Chapter 77

Feng Ju didn't die.

He woke from the anesthesia a day later.

He opened his eyes, gaze blankly fixed on the pale walls around him; his heart right now was the same color as those walls.

"I'm still alive, but I lost an arm and became a cripple?!!"

This was his last thought before falling unconscious, and also the thought that kept echoing in his mind after he woke.

Regret and fear were like invisible hands clutching his heart, kneading it ruthlessly again and again, making his chest stifled and his throat blocked, wishing he could just faint and never wake again.

Unfortunately, the nightmare called reality allows no one to escape.

His chest was wrapped in fixing bandages, his shoulder wrapped in gauze still seeping blood; the pain after the anesthetic wore off stimulated his nerves, yet it wasn't even one ten-thousandth of his soul's agony.

Wang Xiuli had kept vigil by the bed all night, face pale and eyes swollen red, currently bent over cleaning up rice scattered all over the floor.

She also wanted to comfort Feng Ju, but Feng Ju couldn't listen to a single word; say too much and it only provoked his irritability, but he couldn't not eat either — Wang Xiuli was frantic with worry.

Wang Xiuli could only pin her hopes on her daughter Feng Yuhuai.

Her son Feng Mu had just been shouted away by Feng Ju, red-eyed, after a single mismatched word.

The corridor still seemed to echo with that roar: "I'm your father, your father for life — think I can't discipline you just because I lost an arm? Let me tell you, Feng Mu, you'll obey me your whole life, otherwise get out of this house and pay back every penny spent raising a waste like you."

Feng Mu never talked back to Feng Ju; just now was the same — he merely nodded faintly, greeted Wang Xiuli, turned and left.

After Feng Mu left, the atmosphere in the ward was terrifyingly low.

"Rebellious son, unfilial son, waste, thing that deserves to die." Feng Ju cursed more the angrier he got, and cursed more the angrier he got, as if cursing his rebellious son could vent all his fear and regret.

Why did I block that masked man yesterday — my heart was blinded by pig oil, merit-seeking recklessness turned me into a cripple!

Feng Yuhuai sat to the side with lowered eyes, heart full of worry.

Good news: through her prayers Father didn't die; bad news: Father became a cripple, from now on not only can't he help me, he might become an even worse burden than Brother?

He can't even control Feng Mu anymore — what to do.

No no no, I can't think like this; even crippled, Father still has his constable status — the Patrol Bureau, whether by sentiment or reason, can't lay people off immediately.

Even if the Patrol Bureau's superiors are scum and truly harbor such thoughts, they'd definitely have to keep up appearances for a while.

And it's not just Father crippled — over a dozen were crippled at once this time; the whole Patrol Bureau is watching; at worst Father can still collect a pension.

The family must have some savings these years, plus Father's pension, plus Feng Mu's monthly salary handed over — my high school and university tuition can still be scraped together.

Right, just need to ease Father and Feng Mu's relationship; before Father could definitely suppress Feng Mu, but now Father's lost an arm, Feng Mu might not stay as obedient as before.

Can't let Father treat Feng Mu so violently anymore; Feng Mu's incinerator worker salary isn't much, but I'll have many school expenses — every bit helps.

This family absolutely cannot fall apart!

Worthy of a genius, Feng Yuhuai quickly sorted out the bleak situation and future, and pondered a way out as best she could.

In a sense, Feng Yuhuai not only has excellent bone quality, but also adjusts emotions quickly when things happen, thinks very calmly — objectively speaking, she's excellent in every aspect.

Feng Ju regarded her as the whole family's hope, staked the whole family's bet on her — hard to say Feng Ju's judgment is flawed; he merely took too much for granted, overlooking the most important problem.

Feng Yuhuai's eyes held tears, looking like she might cry any moment.

She held Feng Ju's only remaining hand with both of hers, softly soothing: "Dad, don't be angry anymore; you're injured, getting angry will only make recovery harder."

Feng Ju truly doted on this daughter; seeing his good daughter's tear-streaked face, his reason recovered slightly — he had to be strong.

Feng Yuhuai comforted him filialy: "Dad, losing an arm is fine; as long as you're alive it's good — aren't I still here? As long as I'm here, the whole family's hope is still here."

Hearing his daughter's filial, sensible comfort, Feng Ju's regret seemed to lessen a bit, like a clear spring flowing into a parched Gobi.

His throat dry, he replied hoarsely: "Right, Yu Huai's right; as long as you're here, Dad losing an arm is fine — things will get better from now on."

Feng Yuhuai nodded: "So, Dad, don't be so fierce to Feng Mu from now on; speak to him a little more politely."

Feng Ju's anger flared: "He's just a waste, our family's burden; I raise him with hardship and it's not enough, he still goes against my wishes, scheming his little calculations — he thinks he has talent like you? If I didn't keep him in line, he'd have caused trouble and died outside long ago."

Feng Yuhuai used wiping tears to hide the irritation in her eyes, and persuaded gently: "Dad, Feng Mu is family too; a family must be harmonious to weather hardship together."

Feng Ju opened his mouth; Wang Xiuli beside them just kept wiping tears.

Feng Yuhuai had been silver-tongued since childhood, always hiding her thoughts in pleasant words that soothed listeners — this was also why Feng Ju doted on and favored her more.

Feng Yuhuai: "Dad, I'm only in Class 1 Grade 10; even after university it'll be years — in between, even if I wanted to help, I probably couldn't much; we still have to rely on you and Brother."

"Before it was you alone supporting this family; now you're like this, let Feng Mu replace that arm, help you support the house together for a few years — when I finish school I can take the burden from your hands."

"Dad, I know you look down on Feng Mu, but the family may face harder times ahead — all the more reason to share the same boat, pull as one."

Feng Ju's expression flickered through shades, as if he realized something too.

He slowly withdrew his palm, rough palm covering his daughter's head; Feng Yuhuai considerately leaned into it, and heard Feng Ju let out a long sigh: "Dad couldn't turn the corner for a moment; Yu Huai, you're right — these coming years, Dad should treat your brother better."

Feng Yuhuai showed a pitiful smile: "Dad, rest assured; once we get through these years, our family will be fine — when I get into university and graduate, I'll definitely bring the whole family up to the Upper City; maybe then we can even reattach your arm."

Hearing his daughter both filial and ambitious, Feng Ju felt relieved; regret toward himself remained, but more emotions had transformed into a perseverance that he absolutely could not fall.

Even for this daughter, he could not give up and collapse here.

"Bring the rice, I'm hungry." Feng Ju said to Wang Xiuli.

Wang Xiuli acknowledged, hurriedly wiped her tears, and brought the half bowl of spilled rice to Feng Ju's mouth.

After Feng Ju finished eating under Wang Xiuli's care, Feng Yuhuai hesitated: "Dad, I have to rush back to school for class; the Key Class students are all formidable, monthly exams are coming up — I must work twice as hard, absolutely cannot drop to a normal class."

"I'll come to the hospital again after school in the afternoon….."

Feng Ju cut off Feng Yuhuai's words; he forced out a smile: "You're this family's hope — don't waste time on me; no need to come after school, your mom's care is enough."

Feng Yuhuai's mouth moved, wanting to speak but stopping.

Feng Ju seemed to think of something else, added: "Be good; like this — come to the hospital next weekend instead."

Feng Yuhuai had to agree, then left the ward, went to the restroom to wash the tear tracks off her face, and only then unhurriedly left the hospital heading for school.

Inside the ward, Feng Ju said to Wang Xiuli with relief: "Good thing we have Yu Huai; if we only had Feng Mu, I'd probably die with eyes wide open."

Wang Xiuli opened her mouth, but looking at the blood-stained gauze on her husband's severed arm, in the end said nothing for her son.

Feng Ju: "Like this — in a couple days you go home, see Feng Mu, tell him from now on he only keeps a little of his monthly salary, the bulk goes to you to supplement household expenses."

"He's still closer to you; you go ask him. Tell him properly about our family's difficulties from now on."

Wang Xiuli was silent for three seconds, then nodded: "Feng Mu's job at the Incineration Plant — weren't you going to arrange a different one for him?"

Feng Ju coldly laughed: "If he likes working there, let him work there. I'm like this now; how can I still control him? This favor — from now on, one used is one less; it can't be wasted on him anymore."

Not waiting for Wang Xiuli to speak, Feng Ju said with a sunk face again: "From what Yu Huai said, the Key Class pressure isn't small. This week I'll have someone go to the Patrol Bureau to exchange all my stored Merit Points, exchange them for Bone Refining Pills as soon as possible, and give them to Yu Huai to eat next weekend."

"So that after a while, the Patrol Bureau won't look favorably on this cripple me and refuse to honor it."

"And there's this matter too — you just don't go nagging that disobedient son about it, understand."

On the way she hailed a taxi; sitting in the back seat touching up her makeup while looking at a small mirror, Feng Yuhuai still had a trace of worry for the future lingering between her brows, but it was concealed by her superb makeup technique.

"Dad told me to go to the Hospital on the weekend; it should be to let me go get Bone Refining Pills." Feng Yuhuai couldn't help feeling a bit smug inside.

Compared to Feng Mu that stupid-tongued, clumsy-tongued waste of an older brother, she, Feng Yuhuai, truly felt she was a genius younger sister who was beautiful, intelligent, and sweet-talking.

"Hard to imagine that I and Feng Mu would actually be the same breed born from one father and mother."

"Forget it. If Feng Mu in the next few years can hand over all his wages to the family, and from then on wholeheartedly provide for my food, drink, and schooling together with Dad, then when I become a big shot later, it's not like I can't take care of them a little."

"So that in the future no one will say I'm disobedient and don't remember family affection. Sigh, so why couldn't I just be born directly into a wealthy family in the Upper City? Then I would become the heaven's proud daughter watched by ten thousand people."

"Unlike now, still having to rack my brains for a bit of tuition and living expenses, maneuvering family members to get along."

"Sigh, the troubles on a genius beautiful girl's road to growth — who understands~"

The taxi stopped at the School Gate; a sturdily built male student with a few acne on his face stood at the gate, holding up his phone looking around.

Seeing Feng Yuhuai get out of the car and wave, he hurriedly rushed over in a few steps, paying the fare for Feng Yuhuai.

"Yang Tuo, thank you oh. I forgot my wallet; later I'll return the money to you." Feng Yuhuai said with a face full of apology and gratitude.

"No need, no need, small matter." Yang Tuo scratched his head, looking not too bright. "Speaking of which, you haven't activated Mobile Wallet? If you did, you wouldn't have to worry about forgetting your wallet."

Mobile Wallet in the Lower City is a trendy new thing; it's not something just anyone who wants to activate can activate. It requires the Bank Card bound to the Mobile Wallet to have Savings Deposits past a certain Standard Line.

Feng Yuhuai's complexion stiffened slightly. Although she usually looked exquisite in dress, she actually wore ordinary brands — just that her foundation was good, her clothing taste good — unlike Yang Tuo who wore a whole body of expensive Brand names.

The only thing Feng Yuhuai and Yang Tuo had the same was the Holographic Wristwatch worn on their Wrists. That was a Gift Feng Ju bought for her after she begged him when she advanced into the Key Class.

Feng Yuhuai felt a bit shame-anger inside, but her face still wore a pleasant, smiling appearance as she said faintly: "My family conditions are ordinary; I'm afraid the Bank wouldn't activate Mobile Wallet for me."

Yang Tuo's face stiffened, finally reacting that he had said something stupid.

Although he really wanted to pat his chest and take Feng Yuhuai to activate Mobile Wallet tomorrow, his Mobile Wallet was bound to his mom's card. Although his own bank card also had some Pocket Money, it was also far from reaching the passing line for activation.

Besides, even if he really had that money, he couldn't possibly let Feng Yuhuai bind his card. He just lusted after Feng Yuhuai's body a bit; he hadn't reached the point of completely losing his mind.

Yang Tuo forced a laugh: "It was my misspeaking. Then tomorrow I'll treat Yu Huai you to a meal. A Natural Cuisine place recently opened in the city; they use all purely naturally grown ingredients, not factory 3D printed ones. Heard the taste is exceptionally Delicious. I'll take you to try it."

Feng Yuhuai knew Yang Tuo's thoughts. In the past, she would have directly Refused, even she wouldn't have let Yang Tuo come pay the fare.

But today's family upheaval changed Feng Yuhuai's mind. She felt she could give Yang Tuo a little bit of contact opportunity. After all, her Pocket Money from now on would definitely be greatly reduced; she urgently needed one or several generous male classmates to share some burden for her.

Just give a little sweetness, but promise nothing — that's good.

Feng Yuhuai thought this way, and planned to act this way, but still feigned reserve: "Forget it. The Monthly Exam is coming up soon; I have to seize every minute and second to Cultivate. For eating, I'll just make do with a couple bites at School."

Yang Tuo was a bit anxious. He felt Feng Yuhuai not bringing her wallet today, thinking to let him come pay the fare, was a good sign. Otherwise, why would Feng Yuhuai not look for someone else, but look for him?

Definitely she also has a bit of Good Impression toward him. Otherwise, it couldn't be that she thinks he's a fool with lots of money, right?

Yang Tuo wanted to Strike While Hot, take advantage of this small flame to rush into Feng Yuhuai's heart.

He then said: "Then no meal. I'll take you to Wudao Street. Canglong Martial Arts Hall is recently recruiting new Disciples. Let's go together. I'll tell you, Canglong Martial Arts Hall is very famous."

"Our class, and other Schools too — many Key Class students usually go to Canglong Martial Arts Hall."

"The environment and Facilities there are very good. And some Coaches' levels are not inferior to Key Class lecturers or Instructors. Most importantly, you can Spar with many Disciples there and quickly accumulate Combat Experience."

Feng Yuhuai seemed somewhat moved, but still hesitated: "I've heard of Canglong Martial Arts Hall, but Membership is very Expensive, right? I've been Overspending recently, so maybe..."

Yang Tuo's heart ached a little, but looking at Feng Yuhuai's delicate beautiful face, her pure and lovely eyes, he gritted his teeth and said generously: "No problem. Small Money. I'll pay. As long as Yu Huai you're willing to come."

Feng Yuhuai broke into a smile: "Okay. Yang Tuo, thank you oh. You really are a Good Person."

Yang Tuo's face showed a brilliant smile, foolishly happy as he walked side by side with Feng Yuhuai into the Campus.

(End of Chapter)