The next morning, before dawn, Wang Xiuxiu had already woken up early.
The sky outside the window was overcast, and a few birdsongs could be faintly heard.
Wang Xiuxiu got up quietly, and after washing up, she carefully tucked the warm silver notes into her clothes.
Pushing open the door, the cool night breeze brushed against her clothes, bringing a chill, but also dispelling the last trace of hesitation in her heart.
She knew that the decision she was about to make could completely change her life.
But human life is paramount, and she had no other choice.
Wang Chengwen's illness could not be delayed any longer; she had to hand over the banknotes to Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui as soon as possible so that they could fetch a better doctor.
As she approached the door, Wang Xiuxiu stopped, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her nerves.
Just as I was about to raise my hand to gently knock on the door, I heard a low conversation coming from inside.
She paused for a moment, her hand hovering in mid-air, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.
Just as Wang Xiuxiu hesitated for a moment, the topic of conversation in the room gradually shifted from Wang Chengwen's illness to her.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart tightened, and she involuntarily held her breath, wanting to hear what was going on.
"Husband, the Liu family can't wait any longer. We have to make things clear with Xiu'er in the next few days!" Chen Chunhua's voice was anxious, even carrying a hint of coercion. "They... it's a blessing for our Xiu'er to have taken a liking to her! Besides... if we keep dragging this out, they won't be happy!"
Wang Degui's voice was muffled, as if hesitant: "Let's put this matter on hold for now. Chengwen is still sick, and Xiuxiu has just returned. She needs to catch her breath... Besides, Xiuxiu is a stubborn girl, and she might not agree."
"Slow down? If we slow down any longer, it'll be too late!" Chen Chunhua's tone suddenly rose, filled with undisguised anger. "I have to do everything? Are you her real father or am I her real mother? Even this kind of talk has to be said by me, her stepmother. If outsiders find out, they'll break my back! Besides, do you want to just watch Chengwen die of illness?"
Inside the room came Chen Chunhua's sobs, mixed with Wang Degui's low, comforting voice: "Don't worry, that's not what I meant... it's just that I'm afraid of Xiuxiu..."
"What are you afraid of! She's just a girl, what can she do to cause trouble?" Chen Chunhua interrupted him, her tone full of resentment. "If you don't speak up, I'll go and tell her myself! I'm determined to be the bad guy anyway, so what's one more time?"
Wang Xiuxiu stood outside the door, feeling as if she had fallen into an ice cave, the chill rising from the soles of her feet to her heart.
She didn't know who County Magistrate Liu was, nor did she know what Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui were plotting, but being discussed by them like they were talking about merchandise made her instinctively feel nauseous and fearful.
Wang Xiuxiu gripped her clothes tightly, her fingertips almost digging into her palms, yet she felt no pain.
Suppressing her panic, Wang Xiuxiu slowly took a few steps back, turned around and quickly left, her footsteps so light they were almost silent.
Back in her room, she closed the door, leaned against it, and slowly slid down to sit on the floor.
Wang Xiuxiu's mind was in chaos, and Chen Chunhua's words kept echoing in her ears: "The Liu County Magistrate's family... Wang Chengwen...marrying there..."
Who is Magistrate Liu? What agreement did the Wang family reach with him? And what is Wang Chengwen's connection to this matter?
Countless questions swirled in her mind, but she couldn't find the answers.
Wang Xiuxiu forced herself to calm down. Wang Chengwen was still sick, but Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui were in a hurry to get rid of her. There must be something fishy about this.
It wasn't that she didn't want to escape, but Chen Chunhua still held her household registration. Since she couldn't escape, she had to find out the truth in order to protect herself.
Using the excuse of going to buy medicine for Wang Chengwen, Wang Xiuxiu avoided Wang Degui's hesitant gaze and hurriedly left home.
She went straight to the county town to find a man known as "Know-it-all".
After working at Jinxiufang for half a year, Wang Xiuxiu had also accumulated some of her own connections.
Although that person wasn't a big shot, he had extensive connections and was well-informed in the county.
Wang Xiuxiu had unintentionally helped him with a small favor before, so the two had some connection.
In a secluded teahouse, Wang Xiuxiu met the know-it-all.
She took out a silver note, paid the deposit, and whispered, "I want to inquire about someone, County Magistrate Liu, and his affairs with the Wang family of Taoyuan Village. I hope you can find out everything and tell me."
The all-knowing man took the silver note, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Madam Wang, leave this to me. I will give you a satisfactory answer in two days."
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, feeling a little more at ease.
Although this know-it-all is greedy, he is always reliable in getting things done.
If he's willing to take this job, things could turn around.
After leaving the teahouse, Wang Xiuxiu did not go straight home. Instead, she wandered around the streets for a while to make sure no one was following her before quietly returning home.
Upon returning home, Wang Xiuxiu took the initiative to take care of Wang Chengwen.
During this time, Chen Chunhua had been personally taking care of the patient and was already exhausted.
Wang Degui and Wang Chengwu were both rough and clumsy, and Chen Chunhua didn't trust them to get involved. Hong Xiaodong was even more of a thorn in her side, and she strictly forbade her from getting close to Xiaolang.
Now that Wang Xiuxiu is back, Chen Chunhua can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Wang Xiuxiu sat by Wang Chengwen's bedside, dampened a handkerchief with warm water, and gently wiped his forehead and hands.
Wang Chengwen's face was still pale. After tossing and turning for a long time, he finally managed to fall into a deep sleep.
Afraid of disturbing him, Wang Xiuxiu's movements became even gentler.
Suddenly, Wang Chengwen started coughing violently.
Wang Xiuxiu quickly helped him up, letting him lean against her chest, and gently patted his back to help him catch his breath.
The coughing gradually subsided, and Wang Chengwen struggled to open his eyes. Seeing that it was Wang Xiuxiu, he forced a smile: "Cough cough... You're back... Cough cough, did you suffer any injustices there?"
Wang Xiuxiu was stunned, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
Having been away from home for so long, this was the first time she had heard someone care about her.
She forced back her tears and managed a weak smile: "I haven't been wronged. The people in the embroidery workshop have been very kind to me. I'm making money now, so don't worry. I'll find a doctor to treat you."
"Don't spend money on me...cough...cough cough!"
Wang Chengwen suddenly became agitated, grabbed Wang Xiuxiu's hand, and then coughed violently again.
Wang Xiuxiu comforted him, patting his back gently until he caught his breath.
“I know my own body… Keep your money to yourself… Don’t tell Father and Mother…” Wang Chengwen’s voice was weak, and he had to take several breaths to say a sentence, but his tone was still firm.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat, but she forced a smile and said, "Alright, alright, I know, old man, you should rest well and don't worry about it."
After speaking for a while, Wang Chengwen seemed to have exhausted all his strength, and slowly closed his eyes.
Wang Xiuxiu adjusted his pillow and blanket slightly, and helped him lie down.
Because of his weakness, Wang Chengwen's eyes were half-closed, and his breathing was rapid and irregular. He would often take a deep breath and then exhale shallowly.
Wang Xiuxiu sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching him, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
Wang Chengwen's condition was more serious than she had imagined, and Chen Chunhua and Wang Degui's plan made her even more uneasy.
She must find out Liu the County Magistrate's background as soon as possible in order to find a way to deal with him.
She gently squeezed Wang Chengwen's hand and whispered, "Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to save you."
Wang Chengwen seemed to hear her words, his fingers twitched slightly, but he ultimately lacked the strength to respond.
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