One day, someone sent word to Lin Ning, saying that her father was sick and that her family wanted her to visit him at Yongzhou City Hospital.

Lin Ning guessed that, most likely, the ten milliliters of ether had done their job.

However, Lin Ning didn’t go. The last time Father Lin had come, he had tried to send her to a mental hospital. He had wanted to destroy her—why would she go see him? Was she that pathetic? No, she wouldn’t go!

Lin Ning didn’t go, but Lin Qiao did. She went with Mother Lin and Lin Yong to discuss how to care for Father Lin.

Father Lin’s left side was severely burned and immobile. The doctor said it would take at least three months to heal. His right side was paralyzed, so he couldn’t move at all. As a result, Father Lin now needed help with everything—eating, drinking, and even going to the bathroom. Someone had to take care of him full-time.

Lin Yong, acting like the head of the household, said, “Yongzhou City Hospital is too far. Let’s transfer him to Dong’an County Hospital. Lin Qiao works there, so it’ll be convenient for her to take care of Dad.”

Lin Qiao immediately objected. “Dad isn’t just my responsibility. Why should I be the only one taking care of him? I have to work too. I don’t have the time.”

Lin Yong replied, “How can you not have time? Just take a little break during work to turn Dad over, empty his urine bag, and feed him lunch. Mom can take over after you get off work in the evening.”

“I’ll take care of Dad during the day, and Mom will take over at night. So what are you going to do?”

“I’ll take care of him too. Not only will I take care of Dad, but I’ll also have to run errands at the machinery factory and consult with the doctors. I’ll be doing way more than you.”

Lin Qiao sneered, “Stop talking nonsense! I work at the hospital. Taking care of a patient isn’t an easy job. You can’t fool me!”

Lin Yong turned to Mother Lin. “Mom, look at her. She works at the hospital but refuses to take care of Dad. Is this how a daughter should behave?”

Mother Lin said, “Lin Qiao, your brother’s plan is a good one. Since you’re at the hospital, just keep an eye on your dad when you have time. I’ll take over after you get off work. It won’t take up much of your time.”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Fine, but I have conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“First, I’m not the only daughter in the Lin family. There’s also Lin Yong and Lin Ning. They need to take shifts too. I can’t be the only one responsible during the day.”

Lin Yong refused. “I have to work during the day. I can’t go to the hospital.”

“Then go on weekends! You can’t just dump everything on me!”

Mother Lin said, “I’ll go talk to Lin Ning and have her take a shift. She’s not working right now anyway.”

This issue was temporarily resolved. Then Lin Qiao added, “Second, since daughters are also expected to support their parents, I want a share of the family’s assets!”

Lin Yong laughed mockingly. “Oh, Lin Qiao, so this is what you’ve been waiting for! This is your real goal, isn’t it? You only want to take care of Dad so you can get your hands on the family’s money!”

Lin Qiao shot back, “Lin Yong, don’t be so sarcastic. I know exactly what you’re thinking. You want to dump all the responsibilities on me and Lin Ning while keeping all the assets for yourself. Well, I’m telling you, no way!”

“Lin Qiao, go out and see for yourself. Which family lets their daughters come back and claim a share of the family’s assets? I’ll tell you this—when you get married, we’ll give you some dowry, and that’s it. The rest of the family’s assets are mine!”

“Fine, then let’s do it your way. You can have all the assets, and you can take on all the responsibilities. I’m just a daughter. I don’t get to inherit anything, so I don’t have to support my parents either. Now that Dad’s sick, I’ll just visit him with some gifts.”

Lin Yong roared, “No! You have to take care of Dad while he’s in the hospital!”

Lin Qiao roared back, “If you want me to take care of him, then the family’s assets must be divided equally. I won’t accept anything less!”

The two of them were shouting at each other outside the hospital room. Mother Lin slapped both of them. “Stop yelling! You’re embarrassing us!”

The two of them were breathing heavily but didn’t say another word.

Mother Lin said, “Lin Qiao, your dad is sick. From now on, your brother will be the family’s breadwinner. He has to work to support the family. Can’t you be more understanding and take on more of the responsibility of caring for your dad?”

“Him, supporting the family? Which family? He’s never supported me. He’s never given me a single cent!”

In the end, neither Lin Yong nor Lin Qiao backed down. Neither was willing to compromise.

Mother Lin suddenly felt like the sky had fallen. In the past, all three of her children had been obedient, and her life had been easy and happy. Now that Father Lin was incapacitated, why were all three children suddenly so difficult?

She collapsed to the ground, slapped her thighs, and wailed, “Heavens, this life is unbearable! Why is my fate so bitter?”

Lin Qiao and Lin Yong remained unmoved, coldly watching her cry without saying a word.

At first, Mother Lin’s crying had been an act, meant to pressure Lin Qiao into submission. But when she saw that neither of her children cared, she truly began to cry out of sorrow.

When she finally tired herself out, Lin Qiao said, “It’s manageable while we’re in the hospital, but once we’re discharged, it’ll be a real problem. Dad can’t take care of himself at all. Someone will have to be with him 24/7. What are we going to do then?”

This was indeed a major issue. In the end, Mother Lin sighed deeply and said, “Let’s not argue anymore. I’ll quit my job and take care of your dad.”

Both Lin Yong and Lin Qiao breathed a sigh of relief. This way, they would be free of the burden.

But as soon as this problem was solved, a new one arose. With both Mother Lin and Father Lin no longer working, the family would lose two incomes. How would they make ends meet?

Mother Lin proposed that each of the three children contribute ten yuan a month to support the family.

This time, neither Lin Yong nor Lin Qiao objected. They silently agreed.

Soon, Lin Yong arranged for Father Lin to be transferred to Dong’an County Hospital. An ambulance took Father Lin there, and Mother Lin quit her job to focus on caring for him.

It was only then that the Lin family remembered that Lin Ning still hadn’t visited the hospital. Lin Yong went to find Lin Ning again, urging her to go. Lin Ning also wanted to see what had become of Father Lin.

When she arrived at the hospital and saw Father Lin’s condition, Lin Ning was very satisfied. Not only had he been burned, but he had also suffered a stroke. This was an unexpected delight.

Father Lin’s head had been shaved, and his entire body was wrapped like a mummy, with only his nose, eyes, and mouth exposed. Lin Ning smiled faintly at him, which infuriated Father Lin. How dare this unfilial daughter mock him!

He wanted to beat her as he had in the past, but he couldn’t move. All he could do was curse at her. Lin Ning reached under the bed, pinched his catheter, and whispered, “Go ahead and curse. I’ll make sure you can’t pee. Let’s see how long you last.”

Father Lin immediately felt the truth in her words. After struggling for a while, he had no choice but to shut his mouth and not dare utter another word against Lin Ning.

Mother Lin tearfully complained to Lin Ning and then made her demands. First, she wanted Lin Ning to help take care of Father Lin. She was exhausted from tending to him—serving tea, helping him eat, emptying his bedpan, and enduring his angry outbursts.

Lin Ning flatly refused. “I don’t have the time.”

Mother Lin then made her second demand: she wanted Lin Ning to contribute ten yuan a month.

Lin Ning agreed but had a condition. “If Lin Yong gives, I’ll give. If Lin Yong doesn’t give, neither will I.”

Of course, Lin Yong had no intention of contributing, and Mother Lin didn’t expect him to. With ten yuan from each of her two daughters, they could scrape by. She wanted to save her son’s money for his future marriage and couldn’t bear to use it.

But Mother Lin didn’t tell the truth. “Lin Yong has already given, and so has Lin Qiao. You’re the only one left.”

Fine, Lin Ning didn’t argue further. She took out ten yuan and handed it to Mother Lin. “That’s all. Don’t ask for more.”

Mother Lin was furious. “You have so much money now. What’s wrong with giving a little more?”

“I won’t give more! Why should I? I’ll give the same amount as Lin Yong and Lin Qiao. Not a single cent more!”

With that, Lin Ning turned and left. Father Lin and Mother Lin cursed her in the hospital room, calling her a stingy miser who wouldn’t part with a single penny—no, not just a miser, but a sugar-coated miser who not only refused to give but also tried to take from others.