Chapter 194 Driven Mad by Money

If she refused repeatedly, Zou Qiuyue might really think—

She was disliked by Shen Cuifen's family and they wouldn't even say a word of truth to her.

"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Sister Mingyue!"

She finally relented, her tone softening somewhat, but she was still a little reserved.

Upon hearing this, Zou Qiuyue immediately rolled her eyes and pretended to be angry, letting out a huff.

"Don't give me that! What 'trouble'? If you keep spouting that nonsense, I'll really lose my temper! We've been friends for so many years, who's got us all to rely on?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Cuifen quickly stepped forward, hooked her arm around hers, and affectionately linked arms with her, a smile on her face.

"Alright, alright! No need to be polite! No thanks, no formalities, let's pack our things and go home!"

"Um!"

Zou Qiuyue responded emphatically, her eyes crinkling with joy.

"go home!"

The four of them chatted and laughed, one sentence after another.

The children skipped and jumped, the adults chatted and laughed, their steps light and their moods cheerful, as they all left the ward together.

Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

I could see Zhou Wenjuan carrying a crumpled plastic bag from afar.

Several boxes of medicine and a bottle of residual IV fluid were visible in the bag. He walked ahead with heavy steps.

Behind him, Lu Zhongping held Lu Jianguo's arm with one hand and supported his back with the other.

The father and son slowly made their way toward the hospital entrance.

Judging from the scene, they had obviously just completed the discharge procedures not long ago.

Lu Jianguo was very weak, probably because his injuries hadn't fully healed. He had only walked a few steps when fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He was hunched over, one hand pressed against his chest, breathing heavily.

My legs went weak and I almost fell to the ground.

But at that moment, Shen Cuifen and her group were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the three of them at all, chatting and joking with Zou Qiuyue.

I thought this family would be sensible and pretend they didn't see it.

It would be fine if they pretended not to know each other and went their separate ways.

Such things often happen in rural areas.

We see each other all the time, but some people insist on living like strangers.

But no one expected that just as the four people brushed past them,

Zhou Wenjuan suddenly sprang up like a spring and grabbed Shen Cuifen's wrist.

Her fingers were icy cold, but she was surprisingly strong; her nails almost dug into her flesh.

"Sister Cuifen, wait a minute!"

Her voice trembled, tinged with urgency.

"There's something... I'd like to talk to you about..."

Shen Cuifen was startled by this sudden action and instinctively shrank back.

He flicked his wrist forcefully, trying to break free.

With a loud crash, the bag she was carrying was thrown to the ground, its contents spilling everywhere.

Medicine boxes, towels, and lunch boxes were scattered everywhere.

Zhou Wenjuan's eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Her lips trembled uncontrollably.

"Shen Cuifen, you've gone too far!"

Lu Zhongping immediately rushed over, stood in front of Zhou Wenjuan, and glared angrily at Shen Cuifen.

As a result, when he let go, Lu Jianguo, who was barely able to stand by relying on him, completely lost his support.

His legs buckled, his body swayed, and he landed heavily on the cold cement floor with a "thud".

"Lu Zhongping! Did you deliberately try to kill your father?!"

Lu Jianguo winced in pain, burning with rage. He braced himself with one hand on the ground and cursed furiously.

Shen Zhongshun and Shen Guizhen gave Lu Jianguo, who was squatting on the ground, a cold glance.

Their eyes were fixed on Lu Zhongping.

If he dares to touch Shen Cuifen, they will immediately rush up to fight back and will never let their daughter suffer the slightest grievance.

Lu Zhongping's face was ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he was cursing the heavens in his heart.

You old fool, it's your balls that are injured, not your legs!

If you can't even stand up, what are you trying to prove?

Now look what's happened, you expect me to protect you, you're just making things worse!

But he could only shout these words in his heart; he dared not say them aloud.

But there were many people coming and going, and the hospital entrance was crowded and noisy.

People had already stopped and were peering out.

More and more people gathered around, pointing and whispering among themselves.

He gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger, bent down, and reached out to help the old man who had just been cursing him.

In the past few days, the Lu family has not dared to go to their door to cause trouble, all because of what happened last time.

The absurd story of Shen Cuifen massaging Lu Jianguo's feet was exaggerated and spread throughout the entire hospital.

The Shen family members couldn't even hold their heads up when they went out.

Aside from meals, I dared not stay in the hospital for long, for fear of running into acquaintances and hearing their sarcastic remarks.

They couldn't bear the shame, and they were fed up with these baseless rumors.

Shen Cuifen was thoroughly annoyed.

It's always the same old trivial stuff, it never ends.

But Zhou Wenjuan kept going against her every time.

She didn't even bother to look at them, feeling that even a second more would be a waste.

She grabbed Shen Zhongshun and Shen Guizhen's arms and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Wenjuan persisted, stepping forward and grabbing the hem of her clothes.

Her voice was trembling and filled with despair, choked with sobs.

"Sister Cuifen, don't go... Could... could you lend me five cents? Just five cents... I really can't go on..."

Shen Cuifen suddenly stopped and slowly turned her head.

"How dare you keep asking again and again?"

"I've rejected you time and time again, do you really think you're a fool? Do you think I, Shen Cuifen, run a charity?"

Are you sick in the head?

"Do you have to bother me like this again and again? Do you have to push me to the brink before you're done? Do you really enjoy having to read other people's faces and listen to their sarcastic remarks?"

Zhou Wenjuan's tears welled up immediately.

She glanced back at Lu Jianguo, her eyes filled with bitterness.

“Sister Cuifen, I know I’m ashamed, and I know I’m shameless, but I’m really desperate…”

Her voice grew softer and softer, almost a murmur.

“We’re completely broke. Jianguo just got out of the hospital and he’s still injured. He’s come all this way; we can’t let him crawl home, can we? I… I really have no other choice…”

Upon hearing this, Zou Qiuya's anger flared up instantly.

She stepped forward and pointed her finger directly at Zhou Wenjuan.

"You have a skin thicker than a subway wall! You can't earn money yourself, so you rely on others for handouts and think it's your right?"

"You really want money? Fine!"

She sneered, her eyes full of mockery.

“I’ll tell you a way to Yongchang Street! The red lights are on there at night. Just stand there, take your pants off, and the money will come! You can make ten or eight yuan a night. Why bother staying here, crying and begging, making yourself a nuisance?”

Shen Cuifen flung her hand away.

Her fingertips were icy cold as she spoke, each word distinct: "Did you hear me? Go to Yongchang Street."

"What's it to you if we're poor?"

She gave a cold laugh, her tone devoid of any pity.

"I'm saying this for the last time—I have no money, not a single penny. Stop bothering me."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenjuan froze, her face turning deathly pale and trembling.

Her tears streamed down her face, dripping onto her worn-out clothes and soaking the area.