Chapter 23: In Need of Money
Translator: Noodletown Translated Editor: Noodletown Translated
Huo Mian didn't get much sleep the night before. With big dark-circles under her eyes, she got up and made some plain congee and two omelet rolls, which she took with her to the Fourth People's Hospital.
It was a good thing that she worked the night shift today and was therefore free during the day. Although she was tired, she couldn't let Zhixin neglect his studies to take care of their mother.
"Mom, I brought you some food."
"Get it out of here. I'm not eating it." Yang Meirong was still throwing a tantrum.
"Even if your appetite isn't that good, you should still have some. It's really good. I made it myself, and I guarantee it's clean. I'll leave it right here."
Leaving the breakfast on the table, Huo Mian tidied up a bit and walked out of the room.
After Huo Mian left, Yang Meirong scanned the food on the table, and her stomach gave a traitorous growl.
She glanced over at the door. Seeing that Huo Mian hadn't returned, she immediately picked up the food and dug right in.
In truth, although Yang Meirong had a rotten temper, she wasn't a bad person. It wasn't that she really disliked her daughter, either. It was jsut that, she was still not over her late husband's untimely death.
In the doctor's office-
"Doctor, has my mother gotten any better?" Huo Mian asked anxiously.
"Her conditions have clearly improved. We'll be able to discharge her in a few more days. However, even then, she needs to continue taking her blood-pressure medication."
"Alright, thank you." Hearing that her mother was alright, Huo Mian was finally able to let out a sigh of relief.
"But the hospitalization fee you paid isn't enough to cover the costs anymore, you need to pay up soon," the doctor reminded her.
Huo Mian was a little surprised since she paid seven thousand yuan for the hospital fees just the other day. Yet, just a few days later, it was all gone. Oh dear…
She already maxed out her credit card the other day. Adding that to the living expenses she had given to Zhixin, she was pretty much broke.
If this was before they broke up, she could have just borrowed some money from Ning Zhiyuan. However, with the way things were now, there wasn't much hope for that.
Left with no choice, she called Zhu Lingling, who immediately transferred over 10,000 yuan from the banking app on her phone.
"Lingling, thank you!" A little embarrassed, she messaged her friend.
"Don't say that. If you need more, just tell me. Your mother's health is what's important. Don't worry about the money."
Zhu Lingling's reply warmed Huo Mian to her core. She felt that this friendship was truly one worth keeping.
The truth was when her stepfather got into that accident, the Qin Family had offered to pay a hefty sum in compensation, but Huo Mian's family turned it down.
Instead, they insisted that the driver at fault be given the death penalty in retribution. In the end, however, the driver was only charged with drunk driving and sentenced to five years in jail.
They, on the other hand, didn't receive a single dime in the settlement. Now, seven years later, the responsible party had long been released from prison.
However, her Uncle Jing now slumbered beneath North Hill Public Cemetery, never to open his eyes again.
That was why no matter how her mother treated her or hated her, she genuinely accepted it all. During these seven years, she hadn't been able to forgive herself either.
"Mom, I'm working the night shift today, and I will be leaving in a minute. Please rest well. I'll arrange for your lunch and dinner to be delivered. Zhixin is off school tomorrow, so he'll come to visit you."
"Get lost." Yang Meirong still treated her with the same disdainful attitude.
From there, Huo Mian took the bus to the First Hospital.
She checked her watch when she arrived. There were still forty minutes until the start of her shift. Changing into her nurse's uniform, she made her way to the ophthalmology building.
She still wanted to give Ning Zhiyuan one more try. After all, they had been together for three years. Even if there was no love between them, there was still a faint attachment.
When Huo Mian arrived, the door was only half closed. Just as she was about to knock, she heard a flirting voice inside.
"Doctor Ning, you're the worst. You've made my hair all messy."