sbdcsierra Chapter 502 Returning to Work and Paying Back Slowly
Chapter 502 Returning to Work and Paying Back Slowly
Zhao Xiuying packed some necessary clothes and medicines, and then she and Li Xiangyang helped their mother into the car.
Throughout the journey, Zhao's mother coughed incessantly, and Zhao Xiuying looked at her mother with heartache and anxiety in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Auntie," Li Xiangyang comforted her. "The doctors at the county hospital are very skilled; you'll get better soon."
The car drove into the county town and headed straight for the hospital. Li Xiangyang got out first to find Wang Ergou's wife, Ma Hongxia.
A short while later, Li Xiangyang returned with Ma Hongxia.
"Xiuying, this is Er Gou's wife, Ma Hongxia," Li Xiangyang introduced.
After being introduced by Li Xiangyang, Zhao Xiuying quickly greeted him.
With Ma Hongxia's help, Zhao's mother was quickly admitted to a regular ward in the hospital and had her examinations arranged.
After reviewing the test results, the doctor frowned: "The situation is not optimistic. It's been delayed for too long; a minor surgical removal is needed. However, before the surgery, we need to undergo a period of treatment to improve your physical condition."
Upon hearing that surgery was needed, Zhao Xiuying's face turned deathly pale: "Surgery... How much will the surgery cost approximately?"
The doctor calculated: "The surgery, hospitalization, and medication costs will probably come to a little over three hundred yuan."
More than three hundred yuan! Zhao Xiuying felt dizzy. Even with such generous treatment now, she would have to go ten months without eating or drinking!
Seeing this, Li Xiangyang quickly said, "Don't worry about the money. I'll pay for it first. You just focus on taking care of your mother at the hospital. We'll pay you back slowly when we get our salaries."
Zhao Xiuying looked at Li Xiangyang gratefully, tears welling up in her eyes again: "Brother Li... I... I will definitely repay you..."
"Alright, stop being so wishy-washy." Li Xiangyang waved his hand. "Your mother's illness is the priority. Hongxia, please take good care of her."
Ma Hongxia nodded: "Don't worry, I'll come to visit Auntie every day."
After settling Zhao's mother in, Li Xiangyang took out money and paid the hospital deposit. He then instructed Zhao Xiuying, "Stay at the hospital with your mother for a few days. Once her condition stabilizes, you can go back to work at the purchasing station. Your wages will be paid as usual; they won't be deducted."
Zhao Xiuying nodded gratefully, her eyes filled with determination: "Thank you, Brother Li. Once my mother is feeling better, I will definitely work even harder."
After saying goodbye to Zhao Xiuying and her daughter, Li Xiangyang drove the truck out of the county town, pondering the affairs of the purchasing station over the next few days. Without Zhao Xiuying, the accounts might be a bit chaotic; it seemed he would have to ask Wang Ergou to keep a closer eye on things.
Back in Xiaoliang Village, the sun was already setting. Li Xiangyang parked the truck and headed straight for the purchasing station.
From afar, he could see a large crowd gathered in the courtyard, with many villagers queuing up to sell their mountain produce.
Wang Ergou was sweating profusely, weighing items and keeping accounts, looking flustered and overwhelmed.
"Ergou, you're so busy today?" Li Xiangyang asked with a smile as he walked into the courtyard.
Wang Ergou looked up at the sound of his voice, a relieved smile immediately spreading across his face: "Yes, you're back! I'm getting more and more confused about this debt. How's Xiuying?"
“Her mother is quite ill and needs to be hospitalized for a while. Xiuying will need to take care of her at the hospital for a few days. I'll take over here. You go and rest for a bit and have some water.”
Li Xiangyang took the wooden scale and began weighing the mountain goods brought by the villagers. He skillfully quoted the prices, recorded the quantities, and paid the villagers.
Wang Ergou breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly went inside.
After finishing his business at the purchasing station, it was already late. Li Xiangyang returned home and found Li Xiaoyun sewing clothes under the lamp.
"Still not asleep?" Li Xiangyang asked.
Li Xiaoyun looked up at him and said, "Waiting for you to come back. Is the purchasing station done with work?"
Li Xiangyang nodded and sat down beside her: "With Zhao Xiuying gone, things are really a bit hectic. But she organized the accounts very clearly before she left, which saved a lot of trouble."
Li Xiaoyun smiled: "Looks like you've found a good helper."
“Yes,” Li Xiangyang sighed, “it’s just that her family’s situation is too difficult. Her mother’s illness, the surgery alone will cost over three hundred yuan, not including the subsequent treatment costs.”
……
In the following days, the purchasing station's business became increasingly prosperous, with mountain products from various villages being delivered continuously. Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou were so busy that they barely had time to breathe.
On the morning of the fifth day, Li Xiangyang got up early to go to the hospital to visit Zhao Xiuying and her daughter again.
“I’ll go with you,” Li Xiaoyun suggested. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Ma Hongxia, so I’ll go see her while I’m at it.”
Li Xiangyang readily agreed: "That's perfect, let's go together."
Upon arriving at the hospital, Li Xiangyang first went to find Ma Hongxia, only to learn that she was in Zhao's mother's ward.
Pushing open the ward door, one could see Zhao Xiuying feeding her mother porridge, while Ma Hongxia stood to the side, seemingly giving her instructions.
"Brother Li! Sister-in-law!" Zhao Xiuying stood up in surprise when she saw Li Xiangyang and his wife.
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "I came to see how your mother is doing."
Zhao's mother struggled to sit up, but Zhao Xiuying gently pressed her down, saying, "Mother, don't move, just lie down."
Ma Hongxia nodded to Li Xiangyang and his wife, then continued to Zhao Xiuying, "Remember to take your medicine on time these next two days. I've arranged for a nurse to come and change your dressing every day."
Zhao Xiuying nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Sister Hongxia."
After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Hongxia told Li Xiangyang, "Aunt Zhao's condition is more serious than we thought. It's not just a lung problem; her heart is also under some strain. The doctor recommends stabilizing her condition for a week before surgery."
Li Xiangyang frowned and asked, "How much will it cost?"
Ma Hongxia hesitated for a moment: "Conservatively speaking, the surgery fee, hospitalization fee, and medication fee will add up to at least five hundred yuan."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiuying's face turned deathly pale, and her lips trembled as she stammered, "This...this..."
Seeing her worry, Li Xiangyang immediately said, "Don't worry about the money. Er Gou and I have discussed it and will cover the cost first. You focus on taking care of your mother, and once she recovers, you can come back to work and pay it back slowly."
Li Xiaoyun nodded in agreement, "Yes, Xiuying, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I support whatever your Brother Li does."
With tears in her eyes, Zhao Xiuying looked at Li Xiangyang and his wife with gratitude: "Brother Li, sister-in-law, I really don't know how to thank you..."
"Don't be so polite," Li Xiangyang waved his hand. "We're all from the same village; helping each other out is only natural."
Li Xiaoyun turned to Ma Hongxia: "Hongxia, please take good care of Xiuying and her mother. Is there anything special you need to pay attention to regarding her mother's illness?"
Ma Hongxia nodded: "The most important thing is to maintain emotional stability and avoid overexertion during this period. Eat a light diet and plenty of nutritious foods."
Zhao Xiuying listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
Looking at the haggard Zhao Xiuying, Li Xiangyang asked with concern, "How have you been these past few days? Have you been getting enough rest?"
Zhao Xiuying forced a smile: "I'm fine, it's just that I need to take care of my mother at night, so I haven't been sleeping much."
Seeing this, Li Xiangyang took out a wad of cash from his pocket: "Here's two hundred yuan. Take it first, buy whatever you need. Don't be stingy, your mother's health is the most important thing."