Huang Man walked to the doorway of the hospital room and heard Huang Xin and Huang Lina complaining.
Zhao Mei did not bother to explain a single thing on behalf of Huang Man, and even went on about how badly Huang Man had treated her.
At that moment, the anger surged; to think, even if the young girl was not the best, she had been taking care of them in the hospital for three consecutive days and nights without proper rest.
Yet, the son and daughter Zhao Mei praised as the most filial would only pop in for a brief visit each day, feign concern, and not forget to ask for money.
If it weren’t for the money, Huang Man felt that they might not even think about visiting Zhao Mei.
"Since you say I’m not taking good care of you, and Huang Xin and Huang Lina say I’m doing a bad job, they are your filial children, let them take care of you."
"We can’t have you feeling uncomfortable, not one bit."
When the mother and her two children saw Huang Man, they showed no sign of panic—as they used to criticize her to her face without ever hearing her object.
Unexpectedly, this time she spoke out and said what she did, leaving Zhao Mei feeling somewhat embarrassed, "Huang Man, your brother and sister are still young."
"They are already in the ninth grade, what’s ’young’, a three-year-old child, Mom?"
"When I was their age, I was already working in the fields. Right, Mom, didn’t you always say that as the eldest sister I’m like a mother? Are you sure you want me to take charge of the household?"
To tame them or to make their dissatisfaction with her hit its peak, to the point they didn’t want her managing their affairs anymore, the best strategy was of course to make them push her out.
Zhao Mei certainly thought this was her chance, nodding incessantly, "Yes, yes."
In the future, she could go back to doing nothing just like before, with someone else taking care of household duties and no worries about the children’s tuition fees.
"Then give me Dad’s compensation money," demanded Huang Man, bluntly extending her hand.
What? Give her the money? Zhao Mei was stunned; she had never thought of giving the money to Huang Man, as most of it was intended for Huang Xin, and a portion for Huang Lina.
Upon hearing this, Huang Xin was instantly alarmed, "What? Huang Man actually wants to take the money? How could that make him happy?" and he started making a fuss on the spot.
"Huang Man, what do you mean, how can this money be given to you?"
"This money is for me," said Huang Xin fiercely.
"Oh," Huang Man responded, "That’s good then, the money is yours; from now on, you run the household."
"Mom, I think my brother is right. He is the only son in the family, the pillar of the Huang family. You should give him the money and let him take charge."
"Right, Huang Xin, remember, the utility bills are due soon, you need to pay them."
"Also, the hospital just informed that they are short on medication fees; make sure you add the funds."
"I’ve been the one paying for groceries these past several days. From now on, it’s your turn to buy groceries."
"And one more thing, I’ve been here for three days and three nights; I’m tired too. From today onward, we will take turns, one person a day."
"Mom, don’t say they’re too young. Dad’s gone; we all need to start fending for ourselves."
"Alright, I’m heading home," said Huang Man as she picked up her backpack, ready to leave.
"Oh, and figure out who’s taking today and who’s taking tomorrow."
"Mom, I’ll come back the day after tomorrow morning to take over," said Huang Man before turning and leaving.
Zhao Mei and the other two were dumbfounded. Was this the same Huang Man they knew? The one who was so honest and obliging that she would do whatever they told her to?
Huang Lina wasn’t pleased either, "Mom, I already made plans to go to the mall with my friends today."
The celebrity they were all fans of had a signing event at the mall today, and they had agreed to go there.
Huang Xin had also made plans to hang out at an arcade with his friends, "No way, I’ve got a date."
"I don’t care, you’re my brother, and you’re it for today." Originally, Huang Lina had wanted to ask for some money, but now, fearing that taking the money would prevent her from leaving, she dashed off.
Huang Xin hadn’t expected Huang Lina to pull such a stunt and was instantly so angry that he was hopping mad, "Mom, I’m stepping out for a bit. I’ll bring you lunch."
Using the excuse of buying lunch for Zhao Mei, Huang Xin managed to get a hundred yuan from her and then quickly disappeared.
Zhao Mei was stupefied. She was about to remind Huang Xin not to buy certain dishes when he bolted.
"Little Xin, remember to buy me lunch." But there was no response, and Zhao Mei felt somewhat dissatisfied.
A patient nearby was about to say something but was pulled back, "A favoritism-playing mom, always thinking the younger two children are the best."
Although Zhao Mei had only been hospitalized for three days, the surrounding patients all knew which of her children treated her well. It’s a pity she didn’t like the daughter who actually did the real work.
After leaving the hospital, Huang Man went to look for her high school teacher, who was aware of her situation and had previously expressed a desire to help tutor a relative’s child.
The original Huang Man had agreed to it, but first, there was Huang Zhiqiang’s accident to deal with. After that was resolved, Zhao Mei was hospitalized, so it fell by the wayside.
The current Huang Man certainly hoped to earn this money, for she could foresee the push to make her give up her studies and go work would certainly come with no allowance being provided.
Fortunately, the original Huang Man had good grades, which warranted a waiver of tuition and boarding fees. Moreover, she received a monthly food subsidy, so she hardly spent any money on her studies previously.
When Huang Man arrived at the teacher’s home, after learning her intention, the teacher asked, "Are you sure you will have the time?"
"I can manage. But my mom’s in the hospital, so I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to teach every day. However, I will schedule in advance."
Once Zhao Mei was discharged, she would let her handle her own affairs, especially since her illness wasn’t severe at all.
"Good, their previous tutor quit because they found them too noisy and bothersome." At this, the teacher seemed a bit embarrassed.
If students were unruly enough to drive a teacher to quit and forgo the money, you could imagine how mischievous they must be.
"I can give it a try." Not minding that a high school junior would tutor middle school students, with a fair rate offered, in addition to considering the teacher’s recommendation, the students’ behavior must also have been taken into account.
For her, who had once been a revered teacher in school and also taught in extracurricular tutoring classes, the challenge was not particularly daunting.
After all, she really needed the money now for the plans she had in mind.
The original Huang Man used to constantly urge them, even if they were reluctant, to take their studies seriously and get into high school, followed by a vocational college.
She wouldn’t be like the original Huang Man, constantly advising them. Zhao Mei was the sort who would only spoil Huang Xin and the others, and it wasn’t hard to imagine that, with her favoritism and their own self-destruction, Huang Xin and his sister getting into high school would be questionable at best.
Laziness and a habit of living off others had already foreshadowed a bleak future for the two. As for the compensation left by Huang Zhiqiang, how many years could it possibly last? Three or four years? They might not even make it that long before they would come to her like leeches.
Naturally, the best course of action would be to bide her time, promising to earn a lot after graduating, then swiftly move abroad.
By then, no matter how much they carried on, she wouldn’t be in the country anymore.