Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 1345: Shifting Responsibility

"Doctor, we came in a hurry and didn't bring any money."

Chen Qidong certainly wasn't willing to take money out of his own pocket. Even if he did, these brothers wouldn't repay him.

Why should he play the fool?

"Doctor, we came in a hurry and didn't bring enough money."

As soon as the eldest brother found an excuse, the others quickly voiced their agreement.

The doctor shook the papers.

"You didn't bring money, hurry back and get it then! Why are you all just standing here? The old man is being treated right now."

The brothers looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Chen Qidong gritted his teeth and approached Liu Hong.

"My father is sick and hospitalized, we didn't bring any money. Could you lend us some money for now to pay for the old man's treatment?"

He finally realized that these people are heartless; even the girl from their family showed no intention of helping.

Liu Hong shook her head.

"If you didn't bring any money, then go back and get it. We'll stay here with the old man."

Chen Qidong was furious.

How could this family be so shameless? Was that the meaning of his words?

They're pretending not to understand.

"Don't pretend here. My dad saved your daughter, didn't you promise to give him a 100,000 yuan reward just now? Now we're only asking you to cover the medical expenses, how can it be so difficult? After saving your daughter, are you planning to kick the ladder away?"

This was forcing Liu Hong's family to cough up the money.

"You're right, I did agree to give the old man a 100,000 yuan reward for saving a life, but that's a separate matter. The medical expenses are not our responsibility, so you really should not be asking us."

With poise and restraint, Liu Hong managed to infuriate Chen Qidong.

"Stop pretending. If we really leave, you might run away. At worst, the medical expenses can be deducted from the 100,000 yuan, can't they?"

Hearing that they didn't deny the 100,000 yuan, it became easier to discuss.

"Paying for the old man's treatment is your duty as his sons, why should we, outsiders, foot the bill? Besides, the 100,000 yuan we give to the old man is for him; it's got nothing to do with you, so why should we cover your medical expenses?"

"So you either pay up or find another solution. We'll wait until the old man wakes up and naturally give him the money."

Liu Zhiguo wasn't about to relent, getting them to pay was a futile effort.

During the journey, they had agreed with their sister that they would take care of the old man, not that they wouldn't contribute to his expenses, but they wanted to deal with these five unfilial sons.

On hearing this, Chen Qidong realized they intended to give the money to the old man upon waking, so it wouldn't matter if they covered the medical expenses for now.

Once they reclaimed the money from the old man, naturally the medical expenses would come out of that, eventually. It's like using wool from the sheep's back.

Yet if a dispute arose over medical expenses now, it might provoke the others into refusing to give money to the old man later. That was a risk not worth taking.

Making a hard decision, he gritted his teeth and called his brothers to the corridor.

"Stop saying nonsense. You heard them, didn't you? They did say they'd give the old man 100,000 yuan once he wakes up. If we don't cover these medical expenses, the old man might not be able to stay in the hospital."

"Don't say a word. Let's chip in together brothers, and after getting that money from the old man, we'll recoup the expenses from it."

Chen Qidong was determined for the sake of this money.

The other brothers looked troubled.

"Big brother, I honestly didn't bring any money. How about you cover it first, and later, you can deduct it from my share when the money is distributed."

"That's right, big brother, you cover it first, and later just deduct it, that should work."

The other four brothers truly didn't want to part with a penny.

Chen Qidong was furious.

"Will you stop pretending already? Don't play dumb with me; I'm putting it on the line now: anyone who doesn't pay up today, won't get a share when the money is divided in the future. Don't even think about making me the fool alone."

Each was keen to line their own pockets; trying to make them pay was harder than reaching heaven.

Upon hearing the big brother's words, realizing the risk of losing their share, they reluctantly dug into their pockets and pooled together enough money to pay.

They took the form directly to the payment counter and settled the medical bills.

They huddled together, muttering among themselves, ensuring fairness throughout the payment process, wary of anyone gaining an advantage.

Liu Hong watched coldly as the five brothers squabbled, feeling sorry for Chen Da.

Such a good old man, yet he raised five sons who turned out this way; perhaps it highlighted flaws in his education methods.

However, recalling her own past, she refrained from judging others, recognizing her own tendencies. Moreover, the old man, a single father of five, showed leniency out of necessity.

She, along with her two brothers, entered the ward; the old man having been moved to a regular ward for IV therapy.

As they entered, they saw the old man had opened his eyes and was now awake.

Seeing the four of them brought a flicker of disappointment to his eyes, an elderly father admitting that, even in a state like his, the sons still chose not to stay by his side.

How could that not bring sadness?

"Old man, I'll honestly tell you your situation: the doctor mentioned you're hospitalized for pneumonia and a few days on drips will do. However, there's a more serious issue, you've been diagnosed with cancer."

"At best, you have only a few months left to live."

Though harsh, Liu Hong felt there was no one else to help the old man, he had to make his own choices.

An elderly man who accepted his sons casting him out to the streets for begging likely could handle this.

Indeed, upon hearing the news, Chen Da was at most slightly taken aback, but not deeply saddened.

"I knew my condition well enough, fine, let's not treat it, no use wasting money when there are only a few months to live anyway."

The old man was open-minded, able to accept any outcome.

"Old man, you don't have much time left; I believe you must have some wishes. Share one with us, and we'll try our best to fulfill it for you, in gratitude."

Liu Hong was sincere, eager to understand the old man's desires.

If he wished to reserve money for his children, she would comply, refusing to trouble a dying senior.

"Everyone has dreams, but my wish seems unattainable, so let's drop it. There's no point in putting you in a tough position. I never really expected you to repay me; for what you've done, I'm truly grateful. It wasn't me saving the child; rather, you saved me."

The old man expressed profound gratitude for these individuals, who provided him with a stable life for these final months, protected from hardship, well-fed and cared for in the elderly center.

Overall, these might be his happiest months in later life.