Chapter 95
The pungent smell of disinfectant filled the county hospital hallway. Jack White's hand trembled as he clutched the medical bill—over two hundred yuan gone in just five days! He crumpled the paper in fury.
"The doctor said there's nothing more they can do for Mom," Haofang screeched, her voice grating. "Her face is all twisted—just take her home for some acupuncture!"
Jack's expression darkened. The old woman used to be so capable, a real powerhouse in the fields. Now she could barely walk straight, needing someone to tend to her every moment.
"This is unbearable!" Haofang planted her hands on her hips. "That wretched Luna ran off, and now the old hag's paralyzed. Who's gonna work the fields? Who's gonna handle the chores?"
A loud clatter came from the ward. They rushed in to find the old woman's bowl overturned, congee spilled across the bed. Ethan was shoving his grandmother impatiently.
"You useless old crone!" Haofang yanked the woman's arm, her nails digging deep into the wrinkled flesh. "Keep this up, and you'll go hungry tonight!"
The old woman let out a guttural moan, murky tears rolling down her crooked mouth. She tried to point at the neighbor in the next bed, but her hand shook too violently to lift.
"Don't fret, Mom." Haofang suddenly beamed, her voice sickly sweet. "I'll change your sheets right away!" Then, under her breath, only for the old woman to hear: "Try that again, and I'll strangle you."
Jack watched coldly. A thought struck him, and he pulled Haofang aside. "Send Ethan a telegram. Tell him Mom's dying—demand five hundred yuan."
"Brilliant!" Haofang's eyes gleamed. "I'll go now!"
In the ward, the old woman struggled to the edge of the bed. She wanted to scream, but only choked rasps escaped. The neighbor clucked approvingly, "Such a blessed granny, with such a devoted daughter-in-law!"
The old woman shut her eyes in despair. She remembered how she'd mistreated her second son's family, how she'd deprived Luna. Karma. This is all karma.
Haofang returned with half a bowl of cold water. "Here, Mom. Drink." She deliberately tilted it, spilling the water down the woman's front. "Oh dear, look at you—can't even hold a bowl properly."
Late at night, the old woman whimpered in pain. Under the covers, Haofang's fingers pinched and twisted the soft flesh of her thighs.
"Where's all that pride now?" Haofang hissed. "Did you ever think, when you made me kneel to wash your feet, that you'd end up like this?"
Moonlight illuminated the old woman's contorted face, her tears and drool soaking the pillow. At last, she understood—the son she'd raised for thirty years had brought a viper into their home.