Upon hearing that Gu Zi was about to call someone to kick them out, and recalling how they had been unceremoniously driven out last time, the three people who had been causing a commotion suddenly understood. They realized that it would only take a word from Gu Zi to have them expelled. They promptly closed their mouths, and the hospital room finally regained some semblance of peace.
The man at the center of the overlooked matter, Papa Lin, only then received everyone's attention.
Lin Miao lifted her gaze, meeting the disappointed and distant eyes of her adoptive parents. A sense of unease stirred within her, but she reasoned that the injuries couldn't be that severe. After all, she had only seen scabs on her father's face and bandages on his hand.
However, she quickly found an excuse, saying, "Isn't it because you, sister, are too stubborn? I was so focused on persuading you that I neglected to care about father's injuries. Mom, dad, it wasn't intentional. I was just too worried about my sister. She grew up in the city and doesn't understand the ways of the countryside. I can understand that, but I really want to teach her."
Upon hearing their daughter's considerate words, Gu Shan and Zhang Mei felt a surge of pride. They chimed in, "Yes, Gu Zi, you should learn from your sister to avoid future losses. Let's let this matter rest for now. We should quickly get Su Shen to go to the police station and have your uncle follow him to release the person."
At first, Gu Zi was somewhat angry. After all, Lin Miao, who was raised by her parents, was now taking Lin Jie's side. But now she had come to terms with it and saw no reason to be upset. Her tone became increasingly calm as she repeated her previous words.
"The police have already intervened. I trust their investigation and judgment more than so-called worldly wisdom because their records can ensure that my father's injuries were not in vain. My father won't have to bear any unspeakable grievances."
The people in the next bed, who had come to know some of the truth, were moved by Gu Zi's words.
Not only was this girl beautiful, but she also had a good heart. The injured man was also a good person. They would surely be blessed in the future, as long as they could keep away from such despicable relatives.
Gu Zi walked over to the bedside, whispered something to Papa Lin, and then, together with Mother Lin, publicly lifted the bedsheet. Only then did everyone see the full extent of Papa Lin's injuries.
Not only were there scabs on his face and bandages on his hands, but one of his legs was also severely injured. His lower leg was in a cast, wrapped in bandages, and he seemed to have trouble moving. Seeing this, Papa Lin looked even older.
Gu Shan, Zhang Mei, and Lin Miao were taken aback, but their eyes still held some suspicion.
Hadn't Lin Laoyao said that Lin Jie had only pushed Papa Lin in a panic, causing him to fall? Could a fall break a leg? What was going on?
Gu Shan and Zhang Mei's emotions became complicated. Objectively speaking, if Papa Lin was injured to this extent, it was indeed serious. Gu Zi hadn't made a big fuss, she only wanted Lin Jie to follow the legal process. Paying compensation was the least of it.
But the problem was, they had come here to speak for Lin Laoyao. If they changed their stance now, wouldn't that be admitting that their family had made a mistake in judgement and couldn't distinguish right from wrong?
That wouldn't do, it would be too humiliating.
Lin Miao felt even worse. Her feelings were not only complicated but also chaotic.
Looking at Papa Lin's aged face, his disappointed eyes, and his injured leg, she felt a guilt she had never experienced before.
Because she clearly remembered that this was not the first time that leg had been injured.
One winter, she had heard from the old village doctor about a local plant called Winter Cold Flower. It bloomed in the harsh winter, growing on inaccessible cliffs. The entire plant could be crushed and applied to the face for skincare.
At that time, Lin Miao was a teenager with a face full of acne. After learning about this magical plant, she wanted the Winter Cold Flower. On her fourteenth birthday, when Papa Lin asked her what she wanted. Lin Miao said she wanted a lot of Winter Cold Flowers. In order to pick them for her, Papa Lin accidentally fell from the cliff. His leg was cut by the hard rock, the same leg that was now in a cast.
Lin Miao remembered that when Papa Lin was carried back to the village by the villagers, the blood had dyed the white cloth of the stretcher red.
As Lin Miao looked at Papa Lin, it felt as if that scene had happened just yesterday.
But now, everything was completely different. The father who had loved her so much was now injured like this, and she was still speaking for the people who had hurt him....
...