Li Jianhan met his fifth sister’s gaze. He could not admit the truth now. Overcome with guilt and shame he lowered his head. “It is I who needs the kidney.” If he confessed now with how deeply Chuxin resents Xixi she would certainly never donate one to her.
He was telling a well meaning lie to save Xixi’s life.
Li Chuxin had already given him every chance. She pulled a sheet of paper from her cloth bag. “Eldest brother both your kidneys are there and perfectly healthy.”
She had obtained this from the hospital under his name. Medical reports in this era were handwritten and the one he had shown her was entirely forged. Hers on the other hand bore the official red hospital seal.
The report confirming both kidneys were intact shattered Li Jianhan’s resolve. “Chuxin please listen to me. I never meant to deceive you.”
“It is Xixi. She has developed a serious kidney condition and desperately needs a healthy one. I had no choice.”
Li Chuxin said. “Eldest brother you love and cherish Xixi so deeply. Why not give her one of your own kidneys instead of taking mine?” As for whether Li Xixi truly suffered from serious kidney disease or whether her kidneys were actually healthy she would not expose her now. She would let her eldest brother and second brother discover Li Xixi’s true nature on their own in time.
Li Jianhan found his once gentle and obedient fifth sister sharp and unyielding. “Chuxin how have you become like this? This is not who you used to be. Can you not speak without being so hurtful?”
Li Chuxin did not flinch. “Are you growing impatient brother? If you are so willing to save her then use your own kidney. Why must it be mine? Is your love for Fourth Sister built entirely on taking what belongs to me just to make her happy?”
Li Jianhan defended himself. “I never schemed to take your kidney for Xixi. It was she who refused mine out of concern for me.” As the man of the house and the main provider Xixi worried losing a kidney would weaken him and hinder his work.
Li Chuxin spoke plainly. “That is strange. Why does she care so much about you and not at all about me? The truth is brother you are simply afraid of pain. If you do not wish to donate then do not.”
“Why pretend otherwise?”
“If you truly wish to save her and prove your devotion then use your own kidney.”
“You yourself taught me to be upright honest sincere and kind.”
“Is what you are doing now truly honest or kind?”
Li Jianhan fell silent unable to argue further. To say more would only make him appear hypocritical and cruel for plotting against his own sister. “Chuxin I give you my word I will not take your kidney to save Xixi.”
“But I will not give up on her either.”
Li Chuxin said. “Brother do you hear how ridiculous that sounds? If you want to give yours to her then that is your choice and none of my concern. Have you considered she may not actually need it at all?”
“And there is no need to tell me your plans.”
She gathered her things and left. Before leaving she stopped downstairs outside Li Xixi’s hospital room to look in. In half a month they would travel to the Huo family in Sijiucheng. Her mother had remarried and the arrangement allowed one daughter to join her there. In her past life it had been Xixi who went and lived with their mother in the family compound.
Li Jianhan watched his sister walk away cold and distant. Anger rose within him. How could she be so unfeeling? “Chuxin I will not take your kidney.” It was true as her elder brother it should be his duty to protect Xixi now that she was unwell not to pressure Chuxin. Yet Chuxin’s attitude was terrible. Once Xixi recovered he would sit Chuxin down and teach her proper respect.
He gripped the report tightly. Xixi was so kind and innocent she had sacrificed so much for him. She had paid his tuition when he went to university denying herself proper food and clothing taking odd jobs just to support his education. She had always put him first. He could not abandon her. He went to the hospital and changed the donor to himself.
Li Xixi lay in bed. Her health was never actually poor enough to require a transplant. She had always complained of aches and pains and feeling unwell to draw attention and affection from her brothers. More importantly feigning illness meant she could escape farm work and have those duties passed to Li Chuxin. She also resented seeing Li Chuxin praised and valued for all she did for the family. Pretending to be sick gave her everything she wanted.
Once she had Li Chuxin’s kidney and her health failed that would only be the beginning. She had just seen her brothers off. Smiling she opened a small wooden box and gazed at the jade pendant. In her past life just before she died she had discovered the pendant held a hidden space. Overjoyed she lifted it from the box kissed it and whispered to herself.
“That is strange why does it smell so foul?” She brought it closer to her nose. It reeked of urine. Licking it to be sure the stench grew stronger sharp and sickening. She retched violently emptying her stomach again and again.
“It smells terrible.” Gasping for breath she cursed. “Li Chuxin you vicious wicked girl you soaked it in urine.” She rinsed her mouth repeatedly yet the repulsive taste clung to her tongue. “How despicable.”
After recovering she washed the pendant carefully. “You are so short sighted Li Chuxin. You have no idea what this truly is.”
“Once I unlock its power you will regret this deeply.”
Outside the window Li Chuxin watched every bit of her selfishness and ugliness unfold. She then saw Xixi hold the cleaned pendant high and prick her fingertip with a dagger pressing the drop of blood onto its surface. Her eyes shone with excitement waiting for the pendant to reveal its magic. She waited and waited yet nothing happened.
Frowning she wondered. “Where is the space?” Perhaps she needed more blood. She pricked another finger and squeezed more drops onto the stone.