The Crybaby Mistress GL - Chapter 21

Luo Jing quickly covered her mouth and nodded when she saw her two older sisters gesture for her to stay quiet. She did not dare make a sound and only stared longingly at her mother, who lay on the hospital bed with an IV drip in her hand.

Their mother’s condition was not good. The illness had come on suddenly, and the doctor had advised that they wait several days before scheduling any surgery. Her health metrics needed to improve before the next phase of treatment could begin. It was then that the three sisters realized their mother’s health was far more fragile than it appeared. Years of hard work had already taken a toll on her body, and now the illness had struck her down completely.

They whispered a few questions about their mother’s current state. Because of work obligations, the sisters usually took turns visiting and caring for her. On weekdays, they even hired a caregiver to help. However, during weekends, one of them would always come to the hospital.

Fortunately, although their mother lacked energy, she still had an appetite and had eaten her dinner. She remained in a drowsy state most of the time, but the doctor said this was not a major concern.

Luo Jing felt somewhat relieved and kept her gaze on her mother. Her eyes were filled with longing and sadness.

At that moment, Luo Han and Luo Nan quietly beckoned for her to step outside. The three of them headed to the lounge room. It was empty at this hour and typically served as a place for patients to read newspapers or watch television. The sisters chose this space to talk privately.

“Luo Jing,” the eldest sister Luo Han began. Her brows were furrowed. She did not look as refined as Luo Jing. Her appearance was more ordinary, and her hands were rough with calluses from years of physical labor. She looked tired and slightly pale. As she faced Luo Jing, it was clear she had something on her mind. She scratched her head uncertainly and seemed unsure where to begin.

“Big Sister?” Luo Jing looked at her in confusion, noticing how hesitant she seemed.

The second sister, Luo Nan, wore thick glasses and was still dressed in her office attire. She had just finished work. Her suit had been worn for years, rotated between a few sets, and showed signs of wear. Her face was expressionless. After pushing up her glasses, she asked directly, “What is the deal with that fifty thousand yuan? Where did you get the money?”

Luo Jing froze. She had indeed transferred that money to her eldest sister. She had not expected the issue to be brought up so directly in what now felt like a family meeting. She stammered, her heart uneasy, but still managed to give the answer she had rehearsed. “It was my savings and some money from a recent part-time job. I transferred it to Big Sister because I wanted to help out a bit.”

Luo Han scratched her face in embarrassment. It seemed a little unfair to question their younger sister after she had sent money. However, she had been genuinely worried and discussed it with Luo Nan, who decided to ask directly.

“It is not that we do not trust you,” Luo Nan explained. “But suddenly giving such a large sum is unusual. It made us worry.”

Luo Jing thought to herself that if she had transferred one hundred thousand yuan, today’s conversation would probably be even more intense.

She insisted, “It really was from my job and some savings.”

Luo Nan, who worked in accounting, quickly did the mental math. Based on what she knew of Luo Jing, who had always been timid, she did not believe her sister could have gotten the money through any improper means. She nodded slightly toward Luo Han, signaling that she found the explanation credible.

Seeing Luo Nan nod gave Luo Jing a sense of relief. Of the whole family, Luo Nan was the one she feared most. Compared to the straightforward and emotional Luo Han, Luo Nan was much harder to appease.

Since Luo Nan accepted the explanation, Luo Han did as well. But she still looked concerned. “You gave all the money to me. That is not right. I asked you to work part-time so you could save for your tuition. I will transfer it back to you. Out there, everything costs money. Our family cannot help much, so you need to be careful with spending.”

Ever since receiving the money, Luo Han had not spent a single cent. She figured Luo Jing must have given all her savings. If she used it, how would Luo Jing manage?

Luo Jing quickly waved her hands. “No, no. Big Sister, I still have enough. Please use it. Mom’s hospital bills need to be paid. I just found a job that pays fairly well. I will be fine.”

She added, “I can send money back every month.”

Luo Han firmly disagreed. If Luo Jing sent money every month, how would she afford tuition next semester? She insisted on returning the money.

Luo Jing was so anxious that her eyes turned red. She was nearly in tears. “Can’t I help our family a little? You and Second Sister are both working so hard. I want to contribute. I do not want to be a burden.”

Her voice trembled slightly with emotion. Luo Jing always cried first during arguments.

Luo Han saw her little sister on the verge of tears and could not hold out any longer. Her face softened with sorrow. “Alright, do not cry. I will accept the fifty thousand yuan. It was my fault.”

Luo Nan was not surprised to see her older sister give in. She spoke next. “Big Sister will keep the money, but you must not send any more each month. Save it for your tuition. Do not make us worry.”

Luo Jing nodded obediently. Then she added, “But you both have to promise me that if you are ever in trouble, you will tell me. My salary really is enough. I can help. I mean it.”

Her sisters looked at her, surprised that the soft one in their family had straightened her spine and was stepping up. They felt comforted. Their mother had fallen ill, but the three of them would support each other and hold the family together.

They chatted briefly about recent life matters. Luo Jing and Luo Nan both noticed that Luo Han looked quite worn out and urged her to go home and rest. Luo Han said she had another job that evening. In addition to working in the restaurant kitchen, she had taken on extra part-time work and was constantly on the move.

“Take care of your health. Our family cannot afford to have another person fall ill.” Luo Nan had removed her heavy glasses for the night. Without them, her features were more delicate than expected. She planned to sleep at the hospital that night.

“I know,” Luo Han replied before hurrying off.

Luo Nan then urged Luo Jing to go home and rest. A student should not miss sleep. She herself had worked all day and would be turning off the lights soon. Keeping them on would disturb their mother’s rest.

Chen Xin had been waiting on the ground floor and finally saw Luo Jing come down. The girl’s eyes were red from the hospital visit, but she held back her tears. Chen Xin knew about the belief that one should not cry during hospital visits. She gently wiped Luo Jing’s eyes and said, “It is alright. Things will get better little by little.”

“Mmm…” Luo Jing replied softly, her voice slightly stuffy as she let Chen Xin lead her back to the car.

Luo Jing always seemed a little absent-minded after visiting her mother. She kept thinking about the day she left for university. The whole family had walked her to the edge of the village. Her mother had looked so healthy then, standing at the village entrance and waving as the bus drove off and disappeared into the mountains.

Every time she returned on a weekend, her mother would again wait at the same spot, waving toward the rickety old bus from afar. It felt as if she had never moved from that place.

That had only been a few months ago, yet it already felt like a long time had passed. She wondered how the little house back in the village was doing now. No one lived in it. Were the melons in the field rotting from overripeness?

As the night scenery flashed past outside the car window, Luo Jing remained lost in thought and did not hear Chen Xin speaking to her. It was only when Chen Xin gently held her hand that she snapped back to reality. Chen Xin had turned to look at her.

“What did you just say, Miss Chen? Sorry, I zoned out,” Luo Jing said with a hint of embarrassment.

Chen Xin was not bothered at all. She squeezed Luo Jing’s hand and said, “Let us change the mood. How about we go on a date tomorrow?”

They had talked about going on a date before but never found the chance. Chen Xin had clearly not forgotten.

Luo Jing gave her first smile since leaving the hospital. “Okay.”