Chapter 358 - 356: Money-Grubber

Chapter 358: Chapter 356: Money-Grubber

’So when being forceful didn’t work, she decided to play mind games in front of everyone? Was she trying to smear my name, ruin my reputation, and make sure they all knew what a terrible, "evil" mother-in-law I was?’

Wen Xiu was momentarily speechless with rage.

Chen Shulan came over, a smirk on her face as she looked at Guo Xiuying in front of everyone. "Wei Min’s wife, that’s no way to behave. Your mother-in-law begged and pleaded, she practically got on her knees asking you to take the child to the hospital. But what did you do? You insisted on believing that Xu Banxian, refusing to let the child get proper medical treatment. You would only feed him incense ash, and you turned a minor illness into this critical condition."

As she spoke, her eyes turned to the paramedics who had been looking at Guo Xiuying with pity. Her expression grew serious. "When you’re sick, you see a doctor and take medicine. You go to a proper hospital. Isn’t that right?"

"That’s right."

Any sympathy the doctor from the ambulance had for Guo Xiuying vanished instantly. She scolded her sternly, "Instead of taking him to a proper hospital, you insist on trusting some nonsensical incense ash? Even your mother-in-law, who’s older than you, knows that’s unreliable, yet you still make that mistake. How can you be so careless with your son’s life?"

"Exactly! You’re doctors, after all. You’re educated, you understand reason, you can tell right from wrong. But with some people, it’s like they’re possessed—nothing gets through to them. The child was clearly fading, and his grandmother had no other choice, so she had us help call an ambulance. Sure, maybe threatening to make the couple divorce if she didn’t take her son to the hospital wasn’t the right way to do it. But this is a matter of life and death, isn’t it? If his grandmother wasn’t truly desperate, don’t you think she’d know it’s best for a mother to care for her own child? The problem is, she was afraid this mother would not only be useless but would actually cause more trouble by trying to stop the doctors from treating him. And wouldn’t that just harm the boy all the same?"

Chen Shulan spoke with great indignation. "Doctor, you have no idea. Everyone in our village knows her mother-in-law is a good woman. She, on the other hand, doesn’t appreciate her blessings and just creates drama all day. She’s practically driven her own child to death’s door and still doesn’t know when to rein it in."

The doctor and the other paramedics now looked at Guo Xiuying with disdain and no longer minced words. "Get out of the way! The boy is unconscious and you’re still blocking us. Is he your son or your enemy? Are you trying to get him killed?"

In the chaos, someone shoved Guo Xiuying, and she collapsed to the ground.

Her face turned ashen. She suddenly shrieked, a crazed look in her eyes, "It’s not like that! How could I ever want to harm my own son? Of course Xu Banxian wouldn’t, either! He would never hurt Tianci! H-he... he gave him Immortal Water! If even he can’t save Tianci, then it means the boy was fated to suffer this trial. Taking him to a hospital is useless—it will only make things worse..."

"This woman is a lost cause. You can’t reason with her," one of the paramedics muttered. The others all stole glances at her and shook their heads. Their faces held a mixture of expressions, but blatant mockery was the most prevalent.

Wen Xiu took it all in. Looking at the disgraced, dust-covered Guo Xiuying, she felt a surge of glee and shot Chen Shulan a grateful look. Chen Shulan returned a knowing smile.

"Is anyone else getting in?" Zhang Tianci had already been loaded into the ambulance, and all the paramedics were on board. It was one thing that the boy’s own mother wasn’t coming, but surprisingly, the grandmother showed no intention of getting on either. What about anyone else? The father, for instance? Was he not around? A strange feeling crept over the doctor, and she couldn’t help but ask.

"Wei Min, what are you standing there gawking for? Get on the ambulance, now!"

It was only then that Wen Xiu realized Zhang Weimin was standing stock-still just like them, as if it were no concern of his. She laughed, a sound devoid of humor. ’She and Zhang Dazhuang were reluctant to go because they suspected Zhang Tianci wasn’t their grandson. Besides, just looking at the boy reminded her of Guo Xiuying, and the thought was simply revolting.’

’But Third doesn’t know any of that yet. Isn’t that the son he’s always doted on? How could he just stand there like nothing’s happening?’

"Huh? I have to go too?" Zhang Weimin was clearly startled. He waved his hands dismissively and took a step back. "What am I supposed to do there? I’ve never taken care of a little kid. Mom, didn’t you already get someone to go with him?"

"So just because I got someone, you don’t have to go? Is he not your son?"

Wen Xiu was practically sneering. "Your father and I are getting on in years. Even if we wanted to go take care of your son, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We also figured it wasn’t right for Guo Xiuying to go and just make a scene. We were worried you couldn’t handle it all by yourself, so we specifically asked Guiying to go along and help. But I never imagined you’d act like he was some other man’s son, not even wanting to go."

"Fine, I’ll go then." Having no other choice, Zhang Weimin reluctantly steeled himself and shuffled toward the ambulance. He only picked up his pace when the doctor who had spoken earlier yelled, "Let’s go!" He moved at something resembling a normal speed then, but as he boarded, he still clung to the doorframe. "Mom, you got any money? I didn’t bring much with me."

"I already gave the money to Guiying. You won’t have to spend a thing." Wen Xiu struggled to suppress her fury. He was still hung up on money, even now! ’She didn’t believe for a second that he was broke. A man on his way out to play cards wouldn’t have cash on him? That’s just ridiculous.’

"Well, find someone to come relieve me later, and bring me some food or something..." This time, Zhang Weimin didn’t get an answer from Wen Xiu. His response was the rear doors of the ambulance slamming shut. Startled, he yanked his hand back just in time to avoid it getting crushed.

He was instantly furious and about to blow up, but the doctor who had slammed the door shot him an icy glare. "If you don’t want to delay your son’s treatment, then shut your mouth." She then ignored him completely, turning her full attention to the unconscious Zhang Tianci and beginning emergency procedures. The other paramedics spared him little more than a contemptuous glance before getting back to work.

Glancing at the utterly still form of Zhang Tianci, Zhang Weimin wanted to lash out but didn’t dare. He chickened out.

His cowardice didn’t last long, however. His eyes shifted to Yang Guiying, the widow from his village who was sitting to one side, holding a bundle of things. He shamelessly held out his hand to her. "Give me the money."