The Family Had Split, Why Should I Care if They Go Broke? - Chapter 2

Lady Bai smiled at the chief’s wife. “Big Sister Liang, it’s fine with just the two of us. Why don’t you go take care of your own business?”

Chief’s Wife waved her hand, her smile half-hearted. “No rush. Minghai hasn’t brought Doctor Jiang yet. When he arrives, there’s the consultation fee and the medicine—if I don’t cover it first, how could Lady Xu have the energy to pay?”

Well, of course, Lady Bai or Lady Zhang weren’t about to pull out their wallets either. 

Lady Bai felt a little embarrassed, secretly fuming. What a meddling woman!

Soon, Aunt Zhu’er brought in the egg-drop soup. “I let it cool a little—just warm enough to drink. Come on, Zhichun, drink up.”

Aunt Zhu’er helped Xu Zhichun sit up while Chief’s Wife held the bowl and fed her. Lady Zhang and Lady Bai couldn’t intervene at all.

Lady Zhang was secretly pleased to be out of the way, while Lady Bai’s mind was busy scheming. Whatever she was thinking, it didn’t look good—her expression darkened.

Xu Zhichun was starving and dizzy from bl00d loss. Her hands and feet shook violently, but she didn’t refuse. She thanked them and swallowed the soup in large gulps.

After a full bowl of thick, warm soup, she finally felt her body regain warmth, and her dizziness began to fade.

Seeing her improving, Chief’s Wife and Aunt Zhu’er both smiled.

“You see,” Aunt Zhu’er said, “Big Sister Liang really knows what she’s doing. Look at Zhichun—much better already.”

Finally, Liang Minghai brought Doctor Jiang to the house. After some brief greetings with the chief, Eldest Uncle, and Second Uncle, the doctor was ushered to Xu Zhichun’s bedside.

After examining her, Doctor Jiang said it was mostly bl00d loss. A few days of topical treatment for the wounds on her head and arms, some nutritious food, and rest would be enough.

On the way, he had also heard the story from Liang Minghai and was impressed by Xu Zhichun’s resilience. He waived most of the fees. The only cost was forty wen1 for the ointment he couldn’t gather himself from the mountains and had to buy from the county clinic.

Both Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle twitched nervously at the thought of money, visibly relieved when Chief’s Wife paid upfront.

Thankfully, they didn’t have to spend a cent.

Aunt Zhu’er prepared the medicine for Xu Zhichun herself, and once that was done, everyone else gradually left. 

Before leaving, Doctor Jiang hesitated, offering a word of advice, “Young lady, being alive is always better than being dead. Don’t do anything foolish in the future.”

Chief’s Wife added, “Yes. If you ever face difficulties, come to us. Don’t be reckless.”

Xu Zhichun nodded faintly. “I won’t. I’ll pull myself together and raise Mingxuan properly. That’s the only way I can honor Minglang.”

Polite words, careful attitude—after all, life was still long.

Chief’s Wife smiled. “Exactly! That’s the right mindset.”

Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle both nodded. “That’s good, that’s good.”

Doctor Jiang also nodded and casually reminded her, “Your body may have survived, but it won’t recover easily. With so much bl00d loss, wind can make you dizzy. When you go into the mountains, avoid exposed cliffs or windy ridges. Don’t go to high places alone.”

Whether she had jumped intentionally or been pushed, the injuries were slightly different. Doctor Jiang suspected she had been pushed—but without evidence, he couldn’t say it aloud.

Earlier, he had hinted at it, but Xu Zhichun seemed to have completely forgotten the circumstances. Probably the head injury had scrambled her memory. 

Even she believed she had leapt for her husband.

But Doctor Jiang trusted his own judgment more.

All he could do was warn her as best he could.

Xu Zhichun’s heart stirred. For a brief moment, she felt she might have grasped something—but then it slipped away.

She nodded. “Thank you, Doctor Jiang. I’ll remember.”

After seeing Doctor Jiang off, everyone else left in turn. 

Lady Zhang looked like she wanted to say something, but was tugged away by Eldest Uncle.

Finally, Xu Zhichun had a moment to comfort her little brother-in-law, Liang Mingxuan.

The boy was ten years old, studying at the private academy in nearby Spring Mountain Village. He was intelligent and well-mannered, with delicate, refined features and a gentle, cultivated air. Dressed in a bamboo-green scholar’s robe—neither new nor shabby—he already carried the poise of a budding scholar. His eyes were clear and serene, as if holding the very radiance of knowledge. Anyone who saw him would think: This child surely excels in his studies and is destined for a brilliant future. 

This natural scholarly presence couldn’t be taught. 

Everyone in the village knew he would grow up extraordinary.

But now, with Liang Minglang dead, Mingxuan had become an orphan, and Xu Zhichun a widow. Life would likely change dramatically.

Over the past two years, the two Liang uncles’ families had snatched small benefits here and there, but never dared to go too far. Now… who knows what would happen.

Xu Zhichun patted the bed gently, signaling Mingxuan to come over.

“Mingxuan, don’t worry. Your sister-in-law is here. I’ll make sure you can continue your studies. Life will go on as usual. Do you want to go back to the academy tomorrow, or rest at home a couple more days?”

News of Liang Minglang’s death had arrived five days ago. Mingxuan had always been close to his elder brother, and it was hard to tell if he had recovered from the blow. He was still so young, yet already burdened with such grief—it was truly pitiful. Letting him rest a few more days would do no harm.

His eyes reddened, and he threw himself into Xu Zhichun’s arms, trembling.

Xu Zhichun sighed silently. No matter how clever he was, he was only ten years old. If she, his sister-in-law, died too… he would truly be alone. 

The uncles and aunts—nothing but leeches.

Even with the chief keeping an eye on things, the boy’s life would be difficult. All the family’s land and property would inevitably fall into their hands. 

If he grew up useless, that would be one thing. But if he ever amounted to something, they could shackle him for life with nothing more than the debt of “we raised you.”

After a long pause, Mingxuan whispered hoarsely, “Sister-in-law… don’t die. Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Noticing he still wasn’t quite himself, Xu Zhichun said, “Rest at home for a couple of days before going back to the academy, alright?”

Liang Mingxuan, also worried about his sister-in-law, gave a small nod. “Mm.” 

She spent a little more time comforting him. Aunt Zhu’er brought the prepared medicine. Xu Zhichun drank it and soon fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

In a haze, she opened her eyes to find herself standing at a massive seaport. The docks were utterly deserted, stretching out in rows of silent, looming warehouses.

She pushed open one of the warehouse doors. Inside were sacks of rice and wheat stacked high. Her eyes lit up, and she couldn’t resist untying the sack. Slipping her hand inside, she scooped up a fistful of gleaming, snow-white grains.

A jolt of awareness snapped her back. She opened her eyes and stared blankly at the grain in her hand. 

She looked up at her surroundings and saw that she was still lying in the sick bed. 

So… it hadn’t been a dream?

But what was that place? Her very own warehouse at the port?

Overjoyed, Xu Zhichun’s mind flashed—and in an instant, she was back at the port, eager to explore the other warehouses.