Yuli suddenly found herself with many new “relatives.”
These relatives were different from the Qiao family.
No one saw her as a burden; instead, everyone seemed to pamper her a bit.
On her birthday night, they had just shared a simple dinner, but today, after meeting this circle of relatives, she received many red envelopes – everyone gave her one.
Even though it wasn’t the weekend, Ji Jiangyuan still came from Beijing.
“We’re all older than you!”
This reason was powerful, and Yuli couldn’t argue against it.
Looking around, she finally found someone younger – Liu Zitao. She took out two red envelopes to share with him:
“You’re at least younger than me, right? Everyone present should get a share, this is for you.”
Liu Zitao was quite clever. “Sister Yuli, I don’t want it. This is yours. I already got my share during New Year’s.”
To find Tang Youru, Xia Xiaolan spent the 1988 Spring Festival in Yunnan Province. She wasn’t in a festive mood then, and because she wasn’t around, even the accounting for the building materials store and Wenquxing was pushed to after the New Year.
Hearing Liu Zitao’s words, Xia Xiaolan pulled him over:
“You clever little devil, did you say that deliberately for me to hear?”
Liu Zitao grinned, and Xia Xiaolan still gave him two red envelopes – one from her and another from Zhou Cheng.
Liu Zitao happily returned to his seat with the envelopes, and his interruption helped Yuli feel more relaxed.
After the DNA paternity test results came out, Yuli could accept everyone’s enthusiasm without feeling burdened – she remembered all their kindness, cherished their goodwill and enthusiasm, hoping that she would become capable enough to repay these relatives in the future!
After dinner, Tang Hong’en called Yuli aside to discuss sending her mother for treatment.
“This is our idea, but you’re the closest person to her, so we need your opinion. You should express your thoughts boldly, especially when they differ from ours.”
Send her mother abroad, or to Hong Kong for treatment?
Yuli’s breathing became rapid.
She had always wanted her mother to receive the best treatment, but previously, the mother-daughter pair could barely survive, making it just a luxury to think about. Even after working at Qihang, she could only maintain her mother’s daily expenses in domestic hospitals. With her income, arranging the best treatment for Tang Youru was still far beyond her means.
Now, should she accept everyone’s kindness?
She knew Xia Xiaolan was very wealthy, and Tang Hong’en held considerable power. Combined, these two forces could arrange the best treatment for her mother.
However, she couldn’t afford these expenses now.
Just because ‘President Xia’ became her cousin didn’t mean the president’s money became hers.
Seeing her hesitation, Xia Xiaolan wanted to say something, like how earlier treatment meant better chances of recovery, and Tang Youru had been in a vegetative state for quite a while – intervening now was already very late. If Yuli delayed further for the sake of pride-
But Tang Hong’en stopped Xia Xiaolan’s persuasion with a look.
Let Yuli choose for herself, and let her figure it out.
Tang Hong’en admired this child but worried that at such a young age, sudden life changes might make her lose her true self!
Fortunately, Yuli didn’t disappoint Tang Hong’en.
After careful consideration, she expressed her thoughts clearly:
“Uncle, Sister Xiaolan, I dream of getting my mother the best treatment. I’m willing to do anything if she could wake up! I know that without me asking, you would probably help pay these expensive medical fees, but I don’t want that. Cousin’s money is her earnings, not mine. How could I take it for granted?”
“What are you saying? It’s not about helping you pay – she’s your mother and my sister. We’re family. Now that she’s sick, I have the same obligation to help. If you let pride get in the way and refuse our help, you’re just delaying your mother’s treatment.”
Tang Hong’en, who had said to let Yuli decide, was now opposing her decision.
“Uncle, that’s not what I meant. I’m happy to accept your help, but could we do it according to my idea?”
Yuli waited for Tang Hong’en to finish before explaining.
This was something she learned during her year as a secretary – Tang Hong’en wasn’t just her boss but also her elder, and interrupting an elder would be too impolite.
Tang Hong’en’s eyes showed amusement:
“Alright, let me hear it. If you can convince us with a solution, we’ll do it your way.”
Yuli’s idea was simple.
She would personally borrow money from Xia Xiaolan.
“…If I can’t earn enough to repay you, I’ll work for you my entire life.”
This tone was more of a secretary speaking to President Xia rather than a cousin to a cousin.
Xia Xiaolan glanced at Old Tang, and seeing he didn’t object, she knew he was satisfied with this answer.
“Fine, I’m not worried about you running away, but if you want to repay this money, it will be very hard. Unless you become a company executive or start your own business someday, considering inflation, you might never be able to repay these treatment costs in your lifetime – given our family relationship, I won’t charge you interest, but you must repay the principal. Whatever the final amount is, you’ll have to repay that much, okay?”
Xia Xiaolan didn’t go easy on Yuli.
They didn’t know how much Tang Youru’s treatment would cost, but assuming 1 million Yuan – in 1988, the purchasing power of 1 million Yuan was terrifying, enough to buy at least 5 apartments in Qihang’s ‘Luohu Tiancheng’ development.
Even if Yuli took 10 or 20 years to repay the debt, Xia Xiaolan would still lose out.
Unless Yuli could become a senior executive in a few years.
Just like Xia Xiaolan in her previous life, with an annual salary, company shares with dividends, plus her own financial investments, her yearly income became quite substantial.
Yuli gritted her teeth:
“I will accomplish it!”
“I believe you can do it.”
This simple sentence brought tears to Yuli’s eyes.
Xia Xiaolan patted her shoulder, “Although I’ve never spoken with Aunt, I admire everything she did. Your willingness to borrow money from me today shows both filial piety and self-motivation. I think if Aunt knew about your choice, she would be very happy!”
Liu Fen wanted to say something but hesitated.
They could afford this money, so why use borrowing as a way to treat Little Yu’s mother?
Little Yu was only 19; wasn’t this pressure too much?
Ji Jiangyuan watched from the side and shook his head at Liu Fen:
“Aunt Liu, this is different. My father and Xiaolan are doing this to motivate Cousin Yu. No one can choose what kind of parents they have; they can only face it. Wasn’t Xiaolan the same age as Little Yu when she decided to start her own business? In just a few short years, Xiaolan has earned her current wealth – who knows how far Cousin Yu might go?”
Little Yu’s burden was her aunt Tang Youru.
Ji Jiangyuan particularly understood this – his situation was similar to Yuli’s, as he had an obsessive mother.
While Little Yu needed to bear expensive treatment costs, he faced the same situation.
His father and Xiaolan hoped Little Yu could make a name for herself through her efforts. During her struggle, they wouldn’t really stand by idly without helping at all. So Little Yu’s starting point was already higher than most people’s – as long as she was willing to work hard and strive diligently, she could definitely manage to repay the borrowed medical fees!
After Ji Jiangyuan convinced Liu Fen, Xia Xiaolan discussed treatment details with Little Yu.
“Treatment in Hong Kong is also good, with high overall medical standards. I can ask Du Zhaohui to find Du Chengrong’s former attending physician to take over. The main advantage is that Hong Kong and Shenzhen are convenient – you can visit anytime.”
Going abroad would be more troublesome, with each trip being quite exhausting.
As they were talking, Liu Yong knocked on the door and poked his head in:
“Are you done talking? Little Shao has come from Beijing, and he wants to meet Little Yu. Should I let him in?”
Before Yuli could speak, Tang Hong’en’s mouth twitched:
“…Perfect timing, saves me from having to look for him!”