640 Giving Ideas
Zhao Hong’s older daughter, her third child, cried and asked, “Mom… did you get beaten up again…”
Zhao Hong forced a smile and walked over with difficulty to pat her child’s head. “Be good. It doesn’t hurt. Mom is fine. Don’t worry…”
“But this part is swollen…” The child reached out and pointed at Zhao Hong’s wrist.
If her child did not say anything, Zhao Hong would not have noticed it herself. In her panic, she had used her arm to block the stick just now and her wrist was so swollen that it was almost the size of her palm.
She was already used to such injuries.
“It’s fine. Mom will be fine tomorrow! Don’t worry, go and sleep now,” Zhao Hong said sadly.
After comforting her two younger children to sleep, she dragged her injured body to the courtyard to do farm work. She worked until it was dark and then she prepared food for Old Madam Li before going to do needlework.
It was only when Old Madam Li fell asleep in the middle of the night that she quietly returned to the room and woke the children up to apply medicine for them.
The two children were also very obedient and bit the cloth tightly without making a sound. They only fell asleep when she was all done.
Zhao Hong looked at the rubbing alcohol in her hand and then at the wounds on her own body. In the end, she chose to keep it for the children. She did not need to use these things.
Early the next morning, she repeated the same chores she did yesterday. Just like that, she lived day after day without any joy or expectation.
Her only motivation to persevere was her children. As long as the children grew up safely, she did not have any other needs or desires.
Old Madam Li still looked for excuses to scold her as usual, but it was different today. For some reason, she had the thought of asking Li Gui for money again and insisted that the two children accompany her to Foshan Village. She wanted to use the two children’s injuries to threaten Li Gui.
“Quick, ask them to come with me. Don’t block my way!” Old Madam Li said stubbornly.
“These children’s parents are Li Dong and me, not Li Gui. Even if they’re sick, Li Gui won’t feel sorry for them! Mother!” Zhao Hong said.
“So what if they’re not her children? How can she leave them in the lurch!” Old Madam Li said.
“Mother! These two children really can’t walk anymore! Li Gui didn’t pity these two children the last time! She definitely won’t this time round! Isn’t her own child also sick! Why would she care about my children!” Zhao Hong said.
Old Madam Li thought about it carefully and felt that it did make sense. However, these two children were the only ones who were sick and no one else was feeling unwell.
“Mother… what if you say you’re sick?” Zhao Hong said vaguely.
Old Madam Li started to roar angrily again, “Are you cursing me to die! You asshole! Am I an eyesore to you being alive! Have you wanted me dead for a long time!”
“No! No! What I mean is that you pretend to be sick to trick Li Gui into coming back,” Zhao Hong quickly explained.
This was a good idea!
She was Li Gui’s biological mother! How could Li Gui not come back! If Li Gui did not come back, she would say that Li Gui was unfilial! Then she could go to their village to kick up a fuss.
If she was sick, she would definitely be able to get money for treatment! She must ask Li Gui to bring more money!
This way, she would not have to tire herself out and could make Li Gui bring the money over obediently. This was a good idea!
“Not bad, not bad. Your idea is very good. I didn’t expect you to be enlightened after being beaten up yesterday! Then you can be the one to go and relay the message. Just say that I’m going to die of illness and I urgently need money. Ask Li Gui to bring money quickly to send me for treatment,” Old Madam Li said happily.
Zhao Hong quickly agreed to Old Madam Li’s request. Without even eating, she went to the village to apply for a pass. By the time she reached Foshan Village, it was already dusk.
After walking for a day, coupled with the fact that she was injured and did not have any food or water, she was already dizzy and could not see the road ahead clearly. She found a big tree by the roadside and held on to it for support as she panted heavily.
Auntie Dong had just returned from the county city. There was an event at the black market in the county city today and many people secretly brought their things to sell there. The crowd was three times bigger than usual!
She had sold all the things she brought there today and made quite a bit of money. For the first time, Auntie Dong bought herself a red headband and decided to doll herself up a little.
Before she could enter the village, from afar, she saw a person holding onto a tree motionlessly. Not long after, the person fell down under the tree.
