The fellow workers, seeing that mother and son had things to discuss, returned to their dormitories after greeting them.
“Siming, come out for a walk with Mom. I have something to tell you.”
Zhao Siming wasn’t stupid. He had shouldered everything alone all these years and had never harbored any illusions about maternal love.
“Say whatever you want to say here.”
“Mom wants to talk to you about personal matters. It’s not convenient in the hallway.”
Zhao Siming stood still, his attitude making it clear: if you want to talk, talk; if not, I’m not going anywhere.
“Why are you so stubborn, son? Sigh, Mom will tell you the truth. Your eldest brother is out.
You know the family situation. Your eldest brother is getting old, and his marriage cannot be delayed any longer.
I was thinking of asking your second brother to use his connections to find him a job, and you, as the younger brother, can support him financially.
Mom knows you’ve had a difficult time these years, but I have no other way. Given our family’s situation back then, money had to be spent where it mattered most.
Your second brother is sure to get into university. Mom can’t let him not be able to study because of money. Your third brother is capable and can take care of himself.
Old Si, Mom hopes you can understand my difficulties. Your second brother hasn’t found a girlfriend all these years, probably because he’s worried about your eldest brother’s affairs.”
Wu Guihua spoke while wiping tears from her eyes. Her aged face and hunched posture would evoke sympathy even from a stranger.
“Heh, how much money are we talking about?”
“Mom knows your circumstances are difficult. 3,000 yuan should be enough.”
“3,000 yuan? And you say it so casually! Don’t you feel ashamed saying that?”
“Siming, I’m your mother!”
“Yes, you are my mother. And what about Zhao Daming? He’s just my brother, not my father.”
Wu Guihua was so angered that she could barely breathe. She raised her hand, then thought better of it and didn’t strike him.
“Son, do you have to anger me like this?”
Zhao Siming shrugged, indifferently preparing to return to his dormitory.
Wu Guihua gritted her teeth and knelt down, grabbing Zhao Siming’s trouser leg and wailing.
“Son, you can’t abandon me! Mom knows you hate me, but Mom had no choice back then, wuwuwu~”
“I shouldn’t have made you drop out of school. I should have sold my blood to let you study. It’s Mom’s fault.”
Several people from nearby dormitories gradually came out, looking at the mother and son as if they were a spectacle.
“Good heavens, for one’s mother to sell blood to support their studies… can anyone do such a thing?”
A few hot-blooded youths immediately stepped forward to help Wu Guihua up, but she refused to rise, her body continuing to sag. The youths found it difficult to force her up.
“Buddy, please persuade your mother. She’s your own mother. To kneel before her would invite divine wrath.”
“Young man, don’t say that. It’s me who’s wronged Siming. He was a brilliant student when he was in school. I have too many children and not enough ability to support him.”
“Siming, is that Zhao Siming from the third workshop? Pfft, someone like him could be recognized as outstanding by the factory? What a heartless wretch! It’s good enough that your mother raised you.”
Zhao Siming’s close friends, realizing the situation was turning against him, hurried downstairs to find the dormitory supervisor and security guards.
More and more people gathered around, all criticizing Zhao Siming for being unfilial. Zhao Siming also knelt down with a thud, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Mom, please don’t force me anymore. Is there any lingering hatred between mother and son? Don’t mention hate anymore.
It’s all in the past. I’ve already forgiven you. Why are you trying to break me like this? Mom, I know you’re biased.
I’m not high on your list. You haven’t even said hello in 10 years. But I don’t care. Even fingers have different lengths.
That’s why I started fending for myself at 16 and never asked you for anything. What will people think of me doing this?”
Everyone suddenly understood. After 10 years of neglect, she now showed up and resorted to kneeling to pressure him. This surely wasn’t for any good reason.
The sympathetic youths also realized they had been tricked and unceremoniously helped Wu Guihua up.
The remaining people all helped Zhao Siming, comforting him and regretting their earlier words. They apologized to him profusely, deeply sympathizing with his plight.
Wu Guihua didn’t know what to do for a moment. A few youths intended to escort her out.
“Auntie, stop crying. Aren’t you here to seek Siming’s forgiveness? He has already forgiven you. You must be very happy right now.”
“Yes, yes. The work in our factory is so hard. Don’t you feel sorry for Siming, seeing how mature he looks?”
As they spoke, they began to lead her out. Wu Guihua, snapping out of her daze, struggled to reach Zhao Siming.
The two youths holding her arms gripped her tightly, leaving her no room to maneuver. She could only cry out in panic.
“Let me go, I still have something to say.”
They stopped but didn’t release her. “Auntie, tell us whatever you want to say. Everyone here is not an outsider.”
“I… I…”
“Oh dear, the security guard is here. We all live here as men. Even though you’re an auntie, it wouldn’t sound good if word got out.”
Wu Guihua was so furious she could have died. She shouted regardless.
“Give me 3,000 yuan, or I’m not leaving today.”
Everyone was shocked by her shameless demand and felt even more sympathy for Zhao Siming.
“Wuwuwu~ Mom, I knew you didn’t come with sincere apologies. You’ve never thought of me as your son.”
After saying this, Zhao Siming returned to his dormitory. The play could no longer go on.
Someone beside Wu Guihua clicked their tongue and shook their head. “Auntie, do you know how long we have to save to earn 3,000 yuan in our line of work?”
“I… I… he’s my son! Our family is in financial trouble, and I have no other choice.”
No one wanted to say more to her. The security guard personally escorted her to the door, utterly despising her as a mother.
Meanwhile, the incident involving Wu Guihua and Zhao Siming became the talk of the factory. The supervisor even comforted him, telling him to relax and assuring him that Wu Guihua would not be allowed to trouble him there again.
Wu Guihua returned home dejectedly. Distracted, she didn’t notice her second daughter’s condition worsening.
Zhao Daming, being sensible, didn’t ask her how things went. Wu Guihua slept and then, fully revitalized, embarked on her search for Jun Jiuli.
Jun Jiuli had already cultivated an image of a neglected little cabbage at her workplace. Thus, when Wu Guihua entered, everyone looked at her with peculiar eyes.
Seeing the well-dressed and seemingly ageless Jun Jiuli, Wu Guihua experienced a moment of disorientation.
“Siming, how have you been these past few years?”
“Mm, very well.”
“Good, it’s good you’re well. Your eldest brother is preparing to get married, and you know the family’s situation. Your eldest brother has suffered too much over the years, and you, as the younger brother, must help out.”
“How much do you need?”
Wu Guihua’s eyes lit up. “Mom knew you were the most sensible and filial. 8,000 yuan should be enough. Mom knows 8,000 yuan is a bit much, but…”
Before she could finish, Jun Jiuli spat a mouthful of blood onto her face. After spitting, Jun Jiuli fainted.
Wu Guihua wiped her face, saw the blood, and was utterly terrified. She quickly opened the small office door.
“Help! Someone come quickly!”
Her colleagues outside heard the commotion and rushed in. One person helped Jun Jiuli sit up, while another knelt down and hoisted Jun Jiuli onto their back.
“Oh my, why is Accountant Zhao so light?”
“Hurry downstairs, quickly to the hospital.”
The person carrying Jun Jiuli ran off without replying. The colleagues were startled to see Wu Guihua’s blood-splattered face.
“Oh dear, what happened? I thought Accountant Zhao was usually in good health. Could it be that his mother angered him?”
“Very likely. Who doesn’t know about Accountant Zhao’s family situation? People don’t visit without a reason.”
Seeing Wu Guihua still in a daze, a colleague couldn’t help but speak up for Jun Jiuli.
“Auntie, why are you still standing here? Is Accountant Zhao not your own son? He’s spitting blood, and you’re not going to the hospital to check on him?”
“Oh, oh, I’m going, I’m going.”
“Oh dear, I think this auntie is so shocked she’s dazed. I’ll accompany her to the hospital to make sure she doesn’t get lost looking for Accountant Zhao.”
“Alright, Auntie, let’s go.”
“Oh dear, I’ll go get your leave approved. Our company is closest to the First People’s Hospital. Little Hu must have taken Accountant Zhao there.
You should go home with this auntie to get the money. Accountant Zhao’s condition seems quite serious.”
“Okay, Auntie, let’s go.”