While no one was paying attention, she kicked Jiang Zihao with her foot. Jiang Zihao already knew she wasn’t actually unconscious, so he bent down and took out a handkerchief, pretending to wipe the blood from her head.
Yang Yiyang whispered softly into his ear, “Leave the money with the Women’s Federation.”
Afraid he hadn’t heard clearly, she quietly repeated it twice. Only when she saw that Jiang Zihao had understood did she stop.
Yang Yiyang knew that if the money were taken back to the Jiang Family now, not a single cent would end up in her hands.
Leaving it with the Women’s Federation and retrieving it once she recovered—that would truly be her dowry.
As soon as Jiang Zihao heard this, he understood the reasoning behind it.
He quickly said, “Since you’ve received such a large bride price, not providing a decent dowry would be like selling your daughter. How about 300?”
The Yang family retorted, “No way! 50, take it or leave it!”
Upon hearing this, the Jiang family said, “Then we’ll report the Yang family. At least 300, not a cent less!”
The Yang family argued, “100 is the absolute maximum. Go ask around—who gives a dowry of 100 yuan?”
Jiang Dad refused to back down. If they didn’t take it now, they’d get nothing at all. How long had he been saving that money?
If he had known earlier, he would have divorced that wretched woman. Who would have thought that someone who had been so obedient for twenty years would dare to steal his money? If he had known, he would have kicked her out long ago.
“Well, no one else charges 1,000 for a bride price either. Others only ask for 200, so you should return the 800.”
“…”
Finally, with the Women’s Federation intervening, the Yang family agreed to provide a dowry of 200 yuan for their daughter, Yang Yiyang, with some of the money to be used for her medical treatment.
No lives were to be lost.
In the end, the Jiang family had no choice but to agree. Getting 200 back was better than nothing.
Just as the Yang family was about to hand over the money, Jiang Zihao said, “My wife hasn’t woken up yet. I’ll take 20 yuan first to take her to the hospital. The rest can be left with the Women’s Federation.”
“Once she recovers, she can come and collect her dowry herself.”
Hearing this, the Yang family thought it was a good idea. Leaving it with the Women’s Federation was better than giving it to the Jiang family, where it would be like throwing meat buns to a dog—gone forever.
Once Yiyang recovered, since she always listened to her family, they could easily ask her to return the money to the Yang family.
Yang Haian said, “I think that makes sense too. This money is for Yiyang’s dowry, so it should naturally be handed to her. Since she’s still ill, let the Women’s Federation hold onto it for now.”
When Jiang Dad and Eldest Brother Jiang heard this, they were unwilling to let go of the money that was already within their grasp.
“No, she’s already married into our Jiang family, so the dowry should naturally be brought to her husband’s home.”
The Yang family countered, “We never said she wouldn’t bring it. Isn’t it because she’s been beaten unconscious by you? We’ll leave the money with the Women’s Federation for safekeeping. Once she wakes up, she can take it back herself—it’s the same thing.”
“Besides, if you take the money now, will you be willing to pay if her medical expenses aren’t enough?”
Yang Haian jumped in again, saying, “From last night until now, your Jiang family hasn’t taken her to the hospital or spent a single cent. Now that the money is in your hands, you still want to keep it? If my sister dies from her illness, who will take responsibility?”
No one in the Jiang family could guarantee that Yang Yiyang wouldn’t die from her illness, but they didn’t want to let go of the money either.
So, the argument started again.
Finally, a police officer stepped in. “The money will be left with the Women’s Federation. Once this female comrade goes to the hospital for treatment, if the money isn’t enough, she can withdraw more. After she recovers, she can come to the Women’s Federation to collect her dowry herself.”
As for who the money would be given to when she brought it back, that was beyond their control—it would be considered a family matter.
The Yang family felt that the money would eventually return to their hands, so they gave it quite readily.
Seeing the women's federation comrade take the money away, the Jiang family was so angry they wanted to dump Yang Yiyang on the ground and take the door plank back.
Jiang Zihao also knew that his father and two older brothers would certainly ignore them now,
so he said, "Everyone, lend a hand and lift my wife up. I'll carry her to the hospital on my back."
A few kind-hearted aunties said, "Come, we'll help you lift her onto your back."
And so, this farce temporarily came to an end.
Why temporary? Because when Yang Yiyang recovered and returned, there would surely be more trouble.
When they reached a deserted spot, Yang Yiyang said, "After you take me to the hospital, go home and carry your mother to the hospital too. Otherwise, it's not safe for her to be home alone."
Jiang Zihao was so moved that tears nearly welled up in his eyes. He knew his mother's injuries were all because of him.
It was his own incompetence that had caused this.
"You're so good, wife."
Yang Yiyang thought, Good my foot. I just feel sorry for that woman. Besides, in this world, she might be the only one who had some genuine affection for the original owner.
Now that I've taken over this body, as long as I have the ability, what harm is there in protecting her a little?
For now, she could only find a place to recover from her injuries. The hospital was the only option.
Her mother-in-law's injuries were certainly more severe than her own. If she didn't take care of her, there would likely be lasting effects, perhaps even something worse.
Her cheap husband was clearly unreliable, and she hadn't sorted out her thoughts yet.
Let it be for now. At least we have these 200 yuan, so we won't starve. The priority now is to recover.
At least during these few days of recovery, things will be quiet.
The doctor examined Yang Yiyang's injuries and said, "It's just a mild concussion. Stay in the hospital for two days, get an IV drip for two days, and you'll be fine. Nothing serious!"
"But be careful not to fall when using the restroom."
Jiang Zihao said, "Alright, thank you, doctor."
Yang Yiyang also felt she wasn't in too bad a condition, so she said to her cheap husband, "Go back early and bring your mother over. If it's far, borrow a flatbed cart."
Jiang Zihao was also very worried about his mother. Though he was useless, he knew that in this world, only his mother truly loved him the most.
He never imagined that his father, who had been with his mother for over twenty years, could be so brutal.
He had nearly beaten his mother to death.
So he hurried home.
At the entrance of the alley, he borrowed a flatbed cart from someone.
When he got home, Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law were there, but they didn't even bother to take care of his mother, leaving her lying alone in bed, unable to move.
He felt that all the sincerity his mother had poured into this family, raising so many children for them, had been wasted on ingrates.
He truly felt it wasn't worth it for his mother. Before, he thought everyone was family, and since his mother was used to hard work, doing a little more didn't seem like a big deal.
But now, thinking about it, they were all ungrateful wolves.
When Eldest Sister-in-law saw Jiang Zihao enter the room, she asked, "Fourth Son is back. Is your wife alright? When can she return?"
Because she had heard from her husband that only when Fourth Sister-in-law returned could they bring back the 200 yuan.
By then, they would at least get 50 yuan, as their father-in-law had promised them.
Jiang Zihao now saw their true faces clearly. "Eldest Sister-in-law, did you make food for my wife? I'll take it to the hospital later."
Eldest Sister-in-law Jiang immediately changed her expression, stammering, "I thought you weren't coming back to eat, so to avoid wasting food, I didn't cook for you."
"You should let us know earlier next time if you plan to come back for meals."
If it weren't for the 50 yuan, she wouldn't even bother dealing with him.
Both mother and son were troublemakers, nuisances, and thieves.
Jiang Zihao said, "Then I'll inform you now, Eldest Sister-in-law. From now on, please prepare our meals for every meal. I'll come back to get them on time."
Eldest Sister-in-law Jiang's expression grew even more unpleasant. They had already wasted so much of the family's money, and now they wanted to squander the family's food. Why couldn't they just eat themselves to death?
Before, there were two mouths eating for free at home. Now, with another useless person married into the family, there were three freeloaders.
Eldest Sister-in-law Jiang said awkwardly, "This isn't something I can decide. Father Jiang will have the final say."
Jiang Zihao didn't want to waste any more time arguing with her.
He turned and entered the room.
He saw that his mother's face was flushed. When he touched her, he realized she was running a high fever.