Volume 1, Chapter 20: A Bolt from the Blue!

I caught on immediately upon hearing that. Thinking back to the dollar my cousin-in-law had given me the night before, the whole situation became clear.

I pounded on the door hard and shouted, "Open up!"

My cousin opened the door. His face was twisted in rage, his brows furrowed and eyes glaring. Seeing me, he snapped irritably, "What are you doing? Don't you know how to knock properly, or are you knocking on a coffin lid?"

I ignored him and looked at my cousin-in-law. Her expression was calm, as if nothing had happened. Perhaps because I was ignoring him, my cousin shifted his target to her, snarling, "Don't play dumb with me. I'm asking you, where is the money?"

"It's with me," I said before she could speak.

Her expression shifted slightly, and she urged, "Xiaogang!"

"Sister-in-law, don't worry about it." I cut her off, fixing my gaze on my cousin. "I gave you all my money earlier. I didn't have enough for dinner, so I asked her for a dollar."

"Damn it!" My cousin pointed at my nose and yelled, "Look at you acting all high and mighty! I've told you how many times, if you don't have money, don't act like a big spender! Look at your pathetic attitude—acting like a rich man while begging your sister-in-law for money. Aren't you ashamed?"

Ashamed? Damn it! Even if I were shameful, could I be more shameful than a bully who only picks on his own family?

I had no interest in arguing. I simply told him, "I owed you 1.30 for rent. Adding this dollar, that makes 2.30. You don't have to shout anymore. I’ll have every cent for you by tomorrow morning."

My cousin glanced at me sideways and said coldly, "You said it yourself."

"Yes, I did."

"Fine! If you don't have the money by tomorrow morning, we'll see!" With that, he glared at my cousin-in-law and scolded, "I'm telling you, this is the first and last time! If you waste the money I give you again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

She didn't respond, just watched him. Unsatisfied, he grumbled, "What are you looking at? Get to cooking!" She gave him one long, deep look before turning into the kitchen.

"What a piece of work," my cousin muttered, complaining about us. I couldn't be bothered with him and went into the kitchen to help her. I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't know how to start, so I stayed silent. She remained composed, cooking and serving the meal as if nothing had happened.

After breakfast, we headed to the factory together. I spent my time in the design department as usual. I was lucky that Song Xiaotang was busy and didn't come to bother me. By noon, she still hadn't appeared, giving me time to eat with my cousin and his wife.

As soon as we met, my cousin told me with feigned generosity that I didn't need to pay back the 2.30 I owed him. I was stunned; it seemed impossible. My cousin was a man who haggled over every cent—why would he suddenly waive such a debt?

I found out why immediately. He said he had used the factory’s long-distance phone that morning to call home and received some news. My father had fallen from the roof while working a few days ago and shattered his lower back. The county hospital said he was paralyzed and would never stand again.

The news hit me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me completely dazed. I didn't even notice the look of schadenfreude on my cousin's face. My cousin-in-law had also just heard the news. She was stunned for a moment, but immediately turned to speak to me. I could see her lips moving, hear her voice, and notice her anxious expression, but I couldn't process a word. My head was buzzing; the news was too sudden. I had only been working in the South for a few days, and such a tragedy had already struck my home.

"Xiaogang! Xiaogang!" In my haze, she grabbed my hand, and I finally heard her. "Don't panic. I'll go with you to call again and find out exactly what happened."

My cousin sneered, "What's the point of asking? I already found out..."

Before he could finish, my cousin-in-law snapped, "It's Xiaogang's father who's hurt! Why wouldn't we ask? Even if we don't ask anything else, can't he call home to check on his parents?" Her sudden outburst was sharp enough to snap me back to reality. I noticed my cousin’s face turn bright red, rendered speechless by her anger.

Without even glancing at him, she held my hand and said, "Xiaogang, let's go. I'll take you to make the call."

Truthfully, I was still in a daze. It wasn't until we walked into the guard office to make the call that the reality of the situation hit me. She spoke to the guard and placed a call to the village, then told me that someone from the village committee had gone to fetch my mother and that I should call back in fifteen minutes.

I nodded and thanked her. She had me sit down and kept holding my hand, comforting me, telling me not to worry too much. Honestly, I was a mess; I had no idea what to do. I had lived at home all my life and was very close to my parents. Hearing my father was paralyzed felt like the sky was collapsing.

Fifteen minutes later, she called the village again. After a brief exchange, she told me my mother was on the line. She handed me the receiver and squeezed my hand in encouragement.

I held the phone and spoke to my mother. As soon as I greeted her, I heard her struggling to keep from crying. I bit my lip, forcing back my own tears. But when she confirmed that my father was indeed paralyzed and would never stand again, I broke down, and the tears began to stream down my face.

Fortunately, my cousin-in-law was right there, gripping my hand tightly. I bit my lip until it hurt, trying to regain my composure, but I didn't know what to say. She took the phone from me, offered my mother a few words of comfort, and hung up.

Afterward, she turned to comfort me. My mind was in turmoil, but one thought remained: I had to go home to see my father. My mother couldn't handle caring for him alone. I had to go back!

But to my surprise, as soon as I told her, she flatly forbade it.

"Xiaogang, listen to me," she said firmly. "Going back now is useless. The best thing you can do is work hard, earn money, and send it back to your mother. Only money can make their lives easier now."

Her simple words hit home, and I finally understood.