Chapter 116: Yu Ziqing's Helplessness

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“No way am I buying this today! You’re going to Mingyu Café—I already made the appointment!” The middle-aged man reached out to grab the young woman. “As long as you marry him, we’ll get a hundred thousand yuan.”

Heh, the hero’s time to shine has arrived. Jiang Xiwen shouted loudly, “Hey! Sir, on such a dark and windy night, bullying a woman—what do you think you’re doing?”

The man scowled immediately. “I’m disciplining my daughter; what’s it to you?” Upon realizing the speaker was just a kid, he grew even angrier. “You little brat, go home! What are you doing hanging around here?”

The young woman turned to see Jiang Xiwen and exclaimed in surprise, “Xiwen?”

“Xiwen? It’s Dongwen, not Xiwen,” the man snapped, his temper flaring as he began to cough uncontrollably.

“Dad, please take care of yourself,” the woman gently supported him, patting his back as he coughed.

“Sister Ziqing…” Jiang Xiwen wiped cold sweat from his brow. This time, he wasn’t going to be the hero; he was about to become the villain. It was already a coincidence enough that this woman was Yu Ziqing, but even more surprising was that the man was her father.

“You are no filial daughter of mine!” The man stubbornly pushed Yu Ziqing’s hand away.

Jiang Xiwen awkwardly smiled. “Sister Ziqing, Uncle Yu, there’s been a misunderstanding—a big misunderstanding. I’m truly sorry.”

Seeing Jiang Xiwen and Yu Ziqing knew each other, the man seemed to forget Jiang was just a child. Perhaps desperate, he blurted out, “You know Ziqing? Then persuade her. I want her to marry Gao Jie, and I’m not wronging her. He’s the son of the Provincial Education Committee Director…”

Before the man could finish, Yu Ziqing snapped, “Dad, Xiwen is just a kid. Why tell him all this? I’ve already told you—I will never marry Gao Jie. His character is terrible. He never liked me; he only used me as a bet with his friends.”

“Foolish girl, men need face outside,” the man’s voice softened, pleading somewhat.

“Dad, don’t say any more. A few days ago, I saw Gao Jie holding another woman in Modu, kissing her openly on the street!” Yu Ziqing’s voice grew louder. “You want me to marry a man like that? No way.”

“Fine, then don’t marry him! I’ll go rob someone now. If you won’t take care of your sister, I will!” The man strode off as soon as he finished speaking.

“Dad! Dad!” Yu Ziqing awkwardly looked at Jiang Xiwen. “Xiwen, sorry. I have to go after my father.”

“Alright, Sister Ziqing. Don’t mind me. Go quickly and be patient with your father. I understand the whole situation. Family matters can be discussed slowly. If you need money, I’ll help…”

Before Jiang Xiwen could finish, Yu Ziqing had already run out, possibly missing the last part.

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From the earlier conversation, Jiang Xiwen roughly understood the situation. It seemed Yu Ziqing’s younger sister was seriously ill and needed one hundred thousand yuan. Gao Jie was trying to take advantage of the crisis, and Yu Ziqing’s father was willing to accept this “deal.”

Jiang Xiwen didn’t know exactly what illness the younger sister had, but a hundred thousand yuan was something he could afford. However, knowing Yu Ziqing’s character, she would never accept such a thing. Since Uncle Yu was willing to sacrifice his elder daughter to save the younger one, it seemed the right person to approach.

At Yu Ziqing’s home:

“Ziqing, I’m begging you as your father. I want you to marry Gao Jie. I’m not asking you to die. The Gao family’s status guarantees you happiness. A woman marrying a rich man is enough; love doesn’t put food on the table.” Yu Fugui sat on a small stool, earnestly persuading her.

“Then why did Mom marry you? She’s so beautiful. You used to boast that a high-ranking official’s son pursued her…” Yu Ziqing’s face turned pale. Though her voice was soft, her retort was sharp.

“You!” Yu Fugui raised his hand to strike, but seeing his daughter staring him down, he slowly lowered it and said gravely, “Ziqing, can you bear to watch your sister die like this? She’s lying in the hospital now. The hundred thousand yuan—by the time you earn that, she might be gone.”

Tears welled up and fell from Yu Fugui’s eyes. Wiping them away, he continued, “With that money, a heart surgery for your sister would be easy. Your mother left us early. All my hopes rest on you two girls. I promised her I’d take care of you both. I’m useless. I have to sacrifice you to save Zixin.”

His tears grew heavier, and soon he stopped wiping them, no longer caring about appearances, openly sobbing: “If I could trade my life for Zixin’s, I’d give my head instantly. I’m such a failure…”

Yu Ziqing stood motionless, listening. Her lips pressed tightly, tears swirling in her eyes.

For a long while, only Yu Fugui’s sobs echoed through the shabby house.

After some time, Yu Ziqing gritted her teeth. “Dad, stop crying. When does Gao Jie get to Mingyu Café?”

“In twenty minutes…” Yu Fugui suddenly looked up, unbelieving, staring at her. “You agreed? Dad… I’m really useless…” Tears streamed down again.

A hundred thousand yuan was a huge sum for him, especially for an ordinary family at that time. Yet fate had dealt him a cruel hand. He was struggling with sacrificing his elder daughter’s happiness to save the younger’s life, wanting to hit himself.

“Dad, don’t be upset. I know what to do. I know Gao Jie’s nature—he just wants to sleep with me, then brag to his filthy friends about catching another woman. I’ll tell him: if he can pay the hundred thousand, I’ll give myself to him!”

“You… Ziqing…” Yu Fugui wanted to say something but could only sigh heavily.

“Dad, I’m going…” Yu Ziqing’s face hardened. Just this once—for her sister, for the family—she would sacrifice. She could do this.

After leaving the alley, Jiang Xiwen didn’t go home. He searched for a public phone, but most were closed. After running far, he found a phone booth and called Yu Ziqing’s dormitory. Li Yuling answered.

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Yu Ziqing’s home had no phone. Jiang Xiwen got her address and took a taxi there. The place was Sanli Lane, some distance from Xiyuan. Mostly one-story houses, where many small vendors lived.

He knocked on Yu Ziqing’s door, and soon Yu Fugui opened it.

“Is that you?” Yu Fugui was surprised, then embarrassed. In his haste, he had shared family matters with this kid, now feeling awkward meeting him again.

“Uncle Yu, let’s talk inside.” Without waiting for an answer, Jiang Xiwen stepped in. Such matters shouldn’t be overheard by neighbors.

Yu Fugui nodded and closed the door. Jiang Xiwen got straight to the point: “Uncle Yu, what’s wrong with your younger daughter? Does it need a total of one hundred thousand yuan?”

Yu Fugui looked him over but said nothing.

“Don’t bother looking. I’ll give you the money, including living expenses. One hundred twenty thousand should be enough. Where’s Sister Ziqing?” Jiang Xiwen didn’t like Yu Fugui much. Though he understood the old man’s helplessness, trading the elder daughter’s happiness for the younger’s life sounded unpleasant.

“You? You’re just a kid…”

“So? Is that not allowed? Don’t agree to Gao Jie. Don’t worry about the money. My name is Jiang Xiwen. Here’s my office number…” Jiang Xiwen gave the office phone, “I can bring the money tomorrow.”

Hearing Jiang Xiwen’s confidence, Yu Fugui was even more incredulous. Such generosity seemed impossible. He studied Jiang with the eyes of a street vendor and asked, “Why are you doing this? Giving money for nothing? What’s your motive? How do you know our Ziqing?”

Jiang Xiwen’s displeasure showed. Coldly, he replied, “Want me to call my office now? I’ll stay here tonight and get the money first thing tomorrow.”

Having deposited two million one hundred thousand yuan at the same bank recently, though he’d transferred three hundred thousand to Modu, Jiang was a valued client. Even without an appointment, the manager who served him last time would likely cooperate.

“But…” Yu Fugui’s face fell, showing hesitation. He seemed to believe him somewhat. “Even if I believe you’re a good person, Ziqing already went to Mingyu Café…”

“What? She agreed? She’s really going to marry that scoundrel Gao Jie?!” Jiang Xiwen jumped up suddenly.

“No, not marry. She doesn’t want to marry him—she’s only going to sleep with him…” Yu Fugui, already full of guilt, blurted out the truth in his panic as Jiang reacted fiercely.

“You! You!” Jiang Xiwen scolded angrily, rushed to the door, opened it, and ran out.