Chapter 17: Uncle Zhao, My Mother Was Tied Up by My Dad

“Steward Zhao, I’ll never forgive you!”

On the other side of town, Steward Zhao had arranged for two large trucks, planning to empty out Jiang Dahai’s warehouse under the cover of night. But when he opened the door—
It was completely empty.

“Uncle Zhao?”

‘Jiang Yan,’ with dark circles under her eyes, suddenly appeared in front of him.

Steward Zhao froze. “Eldest Miss? Why are you here?”

“My mother sent me to find you. Uncle Zhao, you have to run. My father has issued a citywide manhunt for you. And because my mother spoke up in your defense, he locked her up… sob sob sob…“

‘Jiang Yan’ cried bitterly, and as she wiped her tears, a jade bracelet glinted on her wrist.

Steward Zhao immediately recognized it—it was the birthday gift he had given the eldest miss on her fifteenth birthday.

“That bastard!” He gripped his shotgun. “Jiang Dahai, that scumbag! How dare he tie your mother up? I’m going to charge into the Jiang residence and rescue her right now!”

“But my dad will kill you,” Jiang Yan said with a look that clearly implied you’re no match for him.

Steward Zhao was provoked. He rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight. “Don’t worry, Eldest Miss. I will get your mother out!”

Jiang Dahai had not only humiliated him, but also hurt the woman he loved. If he didn’t retaliate, he wouldn’t be a man.

“Then Uncle Zhao, if my father kills you… are you planning to donate all your assets to the state?”

The question got caught in Steward Zhao’s throat. He choked. “Your father already took everything from me. The only thing I have left is this gold watch on my wrist.”

“Then give me the watch. If you survive, I’ll return it to you. If you don’t, I’ll pawn it and burn paper money for you every year.”

Steward Zhao teared up. “It would be my honor to have you burn paper for me.”
He removed the watch and handed it to her.

‘Jiang Yan’ then pointed at his neck. “Uncle Zhao, give me that gold chain too. I’m afraid gold might depreciate in the future, and I won’t be able to buy much paper.”

“Eldest Miss is as kind as your mother.”

Totally oblivious, Steward Zhao wiped his nose and handed over the chain. Then, pointing at his newly imported leather shoes, he asked, “These shoes are worth a fair bit. Would you like them too?”

“No, thanks. I’m afraid your athlete’s foot might infect others.”

“What?”

“Nothing! Uncle Zhao, stay strong. My mom is still waiting for you in the same bed she shares with my dad.”

“Don’t worry, Eldest Miss. I’ll bring your mother back.”
With firm strides, Steward Zhao marched off to rescue his woman.

Behind him, ‘Jiang Yan’ shed her fancy outerwear, revealing a patched outfit and worn shoes with two big toes sticking out.

She was none other than Jiang Wei in disguise.

Jiang Wei tossed the gold watch and chain into her spatial storage. Thinking of the injuries suffered by ‘Tabletop’ and ‘Post-Apocalypse Boss,’ she didn’t head straight home but made her way to the newly established People’s Hospital in the city.

Unlike the modern, well-equipped hospitals, hospitals in the early 1950s were still in their infancy. They primarily used traditional Chinese medicine, with only limited and expensive imports of antibiotics like penicillin, which most families couldn’t afford.

Jiang Wei remembered the book mentioning that Dr. Liu from the People’s Hospital was highly skilled, especially in treating injuries and tuberculosis.

“Get out, get out!”
Jiang Wei had just arrived at the hospital entrance when someone was shoved out, colliding with her.

It was a refined-looking middle-aged woman wearing no jewelry.

“I’m sorry, young lady.” Chen Anna apologized as she fell at the feet of the person who’d pushed her.

“Doctor Liu, I beg you, please have mercy and save my son. He’s still so young, he can’t die yet!”

Dr. Liu replied coldly, “Madam Gu, I do not treat morally corrupt people. Leave.”

“My husband and son are not bad people! They’ve been falsely accused. Isn’t a hospital supposed to save lives? I have money—please save my son.”

“Auntie, have you lost your mind? Your whole house was confiscated—what money do you have? Get out of the way. I need to see Dr. Liu myself.”

Jiang Wei yanked Chen Anna aside with a fierce expression and whispered, “Mrs. Gu, are you crazy? If people find out your family didn’t hand over all your money, your husband and son could die for it.”

Chen Anna was terrified. “I… I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just wanted to save my son.”

“I don’t think Dr. Liu is heartless. He must have his reasons. Here’s what we’ll do—tell me your son’s symptoms, and I’ll use my own visit as a cover to get him to prescribe something.”

Chen Anna looked at Jiang Wei as if she were her savior and quickly told her all of her son’s symptoms.

Soon after, Dr. Liu prescribed medicine based on the symptoms Jiang Wei had provided. He carefully explained how to prepare and take the medicine and looked at her a bit longer before she left. “You’re a good person. I’m ashamed of myself. Good people will be rewarded.”

Grateful beyond words, Chen Anna tried to force money into Jiang Wei’s hands.

But Jiang Wei stuffed the money right back into her pocket and passed on all of Dr. Liu’s instructions.

Then she pulled out two dark, round fruits from her tattered pocket. “Water chestnuts are good for the body when you’re sick. I hope your son recovers soon.”

Chen Anna rushed home, boiled the medicine, and cut up the water chestnuts to feed them to Gu Ting. “Son, that young lady was not only beautiful, but kind-hearted too. If only our family hadn’t fallen on hard times… I would’ve asked about her family and maybe set you up.”

Gu Ting had never seen such dark water chestnuts before. He figured they must’ve been kept too long because she couldn’t bear to eat them.

The sweet juice coated his tongue, but then—sudden pain stabbed his chest.

Cough cough cough cough…!

“My son! What’s happening?! Please don’t scare me!”
Chen Anna panicked—was it poisoned? Was her son going to die?

Cough cough cough—Mother, give me the spittoon—cough cough cough!

Chen Anna hurriedly brought it over.

Cough cough cough!
After a violent fit, Gu Ting spat up most of the phlegm that had been stuck in his lungs. He immediately felt clearer, more alert.

“That girl is truly a good person…” Chen Anna said tearfully, relieved to see him better.

“Mhm.” Gu Ting thought to himself, When I recover, I must repay her.

Back at the Jiang residence, chaos had erupted.

Steward Zhao was on his knees, pinned down by a group of strong men.

Beside him, the Fourth Concubine was crying, “Master, I swear I’m innocent. There’s nothing between me and Steward Zhao. You’re the only one in my heart!”

“What happened?” Jiang Dahai ignored her and questioned the guards.

“Master, we followed your orders and tied up the Fourth Concubine. She had no chance to signal Steward Zhao. Only…”

“Only what?” Jiang Dahai raised an eyebrow.

“Only the Eldest Miss entered her room.”
The matter was too serious—the guards couldn’t hide it.

“Father, I did enter her room, but only to check on her. I didn’t pass any messages to Steward Zhao,” Jiang Yan said, standing tall. She wasn’t afraid of false shadows; she hadn’t done it, so she wouldn’t admit to it.