“Are you really not going to report them?”
On the way back to the city, Jiang Jingtao had asked this no less than three times.
Leng Hui suddenly stopped walking, and Jiang Jingtao nearly bumped into her. Fortunately, he managed to halt in time.
“You were walking just fine—why did you stop so abruptly?”
Leng Hui narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at him dangerously. “Are you that eager to report them? Do you want Leng Mei to implicate me? Don’t forget, the Leng Family hasn’t split up yet. The coal she brought back, without others knowing, also benefits me indirectly.”
The thought of the punishment Leng Hui would face if implicated sent a shiver down Jiang Jingtao’s spine. He hurriedly waved his hands. “I didn’t mean to report them, and I never intended to get you involved. It’s just—”
“Enough with the ‘just.’ You’d better keep this to yourself and never mention it to anyone,” Leng Hui warned him.
This matter should be left to unfold on its own. Even if someone were to report it, it couldn’t be her, Leng Hui.
Since Leng Mei had brought some coal home, she was indirectly benefiting from it. She couldn’t bring herself to bite the hand that fed her.
If you often walk by the river, you’re bound to get your shoes wet.
The more they walk the night path, the more likely Leng Mei and the others would eventually get into trouble.
Thinking of this, Leng Hui recalled the contents of that novel. The protagonist never got into trouble early on—could it be that even this kind of thing was protected by plot armor?
“Hey, Leng Hui, where are you going? Home is this way.”
“Go back by yourself. I need to go to the hospital to take care of my mom.” Without looking back, Leng Hui quickened her pace and left.
When she returned to the hospital room, Leng Hui found the bed empty. Just as she was about to ask the person in the next bed, she saw Tang Lin slowly entering through the door, holding a drainage bag.
She hurried over to support her. “Where did you go?”
“Just to use the restroom.” Suppressing the pain, Tang Lin leaned her weight on Leng Hui. “Have you had enough fun outside to remember to come back?”
Leng Hui didn’t answer her question but noticed she was only holding one bag. “Did they remove the catheter?”
Tang Lin shot her a glare, her pale face devoid of color. After finally making it to the bed and lying down, she let out a long sigh. “I’ve wanted the tube removed for a while, but even removing it is torture. Going to the bathroom just took half my life.”
“I’m sorry. I thought your catheter wouldn’t be removed today. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have left.”
Tang Lin had undergone major surgery, and her body wasn’t recovering that quickly. Leng Hui had spent half the day with Leng Mei and ended up neglecting her care.
Rarely seeing her show remorse, Tang Lin smiled. “It’s fine, consider it exercise. Where did you go this morning?”
Leng Hui recounted the events of the morning. “You’ve read this novel too—did the book mention the female lead train hopping to steal coal in the early stages?”
“I don’t remember anything like that. Reality probably differs from the world in the book. After all, in the real world, every character is a living person, more grounded than in the novel.”
“If only we’d known we’d end up here, we should’ve tossed the book into the space after reading it. We could’ve flipped through it later when we had nothing to do.”
Over the next few days, Leng Hui didn’t dare wander off. She dutifully took care of Tang Lin every day. As time passed, Tang Lin’s condition gradually improved.
Especially after the drainage tube was removed, Tang Lin no longer winced with every step she took.
That day, Leng Hui accompanied Tang Lin for a walk in the small garden downstairs when they spotted Leng Yongkang hurrying toward the inpatient building from a distance.
Seeing Tang Lin and Leng Hui downstairs, he paused slightly, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and asked, “How is your recovery? What did the doctor say?”
Noticing his concern, Tang Lin’s expression softened. “The doctor said the recovery is progressing well.”
Leng Hui subtly observed him—still in his work uniform—and couldn’t resist interjecting, “You rushed to the hospital straight from the factory, didn’t you? Did something urgent happen?”
After wiping the sweat off his face and tucking the handkerchief back into his pocket, Leng Yongkang let out a sigh and replied, “I got a call from your aunt saying Xiao Mei somehow broke her leg.”
Meeting the murderous glares from the mother and daughter, his words caught in his throat, leaving him momentarily speechless.
The two suddenly broke into synchronized smiles, urging him to continue, “Go on, we’re listening. How is she doing?”
“She… she… she’s also hospitalized here.” Leng Yongkang swallowed hard and forced himself to add, “Mom asked me to check on your recovery. If possible, you should go home to recuperate. Staying in the hospital is a waste of money.”
Leng Hui’s smile turned icy, baring her teeth as she asked, “Are medical resources scarce right now?”
Leng Yongkang didn’t grasp her implication but nodded honestly. “Yes, resources are limited. To avoid wasting the country’s medical supplies, we should recuperate at home if we can.”
“Heh!” Leng Hui sneered. “When resources are tight, even the doctor hasn’t approved my mother’s discharge, yet you and your mother dare suggest she leave? Seems like you’re eager for her to die early.”
Leng Yongkang’s face darkened. “You wretched child, what nonsense are you spouting? Your mother is my wife—how could I want her dead?”
“Nonsense? We’ve already witnessed your vicious ambitions not long ago. Otherwise, why would an elder brother scheme with his sister-in-law to steal his own wife’s job?”
Leng Yongkang: “…” Was this never going to be let go?
Tang Lin stood nearby, her face frosty, staring intently at Leng Yongkang as if trying to peel back his facade and see the true nature beneath.
Leng Hui pressed on mercilessly, “During my mother’s severe injury and hospitalization, how many times did you visit? Her own daughter cared for her alone—how often did you show concern? Yet the moment your niece from the second branch gets hurt, you rush here in a panic, afraid people will call you heartless?”
Struck by the truth, Leng Yongkang flushed with anger. “You insolent brat! Must you speak with such sarcasm? It’s infuriating!”
Feeling weary, Tang Lin sat on a nearby chair. Her tone was calm but carried immense weight. “Is the child wrong? Your agitation proves your guilt. You’ve been absent during my hospitalization—one might think I’m a widow!”
The word “widow” struck a nerve.
Leng Yongkang’s head spun. “I’m not dead yet!”
“Might as well be!” Tang Lin stated bluntly.
Leng Yongkang said weakly, “Xiaolin, can we talk properly? You and your mother are taking turns criticizing me until I feel like having a heart attack. Mom asked me to come and discuss this. Later, I’ll go ask the doctor for their opinion. If the doctor agrees, we can go home to recuperate, alright?”
As he spoke, Leng Yongkang began to feel sorry for himself. What man in the world would lower himself like this in front of his wife and child?
Tang Lin averted her eyes. A grown man in his forties pulling this kind of stunt was just painful to watch.
The new book is in its growth period. Everyone is welcome to cast recommendation votes!