Regretting the Past, Choosing the Wrong Marriage

Qin Huairu went to the payment window to pay.

Jia Dongxu had another surgery scheduled for today.

After paying the surgery fee, there were still hospitalization fees waiting.

The 124 yuan, 3 mao, and 6 fen donated by the courtyard were not enough for the surgery and subsequent hospitalization.

She didn't know if the factory's compensation would come through tomorrow, so she had to quickly find a way to raise money.

"Comrade Huairu, what happened to your face?" a hospital staff member asked with concern.

Qin Huairu touched her burning cheek, feeling a bit swollen.

She knew it was from her mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi, hitting her.

Feeling wronged and on the verge of tears, she forced a smile and said, "Oh, I must have fallen asleep leaning against the hospital bed."

"Although your husband is seriously injured, he is no longer in danger. You should also pay attention to resting, especially since you're due soon. You can't put the baby in your belly at risk."

"Thank you, I'll be careful."

Qin Huairu walked out of the payment hall and could no longer control her emotions.

She squatted in a corner, tears streaming down her face.

Even the hospital staff cared about her, carrying a baby due soon.

But her mother-in-law had slapped her twice in two days.

Her husband was injured, and she was suffering too. Wasn't getting close to Silly Zhu for the sake of this family?

Yet her mother-in-law showed her no pity at all.

Normally, she didn't do any housework, and she didn't help with the two children either.

She had to take care of the children, do housework, and serve her mother-in-law and husband.

In the Jia family, she lived like a servant.

Then she thought of Lou Xiao'e.

Her heart filled with envy.

Although Lou Xiao'e's family had emigrated and cut ties with her, Lin Zhen doted on her as if she had fallen into a pot of honey.

The couple was loving and had never argued.

On the other hand, her husband, Jia Dongxu, was suspicious of her all day, doubting her fidelity.

He would scold her at the slightest provocation, and even hit her.

Her mother-in-law always sided with her son and lectured her.

It was already difficult enough that their living conditions couldn't compare to Lou Xiao'e's.

Emotionally, she was wronged every day.

She remembered that Lin Zhen had also asked someone to propose to her back then.

How could she have been so blinded by greed that she looked down on Lin Zhen?

At that time, Lin Zhen had just arrived at the steel rolling mill from the countryside with a letter of introduction, apprenticing under First Elder Yi Zhonghai.

He proposed to her before he even received his first month's salary.

And Jia Dongxu had also asked someone to propose to her.

In comparison, Jia Dongxu at that time was a genuine city dweller.

His family was well-off, and he had a seemingly smiling, plump mother.

She thought that by marrying Jia Dongxu, her mother-in-law would help take care of the children once they were born.

This way, Jia Dongxu would handle the outside affairs, and she would handle the inside.

With a mother-in-law who treated her like her own daughter and helped manage the household, wouldn't their little life be as sweet as honey?

It was better than being with Lin Zhen, a poor young man who had just entered the city, with no parents?

Her home wasn't like a home; it was empty, like someone fleeing famine.

What good was it if he was handsome?

It was better to live a stable life with Jia Dongxu.

Qin Huairu's analysis at the time was very thorough, but it was only based on material considerations.

She overlooked the most important point.

That was character!

The character of Jia Zhangshi and her son was notorious throughout the entire alley.

Everyone who mentioned them couldn't help but shake their heads.

On the other hand, Lin Zhen was polite to everyone and had an excellent reputation.

Qin Huairu at the time couldn't see Lin Zhen's good qualities.

She only saw the difference in material life between the two families.

Not long after getting married, Qin Huairu regretted it.

That wasn't the life she wanted.

She didn't receive her husband's affection, only suspicion.

Her mother-in-law didn't treat her like a biological daughter, but like a maid who had come to defect from elsewhere.

More than five years passed.

Qin Huairu hadn't truly smiled, nor did she know what happiness was.

Watching Lin Zhen's family get ahead, their lives getting better day by day, slowly becoming the best in the entire courtyard.

Qin Huairu regretted it more than once.

Regretting her initial disdain for poverty and love for wealth.

Regretting not seeing Lin Zhen's good qualities.

And regretting not seeing Jia Dongxu and Jia Zhangshi's flaws.

The suffering she endured now could only be silently borne.

After crying for a while, Qin Huairu wiped away her tears and returned to the ward.

"Mom, the surgery fee has been paid, but the subsequent hospitalization fees are not enough."

Jia Zhangshi cursed with a dark face, "Are the officials in this factory all dead in their sleep? My son is like this, why aren't they approving the compensation quickly!"

Qin Huairu said, "It's only been a day since Dongxu's accident. The factory's finance department needs to approve it, and it should be processed by tomorrow."

"You know everything, don't you? Then go to the factory and ask!"

Qin Huairu lowered her head and said, "There's no need to go to the factory. Dongxu is having surgery at noon, and the factory leaders will definitely come to visit. I'll ask then."

"Hmph! They're that kind-hearted to come visit? Pfft!"

"Oh, what's wrong, Aunt Jia? Angry again?"

Hearing this voice, Qin Huairu's heart skipped a beat.

It was Lin Zhen.

Jia Dongxu also instantly opened his eyes.

Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened in anger, and she turned to scold him.

But instantly, her face softened into a smile.

"Oh, it's the big leaders! Please come in, please come in. I was just chatting with Huairu!"

There were indeed big leaders.

Director Yang, Deputy Director Li, Head of the Health Department, and the Workshop Director.

They had come specifically to visit Jia Dongxu's family.

Besides the four leaders.

First Elder Yi Zhonghai, Second Elder Liu Haizhong, Lin Zhen, Silly Zhu, and Xu Damao had all arrived.

Director Yang said, "Comrade Jia Dongxu, you must rest assured and recover. The factory will provide reasonable subsidies for your medical expenses, and your work position will also be reasonably arranged."

Qin Huairu quickly asked, "Director, when will the subsidy be available?"

"It's already processed. Considering your family's difficulties, we've come today to deliver the subsidy."

Qin Huairu was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, leaders, thank you, organization!"

The Workshop Director handed the subsidy to Qin Huairu, which was enough for the subsequent stitch removal surgery and hospitalization.

The four leaders offered some words of comfort and then returned to the factory.

As they were leaving, they instructed.

They asked Lin Zhen and the other four to return to the factory after Jia Dongxu's surgery was completed.

These five were sent by the factory specifically to help.

First Elder Yi Zhonghai said, "Sister-in-law, you and Huairu have been guarding all night. Go get some rest. Leave it to us."

Jia Zhangshi said, "No, I have to stay by Dongxu's side."

"There's no longer any danger to his life. This surgery is just a final step. You don't need to stay."

"No, I can't leave his side!"

Qin Huairu also said, "First Elder, we're not tired. Please make the arrangements."

Yi Zhonghai reluctantly nodded and said, "Alright then, Huairu, you and Lin Zhen go buy the daily necessities for the hospital. Dongxu will likely be hospitalized for a long time, so we need to prepare everything."

Jia Zhangshi's eyes immediately flared up upon hearing this.

"No! She can't go. Yi Zhonghai, what are you thinking? My daughter-in-law is heavily pregnant, and you're asking her to go?"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned ashen.

"Sister-in-law, what are you imagining? Huairu knows best what daily necessities Dongxu needs. If you don't let her go, who else can buy them? Can you buy them all?"

"I... I can. Isn't it just a bedpan? Lin, let's go!"