NOVPUBChapter 279: Chapter 279: Stop at the Right Point
Chapter 279 -279: Stop at the Right Point
Sister-in-law Wu raised her glass and sincerely said to Bai Xiao, “Doctor Bai! Actually, this time we were adamant about following Instructor An here because we heard you are Instructor An’s wife, so we specifically came to express our gratitude. No matter what, it was you who saved our daughter. We will never forget the great kindness you have shown our family in our lifetime. The child is now well, even her asthma is cured, and it’s all because you saved her. Without you, we might not have been able to go on living.” Sister-in-law Wu choked up a bit, her fear of suffocation returning as she remembered the peril of that day, always feeling like she narrowly escaped death with a sense of guilt.
It was she who had failed to protect her only daughter, which caused her to lose her composure upon seeing Bai Xiao. Her husband’s suffering could not bring her down, but if they lost their daughter, they would both likely be devastated.
“Sister-in-law Wu, don’t say that. I’m a doctor, and it’s only right and proper to treat the sick and save the injured. If anyone faced that kind of situation in front of me, I would also reach out my hand. That was a life at stake, not anything else, something irreplaceable. So, live well with your child and Brother Jiao, and raise her to grow up big and strong!” Bai Xiao knew the depth of Sister-in-law Wu’s gratitude, having met many people who were truly grateful! Because for them, the lives of their loved ones are more important than anything else.
This gratitude came from the bottom of their hearts. Bai Xiao remembered how she felt in her past life when she discovered her Healing Ability. Had she acquired the ability earlier, maybe her older sister wouldn’t have had to die, and her brother might have escaped disaster. At that time, she really wished she could bring her loved ones back to life, willing to exchange even her own life for theirs.
Sister-in-law Wu wiped away her tears and said, “Doctor Bai, no words can express our feelings. We might not be capable of much, but if you ever need something done, we can at least lend a hand. Just say the word, and we’ll never refuse.” Her words were earnest, a true expression from the heart.
Bai Xiao didn’t turn down the offer; the more you refuse these sorts of people, the more they worry and feel uneasy.
“Alright! Sister-in-law, if I ever need help, I’ll be sure to come to you. Now, let’s hurry up and eat. The child can’t reach—look how anxious she’s getting!”
Everyone looked over and indeed, Niuniu was standing on her tiptoes, trying to reach into the pot with her chopsticks. Fifth Sister-in-law jumped in fright and slapped Niuniu’s hand away, “You child, why are you so greedy? Be careful not to burn yourself!”
Niuniu immediately puckered her lips unhappily, on the verge of tears. Fifth Aunt quickly picked up a slice of lamb for her with chopsticks, and immediately the little girl’s face lit up with a smile. She bowed her head and dug in eagerly, amusing everyone with her antics.
The little girl looked up with her big shiny eyes, innocently asking, “Mommy, why aren’t you all eating? This meat is so delicious. If you don’t eat quickly, it will all end up in Niuniu’s belly, and you can’t cry then!”
Jiao Yang, sitting beside Niuniu, served some bok choy hearts into her bowl. Watching her eat so heartily, he felt a sense of guilt, bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, unable to take care of his wife and daughter.
Niuniu pouted, looking at the bok choy with displeasure, “Daddy, I’m not a rabbit!”
Jiao Yang coaxed his daughter, “Niuniu, eating more vegetables is how you’ll grow tall. Otherwise, you’ll stay a little runt.” It was unbearable for everyone to watch their little girl hugging her bowl and devouring the meat voraciously on her own.
Doctor Bai didn’t say anything! It didn’t mean she didn’t mind.
These days, lamb was expensive, dish after dish being served. They had come to express their thanks, but it now seemed as though they were mooching a meal, something that didn’t sit well with his dignity as a soldier. He blamed himself for his inadequacy, for his child hardly ever seeing meat once a month. It was only natural that she attacked the meat like a little wolf cub, unable to stop eating.
“Really? Then I’ll eat more vegetables, I want to grow tall!” Niuniu immediately changed her mind upon hearing this. She envied those tall uncles and aunts and wanted to grow up to be big and strong herself, so she could protect her parents and prevent her mother from being bullied and brought to tears.
Jiao Yang smiled comfortingly; luckily, his child was obedient and never threw tantrums. Even when she really wanted something, she would still hold back, not wanting to trouble her parents.
Bai Xiao had already seen that times were tough for the couple. She smiled and brought out several more plates of lamb slices from the kitchen, “Eat up, everyone. There’s plenty of meat left, and it would be a waste not to finish it. Just look at these nicely cut slices—if they’re left over, you’ll be wasting my effort. Niuniu, this plate of meat is yours. You’re responsible for finishing it! And later, there are apples to eat. After the meat, you have to eat some vegetables. Only by combining meat and veggies can you grow up to be big and strong, got it?”
Niuniu immediately became excited upon hearing this, nodding vigorously with a proud little expression, and she took Jiao Yang’s hand, saying, “Daddy, the doctor sister said I can have this whole plate of meat, but I will eat my vegetables too.”
Jiao Yang gave a bitter smile. His daughter didn’t understand anything. Bai Xiao’s approach clearly showed that she knew what he was thinking. She was comforting him. Dr. Bai really was a kind person.
As Bai Xiao watched Niuniu eat her meal with effort, she asked Jiao Yang, “Big Brother Jiao, what are you doing now?” Seeing this family indeed stirred compassion in her heart.
However, she wasn’t the kind of person who liked to play the grand benefactor. After all, there’s an old saying that goes, ‘It’s better to teach someone to fish than to give them a fish.’
Jiao Yang’s disability didn’t mean there was nothing he could do.
As long as he remained determined and resolute, the world wouldn’t abandon anyone who strives to live.
Jiao Yang felt somewhat embarrassed, “When I arrived here, I couldn’t do anything in the unit because of my condition so they just let me take sick leave at home. I make some paper boxes for people at home to subsidize our income. Our family’s entire livelihood depends on my wife’s salary from sweeping the streets. I have dragged her down!” Speaking of his wife, Jiao Yang’s face revealed sadness. The greatest sorrow for a man is probably to watch helplessly as his wife and daughter suffer alongside him, with nothing he can do about it.
Mrs. Wu said angrily, “You, why do you always talk like this? We are husband and wife; we’re supposed to share weal and woe. What kind of husband and wife would we be if we can’t share the hard times? Since I married you, it wouldn’t make sense if I were there for the good times and ran away when things got tough. I am a human being and couldn’t possibly do such heartless things. Besides, look at Niuniu—our girl is so cute and obedient. For nothing in the world would I abandon you and our daughter.”
Bai Xiao could tell that Sister Wu was a good person.
“Sister-in-law, Brother, good people like you should consider doing something more substantial. After all, sweeping streets is not a long-term solution. The child is still young now but will need money for education as she grows. Although Big Brother Jiao has a disability, I see that his movements are still quite deft. Nowadays, the policies are so favorable, especially for people with disabilities! There are preferential policies for almost everything. You two could set up a small stall to sell something, like what I see on the street side in the university town. There are many people selling things, like socks, clothes, and snacks. I’ve heard that a small stall, if run well, can make almost a monthly salary in just one day!” She could only say this much; whether they listened or not was their own business.
She said no more than necessary.
A deep thought appeared in Jiao Yang’s eyes.
Everyone ate and drank until after nine o’clock when Zhang Duo and his group decided to leave. Jiao Yang and his family brought a box of red dates and their hometown’s specialty twist bread, insisting on leaving them behind. Bai Xiao had to oblige or else they would have gotten upset with her.
Having no choice, she asked her sister to pack some of the home-cooked meatballs and other dishes, and she stuffed it into An Zhiyuan’s arms, giving him a meaningful look.
An Zhiyuan immediately understood and winked, causing Bai Xiao to burst into laughter.
Everyone looked at the two of them, not understanding what they were up to.
An Zhiyuan seriously got up and helped Zhang Duo down the stairs with the wheelchair, while Mrs. Wu and her family, accompanied by Niuniu, said their goodbyes. The little girl was reluctant to leave Bai Xiao.
Finally, they had sent off the entire family.
