Chapter 7 — Don't Use The Two Words 'Filial Obedience' To Tie Me Down

Sure enough, after the initial panic, real problems began to arise one after another. The cost of the recovery room is so high that it makes people dizzy, spending tens of thousands a day. She has insurance, but can only pay part of it, the out-of-pocket portion is still a bottomless pit. Chu Ngon and Chu Manh began to discuss how to raise money. Chu Manh spoke first, his voice both weak and lamenting:

"Honey, you already know, my husband and I just changed cars, we really don't have much left on hand... and my mother's illness will probably cost a lot in the future..."

Her husband standing next to her also nodded:

"That's right, we have a lot of pressure, mom's pension is nothing."

The pressure, very naturally... poured on Chu Ngon. His salary is not low, but he has a house to pay, a small child, and savings are limited. I swiped the card for the initial deposit of fifty thousand, so what about the next part? He looked towards me, his eyes full of help and confusion. I quietly moved my eyes away. I knew what he wanted to say, but that sentence… couldn't let me be the one to speak first. This is not a small expense. But it's just the beginning. The cost of treatment, hiring a caregiver, recovery... it's all a bottomless pit. More importantly, after she is discharged from the hospital, who will take care of her? Just looking at her appearance just now, I knew... impossible. If you don't want to spend the money, you can't expect her to put in the effort. Then there's only one way left— Take her to my house. Let me take care. That's the bottom line. It's also a limit... I absolutely won't back down. I can contribute money. Maybe when Chu Ngon is busy, he can visit on his behalf, bring food, and lend a hand. But full-time care— I don't take it. That's not my responsibility. It's not something I can bear either. What's more... with the way she used to treat me, if I really took her home, what scene would it be? I don't even want to think about it anymore. The silence lasted for a long time. Suddenly, Chu Manh raised his head, his red eyes looked at me, his voice carried a bit of sobbing but each word was clear:

"Sister-in-law, now that my mother is like this, I can't help but have someone by my side. My husband and I are both busy, we really can't make arrangements, and we're men, so many things are inconvenient... or should we take our mother to be with you in the near future? You're careful and know how to take care of people. With you to look after us, we can feel secure."

Finally said it. Choose the right moment, borrow the name "filial piety", borrow the name "gratitude". I clearly felt several eyes focusing on me at the same time. There are expectations. There is compulsion. There is also silent evaluation. The cold white light outside the ICU made every expression on each person's face clearly visible and unconcealed. I slowly raised my head and looked straight at Chu Manh. My face shows no emotion. The voice was calm, even somewhat cold:

"Chu Manh, mom is still in the ICU, not out of danger. Now we're talking about taking her home to take care of... it's too early."

"The immediate task is to coordinate with the doctor to stabilize the mother's condition."

“And the story behind…”

I stopped for a moment, looked at Chu Ngon who was confused, then turned back to Chu Manh and said each word clearly:

"Waiting for mom to be discharged from the hospital, the three of us will sit down and clearly discuss a reasonable care plan."

“Whoever should put in the money should put in the money, whoever should put in the effort should put in the effort.”

“No one can hide.”

“No one can put all the burden on one person People."

After saying that, I didn't look at them anymore. I turned around, walked to the end of the hallway, stood by the window, looking out at the night outside. Back straight. But lonely. Chu Manh was stopped by my words, his face turned blue and white. Her husband frowned, and Chu Ngon held his head, looking painful. I know clearly, those words just now... have torn off the beautiful exterior. Bringing the most realistic things to light. At the same time... it also puts me in opposition to them. But I don't back down. There are battles— From the beginning… it is impossible to give in. Give in a step. Behind... is a deep abyss. The night is still long. The family turmoil caused by her mother-in-law's illness... has just begun. Stretched every nerve. Ready to face it all. For myself... and for my daughter. In the days that followed, the hospital almost became a "second home". The ICU bill flowed out like water, my card quickly hit the ceiling. Chu Ngon wiped out all the savings in the house and became more and more emaciated. Chu Manh and her husband literally "contributed" twenty thousand, after that they didn't mention money anymore, just stopped by every day to be present, then found an excuse to leave. I don't ask. I still go to work as usual. After work, I picked up Niem Niem, took care of feeding and studying for my child, and then brought a thermos lunch box to the hospital. Changing shifts for Chu Ngon. I'm not in the ICU. Just give the food to the nurses... or put it on the small table outside the door. Occasionally in the hallway when we encountered Chu Manh and his wife, we just nodded, no one took the initiative to say anything more. My calmness and clarity, on the contrary, made Chu Manh feel guilty. He wanted to open his mouth several times and then swallow it, not daring to mention the story of welcoming his mother home again. A week later, Luong To Phan's condition finally stabilized, was out of danger and was transferred from the ICU to a regular hospital room. The person was saved, but left with severe after-effects—paralysis of the right side of the body, difficulty speaking, and having to lie in bed most of the time. The doctor said frankly: "Afterwards, it will take a long time to recover. How much you can recover depends on your condition, but there is a high possibility that you will need long-term care." After listening, no one said anything, but everyone understood... the real burden had just begun. Before discharge from the hospital, the treating doctor called the whole family into his office. Chu Ngon, I, Chu Manh and her husband were all present.