Song Jinhe had expected Liu Qingying to lose her temper and lash out, but she hadn’t anticipated just how much restraint Liu Qingying possessed.
Not only did Liu Qingying refrain from getting angry, she instead looked up with a bitter smile, her face pale as she gazed at Lu Guoheng:
“Guoheng Ge, you see it too—this is the situation I face in the village…”
“If Lin Zi were still here, I definitely wouldn’t have to trouble you like this.”
She spoke pitifully, yet Lu Guoheng, who had just been fiercely defending her, hesitated and didn’t immediately respond.
Before Song Jinhe had spoken up, he hadn’t realized it, but now he felt utterly exhausted.
He had worked a full day at the factory yesterday, and as soon as he returned in the evening, Liu Qingying had asked him to accompany her to the hospital.
The only reason he had lasted this long was out of pity for Ya Ya, lying alone in the hospital ward.
Lu Guoheng glanced at Song Jinhe, feeling there was some truth to what she had just said.
He turned to Liu Qingying: “Qingying… actually, what Jinhe and Aunt Liu said makes sense. You know I have to work, so I can’t always be available to help you.”
“If you run into minor issues, you can ask your older brother for help.”
Song Jinhe stared at Lu Guoheng in surprise, never expecting him to say such a thing.
In her previous life, right up until her suicide, Lu Guoheng had been wholeheartedly assisting Liu Qingying and her daughter.
How could a few words now cause his resolve to waver so quickly?
Not only was she taken aback, but Liu Qingying, who had just been gently rejected, also looked at Lu Guoheng in disbelief.
Tears welled up instantly in her eyes, her voice choked with sobs: “Guoheng Ge, do you not want to help us mother and daughter anymore either?”
Lu Guoheng hurriedly explained: “That’s not what I meant…”
Liu Qingying immediately turned away, wiping her tears with one hand, her tone resolute:
“Guoheng Ge, you don’t need to say more. I understand. I won’t trouble you again in the future.”
“Aunt Liu is right—no matter how difficult it is, I must try to solve problems on my own.”
“You’ve helped us so much over the years because of Lin Zi. Ya Ya and I are already very grateful. From now on, you should live well with your wife and child, and don’t argue with your wife because of me anymore.”
Song Jinhe curled her lip. Just listen to that—so measured, so understanding, so considerate. Lu Guoheng must be heartbroken, right?
She turned to look and, sure enough, Lu Guoheng’s eyes once again filled with pity.
He spoke up: “Qingying, don’t say that. I’m not bothered by the trouble—I just worry that when you need my help, I might not be around.”
“Don’t overthink it. Since I promised Lin Zi back then, I’ll definitely help whenever I can.”
“Let’s change into clean clothes in a bit, then take some food and go back to see Ya Ya.”
Song Jinhe wasn’t at all surprised by Lu Guoheng’s change in attitude.
After all, in her previous life, he had still been helping Liu Qingying even after Ya Ya grew up.
In this life, how could he possibly give up assisting them just because of a momentary hesitation?
Song Jinhe’s mind was occupied with another pressing matter, so she was completely indifferent to this.
But Liu Qingying, having secured Lu Guoheng’s promise, couldn’t resist shooting her a smug look and deliberately asking:
“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Even though Guoheng Ge is kind-hearted and willing to help us often, I’ll still try to trouble him less in the future.”
“So please don’t be angry, Sister-in-law. Let Guoheng Ge accompany me to the hospital one more time, alright?”
Song Jinhe snapped back to reality and smiled mockingly, “Since you’ve shamelessly asked, wouldn’t I be utterly wicked if I stopped you?”
Liu Qingying immediately lowered her eyes with a wounded expression, and Lu Guoheng frowned as he scolded her.
“Song Jinhe, that’s enough! What’s gotten into you today? Your words keep getting more and more outrageous!”
After his outburst, he recalled Song Jinhe’s earlier comment about him working all day after poor rest at night, and his anger subsided considerably.
Forget it—ultimately, she was only saying these harsh things out of jealousy and concern for his health.
After a moment’s thought, Lu Guoheng spoke again, his tone noticeably softer:
“Song Jinhe, if you want to, you can come along. That way you won’t misunderstand Qingying and me.”
Liu Qingying, standing nearby, stared at Lu Guoheng in disbelief. Seeing his intention to reconcile with Song Jinhe, she silently clenched her jaw.
Song Jinhe looked at Lu Guoheng as if he were insane: “Annoying me here isn’t enough? You want me to tag along and watch you play happy family with your third wheel?”
Lu Guoheng’s face darkened with rage, his words practically squeezed through gritted teeth.
“Song Jinhe, you’re utterly unreasonable!”
If he weren’t afraid she’d misunderstand, he wouldn’t have invited her.
He never expected her to not only reject his goodwill but also say something so offensive.
“Let’s go!”
Since she wanted to make a scene, she could keep at it—she’d better not regret it.
His expression cold, Lu Guoheng moved to drag Liu Qingying away.
Suddenly remembering something, Song Jinhe spoke up: “Wait.”
Lu Guoheng snorted coldly—he knew she’d change her mind.
He turned around, ready to mock her.
But Song Jinhe simply stretched out her hand indifferently in his direction: “I recall you got paid yesterday. Hand it over before you leave.”
Lu Guoheng stared at her in disbelief: “You stopped me just for money?”
“What else?” Song Jinhe replied flatly.
Seeing her completely indifferent to whether he stayed or left, Lu Guoheng should have been glad she was no longer obstructing him from helping.
Yet inexplicably, he felt irritated.
Somehow, her reaction shouldn’t be this detached.
Scowling, Lu Guoheng shoved the money and ration coupons at her almost petulantly. Song Jinhe immediately brightened and accepted them.
Lu Guoheng’s monthly salary was forty-five yuan, plus grain and oil coupons.
She counted—not a cent missing. This was enough to buy plenty of food.
“Guoheng Ge, Ya Ya’s hospital fees haven’t been…”
Liu Qingying’s eyes fixed intently on the money in Song Jinhe’s hands as she reminded Lu Guoheng.
The reason she’d sought his help yesterday wasn’t just to provoke Song Jinhe—she was also running short on funds.
If Song Jinhe took all the money, how would she pay for her daughter Ya Ya’s hospital expenses?
Lu Guoheng finally remembered he’d forgotten about this. As he opened his mouth to speak, Song Jinhe swiftly tucked the money and coupons away.
“Liu Qingying, I’ve already lent you the man. Surely you’re not shameless enough to spend my money too?”
Song Jinhe eyed Liu Qingying defensively. Gritting her teeth, Liu Qingying said, “Of course not.”
Though she said this, she kept shooting pleading glances at Lu Guoheng.
But Lu Guoheng wasn’t looking at her—he was glaring furiously at Song Jinhe.
When Song Jinhe said those words, it was as if he meant nothing to her!
Could it be that in her heart, he was worth less than that money?
As his anger boiled, Lu Guoheng suddenly grew calm.
Previously, every time he helped Liu Qingying, Song Jinhe would get furious.
This time couldn’t be an exception.
The more indifferent she appeared on the surface, the more jealous she likely felt inside.
Rather than pointing this out now and letting her continue making a fuss, it was better to accompany Liu Qingying to the hospital to take care of Ya Ya first.
When they returned, if she was still upset, he could just coax her a little.
After thinking it through, Lu Guoheng’s expression improved significantly. “Qingying, let’s go to the hospital.”
Liu Qingying was unwilling, but since Lu Guoheng had already said so, she couldn’t very well ask him to take the money back.
She could only glare at Song Jinhe secretly before leaving reluctantly, temporarily using her own money for now.
Song Jinhe patted the pocket holding the money, her face bright with satisfaction.
In her previous life, every time Lu Guoheng received his salary, Liu Qingying would find some way to “borrow” it.
Song Jinhe had no job and often used her dowry to support the family while taking care of the children, living a life of hardship.
Given a second chance, did Liu Qingying still think she could keep spending her money? Not a chance!
As for Lu Guoheng, he was nothing but a scumbag.
This time, she was definitely going to divorce him.
But before the divorce, she needed to go back and find that thing she had been longing for.
With this thought, Song Jinhe quickened her pace and hurried home.
But as soon as she pushed open the door, two small stones came flying toward her face.
Along with them came an accusing voice:
“Ya Ya is sick, but you’re hogging Daddy and not letting him go to the hospital. You’re a bad woman!”