Qin Jian laughed in disbelief. Even now her mother was still lying.
“Mother I know everything. The money Lu Qingshen sent was compensation for your former husband.”
The words struck home. Her mother laughed angrily. “Since you know then how dare you question me?”
“If Xiao Yun’s father had not died in service do you think this family would have received such compensation from the Lu family? You were welcomed into their home entirely out of respect for him. You show no gratitude to your sister or to me. You only complain that I did not spend it on you. Ungrateful girl.”
Qin Jian could only marvel at how her mother twisted facts and took what was not hers as if it were her due.
“Mother you are mistaken.” Qin Jian corrected her. “Lu Qingshen married me because he fell in love with me at first sight. Not out of obligation.”
She would not let her mother use this as leverage against her in the future. It was important to set the record straight.
“The three thousand yuan was given to you as compensation. That is all.”
She stressed the point. “When Uncle sacrificed the military already paid an official pension. Three thousand yuan was generous by any standard. Even if you made a scene at the base you would gain nothing. People would only see how greedy you are.”
Her mother shouted in anger. “You ungrateful child. I raised you all these years and this is how you repay me. You have only just married and already you side with strangers against your own mother.”
“Do you think you would be treated well without my support? You are foolish.”
“If you truly cared for me then why did you hide the truth that Qin Yun is not my real sister?” Qin Jian challenged her.
Her mother spoke as if it were obvious. “You share the same mother. Are you not sisters? Think of all you have enjoyed because of her…”
“Enjoyed?” Qin Jian cut in. “From what I remember that money was spent on fine clothes and luxuries for you and her.”
“Do you think people do not notice what you wear?”
Her mother’s face darkened. “Qin Jian be quiet!”
“I did not call to discuss this. It is my money and I will decide how it is spent. Your sister is on holiday. She and her young man are coming to Qing Province. You will receive them and see to their needs. They arrive in three days.”
She ended the call without waiting for an answer. It was how things had always been. Qin Jian would do as she was told.
Qin Jian frowned. Qin Yun was coming? Why? Nothing like this had happened in her past life. She remembered Qin Yun traveling then but to the capital city where she had returned with fine clothes and gifts. Qin Jian had been busy looking for work and had assumed her sister’s boyfriend had paid for everything.
Her mother expected her to wait on Qin Yun? She could dream.
Qin Jian returned with Xiao Liu to the hospital waiting area outside the operating room. Fu Shuang noticed her return and asked what had happened. Qin Jian told her plainly.
“My sister Qin Yun is coming here.”
“For what reason?” Fu Shuang’s expression grew serious.
“She says she is visiting.” Qin Jian added quietly. “She is bringing her boyfriend.”
Fu Shuang rubbed her temples. “How would you like to handle this?”
“I have no time to entertain them.” Qin Jian had no intention of playing hostess.
Fu Shuang gave a faint smile. “Very well. I will assign someone to show them around.”
Qin Jian hesitated. “Auntie please do not. I would rather no one did.”
It pained her to think of the Lu family spending money on Qin Yun. If she and Lu Qingshen were to divorce Qin Yun had no claim on their kindness. The three thousand yuan had already settled all debts between them.
Fu Shuang looked surprised but agreed. “I understand. The soldier would simply act as a guide and keep watch over them so they do not cause trouble at the compound. That is all. With Qingshen’s condition uncertain and you expecting we cannot risk anything happening to you.”
Qin Jian nodded. “Thank you Auntie.”
They reached an understanding. Time passed slowly in the waiting room. Later that afternoon the doors opened. Qin Jian stepped forward anxiously.
“Director Zhong how is he?” Fu Shuang asked.
The doctor wiped his forehead and smiled. “The surgery was a success. If he wakes within three days he should recover fully.”
Relief showed on both faces. Lu Qingshen was moved to the ward. Qin Jian followed and offered to stay and look after him. Fu Shuang went with her husband to speak further with the doctor.
Qin Jian sat beside the bed watching him. She had never seen him so still and frail. She hoped he would wake soon for his parents’ sake.
Three days passed and he did not wake. That evening Fu Shuang and Commander Lu had gone to consult another doctor. Qin Jian was about to step out when someone knocked.
“Who is it?”
“Qin Jian it is me Qin Yun.”
Disgust rose in her instantly. She opened the door and stepped outside closing it firmly behind her. Qin Yun stood there dressed in fine clothes and styled hair. Beside her stood Gu Yanming in a smart suit. He looked well enough but paled in comparison to Lu Qingshen.
“We came to see how my brother in law is doing.” Qin Yun spoke as if concerned. “I would have stopped Mother from sending someone to meet us if I had known he was hurt.” She peered past her toward the room.
“Who told you he was injured?” Qin Jian asked. The news had been kept quiet. The soldier assigned to meet them would not have said anything.
Qin Yun’s smile faltered. “Mother told me. Did you not tell her yourself?”
Qin Jian’s face hardened. She was being framed. Xiao Liu had been there when she spoke. Her mother could not twist this.
“I did not tell her.” Qin Jian said.
Qin Yun smiled dismissively. “Is that so? Perhaps I misremembered.”
Qin Jian studied her. There was something Qin Yun was not telling her. Who had really given her the news?