Yang Ruxin did not explicitly agree to Guan Qingyue’s request and even charged twenty wen as a consultation fee when she left. Charging for medical services is natural and she felt indifferent towards Guan Danian and his wife.
Guan Danian and his wife had not expected Yang Ruxin to ask for a consultation fee, they thought... never mind, it was for the best, so they willingly paid the money.
Guan Qingshu saw Yang Ruxin out to the door.
"Xinxin, thank you..." Guan Qingshu knew that Yang Ruxin wanted to avoid any sense of personal obligation by taking the money, which left him feeling quite dejected.
"Guan Qingshu, although I’m not a doctor, since you’ve come to me, I can’t turn a blind eye to someone in need. Plus, when money exchanges hands for medical services, there’s no need for thanks," Yang Ruxin said, waving her hand. She then added, "However, I must warn you, though I saved your sister this time, I might not be able to the next. You’ve seen it yourself; her resolve to die is strong – her wrist was nearly severed by her own hands, and she even attempted hanging..." If she hadn’t used her mental powers to heal the young girl’s hand a bit, even Dao Xuzi, the old man, would have found it tricky.
Guan Qingshu’s face was troubled.
Yang Ruxin had finished speaking and was ready to leave.
"Xiaoyue said only you could save her," Guan Qingshu hurriedly intercepted her.
"Do you even know what happened in the first place?"
Guan Qingshu shook his head; he was also puzzled about how his sister had become entangled with Wang Wu.
Yang Ruxin recounted saving Guan Qingyue two days prior: "It was only a matter of two days."
"This..." Guan Qingshu was instantly shocked. "How could this be?"
"Your parents probably never asked why your sister has been unhappy these past two days, have they?" Yang Ruxin scoffed coldly. "I have to say, the Wang Family is quite clever, understanding the principle of striking while the iron is hot. In just two days, they managed to make the matter a reality..."
"Damn it!" Guan Qingshu’s face darkened and his fists clenched tightly, "I will definitely not let that bastard off the hook."
"How will you not let him off?" Yang Ruxin laughed, even crossing her arms leisurely as she looked at him, "Beat him up? Can you even do that?"
"I..." Guan Qingshu, with his negligible martial prowess, how could he ever hope to beat Wang Wu, who had always been a hooligan?
"Besides," Yang Ruxin continued with a disdainful chuckle, "even if you beat him and he’s stolen Guan Qingyue’s underclothes, what then?" She paused, "He might just lash out in a fit of pique and accuse your Guan Family of wrongdoing. Frankly, if it weren’t for the bright future he saw in you, your sister might not even have caught the Wang Family’s eye..."
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Guan Qingshu felt discouraged, understanding that it was his fault for involving his sister, truly serving no purpose other than being a scholar.
"That’s your family’s affair..." said Yang Ruxin with a shrug, then turned around and walked away.
Watching Yang Ruxin’s departing figure, Guan Qingshu clenched his fist and then turned back to enter the courtyard.
Inside the house, Guan Tongshi was still crying, while Guan Danian had an iron-like grimace on his face. Seeing their son return, both wore hopeful expressions; after all, they had pinned all their hopes on their son.
Guan Qingshu suddenly felt a weight on his shoulders.
"Qingshu, she..."
"Father, Mother, do you truly have the heart to marry my sister off to that scoundrel?" Guan Qingshu closed his eyes slightly and then looked up at his parents, "I found out this time, but what about next time? Do you really want to push my sister into the fire pit?"