far-fetched ideas
Liu Xiangmei walked into the living room and saw everyone sitting around the dining table. Her father-in-law was smoking a pipe, and through the hazy smoke, no one looked too good, especially Wang Tianhua, whose head was hanging down as if he wanted to burrow into the ground.
She stood by the living room door with her hands in her pockets.
Seeing her standing there, not even bothering to find a stool to sit down, Liu Lan frowned deeply. She wanted to scold her, but remembering what she was going to say later, she turned her face away, preferring to ignore her.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Liu Xiangmei didn't ask any questions either, as if everything had nothing to do with her.
The first sound to be heard in the room was Liu Ailing's sobbing, a muffled wail, completely devoid of her usual arrogance.
As she cried, Liu Ailing realized that no one intended to speak. Feeling a lump in her throat, she glared at the man next to her who was keeping his head down.
Now you realize how shameful you are? What were you doing when you caused trouble?
She then looked at her parents-in-law, who also had bitter expressions and showed no intention of speaking. She knew that it was impossible to get them to open their mouths; she would have to rely on them in crucial moments.
Looking at Liu Xiangmei, who was still standing by the door, Liu Ailing wiped away her tears, stood up and brought Liu Xiangmei a stool, "Sister-in-law, please sit down."
Liu Xiangmei raised her eyebrows. Ha, her sister-in-law has been married into the family for almost ten years, and this is the first time she's ever brought her a stool. It seems like the matter to be discussed today is quite significant!
She didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, but still didn't say a word.
Seeing that Liu Xiangmei showed no intention of asking any questions, Liu Ailing could only wipe her eyes and smile, "Sister-in-law, to be honest, I asked you to come here today because I need your help with something. Tianhua and I really have no other choice."
Liu Xiangmei: "What is it?"
Looking at Liu Xiangmei's indifferent attitude, and remembering how Liu Xiangmei had kowtowed and begged to borrow their bicycle just yesterday, only to have the tables turned today, Liu Ailing felt increasingly angry.
But she still had to plead, so she coughed lightly, "It's like this..."
Wang Tianhua interrupted Liu Xiangmei, "Sister-in-law, it's not a big deal. Just promise me, it's very simple for you."
Wang Yao, who was eavesdropping below the window, clenched her hands tightly, too nervous to breathe, hoping her mother would listen to her advice and not fall into another trap.
In my past life, my mother was successfully tricked and had no choice but to hand over a large sum of money.
However, because he didn't take out all his savings, he was called a selfish person who only cared about money. As a result, he not only paid out the money but also got scolded and didn't get any credit.
Liu Xiangmei looked at Wang Tianhua. Judging from his expression, it didn't seem like a simple matter. Remembering her daughter's repeated instructions before she came, she shook her head: "Just say what's on your mind. If not, I'm leaving."
As she spoke, she made a move to get up, but Liu Ailing quickly pressed her down and glared at Wang Tianhua. He didn't speak when he should, and he interrupted when he shouldn't. What would he do if she really left?
Liu Ailing forced a smile. "Sister-in-law, it's like this, Tianhua works at the clinic, and a few days ago he treated a patient's leg. But yesterday the patient came back saying his leg was damaged and demanded compensation. We're not going to get the money to pay him, so..."
Liu Xiangmei understood. This was a medical malpractice incident caused by Wang Tianhua. No wonder Wang Tianhua didn't dare to raise his head; he was ashamed!
She asked, "Are you sure it was Wang Tianhua who made it worse?"
Wang Tianhua nodded, "Sister-in-law, I really have no other choice. You have to save me, or they might sue me."
Wang Yao listened from outside and scoffed, "They're going to sue him, aren't they?"
Because their village is quite large, it is divided into nine groups, and their area is the most remote ninth group, while the health clinic is located in the first group at the foot of the mountain.
When they hadn't raised enough money in their previous life, they initially just stayed at the clinic and wouldn't leave, demanding compensation from Wang Tianhua, so no one in the neighborhood knew about it.
Later, when they saw that Wang Tianhua was slow to pay, they made a scene at his home, and now everyone in the neighborhood knows about it.
Seeing that those people had made a scene, Wang Tianhua simply stopped caring and ignored them. No matter how much they fussed, he still had no money.
Later, they filed a lawsuit against Wang Tianhua, and only then did Wang Tianhua get scared and try to raise the money.
Looking at Wang Tianhua's pitiful appearance and thinking of her husband who had recently passed away, Liu Xiangmei sighed. As her sister-in-law, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing. She asked, "How much money do they want?"
Wang Tianhua's voice was barely audible, "Three thousand."
"How much?" Liu Xiangmei exclaimed in surprise.
Liu Lan frowned. "What are you shouting about? Three thousand? How much can you possibly come up with? You can probably come up with two thousand five, right?"
Liu Xiangmei wondered if she had misheard. "Two thousand five? Where did I get two thousand five?"
Liu Lan: "Our eldest son died in the coal mine. They paid us 5,000 yuan in compensation. Your father and I took 2,500 yuan. You still have 2,500 yuan left, right?"
Looking at the impatient old lady, Liu Xiangmei couldn't believe that she had just said those words.
That five thousand yuan was her eldest son's funeral expenses, the money that bought her eldest son's life. How could she bear to use it like that?
And she's already taken half; if she still dares to scheme for the remaining half, what will happen to her and her daughter? Will they starve?
No, the total compensation is three thousand yuan. If she takes two thousand five, then her family of five will only take five hundred yuan. Ha, she really knows how to calculate. Why not let her take all three thousand yuan by herself?
Liu Lan saw the sarcasm on Liu Xiangmei's face and said matter-of-factly, "That's money my son earned with his life. If it weren't for the village chief's intervention, you wouldn't have gotten a single penny. Now that Tianhua needs it, it's only right that you give it to him!"
Liu Xiangmei snorted coldly, "That two thousand five hundred yuan was left by my husband for me and the child. Yao Yao still needs to go to school. Don't even think about getting a penny."
Liu Ailing quickly tried to comfort her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. Let's talk things out. Everything can be discussed..."
Liu Xiangmei interrupted her, "Easy to discuss? When Yao Yao was unconscious yesterday and I borrowed your bicycle, why didn't you think about discussing things amicably? Now you say easy to discuss? Too late!"
She looked around at everyone in the room, all of whom had ashen faces, especially her mother-in-law, Liu Lan, who looked as if she wanted to skin her alive.
But was she afraid? Not at all! It would be best if she could just drive this delusional old woman crazy!
Watching Liu Xiangmei turn and leave, Liu Lan cursed, "You lowly slut! Your man's dead, and you've gotten bolder, daring to go against me! Let me tell you, if you don't bring the money by tomorrow, I'll skin you alive! Ugh..."
Wang Tianhua covered Liu Lan's mouth, "Mom, this is the time for us to ask for help. We can't be servile, but we also can't offend her!"
Liu Lan snorted, "Beg her? I'm just telling her that she'd better be sensible and hand over the money, or I'll teach her a lesson."
Wang Tianhua was helpless. His sister-in-law was the type who would respond better to gentle persuasion than force. If he pleaded with her properly, there might still be hope. But if he confronted her head-on, it would definitely backfire.
Standing to the side, Liu Ailing's mind was still filled with the smile Liu Xiangmei had given her before leaving. What did that smile mean? Was Liu Xiangmei mocking her? Was she showing off in front of her? Did a peasant like Liu Xiangmei have the right to laugh at her?
If you don't want the money, just say so. Don't use Wang Yao's need to go to school as an excuse. With Wang Yao's disrespectful attitude towards her elders, no matter how much she studies, she will still be an unfilial son.
As soon as Liu Xiangmei went out, she saw Wang Yao squatting outside the window eavesdropping. She glared at Wang Yao and went home.
Wang Yao followed Liu Xiangmei with small, quick steps. After they got home and closed the door, she looked at Liu Xiangmei's expression, which wasn't too bad. "Mom, what do we do now?"
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