TFRLTOP Chapter 48 Part 1

Chapter 48 – The Educated Youth’s Long-Suffering Wife

◎System: Heh, love-struck fools never end well!◎

“Dad… Dad! What’s going on? What happened to you? This isn’t just some ordinary cough, is it? I’ll take you to the hospital—let’s go to town, or even to the city to get you checked.”

Ming Ming panicked. Right now, only one thought circled in her mind—what if it was something terminal? She had money, she had plenty of money now. As long as it was treatable, she could afford it.

But what if… what if…

Coughing, coughing blood—how could she not think the worst?

Chunhua helped Ming Ming support Chen Weiguo into the house, while nearby villagers gathered to lend a hand.

“What’s going on, Old Chen? Ay, quick, get Old Kang from the clinic to take a look.”

Ming Ming wet a towel and wiped the blood from Chen Weiguo’s lips. He seemed much calmer now, no longer coughing. He patted Ming Ming’s head and said with relief, “Our Juanzi’s all grown up.”

Ming Ming’s eyes immediately reddened.

From him, she finally felt what true family love—blood ties—meant. That kind of unconditional care she had never known before. Couldn’t she be allowed to enjoy it a little longer? She still wanted to make it up to Chen Weiguo on Chen Juan’s behalf, to take good care of him so he could enjoy his later years in peace.

Even though she herself wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to stay here.

But Yuan Chenglong’s and Xiwazi’s fates had already been changed—why couldn’t Chen Weiguo’s be too?

Just when she felt maybe she no longer had to be pushed along by the current of this world, fear surged back in.

But more than anything, it was worry and reluctance to let Chen Weiguo go.

“Dad…” Ming Ming tried to speak, but her throat tightened.

Chunhua stood at the back of the crowd, too embarrassed to push her way forward. After all, they were all neighbors—sure, they bickered and badmouthed each other plenty, but there weren’t real blood feuds. People might not hope others did well, but they didn’t truly wish for disaster either.

Still, she was terrified Chen Weiguo really had coughed up blood because of something spiteful she’d said. If so, she’d never live down the shame of being blamed for it.

What if it ruined her daughter, Cuiping’,s chances of marriage?

Just then, she saw Old Kang from the clinic arriving. Trying to make up for things, she hurried to call out, “Old Kang’s here! Old Kang’s here! Quick, don’t crowd around—let him through to check on Weiguo.”

As soon as Chen Weiguo saw Old Kang, he straightened himself and forced some spirit into his voice. To the neighbors packed into the house, he said, “Thanks, everyone, I’m fine. Been coughing a lot lately, probably just tore my throat. Go on back, I’ll have Old Kang give me some medicine, that’s all. Really, thank you all.”

He even tried to get up, but the neighbors rushed to keep him seated. Seeing he didn’t want a fuss, one by one they made excuses and filed out.

“Juanzi, take good care of your dad. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask your uncles and aunties here.”

Ming Ming nodded quickly.

Old Kang hurried forward in long strides and went straight to the point: “What happened? Coughed up blood again?”

Ming Ming froze. “Again?”

She turned sharply to Chen Weiguo. “Dad, tell me the truth—what’s going on? How long has this been happening?”

Forcing down her panic, she steadied herself to think through what to do next.

Chen Weiguo stayed silent. Ming Ming looked at Old Kang and demanded firmly, “Uncle Kang, I’m my dad’s only family. You can’t keep this from me.”

Old Kang glanced at Chen Weiguo, then at Ming Ming, and sighed. “Child, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you. You know how limited medical care is here—we can patch up scrapes and cuts, but your father’s condition, I suspect, is a lung problem. But the village clinic doesn’t have the equipment, and even the town might not. I’ve already urged him to go to a big hospital in the city…”

Ming Ming silently mouthed the words: “A lung problem.”

Chen Weiguo’s face hardened. “What lung problem? I’m fine. Nothing wrong with me!”

“Dad, are you afraid of the money, or of a bad diagnosis?” Ming Ming asked bluntly.

He wanted to brush it off again, but Ming Ming knelt, resting against his knees. Her brows knitted, lips trembling, her eyes bright like stars ready to spill over. “Dad, I have money. No matter the result, I can get you treated. At the very least, we need to check. Even small problems grow big if you ignore them. Early discovery and treatment—that’s what matters.”

She pleaded softly, “Dad… I haven’t grown up yet…”

Chen Weiguo’s eyes reddened, his nose burning.

“That’s right, Old Chen,” Old Kang chimed in. “Listen to your daughter. Remember the test order I wrote up for you last time? Do you still have it? Bring it with you; it’ll help describe your symptoms. If not, I can write you another.”

Chen Weiguo quickly nodded. “Still have it, still have it. Kept it safe.” He pointed toward the back room. “I put it away.”

Ming Ming stood and thanked Old Kang. “Uncle Kang, thank you for everything.”

He patted her shoulder. “Child, keep persuading your dad. And don’t worry—there might not be anything serious. If need be, I’ll even go with you.”

Ming Ming shook her head as she walked him out. “It’s fine. The village relies on you for everything. I’ll take my dad myself.”

At the door, they spoke a while longer. Old Kang carefully explained what he’d observed before. Ming Ming listened intently, asking questions where she didn’t understand, until she felt at least somewhat prepared for what might come.

From afar, snatches of gossip drifted over.

“Really gone?”

“Mm. Didn’t even look back, no matter who called out.”

“See? Just like the old saying—no one’s more heartless than a scholar. Couldn’t be truer.”

“Ain’t that the truth. What a sin.”

“All right, I’ll head off then. You and Junsheng can discuss things yourselves. If you need anything, just say the word—we’re all here.” Old Kang waved and left.

Yan Junsheng.

He hadn’t come back yet.

The post station wasn’t far. He hadn’t taken his bike that morning, but even on foot, it shouldn’t take this long.

Ming Ming even wondered if picking up the package was just an excuse—that maybe he was already on his way back to the city.

But didn’t divorce require procedures? If he went back without them, there’d still be ties between them.

Didn’t he find that troublesome?

Or did he think that just leaving this place was enough, and nothing else mattered?

Forget it…

She turned to go inside when hurried footsteps rushed up behind her. From the corner of her eye, she saw a figure running fast.

“Juanzi!”

It was Yan Junsheng.

He was clutching a parcel, breathless and anxious, his face tight with worry. “What happened? I heard… I heard Dad coughed up blood? How could that be, just like that? Is he okay?”

Ming Ming froze, stunned that he was even here.

She had been almost certain he’d seized the chance to head back to the city.

If he had the chance, why hadn’t he?

She couldn’t understand it at all.

Could it be… could it be he really…

Junsheng’s eyes fell on the glaring bloodstain at the door. He stepped forward and pulled Ming Ming into his arms.

“Sorry, I’m late. Were you scared? Don’t be—it’s okay. We’ll face this together.”

He patted her back gently, then lowered his voice. “Dad’s inside? Should I go get someone from the clinic?”

Ming Ming shook her head. “Uncle Kang just left.”

“What did he say?”

“He said… it looks like a lung problem. We’ll have to go to a city hospital. They can’t check it here.”

Her hands were trembling as she spoke.

Junsheng clasped them tightly in his own.

“It’s okay. Then we’ll go to the city hospital. Don’t worry—we’ll find a way.”

He led her inside. Chen Weiguo looked up at him in surprise, then relaxed, smiling. “Junsheng’s back?”

The way father and daughter had reacted just now puzzled him a little, but he didn’t dwell on it. The urgent matter was making arrangements to take Chen Weiguo to the city.

He looked at Chen Weiguo with a hint of reproach. “Dad, how could you keep something this serious from us? What if something had happened? What would Juanzi do then? And besides, we don’t even know the situation yet. What if it turns out not to be so bad after all? If you just give up now, aren’t you breaking her heart?”

Ming Ming tugged on his sleeve, frowning. “Don’t talk about my dad like that.”

Chen Weiguo sighed. “I’m getting old, useless… just a burden on my kids now.”

“Dad!” Ming Ming cried. “How can you say that?”

He gave a small smile. “It’s okay. I’ll listen to you. I don’t want to leave you so soon either…” Tears welled in Chen Weiguo’s eyes. “I raised you with my own hands. If I were gone, who would protect you from hardship and mistreatment?”

“You can rest assured—I won’t let her suffer,” Yan Junsheng said firmly.

“Dad,” Ming Ming squatted in front of him, “as long as you’re alive, I’ll never suffer.”

Chen Weiguo nodded, suddenly looking much older.

At noon, after eating a little, he lay down to rest. Ming Ming sat outside the room, staring blankly, lost in thought.

“System, you didn’t know about Chen Weiguo’s condition? Why didn’t you warn me?”

The system replied, “Honestly, I found out almost the same time you did.”

Ming Ming let out a short laugh. “What kind of—”

She suddenly froze, struck by a possibility.