Chapter 19

“Sixth Sister!!!”

“Sixth!!!”

The twins ran over.

Chen Yi reached out and hugged his Little Sister down, while Chen Jun anxiously circled around the two of them. “Sixth, are you alright? You scared me to death! How could you do that? Don’t you value your life?!”

Chen Nongmo was placed on the ground, her upper body leaning against her Fifth Brother. It was only at that moment that she realized, belatedly, that her hands and feet were trembling violently.

She was still afraid!

So afraid!

But… she suddenly looked back, urgently asking, “Second Brother? Is Second Brother okay?!”

Cao Liu, who had been walking over quickly, paused for a moment.

The feeling in his heart was hard to describe.

He knew very well that just moments ago, the wheels of the vehicle had been only a few centimeters away from him.

Everything had happened too fast. His instinct had been to save someone, but he had overestimated himself.

If it weren’t for his Sixth Sister throwing herself recklessly to save him, Cao Liu was certain that his legs would have been useless by now.

For some reason, he had a strong sense of intuition about it.

Thinking about this, and seeing his Little Sister’s first reaction was to ensure his safety, his eyes began to sting, and his throat felt tight.

He bent down beside his Little Sister, gently stroking her head, his voice hoarse. “I’m fine, not a scratch on me. But you… are you alright?”

When did it start?

Was his care for this ‘little sister’ because of Big Brother and Mother’s relationship?

Is that why he treated her like his real sister?

No, It wasn’t about his Big Brother nor his Mother.

She was simply Cao Liu’s Little Sister.

Chen Nongmo’s gaze, filled with concern, scanned Second Brother’s body, especially focusing on his legs and feet.

Only after repeatedly confirming that he was truly unharmed did she finally relax with a sigh of relief.

“Hiss!”

“What’s wrong? Where are you hurt?!” Seeing their Little Sister suddenly gasp, with her small face contorted with pain, the three brothers panicked.

The gaze continuously circled around their Little Sister’s hands and feet, wanting to check but unsure how to do so gently, sweat quickly beading on his forehead from the anxiety.

Chen Nongmo wanted to wave her hand to reassure them that she was fine, but the pain was undeniable.

There was a sharp, stinging sensation in her arms and knees, but the most intense pain was in her waist and abdomen. It must have been from when she had thrown herself onto the car earlier, likely being knocked by the impact.

Cao Liu, seeing Little Sister’s face pale and frighteningly colorless, knew that she was injured. Without thinking of anything else, he immediately picked her up. “To the hospital!”

Chen Yi reacted quickly, turning and heading toward the bicycle that had been knocked over not far away.

However, his peripheral vision caught sight of Liu Yuanyuan, who was holding her arm and looked as if she had been frightened out of her wits, her face drained of color.

He furrowed his brow but didn’t let his frustration show. Instead, he looked toward Fourth Brother, who was concerned about Yuyu, and said, “Fourth Brother, help Sister Yuanyuan go to the hospital.”

Although Chen Jun was usually lively and carefree, he understood that Liu Yuanyuan had also been a victim in today’s mishap. Especially when he noticed the bloodstains on her arm, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry. He quickly walked over and gently supported her. “Sister Yuanyuan, let’s go.”

Liu Yuanyuan looked lost and dazed. “Go… where?”

Realizing she was still in shock, Chen Jun softened his voice. “To the hospital. Don’t be afraid. My Little Sister already stopped the car.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Luobei, who had finally regained some composure, shakily stepped out of the car. His expression was complex, filled with guilt as he glanced at the pale-faced girl. He hesitated and suggested, “Maybe… we should drive? Her injuries might make it hard to move her.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Liu, usually one to smile, cast a cold glance at the culprit. He spoke in a low, heavy tone. “You follow us.”

No matter what, the fact that this boy was the cause of the injuries was undeniable. Cao Liu didn’t have time to settle the score with him now, but he would make sure to handle the medical expenses.

Chen Jun understood what Second Brother meant and signaled to Fourth Brother to help the crying Liu Yuanyuan, who was still trembling in fear, to follow. He stood next to the boy, watching him closely.

Jiang Luobei’s face stiffened, and after glancing at the car, he finally didn’t dare to sit in it. Instead, he bent down to pull out the keys, locked the car, and walked away, dejected.

Injuries to the abdomen, unlike other areas, didn’t easily show bruises.

At this moment, lying on the hospital bed in the county hospital, Chen Nongmo’s abdomen was already showing glaring bruises, whether because her injuries were too severe or because her skin was too delicate. In just a short amount of time, the bruising had already become obvious.

In addition to the even worse bruising on her knees and elbows, the three brothers, who had only briefly glanced at her before being chased out by the doctor, all had grim expressions.

Cao Liu grabbed Fourth Brother, who was about to throw a punch at the culprit. “Now is not the time to settle scores.”

Did he not want to hit him?

Of course, he did!

But right now, Little Sister’s situation was more important. If they caused a scene, the hospital would definitely call for people to throw them out.

Thinking of this, Cao Liu suppressed the anger rising in his chest and instructed Fifth Brother, “Go call home. Tell Mom and Dad to come.”

Chen Yi nodded.

Knowing that Fifth Brother had good judgment and understood what to say on the phone, Cao Liu didn’t give further instructions. Instead, he added, “Also call Liu Yuanyuan’s family.”

One, to make sure everything was handled properly, since with Liu Yuanyuan’s current condition, it was unlikely she could return home alone.

Two, Liu Yuanyuan not only had a father who was a party secretary but also an uncle who held an official position in the city.

Cao Liu was well aware that families with cars weren’t ordinary, and Big Brother couldn’t be of help at this moment.

If the boy’s family turned out to be one that relied on power and was unreasonable, it would be his own family that would suffer in the conflict. He had to prepare in advance.

Right now, using Liu Yuanyuan’s uncle’s influence to counterbalance the situation was the safest bet.

Ultimately, the fourth sister was lying in the hospital bed because she had saved him.

And he had saved Liu Yuanyuan in return.

Cao Liu didn’t feel guilty about this strategy. He considered it as the Liu family repaying their family for saving Liu Yuanyuan’s life.

His inner feelings were far from as honest as his outward appearance suggested. If he had been the one injured, perhaps he wouldn’t have been this angry. But when it came to his family, the hidden aggression and calculating nature within him would surface.

But in the end… it was still his own weakness.

Thinking of this, Cao Liu clenched his jaw tighter, his fist at his side tightening until it turned white.

Chen Yi was sharp-witted, and with just one sentence from Second Brother, he understood what was meant. He glanced anxiously at the tightly closed door to the hospital room, then quickly left with hurried steps.

“The subcutaneous capillaries have ruptured, but the bones are fine.” The doctor hadn’t examined for long. After stepping out of the hospital room, he looked at the towering figures of the men and gave his diagnosis.

Hearing this, Cao Liu, who didn’t understand much of the medical terminology, frowned and asked, “Does she need medication? Does she need to stay in the hospital?”

The doctor almost rolled his eyes at this. Since the girl’s skin was so delicate, it looked worse than it was. She hadn’t injured any vital parts. He explained the situation again in simpler terms and then replied, “No medication is needed, and no hospitalization is required, but she will need to be careful over the next few days.”

Cao Liu let out a breath of relief and immediately put on a grateful smile. “Thank you, doctor. We really appreciate it.”

The doctor waved his hand dismissively. “No problem. Just take the patient and leave if there’s nothing else.”

Cao Liu briefly glanced at the twins, who had already rushed back into the hospital room with Liu Yuanyuan, and then turned to the doctor. “My sister is in a lot of pain. Could she stay here for a while, just until our family arrives?”

The doctor, already knowing they had been hit by a car, nodded sympathetically. “Sure, but not overnight. The hospital beds are in high demand.”

“Okay, thank you.”

After the doctor left, Cao Liu was eager to go check on Little Sister but had to hold his patience and deal with the culprit.

Even though Little Sister wasn’t severely injured, there were still apologies to be made and medical expenses to be covered.

Moreover, for someone who had no idea how to drive but insisted on getting behind the wheel, a lesson needed to be given, though it wasn’t urgent at this moment.

With this in mind, Cao Liu asked in a deep voice, “What’s your name?”

“…Jiang Luobei.”

Inside the hospital room, Chen Nongmo, knowing that her ribs weren’t broken, had already regained some color in her face.

She could say that she was in an excited state.

She had really helped Second Brother get through the crisis.

Although it had cost her a bit of physical pain…

But… it was worth it!

At least through this experience, she now clearly understood that with effort, even a set future could be changed.

For example, Second Brother’s amputation, or her early death.

“Sixth! You’re amazing! How did you stop the car? Can you drive?” Little Sister, now safe and sound, Chen Jun immediately bounced back to life. After rushing into the hospital room, he dragged a chair to the bedside, sat down with a thud, and stared at her, his eyes shining brightly.

Having successfully changed Second Brother’s fate and being safe herself, Chen Nongmo was in a good mood. “Did you forget what my dad used to do? I can’t drive, but I roughly know how it works.”

Actually, she could drive, and she had even learned to drive a manual car, but that was something she couldn’t say.

Chen Jun pretended to understand, just about to ask something more, when he was nudged aside by Fifth Brother.

Chen Yi asked Little Sister, “Are you okay? Does it hurt a lot?”

Chen Nongmo smiled and narrowed her eyes. “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

As she spoke, she patted the hospital bed and called to the beautiful girl standing awkwardly not far away. “Sister Yuanyuan, come sit. How are you?”

Hearing this, Liu Yuanyuan, who had only just managed to stop crying, felt tears threatening to spill again. She pouted, wanting to express her gratitude and explain that it was just a small scrape on her arm, but her throat tightened, making it hard for her to speak.

In the end, Liu Yuanyuan couldn’t get a single word out. She quietly sat by the bed, gazing at Chen Nongmo with gratitude.

If it hadn’t been for Chen Nongmo, neither she nor Cao Liu, who had risked his life to save her, could have imagined the outcome…

Chen Zong and Cao Qiuhua arrived earlier than expected. Along with them were the Old Secretary and other village officials.

The people of Shanshun Village were close-knit, and when they heard that the siblings had gotten into an accident, they dropped whatever they were doing. Although the children had said over the phone that the situation wasn’t serious, they couldn’t ignore the fact that children often hide the severity of things, especially since the person driving the car was in a small sedan.

So, upon receiving the news, the village officials immediately put down their farming tasks and drove tractors toward the county town.

On the way, they also met Liu Yuanyuan’s family, who had received the same message and were on their way in their own tractor.

When the two groups met, there was just a brief exchange of pleasantries before the conversation stopped altogether. The atmosphere became heavy and silent as they continued toward the hospital.

Both groups had about seven or eight people each, all tall and broad-shouldered, walking quickly and with serious faces, as if they were heading into a fight.

At the same time, upon hearing the news, the Jiang family, who had come with a group of people shortly behind, also saw the tense atmosphere. Their expressions grew even graver.

Jiang’s mother, who had been somewhat composed before, now had several shifts of emotion in her eyes. She had no idea how big a trouble her son had caused, but she knew that this situation was unlikely to resolve easily.

In that moment, a malicious thought began to grow in her heart.

Rather than being burdened by a poor, half-dead child, it might be better to…