The tractor was making too much noise and no one spoke. Lin Dagang had been to the county town before and was familiar with the road, so he accelerated and arrived at the county hospital quite quickly.

Meng Laosan was sent to the emergency department. The doctor performed a routine examination and found that Meng Laosan had a broken calf bone, a concussion, and excessive blood loss. He needed surgery immediately, and his family had to sign and pay the medical expenses. Meng Tao brought money with her, but Ma Liuzi pulled her sleeve and motioned for her to follow him out the door.

The two stood at the door, and Ma Liuzi said, "Originally, the brigade headquarters was also disturbed by the old woman of the Meng family, and they didn't want to care about this matter. But you, as a cousin, came all the way from Linshui Village and called the police, so they couldn't just ignore it. So, we have just forced Meng Changshou to press his fingerprints in the team to advance a sum of money, which should be enough to pay for medical expenses. Even if the Meng family is unwilling to return the public money, they can always deduct their work points next year. You don't have to spend money on this. Anyway, Meng Laosan has been working like a slave in the Meng family for so many years, and it was Meng Laifu who beat him half to death and didn't mention it. If they don't take responsibility, who will? It's not easy for you, a little girl. We only came to you because we were really anxious. I'm sorry, sister!"

"I know, it's all because of Brother Meng San. I'm sorry to have caused you brothers to worry. Brother Ma Liu, you've been running back and forth all day. You must be tired."

"Hey, we are from the same village and grew up together. It's strange to say that."

"Having friends like you makes Brother Jinniu's life worthwhile. When he recovers, I'll ask him to thank you and treat you to some drinks."

"This is fine, hehehe!"

Ma Liuzi laughed: "I'm just kidding. Whether there's wine or not, we are all brothers. We know each other well and will help each other out if there's any heavy work. Meng Laosan is a down-to-earth man. He never spares any effort in his work and is very kind to his brothers."

As they were talking, Lin Dagang came over and asked Meng Tao, "Now that the people have been sent to the county, do you want to watch over them? Then I'll go back first. It's a gloomy day, I'm afraid it's going to rain or snow, and it will be even harder to walk after dark."

Meng Tao thought about it. The patient hasn't woken up yet. Since she's here now, she should wait until Meng Jinniu finishes the operation, right?

But: "I left the village in a hurry and forgot to ask Uncle Bao to issue a certificate. How can I stay in a hotel? The hospital only provides one bed companion, so it must be Master Meng who is here."

Lin Dagang said: "I know this. My wife's family had this kind of situation before. You can ask the doctor in the hospital to give you a certificate stating that you are a family member of the patient, and then you can go to the hotel with the certificate from the hospital."

"Is this okay?"

"Sure!"

"Okay, then I'll stay here and wait until Jinniu wakes up. Dagang, you drive back and take Brother Liuzi and the others with you."

"become."

"We've been busy all day today, but we finally got the patient here. We're relieved to have him handed over to the doctor. Thank you. What time is it now? Let's go to the restaurant and have a meal before we leave."

Lin Dagang waved his hand: "Why are you being polite? We are not strangers. Eating out is expensive, I'd better go home and eat."

"Going back hungry? No way! I need to eat too. I didn't have a good breakfast and only had two buns for lunch. I'm already hungry. Let's go!"

So Ma Liuzi went to call the other two friends, Wang Ergou and Liu Dafu, but not Meng Changshou. Ma Liuzi said, "This old man is a bit hateful. If he hadn't been like a wooden man and hadn't always indulged Old Lady Geng, the third child wouldn't have suffered so much. Let him stay there first!"

Meng Tao nodded in agreement: "You are right. If the head of the family cannot stand up, and the old woman is like a bully, torturing even her own flesh and blood, then why bother having many children and grandchildren? Although I should call him great grandfather, I am reluctant to do so. Let's eat first and pack a bowl of noodles for him later."

There was a state-owned restaurant diagonally opposite the hospital. Meng Tao and a few others went in, chose a table and sat down. There were not many customers at that time. The waiter came over and asked them what they wanted to eat. Meng Tao asked what was served. After listening to the waiter's introduction, he ordered braised carp, twice-cooked pork, braised pig ears, shredded potatoes with vinegar, and cabbage stewed with vermicelli, five dishes with both meat and vegetables. For four men plus himself, there was just one dish for each of them, and they also had egg drop soup and a bowl of rice for each person. Everyone had been hungry for a day, and with both fish and meat, they ate happily and heartily. In the end, of course, they finished their meals without leaving a drop of soup.

After eating and drinking, Meng Tao ordered another bowl of noodles with two fried eggs and a few slices of braised pork when she paid. When the waiter heard that she wanted to take the bowl away, he asked her to pay a deposit for the bowl, and he would refund the deposit when she returned the bowl.

Ma Liuzi held the bowl of noodles and gave it to Meng Changshou.

Meng Tao deliberately walked behind Lin Dagang, wanting to give him some labor fees, but Lin Dagang refused. They were arguing on the street, so Meng Tao said, "How about this? I have a few sugar coupons. Your wife is about to give birth. When I go back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I will bring you two kilograms of brown sugar."

This time Lin Dagang did not refuse, but nodded a little embarrassedly.

Meng Tao returned to the hospital only after Lin Dagang drove the tractor and took Ma Liuzi and others away. Meng Laosan was still in the operating room, and Meng Changshou was sitting on a wooden bench eating noodles.

He was also very hungry and ate without uttering a word. Meng Tao stood beside him for a while and then went to the office to find someone to see if he could issue a certificate first, otherwise he would have no place to stay at night.

When Meng Changshou heard that he could only stay for half a month, he became anxious: How much would it cost for such a long time?

The hospital just asked him to pay in the fifty yuan that the team allowed him to collect, saying that they would keep it there first and they would add more money when they settled the total bill when he was discharged.

What the hell? Fifty dollars just disappeared like that. He couldn't earn that much in a year. If he threw it into the water, it would make a noise. Oh! What a sin!

Is Sanwa stupid? His grandma asked his dad to beat him with a stick, why didn't he run away? So much money was wasted on treatment, he is so stupid, it's better to just beat him to death! Meng Changshou was irritated, and habitually reached for his pipe at his waist, and heard a girl's voice saying, "Smoking is not allowed in the ward."

When Meng Changshou looked up and saw that it was Meng Tao, he immediately became angry: This girl is so nosy. It's bad enough that she ran all the way to Liuzhuang, but she also reported it to the police, causing everyone in the village and outside to know about it, and they all came to watch the fun. The Meng family has lost face this time, and they will never be able to face anyone again!

Meng Tao ignored Meng Changshou. She looked at the label on Meng Laosan's bedside: Meng Jinniu, 20 years old.

She is the same age as Meng Jinniu, who is only a few months older than her.

Seeing that Meng Tao ignored him and didn't call him grandpa, Meng Changshou became even angrier. He coughed and said, "Wash that bowl and save it for tomorrow's meal at the hospital cafeteria. Don't buy food outside. Food in restaurants is expensive!"

Meng Tao looked at him and said, "You can eat noodles, so why can't you wash the dishes? That bowl belongs to the restaurant and needs to be returned. You have to buy another lunch box for yourself."

Meng Changshou glared: "I'm your great grandfather! What's wrong with asking you to wash the dishes?"

"Grandpa, you're so great? Did you ever raise me? Why should I help you wash? I bought that bowl of noodles and didn't ask you for money."

Meng Changshou was so angry that he fell backwards: "You, you disobedient... ungrateful wolf!"

"I think you are more like an ungrateful person. You and that old witch named Geng are a pair of ungrateful people!" Meng Tao looked down on men like Meng Changshou. She really lacked the slightest respect for him.

"You!" Meng Changshou's face turned pale and he raised his hand to hit him.

Meng Tao glanced at him coldly and threatened: "You dare? I'm not Meng Jinniu. If you dare to touch me, I will hit my head and say that you hurt me. I will sue you in court and make you go to jail!"

"I am your great-grandfather!" Meng Changshou retracted his hand and said this again.

"So what? Did I recognize you? Besides, the Meng family of Linshui Village and the Meng family of Liuzhuang are two families! I will sue you in our Yanchong Commune Court, and the police will come in minutes to arrest you!"

Meng Changshou was frightened and helpless. He was still angry and could only argue: "You are an unfilial descendant. You are disrespectful to your ancestors. I will let the thunder strike you one day! If I had known this would happen, I would not have quarreled with Changshuan. I would have just thrown you into the mountains to feed the wild dogs. We brothers would still be fine now!"

Meng Tao snorted coldly: "It is you who should be struck by lightning, as well as Geng Liuju. Don't think I am too young to know. My grandfather told me that when he was young, he left home to join the revolution, but whenever he had a little money outside, he would send it back home to his parents. He continued to send money until his parents passed away.

And you, you spend his money at home, but in the end you say he doesn't support his parents, drive him out of the house, and don't even give him half of the ancestral house. Ask yourself, have you really been filial to your parents? With Geng Liuju's personality, she is cruel, harsh, selfish, and she would always think of subsidizing her parents' home for any benefit. Will she be filial to her parents-in-law? I don't believe it! You can't even manage a wife. You are not worthy of your ancestors and your brothers. You should be ashamed!"

Meng Changshou's face turned pale blue and he was gasping for breath. This time he pulled out the pipe from his waist. Meng Tao walked away calmly and went around to the other side of Meng Laosan's bed. It was not that she was afraid of Meng Changshou, but she could not completely turn against the old man now.

"Do you know why I am willing to help Meng Jinniu?"

Meng Tao continued, "I recognized Meng Jinniu in the county town that time. They worked so hard to send Geng Caiyue to the county hospital to give birth, but they had no money to eat. Everyone blamed Meng Jinniu - look at Geng Liuju, she always does things that bring shame to the Meng family! I paid for black-faced steamed buns for them to eat. After that, Meng Jinniu came to Linshui Village to help me repair the house. He worked for a few days and then went back. As soon as he left, I dreamed of my grandfather. My grandfather thought it was his eldest brother who sent Jinniu. He said to me: My eldest brother still cares about me and gave Jinniu to me as a grandson. Although he only lived in my house for a few days, I was very happy. At the beginning, I quarreled with my eldest brother because Geng Liuju was bad. Geng Liuju was too vicious, but my eldest brother is still my eldest brother, and I forgave him!

Grandpa also told me to take care of Jinniu and me in the future, so when I knew that Jinniu was injured by Geng Liuju, I rushed over to help him. "

I have completed 10,000 words today and will come back tomorrow!

(End of this chapter)