“There are 3 silver coins left in the family, which is the same price as Lu Dafu’s treatment to you last time. Even if Lu Dafu increases the price, he can only receive these 3 silver coins. Our family is in a very poor state. Xiaofeng’s tuition fee next year is gone. And now, I don’t know how we will survive in winter.”
The more Old Lady Bai thinks of their situation, the more she gets angry, and the more her voice raised by a few degrees: “Dazhu, tell me, what should I do as your niang?”
The son in front of her was such a useless person. She didn’t felt it before, she had only realized it today.
In the past, the Bai family had a better life, because Zhao Lan was there. Ever Since Zhao Lan and Bai Zhi left, the family didn’t have a good day.
Only a day had passed since they separated, he broke his arms again, and then he let the wheat get soaked in the rain. The only remaining money they have was taken out for his treatment, but he didn’t even show any sense of guilt. Instead, he blamed her and accused her of being an evil mother.
But how can Bai Dazhu have the heart to manage the future? Now, he only wanted his arms to be treated. He doesn’t want to become disabled. After that, they can talk again about the future. As long as people live, there is hope, right?
“What to do? Of course, find me a doctor first. Put everything aside and let me have treatment first. If I get disabled, can you live a good life? If the money is gone, we can just make money. If my hand is gone, you will all starve to death!”
It’s very easy to say, if the money is gone, then just make money. But did Bai Dazhu ever earn even a single copper coin in his life?
Old Lady Bai didn’t say another word, it was useless to say more. His arms need to cure. After all, he was his first son, Bai Xioafeng’s father, and will be her pillar of support in old age. She has no other son who can support her.
Old Lady Bai sighed and turned to go to her room. After a while, she came out with the 3 silver coins in her hand. She put the 3 silver coins in Mrs. Liu’s hand and said: “You go to Lu Dafu’s house, say a few good words to him, to make him not ask for more money. Our family only have these silvers, we shouldn’t let him die just because we lack 1 or 2 silver coins.”
Mrs. Liu took the silver coins, she was both happy and sad inside her heart. She was happy because his husband will be saved, but she was sad because she doesn’t know what will happen in the future.
*
Bai Erzhu returned to their room and drank the remaining fish soup.
Bai Zhenzhu was sitting near the window. She was looking at the dark cloud outside, looking all sad.
Mrs. Zhang put a bowl of fine white fish in front of her and asked in a low voice, “What are you thinking?”
Bai Zhenzhu looked back and sighed: “I’m not thinking of anything.” She then took the chopsticks that her mother was giving to her and put a piece of fish on her mouth: “Niang, this fish is very fresh.”
Mrs. Zhang smiled when she saw her daughter had a smile on her face: “Slow down, there’s plenty.”
On the side, Bai Fugui, who was drinking the fish soup said full of satisfaction: “Niang, if we could eat fish every day, how wonderful would that be!”
Mrs. Zhang said with a smile: “You are so greedy. The river at the entrance of the village is deep and dangerous. There is a lot of fish in it, but not everyone can catch it. Your father just got lucky today. He catches a few of them.”
Bai Erzhu said with a smile, “We used to hear that some villagers catch fish in there. I didn’t believe it at first. Why can they catch fish, but I can’t? Now, I understand.”
Mrs. Zhang smiled and asked, “What did you understand?”
Bai Erzhu laughed, “As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm. They get up early so they can catch fish. If I get there a little later today, aren’t these fish will belong to someone else?”