Chapter 96 - 96 96 Discharge
Chapter 96 - 96 96 Discharge
?Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Discharge Chapter 96: Chapter 96 Discharge Hao Fang saw the old lady finally sitting there quietly, no longer making a fuss. A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she thought to herself, “You must have thought you were still at home, living a life of luxury as the elderly matriarch. Now that you’re paralyzed, like this, you’re just waiting to die. Being fed is a great kindness from us.”
Hao Fang would never remember the old lady’s kindness, only how the old lady had tormented her in the past.
Li Chunhua had stopped making a fuss and tears streamed down her face. At that moment, she regretted everything. If she had known that Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang were such ungrateful wretches, why had she focused all her attention on the second son and his family? If only she had been nicer to Bai Song, Bai Ju, and Bai Yue, at least by now, she could have grandchildren to take care of her in her old age.
She had burned her bridges.
Thinking that she had wholeheartedly planned for the second son’s family, at least they would have treated her well.
Only now did she realize that Bai Jianguo was the biggest ingrate of all.
These past few days, how his wife mistreated his own mother. Definitely, Bai Jianguo had seen it. Once, Hao Fang had pinched the old lady, and the old lady, out of desperation, had tried to retaliate. Although she was clumsy, she could still flail about. Hao Fang, frustrated by this, and taking advantage of the empty hospital room, as other patients had either gone out for some air in wheelchairs or were undergoing examinations, had slapped the old lady. Bai Jianguo had just sat there clearly seeing everything and said nothing about his wife’s actions, pretending he heard nothing.
Only then did Li Chunhua understand the suffering Bai Xiao had endured. This was indeed indescribable agony.
When Bai Jianguo walked in and saw the old lady crying, he looked around to see if anyone was paying attention and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
“Mom, don’t cry. I just spoke with the doctor, and we can go home today. Once home, you can rest and surely we will take good care of you. Don’t worry, I am your son and of course, I’ll take care of you until the end. Even if there is only a bite left, I will surely save it for you.”
He had just rushed back after sending a telegram and begged the doctor for a long time before they could be discharged. Bai Jianguo was in a good mood and spoke sweetly, relieved that there would be no more expenses.
The old lady was anxious, knowing that at least in the hospital, the couple had to maintain appearances. But once back home, if they locked her in a small room and left her without food or drink, she could very well be dead in two days. It was then she understood the reason for Bai Xiao’s struggles in the past.
She only wanted to survive. Pushed to the brink, what wouldn’t a person do?
Li Chunhua flailed her arms desperately and stammered that she did not want to go home.
Bai Jianguo frowned, gripped the old lady’s hand tightly, pretended to help her sit, and said to Li Chunhua, “Mom, stop making a fuss. My mom is actually happy.” He said this smiling to the other patients in the room.
Everyone laughed, “We know, your mom is happy. Who wouldn’t want to go home? Staying in the hospital all day would suffocate anyone.”
“Old sister, you’ve finally made it through. Your son is so filial, go home and live well.”
“Yes, I will definitely take good care of my mom when we get back,” Bai Jianguo assured.
Li Chunhua gradually stopped making a scene. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to fuss, but because she knew no one could understand her speech.
Right now, she was like a deaf-mute; no one knew of her suffering.
Hao Fang and Bai Jianguo began packing up their things, eager to leave the hospital. Every minute they stayed was another minute’s expense, which Bai Jianguo, already heartbroken over the costs, despised. He wished he could grow wings and fly straight home.
The couple had just finished packing when the hospital room door opened, and a nurse led in two police officers.
The room fell immediately silent.
Ordinary citizens always felt uneasy at the sight of police.
The nurse pointed at Bai Jianguo and his wife and said, “Those are Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang!”
Bang!
Bai Jianguo felt his blood rush to his head.
His head buzzed as if he were dreaming, his heart panicked, and he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.
“Are you Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang? We’re from the precinct police station. Is a girl named Bai Mei your daughter?” The two police officers’ stern expressions nearly frightened Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang.
But upon hearing her daughter’s name, Hao Fang hurried forward anxiously.
“Officer, Bai Mei is our daughter. Has she gotten into some trouble?”
Bai Jianguo pulled her back, “What are you talking about? This is the county town, how could Bai Mei possibly be here? Officer, could there have been some mistake? We came to the county town to take my mother to see the doctor. My daughter Bai Mei is definitely in the village.” Bai Jianguo’s initial reaction was disbelief.
That day, they had taken the elderly lady to the hospital, but clearly left Bai Mei at home to watch the house.
The police officer nodded, “Which village are you from?”
“Liupan Village!”
“Who lives in your house?”
“My wife and I, my mother, and our two sons and a daughter!”
“Then that’s correct, we are looking for you,” the officer said as he seriously checked the information in his hand.
Bai Jianguo then realized there had been no mistake.
“Officer, what exactly happened to my daughter?”
“Your daughter is suspected of stealing someone’s property and has been caught red-handed. She is now detained at the police station. We’ve come to notify you, so hurry to the police station,” the officer stated solemnly as he put away his documents.
The hospital room fell silent, and pairs of eyes stared at Bai Jianguo and Hao Fang. Their gazes were like knives, piercing fiercely into the couple.
“Impossible! Officer, my daughter is very timid, she definitely couldn’t have done such a thing. Could there be a mistake on your part?” Hao Fang hastily argued, knowing that if the reputation of a thief stuck with Bai Mei, it would ruin her life.
The police officer found it amusing, interpreting this as an implication they had made a mistake.
“Mistake or not, come with us to the police station now, and you can ask your daughter in person to find out.”
Hao Fang wanted to say more but was abruptly pulled back by Bai Jianguo, thinking to himself not to forget where they were—so many eyes watching and ears listening. Was this the place to discuss such matters? This was like inviting people to mock and humiliate them.
Smiling at the police officer, he said, “Officer, the elderly are still in the hospital. I’ll make arrangements and then follow you.”
The police officer, seeing Bai Jianguo’s understanding attitude, nodded. “We’ll wait for you downstairs. Be quick!” The officer then left.
The hospital room initially fell silent. Soon, people started talking again, going about their business, but they distanced themselves from Bai Jianguo’s family. Quite a few even hastily checked their own bags, probably fearing that like daughter, like father.
Bai Jianguo’s face burned with embarrassment.