Chapter 15: Reimbursement for Medical Expenses

Zhou Wenli pushed her child forward, saying, “Look how badly my child was beaten! Your family should pay for his medical expenses!”

Lin Qingyue glanced at the child. His eyes were bruised and swollen, and his face was also badly swollen.

“Wenli, forget it. It’s just a fight between children; adults shouldn’t get involved.”

“Exactly, it’s nothing between children. Adults butting in just makes it a bigger deal.”

The people around them sided with Lin Qingyue.

Lin Qingyue stepped forward and said, “Go home and discipline your child. Medical expenses aren’t necessary; the wound might heal before you even get home.”

Zhou Wenli’s face immediately darkened. “What are you saying? My child has delicate skin. What if he’s seriously hurt?”

Lin Qingyue pointed at Lu Yicheng and Lu Yiming. “Your one child beat up my two. How do we settle this account?”

Feigning anger, she said to her two sons, “Two of you against one, and you couldn’t even win?”

Lu Yicheng’s eyes flickered, and he immediately burst into tears. “Aunt Lin, my hand hurts so much! He must have hurt it badly!”

“How about we take the children to the hospital? I’ll pay for your child’s medical expenses, and you pay for my two,” Lin Qingyue said, her brow raised slightly, her attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

“Your two children! I only have one! It’s clearly my side that’s at a loss!” Zhou Wenli was extremely unhappy. She waved her hand. “Forget it, it’s just a children’s fight. We won’t bother with you.”

With that, she pulled her child away without looking back.

“Remember! Lu Yiming and Lu Yicheng aren’t abandoned children. Their father is Lu Siyi, and their mother is Lin Qingyue!” Lin Qingyue shouted at Zhou Wenli’s retreating back.

Zhou Wenli, clearly having heard, quickly left with her child.

Several elderly women watching pointed at Zhou Wenli’s back and muttered angrily, “I don’t know why she always acts so arrogant.”

“Exactly. Just because her husband is a high-ranking official, she acts so superior. Even if she is, is her husband’s position higher than Chief Lu’s?”

Lin Qingyue’s eyes flashed, but she didn’t respond. She pulled her children and walked away.

These people were speaking up because of Lu Siyi’s status; it had nothing to do with her.

Lu Yicheng tugged at her hand, his head downcast. “Aunt Lin, thank you just now!”

Lin Qingyue was a little surprised. Where did the mischievous child go?

“You’re welcome. After all, I’m your stepmother!” She winked playfully at Lu Yicheng.

Lu Yicheng pursed his lips and suddenly burst into tears. She immediately cupped his face. “Did you get hurt just now?”

“Aunt Lin, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have believed what they said. They said stepmothers are bad people who abuse children,” Lu Yicheng cried, causing quite a stir. People passing by in the courtyard looked over.

Lin Qingyue hastily wiped away his tears and asked, “Do you think I’m a bad person?”

Lu Yicheng shook his head like a rattle.

Lu Yiming, holding Si Xi’s hand, followed behind, whispering, “Si Xi, don’t be like your older brother. Our Aunt Lin is good.”

…

Lu Siyi borrowed a bicycle from a colleague and hurried home. As soon as he arrived at the courtyard, he heard several people gathered together, discussing a children’s fight, involving his children and his wife.

“Chief Lu’s new wife is quite impressive. Zhou woman is so overbearing; who can get the better of her?”

“You didn’t see it. Chief Lu’s new wife’s mouth is so sharp. She silenced Zhou Wenli, who left in disgrace.”

“She said her children have a father and mother. Anyone who wants to bully them should think twice. Tsk tsk.”

“You know, although she’s a bit feisty, she’s also reasonable.”

Lu Siyi frowned, quickened his pace, and walked towards home.

Inside the house, Lin Qingyue was sitting in the living room, applying medicine to Lu Yicheng and Lu Yiming.

The golden sunlight was warm, and a strand of hair fell down. Lin Qingyue reached out and tucked it behind her ear, gently applying medicine to the children.

“You two need more physical training. Two of you couldn’t beat one. Tsk tsk,” Lin Qingyue commented mercilessly. “You’re couch potatoes!”

“Who says so!” Lu Yicheng pouted, seeming unconvinced. Lu Yiming said with forbearance, “Aunt Lin, we’ll be careful outside and won’t cause you trouble.”

“Why not?” Lin Qingyue perked up. “Next time you meet someone talking nonsense, you should fight back. Your father and I will support you. What are you afraid of?”

Some people just need a lesson; if you don’t fight back, you’ll be at a loss.

The two children looked at her with bright eyes. Lin Qingyue’s image in their eyes suddenly grew taller.

Lu Siyi quickly pieced together what happened and looked at Lin Qingyue admiringly. This woman was clear-headed in the face of right and wrong, and she would definitely be able to raise the children well.

He parked his bicycle in the yard. Lin Qingyue heard the sound and quickly got up. Seeing Lu Siyi, she was surprised. “Why are you back?”

He had just returned to his unit yesterday, and he was off today?

Lu Siyi’s eyes flickered, and his gaze towards Lin Qingyue softened.

The matter of her chatting with Tao Siyan at the gate yesterday had reached his office and become a big deal. His colleagues offered suggestions, telling him to keep a closer eye on his wife.

He thought for a moment. His wife was beautiful, and she had an ambiguous past with Tao Siyan, which was indeed unsettling.

He hadn’t paid attention to his wife for a long time. If another Li Siyan or Wang Siyan appeared beside her, he would be the one crying.

Despite this, Lu Siyi stubbornly said, “Oh, nothing. I was free at noon, so I came back to take a look.”

“You’re late. If you came back earlier, you would have seen your two sons get beaten up by Zhou Wenli’s son.”

“I heard about it as soon as I entered the courtyard,” Lu Siyi said calmly. He seemed to think of something and asked Lin Qingyue, “Should we add physical training for the children?”

His gaze was intense. Lin Qingyue read something else in his eyes, her face reddening. “They’re your sons. You can train them however you want.”

He glanced at the room. The three children were sitting together quietly playing, even Lu Yicheng, who usually argued with Lin Qingyue, was well-behaved. His lips curved slightly.

This home was becoming more and more like a home.

A pungent smell wafted into their noses. The couple looked at each other. Lin Qingyue immediately reacted. “Oh no, I left the food on the stove!”

She was about to rush in when Lu Siyi pulled her back. Before she could react, Lu Siyi had already rushed into the kitchen and brought out the burnt pot.