Chapter 34: Truly, One Cannot Judge a Person by Appearance

She also happened to ask a senior citizen in the back seat, who spoke with a full Beijing accent, about the situation at various hospitals in the city. The old man was a warm-hearted person who held nothing back; by the time the shuttle bus neared the station, she had basically learned everything clearly.

After thanking the people, she watched until everyone had gotten off the bus: "Dad, I'll carry you off."

Liu's father would not hear of it: "No need, just support me and I'll shuffle along slowly."

Liu's mother felt a bit of regret at this moment, that she shouldn't have refused her son-in-law from seeing them off.

Liu Chuxue, however, paid no heed to what he said, walked straight up to him, and said: "That leg that isn't broken is already swollen like a steamed bun, yet you still insist on showing off. You know our situation right now; we don't have any extra money."

She said it on purpose; otherwise, Liu's father might not have obediently listened.

Liu's father raised his hand and lightly tapped his own leg: "Lamei, help me up."

He sighed inwardly. His daughter was right; he shouldn't insist on showing off. If he aggravated this unbroken leg even further, it would truly be a case of gaining nothing but suffering loss.

Yet, looking at his own second daughter's slender body, his heart was filled with guilt.

Liu's mother felt even more heartache for her daughter: "Xue, let Mom do it."

Liu Chuxue quickly raised her hand to stop her: "Don't argue. In a moment, the driver uncle will get impatient waiting. Let's get off the bus first and talk."

Their luck today was truly good; that driver uncle was a man of feeling: "Little girl, there are people looking for work right ahead. You sit tight and don't move. I'll drive the vehicle forward a bit, so you won't have to walk such a long distance."

The three members of the Liu family thanked him in unison.

As the vehicle stopped, quite a few people gathered around: "Do you need a hand?"

Looking around, among those waiting for work, some had flatbed carts parked beside them, while others had wheelbarrows parked beside them.

Seeing Liu Chuxue carrying the man to get off, the driver said: "Don't let people cheat you. Two mao at most will take you wherever you want to go."

Liu's mother quickly spoke up to thank him.

These people had been carrying loads here for years and would to some extent bully outsiders, but Liu Chuxue would not indulge them: "Enough. Two mao is the final price. Is anyone taking the job? If not, I'll walk further ahead."

Seeing someone who knew the trade, they dared not fool anyone anymore. A swarm of them raised their hands and shouted: "Me, me, me."

Liu Chuxue pointed to a middle-aged man standing behind: "Uncle, it's you."

The man was somewhat surprised, pointed back at himself, and said uncertainly: "Calling me?"

"Yes, it's you."

Having received a definite answer, the man quickly pulled his own flatbed cart: "Come, come, come. Everyone make way so your brother can pass."

The man was also an honest person. After placing the cart properly, he hurried over to help support the man: "Come, sir, lean on my shoulder and borrow my strength."

But Liu's father now had one broken leg, and although the other leg wasn't broken, it had been affected as well; now swollen, every step he took hurt terribly.

Seeing this wouldn't work, Liu Chuxue simply spoke up: "Uncle, just hold the flatbed cart steady. I'll do it."

The man did not object, thinking only that they were already practiced at this and feared he would be in the way.

The result was that he watched this Miss place the man on a stone pier in front, then bend down, lift him horizontally in her arms, and place him steadily directly onto the flatbed cart.

He lost focus for a moment and almost failed to hold the cart shaft; when he came to his senses, he blurted out: "Oh my goodness."

The other porters nearby also let out a chorus of exclamations: "Truly, one cannot judge a person by appearance. I didn't expect this young girl to be so strong."

Not to mention these people, even Liu's father and mother were shocked: "Xue, you?"

(End of this chapter)