CHAPTER 964: CHAPTER 650: PERSPECTIVES

It’s the second watch of the night.

-----------------

"Knock, knock..."

Zhao Yulan opened the door. It was Zhou Mikang.

"Grandma, Mom, I want to take Chuxia to the hospital. Yesterday at Auntie’s, she threw up once too."

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance and Old Lady Zhao nodded, "Alright, go get it checked out for peace of mind."

"It’s nothing, I’ve just been eating too rich these days..." Chuxia said reluctantly. She too suspected what everyone else was suspecting, but she had thoroughly reconsidered and felt confident the possibility didn’t exist.

Unless Zhou Mikang had done something sneaky like poking holes in the condoms, but from what she knew of him, he wouldn’t do such a thing.

She considered confronting Zhou Mikang, but ultimately dismissed the thought. If it turned out to be nothing, it would just make the Captain angry.

Moreover, such an interrogation would show great distrust towards him. So she was leaning more towards it being a dietary issue. Since returning, she’d been indulging in too much rich food, and her body was protesting.

"Even if you’ve been eating too rich, you should still see a doctor and get something to help with that."

Seeing Zhou Mikang’s firm expression, Chuxia reluctantly agreed, "Fine, we can go tomorrow, when we visit Great Aunt’s family."

"No, we have to go today for peace of mind."

Chuxia looked to Old Lady Zhao and Zhao Yulan for help. She was mostly concerned about the fire at Lin Baohai’s house and worried that Old Lady Lin and Old Master Lin would cause trouble if they left.

No one knows her better than her mother. Zhao Yulan smiled and patted her head, "Go on, get checked so everyone can relax. We can handle things at home, don’t you worry."

"Alright," Chuxia agreed, albeit reluctantly.

Lin Wenbin seemed to have caught on. This time, he didn’t insist on going along but pulled Chuxia aside and whispered, "Don’t come back until you have the results. I’ll keep an eye on things at home. Don’t worry, Second Uncle and Second Aunt won’t get bullied."

Chuxia gave him a grateful smile, "Thank you, big brother."

"That’s not what I wanted to hear..." Lin Wenbin shot her a playful glare, "One more ’thank you,’ and I’ll get mad."

"Brother..." Chuxia looked at him earnestly, "Everything at home depends on you. Don’t let my parents get taken advantage of, or else I won’t like you anymore."

"Now that’s more like it." Lin Wenbin chuckled, "Alright, go on, I might soon have a nephew or niece to dote on, and someone else to compete with Zhou Mikang for your attention."

"..." Chuxia was speechless, not knowing what to say.

As Zhou Mikang and Chuxia were about to leave, Luo Xiaoqiong arrived, "Where are you going?" she asked, surprised. They had planned to rest for a day.

"Why are you so late? Where are Uncle Gangshun and Aunt Fat?"

Luo Xiaoqiong waved her hand dismissively, "Don’t mention it. My grandparents and uncle’s family showed up early at our place, and Luo Lixiang kept pestering me. I just managed to escape."

"Have you eaten?" Chuxia asked.

"Yeah, I have."

"Then come along, we’ll talk on the way." Chuxia said as she got in the car, and Luo Xiaoqiong quickly followed. Seeing Lin Wenbin standing still, she was incredulous, "Big Brother Lin, you’re really not coming with us?"

"Hmm, you go on. I’ll stay home in case anything comes up and I need to drive somewhere."

"Oh, oh..." Luo Xiaoqiong nodded repeatedly, "Big Brother Lin is really thoughtful. I was wondering, since you usually care for Chuxia so much, how could you not come along? By the way, who’s sick?"

Chuxia exasperatedly rubbed her forehead, "Me." She waved to the elders outside the car, and Zhou Mikang started the engine and drove off.

"What’s wrong with you?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked worriedly, looking Chuxia up and down.

"My stomach’s feeling a bit off. I suspect it’s from overeating rich food that my stomach couldn’t handle."

Luo Xiaoqiong let out a long breath, "That shouldn’t be anything serious. I used to get like that during the New Year, eating too well for a change, and end up feeling stuffed."

Chuxia: "..." Does she have such little self-control? "Why did your grandma’s family go over to your house?"

"What do you think? They’re looking for a good son-in-law for my cousin and asking my parents to help my uncle’s family. Talking about how brothers should work together, that kind of stuff. My grandpa was spouting all the lines he’d picked up from listening to stories. I wonder why he never said those things when my brother and I weren’t in the army."

Chuxia patted her shoulder, saying nothing.

There’s no comfort for this kind of situation.

That’s just how things are in the countryside. If someone achieves success, they’re expected to pull the whole family along. Otherwise, they’d be seen as ungrateful and heartless.

Everyone thinks this way, so when someone comes to make their demands, they do it unabashedly. It’s like if you don’t help, you’re not even human.

If it weren’t for the big revelation about Lin Baohe’s background, her family would be facing the same issues as Luo Xiaoqiong’s, possibly even worse.

"By the way, you know about the fire at your third uncle’s house yesterday, right?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked.

"Of course, my dad and the others went to help out. My grandpa, Zhou Mikang, and my big brother came back first. My dad came back late, and my aunt is still there. My mom went to help for a bit too."

"Oh, we were all fast asleep. Wouldn’t have known if my grandparents hadn’t mentioned it. But I heard everything was burned, is that true?"

"Yes, the house is basically unliveable, but the valuables are fine."

"Oh." Luo Xiaoqiong sighed, "Now Uncle Baohe is in a tough spot. When my grandparents talked about it, it was clear they expected him to help."

They said even if he wasn’t related by blood, he wouldn’t have grown up so well if it hadn’t been for them. When he married, the elders helped. Even if it wasn’t much, they had their limitations. There’s still a younger one, so it’s not like they can give up everything for your dad."

I couldn’t stand it and argued back a bit. Turns out, it’s not just their view. A lot of people in the village think the same way.

No matter how poor the relationship, when it comes to this, they say you have to help. A lot of people talked about it after the fire. Given Uncle Baohe’s nature, I think he’s got it tough. I actually came over to inform you about this." (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote on Qidian.com with your recommended votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)