"My daughter, I always regret not listening to you before. You were right; they’re both ungrateful. But now, with your father lying here like this, I’m all alone. I can’t win an argument against them, nor can I fight them. I’m completely helpless... After working hard my whole life, in the end, all the money for his treatment is gone..."

Father Xu had long been awake, but he kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

The once imposing patriarch was now emaciated, his complexion sallow. He didn’t even open his eyes to look at his daughter, only listening to his wife’s endless complaints.

Xu Xiaoya looked at this old man on the verge of death—this man was her biological father. Yet, somehow, there wasn’t a trace of sadness in her heart. Not even pity. She had known this day would come; she just hadn’t expected it to arrive so soon. Furthermore, she understood that this old man would never repent, even unto death. Perhaps, even now, he didn’t think there was anything wrong with leaving all the family property to his son. In his mind, that reason alone was enough to justify everything. It wasn’t just between husband and wife; even relationships as close as father and daughter or mother and son depended on fate. She felt nothing for him, not even the slightest bit. But she had no choice. He was her father—that reason alone was enough to prevent her from simply standing by and watching him die.

She didn’t comfort him, didn’t even address him. She just said calmly, "Get him treated. Whatever is necessary." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Mother Xu’s eyes lit up immediately, but she said awkwardly, "Xiaoya, this requires money... Besides, I can’t possibly take care of him alone in the hospital..."

Yan Xixi finally spoke up, "Did they squander all two million?"

Mother Xu stammered, "Probably not, but they refuse to hand it over, and I don’t have the energy to chase them for it..."

She glanced at the old man and lowered her voice, "Sigh, Xiaoya’s father is like this now. If I go home alone to ask for the money, I’m no match for those two... Xiaoya’s brother isn’t showing his face and won’t even answer his phone. Even if I went back to our hometown, I wouldn’t be able to do anything about him..."

Yan Xixi remained silent.

Xu Xiaoya then said, "I’ll pay the fees. You just focus on his treatment. I’ll hire a caregiver."

"My daughter, I really don’t know what I’d do without you."

Xu Xiaoya didn’t know how to respond. Yan Xixi patted her hand and whispered, "Stay here with your mom. I’ll be right back."

Yan Xixi paid the deposit and hired a caregiver. Once all that was settled, she thought for a moment, then went out and bought two boxed meals, some stewed soup specifically for the patient, and milk and fruit for Mother Xu.

Seeing she only had a few hundred yuan in cash on her, she went to an ATM and withdrew five thousand.

When Yan Xixi brought these items back, Father Xu still kept his eyes closed, not having opened them at all.

She handed the cash to Mother Xu, saying, "Auntie, please take this. Make sure you’re eating well too. I’ve booked a room for you in a small hotel near the hospital. You should go there to rest properly at night for the next few days. Don’t wear yourself out."

Mother Xu was moved to tears. "Xixi, thank you so much. Sigh, it was my fault before. If you hadn’t helped Xiaoya so much, her whole life would have been ruined... I really don’t know how I can ever thank you enough..."

Yan Xixi had nothing to say.

Mother Xu escorted the two of them out. Xu Xiaoya felt deeply distressed. This was her mother, after all. She whispered, "Mom, don’t push yourself too hard. With the caregiver here, you need to rest well and try to take things easy."