Chapter 88 Vegetative State

It wasn't until almost noon that Shen's father and Wang Cuifen returned, exhausted.

Wang Cuifen said directly, "Nini, is there any food at home? Your dad and I are starving. Your aunt is so stingy, she won't even spend a single steamed bun. If we hadn't come back to see your grandparents, we would have gone straight to work. We took two days off, and I don't know how much money we'll be docked. It's really bad luck!"

Jinran quickly replied, "I already made some Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), I'll cook it now. Just mix it in and it's ready to eat."

After finishing, Jinran brought it out and added a few cloves of garlic. She watched her parents wolf down the noodles.

Curious, she asked, "Mom, where did you go? What happened? I watched half of it yesterday, and when I saw that my grandparents had left, I was worried and went to the old house with them. I don't know what happened after that."

Wang Cuifen put down her bowl and sighed, "Nothing much happened after that, but I don't know what happened. We were talking, and suddenly a fight broke out. Shen Yanhong was like a madwoman. She beat Meng Fan and Huang Yuanyuan half to death. Meng Fan was fine, but Huang Yuanyuan had already been beaten up before, and your aunt also joined in. I don't know what hurt her, but Huang Yuanyuan was covered in blood and unconscious."

Shen Yanhong and the others were frightened. The village chief had someone help take Huang Yuanyuan to the hospital. "Our family can't just stand by and watch this scare," they said, "the whole village is watching." So your father and I went, and we were busy all night. She still hasn't woken up. The doctor said she injured her head. If she doesn't wake up, what do you call her... a living dead?"

Father Shen explained, "No, he's in a vegetative state."

Wang Cuifen continued, "Yes, yes, he's in a vegetative state. They say he'll have to stay in bed. Also, the village chief has already called the police. Your dad and I will go to the old house later to see what your grandpa has to say. Your grandpa has seen a lot, so he'll definitely have a better idea than us."

Jinran then recounted the sad story of Grandma Shen, saying, "My grandma was truly heartbroken. It was the first time I'd ever seen her cry like that. Shen Yanhong is such a troublemaker."

Mr. Shen said angrily, “That’s right, your grandma really worries about them. But now we don’t know what to do. If the person doesn’t wake up, we have to notify their parents. That would be another lawsuit. Shen Yanhong might get arrested. That’s no small crime. I’ve heard my colleagues say that educated youth are still well protected.”

After finishing their meal, Shen's father and Wang Cuifen got up to go to the old house. Jinran quickly put the bowls and chopsticks into the pot and followed them. It wasn't that she cared much; she was just joining in the fun.

The two unfilial children at home called out softly, meaning they would be told to talk to them when they came back.

It's not that she's so gossipy; it must be because she's been spending too much time with Da Hong and caught it.

When we arrived at the old house, we saw my eldest uncle and aunt, my second uncle and aunt. My eldest aunt was crying, my grandmother looked indifferent, and my grandfather was smoking.

Father Shen said, "Father, Mother, we've arrived."

Grandpa Shen nodded, and Grandma Shen pulled Jinran closer, holding Jinran's hand and stroking it back and forth as if she were doing something very important.

My aunt was still crying, and my uncle was squatting at the door, covering his face with his hands, so his expression was not visible. For a moment, only my aunt's crying could be heard in the house.

The atmosphere was somewhat eerie.

Jinran moved her fingers, but Grandma Shen straightened them out.

Jinran: "Grandma, you're making it hard for people to stay immersed in the story!"

The eldest aunt was the first to break down and speak up, "Father and Mother, please think of a way! What should we do? If their parents come, this will be a huge problem. I've already given the hospital all our savings, but it's no use. It's like a bottomless pit. We can't afford to give any more. Now Yan Hong is locked up, Shen Qing is guarding the hospital, and Meng Fan says this isn't over. Father and Mother, what should we do?!"

Grandpa Shen said in a deep voice, "I have no choice. Whatever the police station says, we'll do. If we don't have money, we'll pay with our lives."

Auntie looked at Grandpa Shen in disbelief, then turned to Grandma Shen, hoping she would put in a good word for her.

Grandma Shen said indifferently, "I can't do anything. All I can do is give you fifty yuan. That's all we have. We haven't participated in any of your family's weddings or other celebrations. Afterwards, you asked us to come up with a solution. What can we do? We can take out our retirement money. As your mother, I think we've done more than enough."