Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 1737: Chapter 1738: Prolonged Poverty Is Hard to Aid

Cheng Su started developing a fever in the middle of the night. Fortunately, Mother Cheng was sharing the bed with her. When Cheng Su groaned in discomfort, Mother Cheng woke up, turned on the light, and saw her frowning and complaining about being cold. She touched her forehead and realized she had a fever.

This was the first time Cheng Su had a fever in years. Her health had been quite good, especially in the past two years, without even catching a cold. Now, this sudden fever made Mother Cheng quite worried.

To prevent the spread of germs, Mother Cheng sent Qi Xiaoqi over to his grandfather’s place. She then brought the porridge made by Mother Qi to Cheng Su, poured water, and got some medicine.

“Have this porridge, then take the medicine. Sweat it out, and you’ll recover quickly,” Mother Cheng said.

Feeling sick, Cheng Su replied, “Mom, I really don’t feel like eating!”

“You need to eat to take the medicine, don’t be stubborn. It’s the porridge your mother-in-law made for you!” Mother Cheng sat down, stirring the porridge, and whispered, “It’s only been a night, and she’s like a different person. So busy taking care of things, quite attentive. She got quite anxious hearing you were sick.”

Cheng Su reluctantly curled her lips, “You must be imagining things!”

“No, she’s genuinely worried,” Mother Cheng lowered her voice further and said, “I think your mother-in-law is scared by what happened with your aunt.”

Cheng Su raised her eyebrow.

“People get old, and can only rely on their sons and daughters-in-law. If your mother-in-law doesn’t treat you well, will you treat her well in the future? She’s just doing good for herself!” Mother Cheng analyzed Qi Mother’s change in behavior like Sherlock Holmes.

Cheng Su said, “With Qi Taiguo there and money, why would she worry about not having anyone to take care of her?”

“It’s not the same as having a daughter-in-law care for you. Some people just prefer their daughters-in-law to look after them!” Mother Cheng sighed.

Cheng Su wasn’t convinced. Paid caregivers with money could take care of people just fine—they’re more professional.

No matter how good a daughter-in-law is, there’s always a layer between them. No matter how attentive, there are always moments that are missed.

But she didn’t argue with Mother Cheng, because she really had no energy. After eating the porridge and taking the medicine, she drifted back to sleep.

…

With Cheng Su being ill, vulnerable little Qi Xiaoqi was not allowed to come close to avoid spreading germs.

Even at night, Mother Cheng sent him to the in-laws’ place to sleep, but Qi Xiaoqi didn’t want to and cried uncontrollably. Helpless, they had to bring him back, separating them, sleeping head to toe.

This illness came suddenly and fiercely. Cheng Su was repeatedly feverish, the fever coming back soon after receding, and before long, it turned into pneumonia, necessitating a trip to the hospital for IV fluids.

Seeing a pregnant woman being accompanied by her husband for a check-up, Cheng Su watched, feeling envious and a little emotional.

When you’re sick, you’re particularly vulnerable, and she missed Qi Taiguo.

This time at the hospital, it was her parents-in-law who accompanied her. Now, while she was on a drip, they had gone to visit her aunt.

When her drip was almost done, they returned, and Cheng Su noticed Mother Qi’s eyes were red again, likely from the emotions stirred by the visit.

Cheng Su didn’t say any comforting words; she couldn’t. At this point, words felt meaningless.

On the way home, Father Qi mentioned the doctor’s treatment for the aunt, which meant she had to stay in the hospital, still couldn’t go home. When would she be able to? It remained indefinite.

“Your mom and I gave Weixia two hundred yuan. Sigh, hospitals are money pits. You can’t afford to be sick!” Father Qi sighed.

Cheng Su also understood their family’s situation, so she said, “I’ll discuss it with Qi Taiguo later and see what he thinks. If it’s not enough, we can contribute a bit financially.”

“A token gesture is enough,” Father Qi said instead. “It’s a bottomless pit, how much can we really help? Her fate is her own; how long she lives is up to her fate. When the money runs out, just go back to the hometown and wait for death!”

Cheng Su didn’t say anything further, understanding that a prolonged battle with poverty is difficult to sustain. Living in the hospital for an extended period is indeed a bottomless pit.