After the two old ladies had a long chat, Wang Xinfeng bought four pig trotters, a slab of pork ribs, three pounds of pork belly, and five pounds of fat meat from the Gao family.
These things didn’t require tickets and the prices were even cheaper than the black market.
Wang Xinfeng was so happy. She felt that the five dumplings were too profitable, and it was her daughter-in-law who was smart.
“Sister, it’s thanks to you. My daughter-in-law has suffered this time and I’m worried about not having anything good to nourish her body. We’re really lucky to meet you. When I come to visit Zhizhi next time, I’ll bring you some mountain products from our village. They’re not really good, just for you to try and have a change of taste. Even in the winter, it’s good to have something fresh to eat.”
Zheng Jinhua also understood that this kind of relationship would last a long time.
She thought that although their family was from the countryside, they didn’t seem to be poor or someone who liked to take advantage of others. They might look a bit fierce, but they had a dignified demeanor and were able to move around. Moreover, people who could treat their daughters-in-law well had a kind heart, just like her.
Besides, the man in their family, although he didn’t seem like a good person, he was not a bad person either. At least he would bow his head in front of his parent and wife, showing humanity which was enough.
Sometimes, you would need people like them to get things done. Since their Gao family was now thriving, only by making more friends could they have more ways to take.
“Okay, then I won’t be polite to you, Sister. When you come to the county town again, come to my house. We get along well, so we can chat anytime. The other old ladies I know are boring and annoying.”
“That’s fine. As long as you don’t mind me being a countrywoman, then I’ll definitely have the cheek to come to your home often.”
The relationship between the two old ladies had improved again, and Sang Dazhuang couldn’t understand why at all.
The old ladies didn’t need him to understand either.
After confirming their friendship, Wang Xinfeng got up and touched Yu Zhi’s hand. “It’s a bit cold. Let that bastard go to the nurse and get another blanket tonight. Don’t freeze yourself. Mom and your Auntie Zheng will go to get something, and I won’t come back here. I’ll go home and come to see you tomorrow. If you want to eat something, tell Mom, okay?”
Sang Dazhuang rolled his eyes. Do I not deserve a name?
I’m either called a bastard, useless, or unlucky thing. Am I not your biological son?
“Mom, my name is Sang Dazhuang.”
But Wang Xinfeng ignored him and kept on giving instructions to Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi smiled and glanced at the speechless Sang Dazhuang. Just as she was about to nod, she remembered what her good cousin had said before her death.
At that time, to agitate her, her good cousin told her a lot of painful things.
One of them was about Wang Xinfeng, who died in the second year after she left home. Her good cousin said that Wang Xinfeng was angry with her.
Yu Zhi did not deny that the trouble she caused and her departure had hurt Wang Xinfeng.
But Yu Zhi didn’t believe that this was the cause of Wang Xinfeng’s death. She looked very strong, and although her departure would have an impact on her, she would definitely not pass away in just over a year. She still had her son, grandson, and granddaughter to take care of, so she might have some hidden illness.
“Mom, don’t rush back. Let Dazhuang take you for a physical examination first.”
There was no such thing as a physical examination for rural people because it was just a waste of money.
Although Wang Xinfeng knew that the family didn’t lack this little money, she also didn’t want to do these useless things. She quickly waved her hand and said, “What kind of examination does my body need? Mom’s health is very good. Don’t worry about me.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes turned red as she looked at Wang Xinfeng with tears in her eyes. “Mom, just go and have a check-up, please? Whether you’re okay or not, I wanted to make sure. So, Mom, please do it.”
Wang Xinfeng couldn’t stand Yu Zhi’s tears the most and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them. “Okay, okay, okay, don’t cry. Do you not want your eyes anymore? Mom will go now, okay?”
Yu Zhi burst into tears and smiled. “Mom is the best.”
“This silly child.” Wang Xinfeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, then she told Zheng Jinhua that she would come to her house later to find her.
It was not inconvenient to Zheng Jinhua, so she nodded and agreed.
On the other hand, Sang Dazhuang was like a tool man and had no say in the matter. He just led his own mother to undergo a physical examination.
Not long after, the doctor came to check on Yu Zhi. She was fine and could go home or be observed for two more days in the hospital.
The chubby boy was fine too, so he could be discharged from the hospital now.
His father and grandfather, as well as his three uncles all came to pick him up. They secretly looked into the ward first and then came in after not seeing Sang Dazhuang. They took the chubby boy away in a noisy manner.
Wang Xinfeng’s examination took more than two hours and some results may take two days to obtain. Among the results they already got, all showed no problems.
“Now you can rest assured. Mom is really okay, don’t overthink it anymore. It’s getting late, the children have gone to school, and the pigs at home must be starving. Mom needs to go back quickly and come see you tomorrow with delicious food. You can rest well and not be in a hurry to leave the hospital, okay?”
“Okay, Mom, be careful on the way. Remember to take the bus and don’t walk anymore. Do you still have money? Just ask Dazhuang to give you some.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll listen to Zhizhi. I will definitely take the bus. Mom has money, so don’t worry.”
Yu Zhi asked Wang Xinfeng to bring back all the things bought by Sang Dazhuang for the children to eat since she couldn’t eat them. It would be a pity if they were stolen.
Although the possibility of theft under the watchful eye of the demon god Sang Dazhuang was very small, they still had to guard against it. People’s envy was also a troublesome matter.
Wang Xinfeng did not refuse, and she also felt sorry for the children at home. She left Yu Zhi with fruits and milk powder that she could eat and took the other things back in a hurry. She also had to go to the Gao’s house to get the meat.
Sang Dazhuang glanced at the time and realized that it was almost noon. Yesterday, due to Yu Zhi’s sudden change of attitude, he was so confused that he didn’t know what to do.
Today, he couldn’t be like that. His wife needed nutrition so he had to get some good food.
“Um… I… I… I…”
“If you have something to do, go and get busy. It’s okay for me to be alone.” Yu Zhi looked at the man, who was struggling to speak fluently. “Go ahead, but come back and have lunch with me at noon.”
***Original translation is from enchantesstranslations.com. Please read it on the translator’s website.***
Yu Zhi just came back yesterday, so her emotions were fluctuating too much which made her looked crazy. Now she confirmed that she was not dreaming and pledged not to repeat the same mistake. She had also calmed down and would not hold onto bad people anymore.
Sang Dazhuang grinned, showing his big white teeth. “Okay, I’ll definitely come back.”
The bear-like man walked away with great enthusiasm, and Yu Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
She couldn’t sleep and was reading the newspaper at leisure. Sang Dazhuang especially found some things to relieve her boredom.
After a while, another family was arranged to move into the ward.
This family was dressed in tattered clothes and a lot of groaning sound was heard along the way.
It was said that they accidentally ate some poisonous mushrooms, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and hallucinations.
After clearing their stomachs and taking medicine, the hallucinations disappeared, but their stomachs still hurt badly. Luckily, they wouldn’t vomit anymore, otherwise Yu Zhi would go crazy.
All the men and the old lady in the family, a total of four people, were poisoned. Two middle-aged women and five pale and skinny girls aged three to ten were taking care of them carefully.
Yu Zhi raised her head and she could tell the family status of this family at a glance. Being favored over others was a blessing in disguise.
She drew the curtain to block the view.
But this family had been restless. Apart from shouting in pain, they also cursed and ordered the women and children to do things.
They wanted food and water, but wouldn’t give out money. If the women were a bit slow or they were not satisfied, they would beat the women and children and throw their things, making a scene like in a vegetable market.
Yu Zhi was disturbed by this and planned to ask Sang Dazhuang to switch to another ward when he returned.
She was not in the mood to read the newspaper anymore, so she grabbed a pen to practice calligraphy. Practicing calligraphy could help her stay calm and focused, and Yu Zhi really liked it.
Just as she calmed down, a crisp slap made Yu Zhi shiver with fear, and a good piece of calligraphy was ruined.
She frowned and heard the old woman’s sharp and sarcastic scolding beside her, “You useless thing who doesn’t lay eggs, I asked you to bring a glass of water. On a cold day, you bring cold water to me. Do you want me to freeze to death, huh? You better stop those negative thoughts or I’ll really clean you up. You’re a bitch, a trash, a money-loser! Even if you don’t say anything, I know you’re full of evil tricks!
“Don’t think that I don’t know. You’re a despicable person who pretends to be pitiful and causes trouble to gain sympathy. You put eye drops in front of outsiders as you complain about me. I also know how to play this little trick. If you play tricks on me again, I’ll tear you apart. What’s the point of waiting here to take care of me? You’re so despicable! You’re shameless!”
The old woman’s cursing voice was full of vitality, without any weakness when she yelled.
The men had long been accustomed to this scene, so they just lay on the bed watching it.
The woman lowered her head, afraid to argue or cry. After the old woman finished scolding, she nervously spoke up, “Mom, we came here in a hurry and forgot to bring a hot water kettle. I—”
Suddenly, the old woman raised her hand and smashed the teapot over, the cold water poured all over the woman.
“You useless thing, you have to complain in front of me for such a small matter? Did you not bring a hot water kettle to piss me off? Did you ask me when you climb into bed whenever you see a man? Did I ask you to give birth to a bunch of money-losers? You’re the only one with a big mouth?
“Are you blind? Do you not know what a hot water kettle is? Do you need this old lady to pass it to you and use a sedan chair to carry you to work? You’re really useless who has a brain dumber than a pig.”
The woman was embarrassed and wanted to cry but did not dare to. Another woman huddled in a corner with a few little girls, not daring to breathe, let alone stand up and help the woman.
The woman hesitated and walked towards the hot water kettle on the other bedside table, her whole body almost shrank into a ball, and she didn’t even care about the big bump on her forehead caused by the teapot hitting her.
She glanced at Yu Zhi and met her eyes. Yu Zhi looked at her calmly and indifferently.
The woman trembled and quickly lowered her head, afraid to look at Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi curled her lips and sneered coldly. The old woman was calculating. She sent her timid daughter-in-law to gain sympathy. She thought it was only natural for Yu Zhi to lend her the hot water kettle and not get it back later.
The woman had lived under the hands of this old woman for a while, no matter how miserable or hard it was, so she was already familiar with the old woman’s tricks.
She tried to use her pitiful appearance to take the hot water kettle. She was also a cunning person deep inside who was accustomed to using borrowed weapons to kill.
Yu Zhi had always been a fool in her previous life, and eventually passed away tragically. Although she couldn’t live smarter in this life, she would never be foolish again.
Thinking of this, her eyes became increasingly indifferent.
Yu Zhi’s face was delicate and tender, very deceptive, and at first glance, you would feel like being deceived by her.
But when she gave a death glare to someone, her aura was not weak.
Despite Yu Zhi’s death glare, the woman still had to speak up.
She asked pitifully and helplessly, “Can I borrow your hot water kettle?”
“No.”
The woman suddenly looked up. She didn’t expect Yu Zhi to refuse so straightforwardly. In the past, anyone who saw her pitiful appearance would always be kind and help her.
Looking at Yu Zhi’s delicate and tender face and then thinking of herself, as both women, she wondered why there was such a big difference. For no reason, the woman’s heart was filled with resentment.
Perhaps because it was too sudden, the moment she looked up again, all her thoughts were reflected on her face.
She didn’t realize it at first and was afraid of being caught, so she quickly lowered her head and almost choked up when she spoke, “Uhm, I… I really need it. Please help me…”
This time she even exposed the injuries on her arms and forehead, which made her look more pitiful.
But Yu Zhi remained unmoved. There must be something hateful about pitiful people, and besides, she didn’t think the woman was pitiful.
The woman felt embarrassed by Yu Zhi’s calm eyes, as if all her dark thoughts were exposed under the sun and had nowhere to hide.
Glancing at the old lady, she gritted her teeth and without saying a word, she picked up the kettle and ran away.
Yu Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly but she didn’t shout or chase after the woman. She would come back anyway.
The old woman on the next bed smiled proudly, thinking that there would be a new hot water kettle to bring home. She planned to put it in her grandson’s room.
When she turned her head, she saw her granddaughters standing next to her and her good mood suddenly disappeared.
“What are you guys doing here? You money losers, are you waiting for me to serve you? Can’t you see that there are not enough quilts? Why don’t you hurry up and get some?”
The little girls dared not lift their heads and turned around to run outside, even the youngest who was only three.
The quilts provided by the hospital all required a deposit to be used. Unlike in the future, when materials were abundant so the hospitals had a lot in stock.
At this time, even a piece of cloth was precious, so how could there be unlimited quilts?
When rural families got sick and had to be hospitalized, they also used their own things, so it was common to see people in the hospital carrying a lot of bags.
However, the old woman in the next bed obviously didn’t want to pay a deposit nor did she want to use her own things. She even wanted to take back home all the things she used in the hospital.
She was full of calculations and the little girls looked bitter.
After leaving the ward, they were all anxious and didn’t know how to get some quilts.
Yu Zhi withdrew her gaze and continued practicing calligraphy. When the woman came back with hot water, Yu Zhi didn’t even glance at her.
The woman trembled with fear as she watched Yu Zhi not having any reaction. She thought that Yu Zhi either didn’t care or was afraid and could only swallow her pride.
No matter what it was, the woman was somewhat proud. So what if she’s good-looking? She’s useless anyway. If something is taken from her, she wouldn’t even dare say a word.
In an instant, she put away her thoughts and obediently served her big family.
The commotion behind the curtain never ended, but Yu Zhi just focused on practicing calligraphy before stopping to rest.
When Sang Dazhuang returned happily with food, he heard some noise in the ward again, and his dark face sank at once.
As he walked to the door, he was about to shout when he met Yu Zhi’s smiling face.
He immediately had a smile on his dark face, like a three-hundred-pound fool, showcasing his facial changing skills to the extreme.
He handed all the food to Yu Zhi like offering a treasure and said, “I went to buy a fish, a big blackfish, and asked someone to stew some fish soup. They said it’s good for the body and they even boiled some sugar pear water for soothing the throat. They are all hot, so eat quickly. There are also boiled eggs. Mom said to roll them around your eyes to remove the swelling. Don’t be afraid of the pain, just endure it, and roll them for a while.”
Yu Zhi’s pouted her red lips, with a mournful expression on her face. “It’s noisy.”
Upon hearing this, Sang Dazhuang became angry. He glanced sideways through the curtain and patiently comforted Yu Zhi, “Don’t worry, I’ll ask them to keep it down.”
As soon as he turned his head, the smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a fierce and vicious look. He thought it was better to close the curtain to prevent Yu Zhi from seeing the bloody scene.
“Shut the f*ck up! Are you guys looking for a fight?!”
The bear-like roar made everyone’s ears rumble.