Chapter 288: Oh My Heavens, Giving Birth Requires Surgery

By the time the father and son returned home, the sky was already fully bright.

Hearing the commotion, Qiu Tai Nai hurried out of the house. Seeing her eldest grandson Qiu Laifeng and his son return, she asked, "How is it? Has she given birth?"

At this moment, Qiu Shaomei, who had been helping Qiu Mu cook in the kitchen, also came out and asked, "Eldest Uncle, how is my second sister-in-law?"

As they asked this, Qiu Shaofeng and Xia Qiu, who had stayed at the guesthouse last night, happened to enter the courtyard.

They heard Qiu Shaohé, the youngest son of the eldest branch, speak first: "Great-grandmother, we came back to get money. Last night, after we arrived at the commune health center, they saw the situation and dared not keep the patient, telling us to go directly to the county hospital. We had no choice but to rush to the county hospital without a moment's delay."

"When we arrived, the doctor examined her and said that to save her life, surgery was required. We didn't carry that much money on us, so we could only pay a portion first and send her into the operating room. My father and I rushed back to get the money."

Upon hearing the word "surgery," Qiu Tai Nai was so frightened she nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Qiu Shaomei from the second branch was quick enough to catch her: "Oh my heavens, does giving birth require surgery?"

Qiu Shaohé explained, "Great-grandmother, it's a Cesarean section."

At this, Qiu Laifeng, who had not spoken until now, added, "The doctor said that without surgery, it would likely be death for both mother and child."

With those words, everyone in the courtyard's expression changed.

Qiu Mu also came out of the kitchen at this moment: "Eldest Brother, don't just stand there. Fortunately, I've finished cooking. You should eat a bit quickly so you can head to the county."

Qiu Tai Nai had recovered by now: "Yes, yes, yes."

As she turned to go inside to get the money, she stepped over the threshold and then turned back: "How much money will this cost?"

Qiu Laifeng did not answer immediately. After a moment of thought, he said, "The hospital will likely require another thirty yuan, and besides that, she will need to stay in the hospital for a few more days."

He did not state the exact number, fearing that if he said too much, the other family members would have objections.

After all, the family had not yet been divided, and who could have imagined that the second son's wife giving birth would cost so much money.

What he had thought of, Qiu Tai Nai had naturally thought of as well. Though somewhat reluctant, she still turned and went inside.

She sighed heavily in her heart, took out the key, and unlocked the cabinet door.

Previously, the family had agreed that the second branch would divide the household after Shaocheng got married and returned for the post-wedding visit. But now, with such a huge expense, how would this be calculated during the division?

She took out the wooden box containing the money. Looking at the meager savings inside, which were already not very thick, she sighed heavily once more.

She took out forty yuan, just as she was about to close the lid, she opened it again and took another ten yuan out from inside.

After thinking for a moment, she took out the few remaining grain coupons she had, then closed the box, put it back in the cabinet, and locked it again.

When she came out, Qiu Eldest Uncle and his son had already started eating. After being tossed about all night, even someone who worked in the fields year-round couldn't hold out.

Seeing her come out, Qiu Mu said, "Grandmother, I've served the rice. You..."

Qiu Tai Nai waved her hand. She had no mood to eat now, but she knew the second daughter-in-law meant well: "No rush. I'll eat after I see them off."

Qiu Shaomei from the second branch, being very perceptive, brought over a stool: "Great-grandmother, please sit."

With their minds on the matter at hand, the Qiu father and son ate incredibly fast.

When they put down their bowls, Qiu Mu also came out of the kitchen: "Eldest Brother, take these dry rations with you. The clay pot contains millet porridge brewed for the niece-in-law, and there are also two boiled eggs, also for her."

Looking at the clay pot, Qiu Shaohé scratched his head: "How do we carry this?"

(End of Chapter)