Chapter 1702 - 1642: Counterpart of the Group Favorite Novel 72
Chapter 1702: Chapter 1642: Counterpart of the Group Favorite Novel 72
Anning called the factory and asked the driver to bring another van over.
The family quickly helped Zhong Liumei onto the van and followed her, rushing to the Provincial Hospital.
At the hospital, Xiao Yuan handled the admission paperwork while Anning and Zhang Xiaoyu stayed with Zhong Liumei, waiting for the procedures to be completed, and then hurried to get a doctor to issue orders for various tests.
After a long busy period, once the tests were completed and Zhong Liumei was settled into a hospital room, things felt a bit more stable.
Zhang Xiaoyu, seeing that Zhong Liumei was receiving intravenous treatment, called Xiao Yuan out of the ward.
"Third brother, how much money did you pay this time?"
Xiao Yuan handed the deposit slip to Zhang Xiaoyu.
After looking at it, Zhang Xiaoyu thought for a moment: "Before I came, I brought some money. You take this first. If it’s not enough, I’ll find more."
Xiao Yuan took the slip back: "Let’s not worry about the money now, let’s focus on the treatment and talk about costs once she’s well."
"Alright." Zhang Xiaoyu thought about the elderly’s condition and agreed that it’s not the time to talk about money: "Let’s do it this way, you cover the expenses for now, and hold onto the payment slips. We’ll review the costs once mother is discharged."
"Okay." Xiao Yuan agreed, and the two returned to the ward.
Anning checked the time and hurried out to buy food.
In the afternoon, Xiao Yuan went to the doctor to inquire about the operation time. Once clear on that, he returned to the ward and called Xiao Feng and Xiao Lei out.
"The doctor said to stabilize her in the hospital for the next two days, and the surgery is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. We can’t all stay at the hospital, so let’s figure out how to arrange this."
Xiao Lei looked at Xiao Yuan, then at Xiao Feng: "I’ll start, today I’ll take care of her, tomorrow the eldest will come over, and the day after we’ll all be there, and after the surgery, the third brother can take over."
"Sounds good."
At times like this, Xiao Yuan definitely wouldn’t quibble over details.
But he understands Xiao Lei’s mindset.
It’s really about avoiding hard work; today’s time has mostly passed, and night is approaching. If Xiao Lei takes today, he only has to care for her tonight. Tomorrow, the person staying at the hospital has to care for her the entire day, and post-surgery care, although not long, involves many tasks, especially since the elderly cannot move after surgery and there’s pain and discomfort, making sleep difficult, tiring out the caregiver.
Xiao Yuan understands Xiao Lei’s thought process, and Xiao Feng isn’t ignorant either; he can figure it out quickly.
But as the eldest, he decides not to dwell on it too much and agrees.
After finalizing these arrangements, Xiao Yuan entered the ward to inform Anning: "Mom, Second Brother will take care of you tonight. Anning and I are heading back."
Zhong Liumei didn’t have much energy: "Alright, take care on your way."
Xiao Yuan and Anning, when leaving, also took Xiao Daguang and the eldest couple along.
By the time they returned from dropping people off, it was already eight or nine o’clock, and Pei Laoshi and the others had finished dinner.
Seeing Xiao Yuan and Anning return, Liu Dalian quickly asked, "How are things? Is it serious?"
Anning replied, while changing shoes: "Injured the nerves, so we went to the Provincial City; the doctor said surgery is needed, and today we arranged for hospitalization."
An Xian stood up: "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet." Anning, feeling a bit tired, sat on the sofa to rest: "Sis, can you make us two bowls of hot noodles, keep it simple, or else we won’t be able to eat."
"Wait a bit." An Xian hurried to the kitchen, and shortly after, brought two big bowls of plain noodles.
Anning and Xiao Yuan were quite hungry, quickly finished the noodles, but felt unsatisfied; Anjing then prepared two plates of cold dishes for them, and after eating, they drank some water, finally feeling full.
"When’s the surgery?"
Pei Laoshi inquired after Anning finished her meal.
Anning recapped the surgery time, and Pei Laoshi said to Liu Dalian: "Prepare some things and visit during the surgery."
"Got it." Liu Dalian readily agreed.
After eating, Xiao Yuan went for a wash, and Liu Dalian called Anning into her room.
"You paid for the hospitalization, right?" Liu Dalian asked as she entered the room.
Anning nodded: "We didn’t bring much money, so of course we paid. Besides, there’s a substantial amount; it’s not possible for Second Brother to cover it."
Liu Dalian softly remarked: "You need to be mindful. Yes, you have money, and paying for the elderly’s treatment is expected of you, and this isn’t the time to get tangled up in this, but when the elderly is discharged, you need to clarify how much was spent, how much each family should pay. Elder Brother and Second Brother’s families may not have money, but they should be aware, and the elderly should know too; it’s not about asking them for money, but also not paying without letting it be known."
"I understand." Anning smiled, sitting beside Liu Dalian: "This matter should be addressed by Xiao Yuan; after all, it’s a Xiao Family issue, and as a daughter-in-law, it wouldn’t be fitting for me to bring it up."
That’s true, Liu Dalian chuckled: "Make sure your father reminds him when there’s a chance."
Anning quickly waved her hand: "Don’t let my father say anything. This isn’t our place to comment. Xiao Yuan isn’t foolish; he knows exactly what needs to be done."
Liu Dalian realized this made sense.
After all, it’s Xiao Yuan’s mother who’s ill; any outsider comments would make Xiao Yuan uncomfortable, better to stay silent.
Anning chatted with Liu Dalian for a while before going back.
When she returned, Xiao Yuan was lying in bed reading. After Anning washed up, she lay down too. Xiao Yuan glanced at her: "These days, stay home and rest, I’ve arranged things at the factory."
Anning frowned.
Xiao Yuan spoke softly: "I think you might be pregnant."
Anning quickly checked her pulse and confirmed she was.
Xiao Yuan wrapped his arm around her: "You shouldn’t go the day after tomorrow; I’ll go, it’s cold and the hospital is crowded and unpleasant."
"Alright." Anning touched her belly and pulled the blanket up: "Check my pulse, I feel like it’s twins."
Xiao Yuan took Anning’s hand and checked her pulse carefully, then smiled: "It is twins. You’ll need to be more cautious."
Early the next morning, Xiao Yuan went out to manage factory affairs while Anning stayed home and slept in.
Over the following period, Xiao Yuan was busy running between the hospital and the factory, taking care of Zhong Liumei when not at the hospital, rarely having time to go home, often staying at the factory.
It was only after Zhong Liumei was discharged that Xiao Yuan felt a bit relieved.
Though discharged, Zhong Liumei still couldn’t walk and needed proper rest and rehabilitation.
At this point, Xiao Yuan brought out all the hospital and surgical receipts and gathered Xiao Daguang, Xiao Feng, and Xiao Lei to discuss the matter.
"This hospitalization, including the surgery, cost over forty thousand. These are all payment receipts, right here."
Xiao Yuan placed the receipts on the table.
Before he could finish his sentence, Xiao Lei quickly waved his hands: "I have no money, don’t expect me to pay."
Xiao Feng took a close look at the receipts and calculated the total: "Later I’ll get money from your sister-in-law for you."
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Feng, genuinely surprised.
Before marriage, Xiao Feng and Xiao Lei shared similar traits, both being lazy, greedy, and prone to exploiting situations.
Yet, less than two years into marriage, Xiao Feng has greatly changed; he’s become responsible, dependable, diligent, and significantly better at handling matters.
It seems Zhang Xiaoyu has been guiding him, and the Zhang Family has significantly influenced him.
Xiao Yuan feels that Xiao Feng did well in marrying Zhang Xiaoyu; despite her average looks, she has a good character, transforming Xiao Feng entirely. If they have children, with Zhang Xiaoyu as a mother, they’re likely to turn out well.
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Daguang: "Dad, what’s your take on this?"
Xiao Daguang kept silent.
Xiao Yuan sighed: "I’m not bringing these receipts to demand money. I’ve paid, but I need you to know the total cost. Whether or not it’s affordable, I’m not concerned, but it must be made clear to prevent any misunderstandings."
Xiao Lei felt uneasy at the remark.
He sensed Xiao Yuan implied him and hesitated before speaking: "How about this, although I lack funds, I can offer my effort. I will care for Mom until she can walk, what do you all think?"