Chapter 47 - 047 Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted
Chapter 47: Chapter 047: Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted
Chapter 47 -047: Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted
Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu brought along the jade pendant left by Chang Sheng, ready to go to the Government Office down in the town with her second brother to get their marriage certified.
However, contemplating that her brother would have to sacrifice half a day’s study time, she felt sorry for him.
She had noticed Bai Zepei’s diligent studies, but she never thought of him as a mere bookworm.
His dedicated studies were largely for the family, fulfilling the promise that the old patriarch had made, and ultimately, to protect her and the child in her stomach.
He could quietly study in his room, not coming out except for meals and to relieve himself, even remaining silent when he was suffering from irritating mouth sores, silently shouldering heavy responsibilities on his fragile shoulders.
Seeing this, Bai Ruozhu felt an inevitable pang of sorrow.
She realised that at present, she was hindering her second brother.
But she vowed to herself that she would grow up to be his aide.
The two went towards the entrance of the village.
Seeing them, the villagers who had risen early greeted them warmly and one of them even asked curiously, “Where are you taking your sister, second lad of the Bai Family?”
Bai Zepei politely smiled at the person and said, “My sister has been having mood swings these past days, I’m worried it might affect the child.
So, I’m taking her to a friend of mine in town for a pulse diagnosis.”
They couldn’t let others know about processing the marriage certification.
Bai Zepei’s response was so natural that it didn’t feel like a lie.
Even Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but admire her brother’s ingenuity.
“Oh, look, the second son of the Bai family treats his sister so well, he’s also so filial to his parents.
Truly, we haven’t seen such a good youth in our village in a long time!” praised an old woman with a yellowish complexion.
Bai Zepei just smiled politely again, “You flatter me, old lady.”
Bai Ruozhu was glad that she didn’t need to engage much in the conversation while walking with her brother.
Anyway, she was still a bit sleepy and didn’t want to trouble her mind.
However, she noticed her brother was overwhelmingly courteous to all, albeit a bit indifferent.
Even his smile didn’t reach his eyes unless he was with the family.
Halfway down the path, when they were passing by the riverside, they suddenly heard a scream
followed by the heart-wrenching cries of a woman.
“Xi Dandan, my Xi Dandan, you can’t die.
If you die, I’ll throw myself into this river and accompany you.” The woman was sobbing and shouting, her words became unclear, but Bai Ruozhu deciphered what she was saying.
Perhaps because Bai Ruozhu was also a mother now listening to another mother cry for her child drew her attention.
Not far away on the riverside, a child was lying on the ground and the woman was crying while trying to wake the unconscious kid.
“Bad news, Zhu family’s Xi Dandan has drowned!
Someone, please run up and fetch Doctor Li!” a villager yelled out.
“A guy’s already gone to get him but, Xi Dandan isn’t breathing anymore.
Can…
Can he make it?” a village woman asked, wiping away her tears.
Seeing such a scene would surely sadden any mother.
“How can such an accident take place so early in the morning?
The Zhu family only has single male descendants for three generations.
This is truly…” the speaker sighed and couldn’t continue.
Bai Ruozhu looked at her second brother and said, “Second brother, let’s go and see if we can save that child.” Without waiting for his response, she hurried towards the riverside.
Drowning was no small matter, a delay of even one minute could deprive the child of a chance of survival.
As Bai Ruozhu approached, she recognised the child lying on the ground.
He was about seven or eight years old, slightly older than Bai Zeqing.
The last time the child caused trouble for Bai Zeqing, he was involved.
Maybe because he was rather mischievous, he was the harshest among the troublemakers.
Xi Dandan’s mother was crying so hard she was short of breath.
From a distance, two people were seen running over; the one leading was Xi Dandan’s father, Zhu Shucha, and the physically fit old woman behind was the family’s matriarch, Xi Dandan’s grandmother.
The two rushed over, and they too started wailing while holding the child.
Bai Ruozhu frowned and shouted, “Stop crying and try to save the child first!”
The three were stunned, but when they looked up and saw her, a young woman, they ignored her.
The matriarch was especially upset, she started berating her, “What are you shouting for, you star of calamity!
You caused the death of your husband, and now you want my grandson to die too?
Get out of here!”
Bai Zepei’s expression turned grim.
His formerly polite and courteous manner was instantly replaced by a cold arrogance, “My sister was trying to save your child out of kindness.
If you’re ungrateful, that’s one thing, but to then accuse her like this is absurd.
Let me make it clear once more, my brother-in-law did not die, and if anyone spreads these rumours again, don’t blame me, Bai Zepei, for being ruthless!”
Although Bai Zepei sounded harsh, many still thought it was justified.
It was pitiful that Zhu family’s child had drowned, but the matriarch couldn’t go about snapping at everyone like a mad dog, could she?
Besides, Bai Ruozhu wasn’t even near the riverside when the child fell into the water.
If one were to blame the wife for deaths in a family, the first in line would be the matriarch herself since she outlived her husband!
Bai Zepei gestured to Bai Ruozhu, indicating her to leave.
But she shook her head, “Second brother, let me try to save the child.
Or else it’ll be too late.”
Bai Zepei originally thought his sister just cared for the drowning child and didn’t think she could save him.
But seeing her bright determined eyes now, he nodded, “Then you better act fast.
I’ll deal with the rest.”
“Second brother, thank you.” Bai Ruozhu felt her eyes welling up with tears.
She was grateful for her brother’s unconditional trust in her.
Bai Zepei had a faint smile, he nodded at her, then turned to the Niu family and said, “My sister has a way to save your child.
You all should stop crying; otherwise, the delay might cost the child’s life, and then you’ll have a real reason to cry.”
The Zhu family’s matriarch held her grandson tightly without letting go, crying and cussing at Bai Ruozhu and her brother.
It was XiDandan’s father, Zhu Shucha, who was relatively more clear-headed.
He pulled his mother away, saying, “Mother, stop being unreasonable.
The Bai family is known for their education, they may know how to save the boy.”
“What could they possibly know?
They are probably hoping for my grandson to die!” The matriarch was irrationally suspicious and biting at anyone she could find.
Zhu Shucha could only sigh.
He wiped his tears, dragged his mother away and said to Bai Ruozhu, “Brother and sister of Bai Family, please, I beg of you.”
Xi Dandan’s mother had calmed down a bit, she released the unconscious Dandan, and began to kowtow to Bai Ruozhu, “Please, I beg you, save my Xi Dandan!”
Bai Ruozhu didn’t have time to help her up, she had already made her way to the child.
She started giving the child first aid.
Luckily, the child had only choked on water and lost consciousness, but if they had been delayed for another moment, it would indeed have been too late.