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Chapter 84: All the Love in the World

Zhao Haisheng sat for a while, then said, “About the fight before, we were, were wrong. I’ve asked Qisheng. When he’s better in a couple of days, he’ll tell you in person.”

When Mi Yang heard him say this, he stopped eating his pastry and was about to press for details. It was Bai Luochuan who broke off a small piece and stuffed it into his mouth. “I was also in the wrong. We can all sit down and talk about it later. Compared to yesterday, everything is a small matter.”

Zhao Haisheng grinned honestly. “I’ll listen to you.”

After they left, Mi Yang turned to look at Bai Luochuan and asked, “You never told me. What on earth happened?”

Bai Luochuan had finished feeding him the small piece of pastry. Seeing Mi Yang obediently eat it all, he then said, “It was nothing. It’s just that one time you went to your grandma’s house, and I heard a noise outside. I went over to look and saw that the glass of the room on the first floor was broken, and Fu Qisheng was standing outside, looking flustered… I thought he had stolen something at the time, so I got into a dispute with him. Later, when I ran into him outside, Wang Bing and the others were there, and we started fighting after just a few words.”

Mi Yang was a little surprised. “What did he steal?”

Bai Luochuan frowned. “That’s the strange thing. Nothing was missing from the house. Just the glass was broken.”

Mi Yang said, “No wonder you wouldn’t tell me no matter how I asked.”

Bai Luochuan nodded. “Yes. I had called him a little thief before, but since nothing was missing, I didn’t say anything to him when I ran into him again. This person is very tough, and his mouth is also very tight. He stood there with his neck craned and didn’t explain a single word. Now that I think about it, I probably misunderstood him.” He thought for a while, then smiled to himself. “These two brothers are quite interesting. Zhao Haisheng looks honest and simple but is also a little shrewd. Fu Qisheng looks gentle and weak but is very stubborn and strong. But they are both very spirited.”

Mi Yang had also always had a very good impression of Zhao Haisheng and nodded. “They are very good. When Fu Qisheng is better, I’ll go with you to find him and ask him clearly. It’ll be fine once the misunderstanding is cleared up.”

Bai Luochuan said, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

He imitated Zhao Haisheng’s words, but his tone was not as steady as Zhao Haisheng’s. He said it with a smile, as if he were coaxing a child, with endless doting.

The old Mrs. Cheng had made two trips to the hospital a day, bringing a lot of food. Mi Yang couldn’t eat that much, so Bai Luochuan ate most of it for him, but there was still a lot left. Mi Yang felt sorry for her and didn’t want her to go to so much trouble anymore. The old Mrs. Cheng then stayed with him until the evening and only breathed a sigh of relief after she had personally heard the doctor say “he can be discharged.”

Bai Luochuan discussed it with the old lady. Because the Bai family had a family doctor, the old Mrs. Cheng also trusted them. They had been friends for so many years. Hearing Bai Luochuan say that he would take Mi Yang to stay for a few days, she immediately agreed. She said to Bai Luochuan, “If you can help me take care of Little Good Boy, I’ll be so grateful to your family. When I’ve made some food, I’ll have someone send it over. You and Little Good Boy can eat together. Don’t you think I’m an annoying old woman.”

Bai Luochuan smiled. “How could I? I’ve also been craving your cooking.”

The old Mrs. Cheng said with a chuckle, “No problem. When I make some for Little Good Boy, I’ll bring an extra portion for you.”

When she was really sending Mi Yang to the Bai’s car, the old Mrs. Cheng was reluctant to part. It was only after Bai Luochuan repeatedly promised to call her every day to report that he was safe that the old lady let them go together.

Mi Yang had only choked on a little water and was discharged quickly, but Fu Qisheng had multiple injuries, many of which were external. He had even broken three ribs and could only lie in the hospital to recuperate.

Fu Qisheng’s mother was taking care of him with tears in her eyes. Her heart ached at the sight of her child covered in bandages, especially since the doctor had almost had them transferred to another hospital yesterday. Later, the Bai family’s doctor had come for a consultation, and only then had a rescue plan been determined, and his condition had improved.

She had heard from the doctor that one of his ribs had almost pierced his lung, and he had been just a step away from death. His life had truly been pulled back from the brink.

Fu Qisheng was young. Although his body was injured, he could still muster the energy to comfort his mom. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine after I lie down for a bit, Mom…”

Fu’s mother walked over and got closer to him so that he would have to use less energy to speak. Just as she got close, she heard Fu Qisheng whisper, “Mom, can you take me home? I don’t want to be in the hospital. It costs a lot of money.”

Fu’s mother’s tears came down. She said to him, “What money? My son’s life was almost gone. What do I need it for? Qisheng, you listen to Mom. You recuperate in the hospital. We’ll go when you’re better.”

Fu Qisheng looked at her and, after a while, said, “But you have to work…”

Fu’s mother said, “It’s fine. The Bai family specially gave me some time off. They said to let me take care of you for a few more days. It’s not too late to go back when you’re better.” She tucked Fu Qisheng in and murmured, “Their family is really very good. They even gave me half a year’s salary in advance. Mom has money now, so you can just focus on getting better. As long as you’re here, we have everything.”

Fu Qisheng said slowly, “Their family, are they good to you?”

Fu’s mother smiled. “Yes, they are. They’re the best employers I’ve ever met.”

She gave Fu Qisheng a little water to drink to moisten his lips, then sat beside him.

Fu Qisheng had always been very silent. Even when he was in pain, he would only have fine beads of sweat on his forehead and would not easily cry out. Fu’s mother felt sorry for him, but every time she asked, it was her son who would comfort her in return, and a few words from him would make her tears fall. Her life had not been good. Her husband had been bedridden for many years and was very ill. Her son had known how to help her with her work since he was a child. The mother and son had always supported each other through hardship. Other children would have good food on their birthdays when they were young. Her family was poor, and even if there was a good bite, Qisheng would break it open and force it into her mouth. Only after she had eaten would he eat…

She had already lost her husband, and Qisheng was her last hope. If her son was gone, she really didn’t know how she would live.

On the afternoon of the day Fu Qisheng woke up, someone sent a bouquet of flowers and a fruit basket. The person who came was a girl. She was with her parents, and her arm was also in a cast. There were some scrapes on her face, and the ointment had already started to scab over.

Fu Qisheng did not recognize her. He lay in bed and only glanced at her, not making a sound.

The girl stood there, her lips moving, then she bowed to him and said with a trembling voice, “Thank you… thank you. My name is Xu Ran. I’m the person you saved. I really, really don’t know what to say. It’s all my fault. I’m the one who got you into this…” The girl started to cry as she spoke, and afraid of disturbing the patient, she bit her lip, her shoulders trembling with emotion. She was incoherently thanking him and saying sorry.

Her mother supported her from the side. She and her husband both looked like intellectuals. She adjusted the glasses on her nose, and you could see that her eyes were also red. She spoke slowly, “My husband and I are very grateful to classmate Fu Qisheng. Really, without him, my daughter probably wouldn’t have come back. We are willing to bear all of classmate Fu’s medical expenses. Please, you must agree. Let us do our part.”

Fu Qisheng’s mother and son had obviously not expected them to say such a thing. After a moment’s daze, Fu’s mother stood up and stammered, not knowing what to say. They had been honest and simple all their lives. Even after risking their lives to save someone, they had never thought of asking for anything in return.

The Xu family insisted. It just so happened that the Zhao family had also come, so they took Fu’s mother and the Xu family out to discuss, leaving only Zhao Haisheng in the hospital room to be with his awakened cousin.

Fu Qisheng was still looking at the door, his gaze not moving for a long time.

Zhao Haisheng also looked up and said to him, “Don’t look. This is what they should, should do.” He reached out and covered Fu Qisheng with the quilt, his face cold. “My little brother’s life, they’re paying for it with money. They’re getting off easy.”

He looked down at Fu Qisheng’s ten fingers, which were wrapped in bandages. That day, Qisheng and the girl had not been caught by the dead tree at all. It was Qisheng who had held on to that sliver of life with his fingers. Fu Qisheng’s swimming skills were not very good, but fortunately, he had a lot of brute force. His fingers had dug into the dead wood. When he was rescued, the nails on his ten fingers had already split, and the bright red flesh had been soaked in the water until it was a mess.

Zhao Haisheng’s face was ugly, but Fu Qisheng looked at him and grinned.

Zhao Haisheng said, “Laugh, laugh my ass.”

Fu Qisheng was still grinning, his voice muffled. “Brother, I knew you would definitely come and save me.”

Zhao Haisheng wanted to curse at him, but his mouth was not good enough. The angrier he was, the more he couldn’t speak. He couldn’t hit his cousin in this sorry state either, so he could only say with a dark face, “Get lost, you brat! If it weren’t for Mi Yang this time, you would have been waiting to die! No one would have been able to save you. You were so close to death, and you’re still laughing. Laugh my ass!”

Fu Qisheng, after being scolded, was not annoyed at all. The sunlight on him felt warm all over, as if he had returned to the world.

Fu Qisheng said, “Brother, I won’t. I will definitely cherish this life.”

Only then did Zhao Haisheng stop his scolding, panting as he looked at him, his eyes red. “If you had died, how would I have explained it to Auntie? She would have, would have gone with you.”

Fu Qisheng was silent for a moment. “I promise, I will definitely live well.”

Zhao Haisheng said, “Next time, think of your mom.”

Fu Qisheng said, “Okay.”

The students who had been sent together were also in the hospital at this moment. Some of them were waiting for their parents to pick them up, and those with injuries were also arranged for a check-up. Except for Fu Qisheng and the girl named Xu Ran, the rest only had some superficial injuries and were mentally shaken, but there was nothing wrong.

Xu Ran’s parents were worried about their daughter and had her stay in the hospital for another day for observation. The other few, although they had been clamoring to go home in the mountains, also stayed in the hospital for a day for observation when they saw Xu Ran stay. One of the boys even said he was dizzy and got a glucose drip.

In the afternoon, after confirming that there was nothing wrong, they were to be discharged.

The rescue team and the hospital staff stopped them for only one reason: to have them pay the fees before they left.

The parents had thought that just sending a banner would be enough. They had never expected that they would also have to pay money and were dumbfounded for a moment. Only Xu Ran and the other two families were seriously asking how much to pay. A male student’s parent, hearing the thousand-yuan figure reported by the rescue team, immediately widened his eyes. “How is that possible? How can it be so much!”

Another parent also hesitated for a moment. “That’s right. It’s a basic human right for a citizen to be rescued in danger. Is it a little irresponsible for you to be so profit-oriented?”

“Can search and rescue fees be charged casually? Why is it so much? They were just lost on the mountain and couldn’t get down…”

The captain of the rescue team, Captain Wang, was a dark-skinned man. He frowned and looked at the few parents around him. Half of them wanted to pay, while the other half were still whining. He sneered. “Lost? Look at them yourselves. Where were they rescued from yesterday? Let them tell you themselves whether the situation was dangerous or not! There was a cliff ahead. If it weren’t for a local child who went to stop them, they would have probably all fallen to their deaths!”

The word “death” was too heavy, and the parents around them immediately fell silent.

Captain Wang said, “We provide voluntary rescue, and there are no fees. The money we’re asking you to pay is the fine paid to the forestry department for cutting down some trees and clearing the road obstacles when we had to mobilize vehicles to go into the mountain in case of an accident.”

After asking about the money, the parents had nothing to say and could only accept it.

At this time, the hospital staff also stood up. “Then please also settle the hospital fees.”

One of the male students had gotten a glucose drip. His father took out a few dozen yuan and was about to go and pay, but he was stopped by the hospital staff. “It’s not enough.”

The parent was taken aback. “Are there any other fees?”

The hospital staff said, “Yes. Let me calculate it for you from the beginning. Your children came in an ambulance last night. The ambulance is charged based on the round-trip mileage, at 2 yuan per kilometer, plus a 10-yuan house call fee. The round-trip fee from the hospital to the mountain is 200 yuan per person… Oh, right, a few of the students also used a stretcher, which also requires an extra fee.”

The parent’s face was not good. “I’ve also taken an ambulance before. I’ve never encountered one so expensive. I want to find your leader and ask what kind of car it was!”

The hospital staff said, “No need. I am the leader. They took a cardiopulmonary resuscitation rescue vehicle. The situation was critical at that time, and we arranged it for immediate life-saving. And this was specially mobilized for you.” He had originally not wanted to speak harshly in front of the children, but he couldn’t help it. “You gave birth to them, so you have to educate them and be responsible. Otherwise, don’t blame society for teaching you how to be a citizen!”

Xu Ran’s father apologized to the doctor and the rescue team and was the first to say that he would go and pay. He then asked in a low voice, “My child also had a check-up yesterday. I’d like to pay for that part as well. Is it also included?”

The hospital staff’s face softened a little. “Yes, it’s included. I’ll go and get you the bill.”

Xu Ran was the most seriously injured besides Fu Qisheng, and her fees were also the highest. A parent on the side felt that it had nothing to do with him and was still calculating the two sums. The doctor turned to them. “You all come too. When you arrived yesterday afternoon, you also insisted on having your children checked, right?”

The parents were speechless. Some looked at the doctor’s face and were a little embarrassed. Another one or two were still dissatisfied.

It was just that this time, their dissatisfaction was directed at the Xu family. Xu Ran had been silent all this time and had not made any eye contact with these classmates and parents. She would always remember the moment she had fallen, and the way the others had shrunk back as if from a snake.

Because Fu Qisheng and Zhao Haisheng were also among those who had been rescued from the mountain without permission, they also had to bear this part of the cost. Xu Ran’s parents took the initiative to pay for the two of them. He also asked about the boy who had come to save Xu Ran yesterday and asked if he could also pay for the ambulance fee for him. Their family had gotten their daughter’s life back, and they cherished it very much.

The other person said, “Mi Yang, right? No need. His money has already been paid, and he has also been discharged.”

Xu Ran’s father asked again, “Then where is his family? We’d like to go and thank him in person.”

The other person said, “I’m not too sure about that. But it was the Bai family who brought him. If you go to Shanhai Town and ask around, you’ll know.”

After being discharged with their daughter, Xu Ran’s parents had really gone to ask around. The Bai family’s old residence was very easy to find. When you talked about the Bai family in the whole town, there was only that one. When the Xu family went to find them, they didn’t see anyone. Only a family doctor who usually took care of the old Mr. Bai came out and said coldly, “That child Mi Yang is still recuperating. He needs peace and quiet. There’s no need to make a special trip. We appreciate the thought.”

Only then did the Xu family give up.

Mi Yang was completely unaware of this. He was very busy at the Bai’s house now.

The old Mr. Bai had watched the two children grow up together. It had been hard to see them grow into young men, and now one of them had almost been lost. The old man himself was terrified and wished he could take out all the nutritional supplements and have the kitchen make them for Mi Yang to eat.

The old Mrs. Cheng on the other side was in the same mood. She would have Cheng Ru drive over every two or three days to send some stewed soups and would also make Mi Yang’s favorite side dishes and pastries every day, with a different variety for each of the three meals. Although Mi Hong did not do this, after a few days, he also sent a small box wrapped in brocade to the Bai’s house. Inside was an old mountain ginseng. It was unknown where he had gotten it. Even the doctor who took care of the old Mr. Bai was amazed, saying that he hadn’t seen such a good and complete ginseng in many years.

The old Mr. Bai thought for a moment. “Should we slice this ginseng and let Yangyang eat it?”

The doctor smiled. “That won’t do. They’re young and have a lot of internal heat. They can’t be supplemented like this. I’ll talk to the kitchen and have them add a little when they’re making chicken soup.”

The old Mr. Bai said, “Okay, you can handle it.”

And then, another dish was added to Mi Yang’s daily meals: chicken soup.

The fat was skimmed off, and the chicken, which had been stewed until the meat was tender and the bones were soft, was also discarded. Just this one bowl of clear chicken soup, which had been simmered on the fire for several hours, a large pot concentrated into two or three small bowls, was only for him to drink. The chef’s skill was very high, and even with the medicinal herbs added, you couldn’t smell anything. The broth was delicious, and when you drank it hot, it would warm you up from your stomach. In a moment, your whole body would be warm.

Mi Yang drank the chicken and ginseng soup his grandfather had sent, ate the pastries his other grandmother had sent, and also ate his three meals a day under the concerned gazes of the Bai family. With every extra bite he took, the people around him would almost applaud him.

Mi Yang stood up, holding onto the dining table, his eyes a little dazed. “I can’t. I really can’t eat anymore…”

Bai Luochuan also put down his chopsticks. “Then don’t eat.”

Mi Yang walked two steps, holding onto the table. Before he could leave the dining room, he heard Bai Luochuan say to the kitchen, “Bring out that bowl of chicken soup.” The young master Bai turned to look at Mi Yang’s face, which looked as if he had eaten until he had no will to live, and suddenly smiled, comforting him, “Just a small bowl. After you drink it, I’ll let you go back to your room to read, or do whatever you want, okay?”

Mi Yang: “…”

Mi Yang felt that this all-encompassing love was too heavy. His stomach was not up to the task. What could he do.