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墨書 Inktalez
I don't know whether heaven is punishing me or the Jia family. When my child was almost a year old, he suddenly developed intermittent fevers, with temperatures ranging from 37.5 to 40 degrees Celsius or higher. At first, we thought it was just a common cold, but after receiving treatment at a community hospital with no improvement, the child became weak, pale, and sweaty. Not only was he unable to move, but even while drinking water or eating, he showed signs of rapid breathing and increased heart rate. Eventually, he started experiencing frequent bleeding from his nose, mouth, and gums.
My daughter had already been taken by heaven; I couldn't believe my child was facing such hardships again. In a hurry, I took him to the provincial maternal and child health hospital, where the examination results showed: the child had liver and spleen enlargement and widespread lymphadenopathy throughout his body. The final diagnosis struck me like a bolt from the blue: my son had acute leukemia!
Without hesitation, I took out all my savings. Mr. Zhang even paid me my share in advance, and the Jia family contributed 200,000 yuan for the child's bone marrow transplant. However, after the surgery, he developed graft-versus-host disease along with an infection, and the operation that cost 500,000 yuan failed!
To save my son's life, we would need to perform a second bone marrow transplant, which meant we had to prepare at least another 500,000 yuan! Jia Huairen and his mother held another meeting and then told me: "Don't save him; you can have another one!"
Honestly, I understand the difficulties faced by families dealing with leukemia and empathize with the pressure and hardships men endure. But saying "Don't save him; you can have another one" is simply too cold-hearted! That is not a kitten or puppy; that is your child whom you've raised for two or three years.
For the child, fate has already been cruel enough, and you are supposed to protect him; you cannot be more cruel than fate itself. With tears streaming down my face, I questioned him: "You are a father." "You have a responsibility for the life you created." "You should take on this responsibility." "This is the most basic principle of humanity."
He understood but was simply too heartless. As a father, shouldn't he bear the responsibilities of being one? After having a child, I immersed myself in the role of "mother," taking on all maternal responsibilities and completely changing my lifestyle to focus on my child's needs.
In contrast, for Jia Huairen, having children didn't seem to make much difference; even as a dad, he could still leisurely play cards, work out, drink alcohol, watch games—doing whatever he wanted. When the child needed something, his first reaction was always to say "go find your mother."
To him, children seemed more like toys or pets—something to occasionally play with when bored. But expecting him and his family to sacrifice most of their time and change their lives as I did to care for and accompany our child was utterly impossible. Moreover, this time it would require spending tens of thousands more.
I told Jia Huairen: "If it's not possible for you, can you ask your mother to mortgage the house? I'll consider it a loan from her; once the child's illness is treated successfully, I will work hard and earn money to pay back the loan—I won't burden her!"
Jia Huairen flatly refused: "I don't want to spend the rest of my life in debt."
I had already heard such words when my daughter was young. I held my child and returned to River City, moving into the Hematology Department of the provincial children's hospital. I called my parents and siblings in the mountains of Sichuan for help. Since I started university, my family had not enjoyed a single day of comfort or received any assistance from me, yet I had repeatedly burdened them.
My brother, who was about to build a house, halted the construction site. My sister sold off the family's large livestock and several old trees overnight, and my parents took out their savings meant for their funeral expenses. However, four to five hundred thousand was merely a drop in the bucket.
Just as I was trying every possible way to save my son, Jia Huairen came by and quietly left us, taking with him the life-saving money I had hidden under my child's pillow! All that was left for me was a divorce agreement he had signed and a note: "The child is gone; I can have another, but I can't risk the rest of my family's future for a sickly child! Your family has contributed forty-eight thousand this time, still fifteen thousand two short of two hundred thousand. I'll come back for it when you have the money!"
But this time, I did not cry. The chief doctor gave me good news: a charitable company was willing to make a donation to us, and the medical staff in the Hematology Department, even fellow patients, showed us their support. But we were still far from four to five hundred thousand.
As a mother, I wanted my son to live! But where would the money come from? My son nestled in my arms wiped away my tears with his small hand: "Mommy, if we don't have money, then don't treat me!"
I broke down in tears holding my son. There was a knock on the ward door; my former boss Zhang Fan walked in with the guidance of a nurse. I felt at a loss. Previously, I had been his employee, but since returning from Anan last time, I had no connection with his Shengshi Cultural Communication anymore!
He handed me a card: "There’s five hundred thousand in here; consider it a loan to you. Take good care of your child; everything will be alright!" I threw myself into his arms, unable to speak through my tears.
The second surgery was very successful, and there were no adverse reactions afterward! On the day of discharge, Zhang Fan arrived with Mei Feng driving his "Don't Touch Me" car to pick us up, just as we ran into Jia Huairen.
Jia Huairen blocked our way as we were about to get into the car: "I knew all along that you were involved with this pretty boy; now I've caught you red-handed!" The hospital security approached to protect us: "If you keep causing trouble, we will call the police!"
I turned to Zhang Fan and said, "Please take us to the civil affairs bureau!" Then I looked back at Jia Huairen: "Weren't you going to get a divorce? I've agreed!"
Furious, Jia Huairen caused a scene in the civil affairs bureau's processing hall: "You want to divorce just like that without adhering to your duties as a wife? It's not that easy; you owe me compensation for emotional distress—just fifty thousand! Don't say you don't have it; this pretty boy you're hanging onto isn't short on cash!"
Regarding my situation with Jia's family, due to charitable donations, there had been an in-depth report by the evening newspaper which gained some attention online. The staff and people in the hall watched Jia Huairen like he was a spectacle. I signed on the divorce agreement he had left last time, and without hesitation, the staff processed our paperwork.
As he approached and argued with the staff, one of them pointed at him and said: "When your wife was taking care of your child, you came here eight times a day asking us to process your divorce without her present. Now that she is here with all proper documentation, what’s wrong with processing it?"
After receiving the divorce certificate, I held my son and prepared to leave when Jia Huairen rushed up to snatch him away: "Divorce is fine, but the child belongs to the Jia family!"
Zhang Fan protected the child in his arms: "Speak nicely!"
Jia Huairen swung his fist at Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan could have dodged by turning his head, but he was afraid of hurting the child in his arms and took the heavy punch instead.
His son tightly hugged Zhang Fan and said, "Uncle, he's a bad guy!"
Jia Huairen charged at me again, shouting, "You shameless woman, I'll tear you apart!"
Mei Feng rushed over to stand in front of me, enduring Jia Huairen's relentless kicks without backing down.
Security and onlookers came over; some tried to break up the fight while others shielded us.
I called the police, and Jia Huairen was detained for three days.
The Jia family initiated legal proceedings, demanding that I repay 160,000 yuan in expenses and the money for the child's full moon celebration, as well as seeking custody of the child.
I hired a lawyer to counter-sue the Jia family, not only fighting for custody of the child but also requesting a division of marital assets.
The verdict came down: based on the child's wishes and court investigations, custody was awarded to the mother, and the father's claims for bride price and other demands were not supported!
The final outcome was that I gave up on dividing the family assets and waived his monthly child support of 2,000 yuan, just so my son and I could have a peaceful life.
The child recovered well. Mr. Zhang allowed me to bring my child to work or work from home and insisted that we move into his spacious apartment, claiming it was a high-end community that was safe, and he even hired a nanny to take care of us.
I understood his intentions.
But I had a lot of debts and was caring for a child who had just recovered from a serious illness. I felt unworthy of him.
He visited us repeatedly, but I always changed the subject whenever he seemed about to say something important, not giving him a chance to confess his feelings.
I feared that when he finally spoke up, I wouldn't have the heart to refuse him.
Days passed by, and I encouraged Mei Feng to set her brother up on blind dates. Mei Feng candidly said, "Sister, I don't know what you're thinking, but I know my brother only has you in his heart!"
Oh my God, what should I do!
One night I had a dream; Mao Mao shook me awake and asked, "Mommy, what happy thing did you dream about? You were laughing out loud!"
Embarrassed, I wiped my mouth and hugged him close: "Mommy dreamed that I found you another daddy..." My son happily replied, "Is it Uncle Zhang? You called his name!"
"Do you want Uncle Zhang to be your daddy?"
"I do! Uncle Zhang is so nice to me!"
But tomorrow and unexpected events are unpredictable; you never know which will come first.
Mr. Zhang had an accident!
Mei Feng called: "He was drinking alone to drown his sorrows; later he drank too much and kept mentioning you and Mao Mao! But then he lay on the sofa and lost consciousness; the doctor said... my brother might never wake up again!"
I picked up Mao Mao and ran downstairs; Mei Feng was already waiting for us in her car.
Once inside the car, I couldn't help but urge her repeatedly: "Feng'er, hurry up!"
Finally arriving at the hospital, he lay on the bed.
I took his hand: "What happened to you? Say something!"
He remained completely still and did not respond to me. I pressed my face against his, feeling his warmth. This man discovered me and helped me during my hardest times, never asking anything in return!
Mei Feng came in holding Mao Mao: "The doctor said that having the people he cares about talk to him continuously will benefit his recovery!" Am I one of the people he cares about?
Mao Mao rushed over: "Uncle, get up and play with Mao Mao! Why aren't you talking?" Seeing Zhang Fan unresponsive, she cried out in grievance, "…Mommy, what's wrong with Uncle? Mao Mao is scared!" I held his hand against my face: "If you wake up and are still willing to marry me, I want you to be Mao Mao's dad!" My tears flowed uncontrollably.
I got married again. Mei Feng brought a group of girlfriends to be my bridesmaids, while Mao Mao wore a shirt with a bow tie and suspenders, holding my hand in one and Zhang Fan's in the other. The Heavenly Home Multi-Function Hall was decorated festively, with Zhang Fan's dad, mom, relatives, friends, business partners, and our colleagues witnessing our grand wedding.
The host asked, "Groom, do you vow to adhere to the marriage vows from now on, whether in poverty or wealth, sickness or health, beauty or decline, smooth sailing or adversity? Will you love her, comfort her, respect her, and protect her? And will you remain forever loyal to Ms. Liu Ru Yan throughout your life?" He answered solemnly: "I do!"
The host then asked me: "Bride, do you wish to marry the groom as your husband..." Our son interjected: "My mommy wants to! She even dreamed of marrying Uncle Zhang! I also want Uncle Zhang to be my dad!" Cheers and whistles mixed with applause erupted.
You little rascal, aren't you just exposing your mom's secrets!
Now back to the last time at the hospital. I was holding Zhang Fan's hand, shedding tears as I poured out my heart when the doctor walked in: "What are you two doing? He just drank too much; he's not going to be asleep forever!" Mei Feng laughed mischievously behind me. I turned around to catch her, but she ran away laughing: "I recorded it all; you can't deny it... I'm not kidding; my brother really mentioned your name when he was drunk!"
Outside the window, the Magnolia had blossomed without anyone noticing. Spring had arrived. (The End)
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