Shi Jingfang arrived at the hospital around mid-morning the next day, accompanied by the families of other injured individuals. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel•fire.net
When she reached the ward, she saw Ye Wenjuan lying there, instructing Ye Wenhui, "Cousin, can you prop my leg up a bit higher?"
Ye Wenhui said, somewhat impatiently, "Will you ever stop? One moment you want it higher, the next lower. You’re deliberately trying to torment me, aren’t you?"
Ye Wenjuan, looking aggrieved, said, "Cousin, how can you say that about me?"
Ye Wenhui had clearly had enough. "Alright, stop with that expression. You’re not the only patient with a leg injury in these wards. Do you take me for a fool?"
A family member of another patient, who was also in the room, couldn’t bear it any longer. "Exactly! You’ve been working her hard all night. It’s only been quiet for a short while, and you’re starting up again? If your cousin weren’t so good-natured, anyone else would have given up on you long ago. You young lady truly don’t know how to be considerate of others. I think you’re doing this deliberately."
Ye Wenjuan glared angrily at the woman. "This is between my cousin and me. What business is it of yours?"
The woman was also one to speak up for justice. "I just can’t stand watching you bully someone while feigning innocence and using your injured leg as an excuse. Your cousin didn’t injure your leg, so why are you ordering her around relentlessly? She’s indulging you, and you take a mile when given an inch! How shameless can you be? If your cousin weren’t so well-mannered, anyone else would have lost their temper with you long ago. What a piece of work!"
Ye Wenjuan’s eyes reddened with anger. "My cousin hasn’t even said she’s unwilling. Who do you think you are to butt in?"
Ye Wenhui didn’t want to bicker with Ye Wenjuan. Her leg was genuinely injured, and as they were both daughters of the Ye Family, she felt she couldn’t just ignore her.
But when Ye Wenjuan spoke so rudely to the older woman who had stood up for her, Ye Wenhui couldn’t remain silent. "Ye Wenjuan, watch your mouth! Don’t think that just because I’ve been indulging you, I’m willing to put up with your tantrums."
Ye Wenjuan retorted with a sneer, "You think I don’t know what you’re really thinking? Taking care of me here is much better than toiling away at that construction site. So stop putting on this show of sisterly affection for me."
Hearing this, Shi Jingfang could no longer hold back. "Ye Wenjuan, you act so pitiful to gain sympathy in front of the elders, but here you’re so sharp-tongued. It’s quite a revelation."
As she spoke, everyone in the room turned to look at the ward entrance.
Ye Wenhui exclaimed excitedly, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Ye Wenjuan’s face turned pale. "Aunt Jingfang, I..."
Shi Jingfang looked at Ye Wenjuan with a cold expression. "I truly underestimated you."
To be honest, she had never been particularly fond of her niece, Ye Wenjuan. She always felt Ye Wenjuan’s demeanor was starkly different from the other children in the Ye Family. But then again, considering Ye Wenjuan had a mother like her third sister-in-law, it was somewhat understandable. Her daughter, Wenhui, often told her that Ye Wenjuan was very good at putting on an act. At first, Shi Jingfang thought it was just typical squabbles between young girls. But after she chanced upon Ye Wenjuan lying on several occasions, she began to realize that her niece’s character was genuinely problematic. After giving her daughter some guidance, she had also warned her: ’You are all part of the younger generation of the Ye Family. You mustn’t stir up any rumors of discord that would trouble the two Ye Family elders.’ She just never imagined that the gentle, obedient demeanor Ye Wenjuan displayed in front of them was all an act.
Turning to her daughter, she said, "You’ve been put through a lot all these years."
Then, she turned back to Ye Wenjuan. "Since your injuries are this severe, I’ll call your parents and ask them to come take care of you."
Ye Wenjuan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but seeing the look in Aunt Jingfang’s eyes, she didn’t dare utter a word.
Shi Jingfang glanced at her daughter. "I came in such a rush, I was only focused on finding you both. Come with me to buy some nutritional supplements for Wenjuan, and then we need to call home."