Chapter 12: Losing Money

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Secretary Zhong gave him a sharp look, then impatiently continued, “Do you think it’s only those few shrewish women from the Xiangyang Brigade who want to take advantage of everyone they catch?”

Liu Changfu was left speechless.

“Fang Zhiqing’s mother looks fierce, but that’s because the Chen family went too far.” Secretary Zhong almost slipped up; if his own daughter were bullied like this, his wife would have gathered all her brothers and countless relatives to level the Chen family’s house.

“Ahem, that Comrade Su is actually quite reasonable.”

Chang Yongchang thought to himself: They beat the Chen family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to such a state, and yet still call it reasonable? What else would unreasonable look like?

But he didn’t dare to ask.

Liu Changfu understood Secretary Zhong’s meaning and nodded, assuring him he knew what to do.

The group entered the hospital room and only glanced briefly at Fang Zhiqing, who was still unconscious.

Secretary Zhong shot Liu Changfu a frustrated glare, and Liu Changfu stepped forward somewhat sheepishly.

Knowing that her godmother was unfamiliar with the officials, Li Ling quickly stepped forward to introduce them.

“Godmother, these are our good cadres. This is Secretary Zhong from the Red Flag Commune.”

Secretary Zhong nodded appreciatively, thinking, “This young intellectual is quite articulate.”

“Hello, Secretary Zhong.”

“Hello.”

“Godmother, this is Comrade Liu Changfu, Captain of the Xiangyang Brigade.”

“Hello, Captain.”

Su Qiao subtly glanced at Liu Changfu again.

“And you as well.”

“Godmother, this is Comrade Chang Yongchang, the village chief of Xiangyang Brigade.”

“Hello, Village Chief Chang.”

“Hello.”

After the formal greetings, Secretary Zhong puffed out his not-yet-developed belly and, using the most approachable tone, spoke to Su Qiao: “As Fang Zhiqing’s family, since this matter has occurred, we as direct leaders must take responsibility.”

Su Qiao was pleased to hear this.

“If you have any reasonable requests, please feel free to express them.”

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Su Qiao understood this official tone well. Before speaking, she handed over the medical record written by the female doctor for Secretary Zhong and the two leaders from Xiangyang Brigade to review.

Secretary Zhong lowered his head and only read the first two items before his head started to buzz: “Concussion, rib fractures…” He now wanted to drag the Chen family out and give them a beating.

Liu Changfu and Chang Yongchang hadn’t expected the injuries to be so severe. The three of them furtively glanced at Fang Zhiqing, still unconscious.

Putting themselves in her place, if their own daughters had been injured like this by their in-laws, they would have gone and torn the place apart.

Especially Village Chief Chang, who felt a twinge of guilt.

If Fang Zhiqing’s mother knew that the Chen family abused her daughter just to make room for Jin Feng, would she not beat him senseless as well?

A guilty conscience is fearful. The more Village Chief Chang thought about it, the more afraid he was that Su Qiao would find out. Given her fierce fighting spirit, even if his entire family attacked together, they would be utterly defeated.

The more he thought, the more he trembled inside. What he wanted most now was to send this bad luck away as soon as possible.

“Well, Fang Zhiqing’s mother…”

“I’m Su, Su Qiao.”

“Comrade Su Qiao, regarding Fang Zhiqing’s case, we… have not taken proper care. If you have any requests, please speak up and we will do our best to help.”

“Alright, since the leaders are so sincere, I will be straightforward.” Su Qiao hadn’t expected Village Chief Chang to offer her an opening first.

So she didn’t hold back and directly told the leaders her thoughts.

“The harm the Chen family inflicted on my daughter is irreversible. As you’ve all seen, my daughter is still unconscious. I want to take her back to Yang City for treatment, so I ask the leaders to help with processing her medical retirement.”

When Secretary Zhong heard Su Qiao wanted to arrange a medical retirement for her daughter, he immediately responded, “As long as the Youth Office agrees, we have no objections.”

“Well…”

“Xiao Wang, go to the Youth Office and invite Director Wei over.”

“Secretary, I’m on it right away.” The clerk waiting outside immediately dashed off to the Youth Office.

Soon, Director Wei entered holding a signed and stamped medical retirement approval form.

Secretary Zhong didn’t expect Director Wei to be so efficient and shot him an approving look.

Director Wei thought to himself: Nobody wants to hold this hot potato. Officials from above are coming to inspect soon; he didn’t want his promising career to end here.

Su Qiao accepted the medical retirement approval form for her daughter and repeatedly thanked the leaders.

“Thank you all for your approval.”

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“That’s our duty.”

After the formal thanks, Su Qiao brought up compensation from the Chen family.

“The Chen family was ruthless. Not only did they take all the belongings my daughter brought, but they also physically harmed her, causing irreversible damage.”

At this point, Su Qiao gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.

“I hope the leaders will supervise and ensure the Chen family returns all the money and property belonging to my daughter.”

“That’s only right,” Secretary Zhong said eagerly.

“I roughly calculated the value of the property and receipts to be about three hundred yuan, no less.”

“The Chen family should repay that.”

“There are also medical expenses, lost wages, nutritional costs, emotional damages, future treatment fees, and compensation. I don’t know how the leaders will calculate these, so I ask for your help…”

After Su Qiao finished speaking, Secretary Zhong felt reassured. People from the big city speak differently—no crying or fussing, just straightforward words that command respect.

Liu Changfu and Chang Yongchang shared Secretary Zhong’s thoughts. They hadn’t expected Comrade Su Qiao to make no unreasonable demands.

Secretary Zhong immediately waved his hand, “You two, quickly calculate the total amount.”

“Yes, Secretary. We’ll calculate it right away.”

Village Chief Chang immediately pulled a crumpled notebook from his pocket and, pulling Liu Changfu aside, began to whisper and calculate.

Fearing they might forget, Su Qiao handed over the medical record written by the female doctor again.

Liu Changfu and Chang Yongchang immediately focused completely, not daring to slack off even slightly. When unsure of the amounts, both wrote down the highest values.

Village Chief Chang even showed some goodwill: “Adding everything up, the total is 988.62 yuan. I decide to round it off. The Chen family will compensate Comrade Fang Xiaoying with a full 1,000 yuan.”

Su Qiao had not expected them to round up like that.

Secretary Zhong was pleased. “Old Chang, you did well.” He knew how to speak good words too. Since he didn’t have to pay, why not?

“Well, let’s go find Old Chen and get the money now.”