Halfway there, she stopped An Hao.
"An Hao, I need to discuss something with you," Zhang Juyun said, looking at her smilingly.
Seeing Zhang Juyun, An Hao had a bad feeling, but she still smiled and said, "Auntie, what’s the matter? Just tell me!"
"I’m here to ask for money," Zhang Juyun said, showing an expression that was a mix of embarrassment and helplessness, "Don’t be mad at your auntie. I know about your dad’s situation, and normally I wouldn’t hesitate to help. But this time I can’t, as your uncle doesn’t know that I have set this money aside. My mom has also not been well recently, and I’ve saved it to buy her some supplements. You see, I have to go to the city tomorrow, so this money..."
An Hao immediately understood that this was just an excuse from Zhang Juyun.
The money was hers, and if she didn’t want to lend it, An Hao couldn’t force her.
"Okay, auntie, I understand," An Hao took out the money and returned it to Zhang Juyun, "Here’s all fifty. Please thank Uncle Song for me."
As she spoke, Song Jincai caught up and returned the IOU to An Hao, "Uncle, I’m really sorry..."
An Hao smiled at him and waved her hand, "It’s alright. I’ll go borrow money from someone else."
In the evening, after returning home, An Hao sat on the kang, exhausted and unable to utter a single word. She had traveled from the east end of the village to the west end, talking herself hoarse without having managed to borrow any money.
Seeing An Hao’s dejected look, An Ping felt sorry for his sister. He poured a bowl of water and handed it to An Hao, "Sis, don’t get upset, there’s always a solution."
An Hao took the water and gulped it down, then wiped her mouth, "If it really comes down to it, I’ll just go sell goods tomorrow. Those jars of Snowflake Cream are worth some money, and every bit counts, I guess."
"Hey, Sis!!" An Ping suddenly brightened up, remembering something, "Dad got injured while working, and the production team leader Li Wangfu hasn’t shown his face yet. Since Dad got a work-related injury, the production team should pay for it! They should not only provide the money but also buy the nutritional supplements!"
"Right!" An Hao’s brows instantly relaxed, and she excitedly patted An Ping on the shoulder, "If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have forgotten all about that."
Indeed, the production team should be responsible for their expenses!
She had been so frantic and tired these last two days, focused only on borrowing money, how could she have forgotten this?
"Let’s go, An Ping! Let’s find Li Wangfu right now!" An Hao suddenly felt energized, bolted the door, and took An Ping straight to Li Wangfu’s house.
Li Wangfu was sipping tea in his yard while contemplating the incident that happened at the production team the day before; when An Shuchao had broken his leg, Li Wangfu directed people to carry An Shuchao home and hadn’t dared to show his face since.
He heard that they were going to put a steel pin in the bone, which was going to cost quite a lot.
He was just worried about what to do if the An family came asking for money. Logically, since it was a work-related injury that occurred while working for the production team, the team was supposed to compensate.
As he was considering this, An Hao’s voice came from outside the door, "Is Uncle Li home?"
Seeing An Hao’s approach, Li Wangfu knew that trouble had come knocking.
"An Hao, An Ping! What brings you siblings over today?" Li Wangfu knew exactly what was going on, like looking into a clear mirror, but he pretended to be oblivious in front of An Hao.
"It’s , my dad had an accident at the production team, Uncle Li, you must be aware of it, right? He needs surgery now and it requires money. I came to discuss this with you, Uncle Li, to see if the production team can provide the funds," An Hao went straight to the point.