Lin Cai nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember that. I’ll mull over the story this afternoon.”
They’d been taking anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medicine nonstop these past two days, and eating better than before too. Both husband and wife felt significantly more comfortable than the day they’d been injured.
They could even talk without gritting their teeth against the pain and discomfort.
“I feel like I’m recovering pretty fast. In a little while, I might even be hopping around again.” Lin Cai smiled, managing to shift himself over with some effort.
“Whoa, Dad, don’t move! You’ll hurt yourself again!”
Lin Xiaohe panicked and rushed over to steady him. “Don’t push yourself. Your leg’s broken and your arm’s no good—just stay still.
If the bones shift, we can’t say for sure whether you’ll ever get full use of that hand again.”
“Exactly. Listen to your daughter—she’s more sensible than you. Just rest and don’t make more trouble for her.”
Liu Yuexiu rolled her eyes. Neither of them had a single working limb between them—lying still was the best help they could give their daughter.
“Alright, alright, I’ll stay put.” Lin Cai quickly lay back down, not daring to move again.
The smile on his face was much lighter now.
The whole family was enjoying a warm, harmonious moment—when who should show up at the door but someone completely clueless.
“Oh~ still got the energy to laugh, do you?”
Lin Xiaohe had made it a habit to close and lock the door behind her, so the person outside couldn’t get in—only hear them from the other side.
She’d been about to knock when she heard the laughter, and immediately felt sour. How dare they be laughing when their own household was in such a mess?!
The visitor was Wang Pan, wife of the Fourth Brother. She’d learned everything from that old hag—sharp-tongued, mean-spirited, and couldn’t stand seeing anyone do well.
“What are you doing here? Get out—go away!”
Liu Yuexiu’s eyes turned red with anger. How could those people still have the nerve to show up here?!
“Third Sister-in-law, what kind of talk is that? I’m not here to cause trouble—I’ve got legitimate business.
Mother’s still lying in bed, and it’s not convenient for you and Third Brother to visit, but you should still show some filial care, shouldn’t you?
You ought to contribute at least a little. Our parents aren’t just mine and Fourth’s—it doesn’t make sense for you two to do nothing at all.”
Wang Pan had no idea what shame meant. She only knew that if you had no shame and enough nerve, you could get all sorts of benefits.
Lin Xiaohe’s face grew darker with every word. She was ready to march into the kitchen, grab a cleaver, and fight it out.
How could anyone be so shameless?
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, why aren’t you saying anything? This is a matter of filial duty. You have to do your part.
You’ve got three kids of your own—children watch what adults do. If you don’t teach them filial piety now, when will you?
I’m not asking for much—just a couple of eggs and some proper grain to nourish Mother’s health.”
“Pah! You shameless wretch. Even if that old thing died, the two of us wouldn’t so much as glance her way. Filial care? She couldn’t get a single needle or thread from our house if she were dead and buried.
If you and Fourth, her own son and daughter-in-law, won’t take care of her, then let her die out there.”
Liu Yuexiu had been pushed too far, and her words came out harsh and cold.
Wang Pan was startled. Her Third Sister-in-law had always been the most mild-tempered—she’d grown up taking abuse and had never learned that even a rabbit bites when cornered.
She’d never expected to hear such sharp words from her today.
“Wang Pan, what are you doing?! You better believe I’ll call the brigade leader over here. These people are sick and helpless, with little kids to boot—and you come here to bully them? Have you no shame?”
Wu Xiang had been tidying up at home and hadn’t even known this was happening.
It was her kids who’d been sharp—they said they’d seen Fourth Aunt from the Lin family heading this way.
She’d figured it out right away and brought her husband along to back them up.
Sure enough, that good-for-nothing had come looking for trouble.
Wang Pan immediately shrank back. Wu Xiang was a fierce one—she hit hard and didn’t hold back.
She didn’t dare tangle with Wu Xiang, but she had no such fear of the people inside. All her pent-up anger turned toward them, and the words that came out of her mouth were utterly foul.
“Pah! A pack of ungrateful, rotten-hearted wretches. No wonder you’ve been starving to death—you deserve it. Let’s see how many more days you’ve got left.”
Lin Xiaohe narrowed her eyes and picked up the kitchen cleaver.
She gave the door a hard shove to make some noise and draw the attention of the people outside.
Seeing that someone inside was about to open the door, Wang Pan didn’t leave. Not only that, she even edged closer to the doorway.
Lin Xiaohe yanked the bolt open, cracked the door just wide enough, and hurled the cleaver out with a loud clang.
“Whose mangy dog is barking at someone else’s door? Let me beat the life out of you, you beast!”
Wang Pan was frozen in shock. This damned girl was really bold—she actually dared to throw a knife!
She twisted her body sideways, barely dodging the cleaver flying straight at her.
She was so scared she couldn’t speak for a long time, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
Even Wu Xiang was startled. Good heavens, this child was out of her mind—was a knife something you just threw around? If she’d hurt someone, they’d be ruined paying for it!
“Alright, just go. Are you trying to drive them to the edge? What are you going to do if they decide to fight you to the death?”
Wu Xiang rolled her eyes and shoved her away, half dragging her.
“Just leave already. If they come at you with a knife again, I’m not stopping them.”
After pushing her far enough, she didn’t bother with her anymore.
“Child, you’ve got some nerve.” She picked up the cleaver. “Next time they dare to come causing trouble, come get me instead.”
“Auntie, I knew what I was doing. That knife’s dull—it can’t really hurt anyone. And I used the back of the blade anyway. At worst, it’d just leave a bruise.”
Lin Xiaohe smiled sheepishly. “Hehe, I was just so mad—what she said was awful.”
“Don’t mind her. With that nasty attitude of hers, one day that mouth of hers is going to get her into real trouble.”
Wu Xiang clicked her tongue. That woman could talk sweet when she wanted something from you, but the moment she didn’t get her way, she’d turn nasty real quick.
That kind of personality was bound to land her in deep trouble sooner or later.
“If there’s nothing else, your uncle and I will head back. There’s still work waiting at home.”
“Wait! Auntie, hang on—let me get you something.”
Lin Xiaohe darted inside and came back out with the potatoes she’d set aside.
“Auntie, my dad said to give these to you. Here, take them.”
Wu Xiang took the basket and glanced inside—her expression changed instantly. She tried to push it back. “Why are you giving these to me? Keep them for yourselves. My family’s still better off than yours.”
“Hehe, Auntie, an uncle came by yesterday. My dad talked with him, and he brought these over.
Dad said to share some with your family too. Don’t worry—my dad’s got some connections. We’re getting by alright now.”
Wu Xiang frowned deeply. “Really? Are you sure your family has enough?”
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