Bai Xue was chided by the young girl, and the words that came out of An Hao’s mouth irked her no matter how she listened.
"An Hao, if you keep talking , I’ll have to set things straight with you!" Bai Xue’s face darkened as she glared at An Hao and accused her with great intensity, "I know you’ve never liked me, just because I’m a stepmother? You target me in everything you do and say! Your dad has hurt his leg, and I’m more anxious about it than anyone else. Does seeking medical treatment not cost money? The family is poor and can’t afford it. I’m just stating the reality, so why are you getting worked up with me? Publicly accusing me in front of all these people? Do you want to embarrass me and indirectly tell everyone that as a daughter-in-law, I am indifferent and lack compassion?"
An Hao hadn’t planned on arguing with her, but it seemed that Bai Xue couldn’t let it go, so there was no need to show her any courtesy, "Do you not realize what you’re thinking? Why is there no money at home? Your brother’s family has been eating and drinking at our expense for a month, feasting on meat and eggs every day. How could the little money we have at home suffice for their consumption? My dad is the only one earning, yet everyone spends. How can there be any money left? Listen to what you’re saying, how long will it take to repay a borrowed sum? Even then, you don’t have to pay it back, you’re just afraid of living a hard life, aren’t you? The day you married my dad, did you ever consider sharing both the joys and hardships with him?"
An Hao’s words were sharp and unapologetic, leaving no room for Bai Xue to save face.
"You all listen, you all see. How can I, as a stepmother, ever be right!" Bai Xue’s eyes reddened, and she raised her hand to wipe away her tears, "Don’t An Ping and you both need money for school? Am I not considering your best interests? One faces the college entrance exam, and the other, the middle school exams. If the family incurs another debt, your father would work himself to death without being able to pay it off."
Bai Xue had the knack for shamelessly turning the conversation in her favor.
Every word she uttered seemed to reflect her concern for the An Family, as she desperately tried to gild her own image.
"I have no issues with you, so don’t drag irrelevant things into this; let’s stick to the point. We definitely need to borrow money, and my dad’s leg has to be treated. He is the mainstay, the pillar of this family; everything depends on him! And you don’t have to worry about the money, rest assured I won’t touch your savings. I will borrow the money and work to pay it off, you don’t need to concern yourself with it!" An Hao declared firmly, leaving no room for argument before she went to take care of An Shuchao in the temporary ward.
"What private savings... Don’t falsely accuse me of hiding money! You... you all see this, right? This girl is just so unyielding, they say even a stone can be warmed up, but her heart is even harder than stone!" Bai Xue complained as she began to cry her heart out.
Shen Shuchun couldn’t stand it any longer and couldn’t help but speak up, "Xue, An Hao is right to want to get treatment for her father. Don’t worry about so much, since the child said she doesn’t need you to pay it back; just focus on accompanying Shuchao through his treatment."
"Yes! The child is anxious; why are you, as an adult, arguing with a child over such a trivial matter at this critical time?" the village chief also reprimanded Bai Xue.
Song Jincai listened silently, not interjecting.
"Why is everyone blaming me?" Bai Xue covered her face, her grievance once again bringing her to tears.
In the ward, An Shuchao overheard Bai Xue’s words and felt an unpleasant taste in his heart.
An Hao saw her father’s mood and raised her hand to wipe his sweat and comforted him, "Dad, don’t be sad. Don’t listen to Bai Xue’s nonsense; your leg definitely needs attention. Money earned is meant to be spent, this is important, and no matter how much it costs, we won’t feel the pinch."
"My daughter..." An Shuchao’s voice choked up.