a moment, she didn't know what to say. After pondering the doctor's words, she said, "She's already had the rabies vaccine, probably just a bit sore on her butt. She fell and might be a bit uncomfortable, so she's staying in the hospital."
Ming Mei widened her eyes: "That's not serious at all, yet they're talking about selling everything to treat Madam Su?"
Zhao Guihua: "..."
She thought for a moment and said, "Old Man Bai has a bit of a dramatic personality."
Ming Mei: "Dramatic personality?"
She pondered it and, surprisingly, found it quite accurate.
Indeed, someone with more experience uses more unique terms. Ming Mei: "Old Man Bai is quite something."
"Mom!" Zhuang Zhixi came in at this moment, his face slightly flushed from drinking. He was a bit of a lightweight, and even a little alcohol showed up clearly, but he was sober: "Mom, did Old Man Bai really say he'd sell his house to treat Madam Su?"
Well, it seemed like husband and wife had the same gossiping question.
Zhao Guihua: "Go away, nonsense!"
Zhuang Zhixi, disappointed: "Really not?"
He was quite disappointed. Zhao Guihua: "You stay out of their business, understand?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "Don't worry, I definitely won't get involved. They wouldn't let me anyway, what am I to them?"
Zhao Guihua sighed: "And don't go see Madam Zhou Li anymore."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Okay, okay, I won't, you're so nosy."
Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes: "I'm worried you'll get yourself into trouble. The security department is stuck with Madam Zhou Li, it's a tough spot. Why get involved? If they ask you to pass a message to Zhou Qun, it's just more trouble."
Zhuang Zhixi: "I get it, I understand, I know."
Zhao Guihua nodded slightly, glad that her son wasn't foolish.
Indeed, things turned out as Zhao Guihua had predicted. Madam Zhou Li was indeed stuck in the security department's hands. You might wonder, isn't the security department pitiful? They're either stuck with something or someone. In their case, they're stuck with an old lady. And not a very nice one at that.
Why is she stuck with the security department? The matter itself isn't complicated. If it weren't for the factory director's instructions, they could have dealt with it by lightly detaining her for a day or severely detaining her for three to five days. They would have released her after that.
After all, if they made the old lady sick, they would have a hard time explaining themselves.
Especially since she has connections in the background.
But the problem lies in the fact that the factory director had specifically instructed his assistant to tell Zhou Qun to come and pick her up.
In this case, the security department couldn't just let her go. If they did, wouldn't it make the factory director feel like his words didn't carry weight? Of course, they could ask for further instructions, but if they did, wouldn't the director think they couldn't handle such a small matter and had to escalate it to him? Useless, fire them!
The security department has its own difficulties, so this situation is quite stuck.
The irony is that Zhou Qun didn't get into trouble sooner or later, but right at this moment!
This situation has left the security department staff wondering if Bai Fendou is doing this on purpose. Could it be that he's willing to hurt himself to teach Madam Zhou Li a lesson? He mentioned that she extorted fifteen yuan from him!
He's been complaining about it so much that their ears are almost numb from hearing it.
However, this old lady is quite capable. Even though she seemed too weak to continue shouting, they were worried about her condition, so they gave her some water. Hey, she could still scream loudly. The night before last, she screamed all night, and last night she screamed for most of the night.
This morning, she finally ran out of energy, and the security department thought it was about time, so they released her from the heating pipes early in the morning. But even then, she bit a young security officer's arm and tried to rush out, only to be restrained due to lack of strength from not eating. Now, they didn't dare to release her again, so they had to restrain her once more, though this time without any deliberate tricks.
The old lady hadn't eaten for two full days, only drinking water. The security department really didn't know how to handle the situation.
The chief was smoking a Hua cigarette given by Zhou Qun, feeling even more annoyed by the smoke. This damn thing, even if you're in the hospital and your kidneys are problematic, you can't just not come to pick up your mother, right?
Yes, Zhou Qun injured his kidneys, and everyone in the factory knows about it.
It was already spread around by the neighbors in the courtyard, and then Old Man Bai spread it further. As someone who sees Zhou Qun every day in the hospital, Old Man Bai hasn't stopped talking about how Zhou Qun's kidneys are no good.
It's like inflicting a serious injury and then adding insult to injury. This family is really ruthless.
"Chief, what should we do about this? We can't keep holding her, but Zhou Qun hasn't come to pick her up. What do we do? This old lady hasn't eaten for two days. What if she starves to death?"
Their security department also eats at the factory, and who would want to give their food to this old lady? Although the department has some money, it's not going to be spent on this old hag. She's not a good person. Why should we?
Although this old lady hasn't caused any major consequences, her arrogant cursing is still fresh in their minds. If it were up to them, they would want to detain her for a week to teach her a lesson.
Detaining her for three months wouldn't be excessive!
But now someone has complained to the factory director, so they have to release her, but Zhou Qun hasn't come to claim her!
"Have you guys inquired if Zhou Qun can be discharged recently? If he can't be discharged for a month, are we stuck with this old lady?"
"Who knows? Zhou Qun's injury is to his waist. He probably needs to be checked thoroughly. Old Man Bai and Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law can both get pregnant, but Zhou Qun and his young wife don't have any children yet. Can't they be cautious?"
The chief: "…You can shut up. Don't talk nonsense. I've asked the gatekeeper, Old Wang. There's no such thing as pregnancy. Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law was bitten by a dog."
"Isn't that right? If she was bitten by a dog, how did the house come into the picture?"
There's a rumor about a house, saying that Old Man Bai is going to sell his house to treat Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law.
I guess it's not for treatment, but for the bride price!
It must be like that. This old lady's bride price is really high!
How can it be higher than what a young girl would ask for!
Hearing this, the chief was speechless and knocked on the table: "Get to the point. Give me the main point. The main point is Madam Zhou Li, not Wang Xiangxiu's mother-in-law or Old Man Bai. What do they have to do with us? Just talk about Madam Zhou Li. Damn it, Jiang Lu hasn't been coming to work these days. Could this woman be doing it on purpose?"
"Who knows? This woman looks honest, but since she could hit Bai Fendou over the head, it's clear that her honesty is just an act. She's probably looking for an opportunity to torment her mother-in-law. I heard from their department that Jiang Lu's mother-in-law treats her very badly, extremely mean and harsh. Given that, can't she want to take revenge?"
The chief nodded: "Makes sense. You know, their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law feuding, and we're caught in the middle."
"We can't do anything about it."
The deputy chief thought for a moment and said: "Let's find out which hospital Zhou Qun is in. We represent the factory to visit him and mention it casually, asking Jiang Lu to come and take her away. Zhou Qun should understand our intentions."
"That's a good idea."
"Yes, that would work. Should we go now?"
Zhang San: "Chief, deputy chief, you know, it's not customary to visit patients in the afternoon. It's usually in the morning~"
Both of them realized that this is an old custom. Although they don't know why, visiting patients is usually done in the morning, rarely in the afternoon.
"Then let's hold on for one more night, tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
"Early in the morning, don't delay."
"Alright!"
"We really have it tough."
Just as they finished talking, they heard Madam Zhou Li's howling from the detention room. Madam Zhou Li felt her life was too bitter. She was almost out of tears, feeling that her life was over.
She's now locked up here, her son is in the hospital, and she feels like the sky is falling.
"Oh, Lord, look at me, I'm such a good and kind person, how can you bear to treat me like this..."
"My life, why is it so bitter? I haven't even seen my grandson born yet."
The old lady howled, feeling life had no hope. After a few cries, she had no energy left. Not eating, no strength to shout. She began to curse softly: "Bai Fendou, you damn scoundrel, dare to harm my son, I won't let you off even as a ghost."
"Jiang Lu, you little bitch, heartless, you're not even worth a fraction of Wang Xiangxiu..."
"Old Man Bai, you old bastard, let you be arrogant for now, wait until I get my revenge, I definitely won't let you off, today's suffering, I'll repay a hundredfold."
"Chen Director, you bitch, don't put me in your eyes, wait until my son becomes the factory director, I'll get rid of your position as a street director..."
"You heartless people in the security department, wait until you're fired, wait until my son becomes successful..."
"What kind of deputy factory director, meddling in other people's business, wait until my son becomes an official, I'll make you sweep the toilets..."
Zhang San and Li Si crouched at the door, listening to the old lady curse, marveling: "This old lady is both vicious and ignorant. Even if her son becomes the factory director, he can't control the streets."
"She's really evil to the core."
"Exactly!"
Originally, the two of them had a bit of sympathy for this old lady who had suffered greatly, but listening to her malicious muttering in a faint voice, they felt a chill down their spines. She's a truly vicious old woman.
For such a person, not a shred of sympathy is warranted. If you have any, you might get tricked.
Old woman, keep suffering!
"Zhang San, Li Si, what are you doing?"
"Shh, be quiet, listen."
...
Soon, another person came: "What are you doing... Mmm, don't cover my mouth, damn, what's she saying..."
This thing, like a nesting doll.
One after another, the security department staff came to listen to the old lady's vicious words and her fervent hopes for her son.
"Hey, listening to her tone, does she think everyone in the world owes her family?"
"Oh, didn't you hear? Her son will make us all leave when he becomes the factory director."
"What does leaving mean? She wants the street office director to leave too."
"Pfft, damn, Zhou Qun's mother is also a peculiar talent."
"That's for sure..."
The security department found it a big joke and couldn't help but share it with a few friends.
Like Zhang San went to the third workshop to tell his buddy: "Hey, I'm telling you, don't tell anyone else... Zhou Qun's mother from the electrical engineering department, she said that when Zhou Qun becomes the factory director, he'll make Deputy Factory Director Zhang sweep the toilets, haha, isn't that awesome?"
"Damn!"
"And there's more..."
Li Si also told his friend: "Hey, I'm telling you, don't tell anyone else, Zhou Qun's mother is going crazy in the security department, cursing heaven and earth, saying her son should be the factory director..."
Zhou Qun, still in the hospital recovering from his injury, was unaware that his mother was causing trouble again.
Even though she's locked up in the security department, she can still make new heights. By the middle of the afternoon, everyone in the factory knew.
Zhou Qun from the electrical engineering department is going to be the factory director!
His mother said so!
Ah, haha!
The speed at which gossip spreads is always astounding, like everyone coming home from work in the evening, and by then, those who should know, know, and those who shouldn't know, also know.
At this moment, the Ming family has already left, and Zhuang Zhixi's face has lost its redness. The couple sits on small stools, both in shock.
Zhuang Zhixi: "This... ah, this... I don't even know what to say."
Even someone usually eloquent has never seen this kind of maneuver, it's quite perplexing.
Truly, never seen before.
Ming Mei is also greatly shocked. She props her chin on her hand and says, "I really want to sneak over to the security gate of your factory to eavesdrop."
Zhuang Zhixi looks at her sympathetically, pinches her cheek, and says, "You wouldn't be able to get in."
Ming Mei: "Oh, how disappointing."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Don't be disappointed, I'll keep an eye out. If anything happens, I'll share it with you first."
Ming Mei chuckles softly, and if you didn't know, you'd think they were talking about some major event. In fact, they're just gossiping about their neighbors. However, it's really cost-effective, truly saving on buying a radio.
It's more interesting than the broadcast.
Ming Mei laughs softly, and the two of them sitting in the sunset look like a beautiful painting. Yang Lixin pushes his bicycle through the gate, envious of the couple for a moment, and is about to pass through the front yard when Zhuang Zhixi calls out, "Yang Ge, come here, come here."
Yang Lixin: "What's up?"
Zhuang Zhixi grins: "Come, let's exchange gossip. Tell me about Madam Su's shocking actions at the factory, and I'll tell you about today's bizarre incident of Aunt Su being bitten by a dog."
Yang Lixin's eyes light up: "That works!"
He's also heard about Aunt Su being bitten by a dog at the factory, but only vaguely!
Just right, to fill in the gaps, tomorrow he can tell others. Oh, no, his mother-in-law must know everything. He doesn't need to fill in the gaps from Zhuang Zhixi, but soon, he firmly sits down. Everyone's account will definitely have some small differences.
He needs to listen to several people, absorb the strengths of each, and then synthesize the most exciting version of the story!
Yang Lixin sits down, smiling: "Come, let's chat..."
