Chapter 10: Simple-minded

After that incident, her family was completely disappointed in Yan Xiuhé, and Yan Xiubai told her and her younger brother not to acknowledge that second aunt anymore.

Therefore, Yan Ningxuan now had no reservations and felt free to say whatever she wanted.

After finishing her shopping, Yan Ningxuan returned to the rental community, thoroughly cleaned the apartment, and redecorated it.

Once she had made the bed, she moved most of the items out of the space.

Soon after, the groceries she bought from the supermarket arrived. Most of them were stored in the landlord’s large refrigerator, which had a capacity of over five hundred liters.

South City First Hospital

At noon, Yan Ningxuan arrived at the hospital carrying three insulated containers.

The last takeaway delivered by Yan Xiubai happened to be near the hospital.

Just as he was about to get some food, he saw his daughter approaching.

Seeing her father, Yan Ningxuan smiled brightly. “Dad, you’re just in time. I made a lot of delicious food. Let’s eat together.”

Yan Xiubai chuckled, “Great, today we get to taste your cooking.”

He proceeded to set up the folding table.

But when Yan Ningxuan laid out the five dishes and a soup she had prepared, all three were stunned.

Sun Shuzhen stared at the dishes, which were rich in color, aroma, and flavor, and said in amazement, “Stir-fried shrimp with corn, steamed sea bass, braised pork, lean pork stir-fried with celery, garlic pork slices, and lotus root rib soup. This meal is truly lavish.”

Yan Ningxuan smiled and said, “Our family needs good nutrition now. Eating well gives us strength to fight the illness alongside my little brother.”

After speaking, she placed some freshly bought bananas on the cabinet.

Yan Xiubai thought back on his earnings today and estimated he could only afford the shrimp and pork from these four dishes.

But since this was his daughter’s heartfelt gesture, he refrained from dampening the mood. “Right, eating well is good for our health. Shuzhen, don’t blame our daughter—she only wants the best for us.”

Suddenly, Sun Shuzhen tugged at her husband’s arm. “You’re the only one who can be a good dad. Did I say anything wrong? I just think today’s meal is too extravagant. We’re lucky to have such a feast. Our daughter worked hard even on her day off to cook for us.”

Yan Xiubai smiled awkwardly. “Alright, with the children around, give me some face.”

Yan Ningxuan and Yan Qingyu burst out laughing together.

Sun Shuzhen then withdrew her hand.

Yan Ningxuan knew that if she didn’t reassure them, no matter how sumptuous the food, they would find it tasteless and unappetizing.

Therefore, she told them about the bonus she was about to receive.

Of course, she also mentioned how she had saved their landlord this morning and was exempted from rent.

“The reward for her act of bravery should arrive within half a month.”

All three widened their eyes in surprise.

Yan Xiubai was astonished. “There’s such a big reward for doing the right thing? Wait, that’s not the main point. Ningxuan, are you okay?”

Sun Shuzhen felt chills just hearing about this morning’s event. “Don’t ever do that again. What if the landlord had lost his footing and pulled you into the accident? What would we do?”

Yan Qingyu nodded with worry. “Yeah, sister, if something happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live anymore.”

Yan Ningxuan was speechless.

Did her family lack common sense? Were they actually cursing her?

She cleared her throat gently. “I’m fine. Dad, Mom, you taught me to be honest, kind, and useful to society from a young age. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Doing this also accumulates virtue for my little brother, helping him recover sooner.”

“Good people are rewarded. Thanks to this, we can save three months’ rent.”

Seeing her say this, the couple could say nothing more.

These were exactly the values they had instilled in their children.

“All right, let’s eat first. We can talk more after the meal.”

Everyone was already hungry and devoured the food heartily.

Yan Ningxuan’s cooking was excellent, far tastier than the hospital cafeteria’s.

Since Yan Qingyu was diagnosed with leukemia three months ago, they had been frugal and hadn’t enjoyed such a sumptuous meal for a long time.

So, they all ate with relish, even finishing the soup completely.

After resting a while, Yan Ningxuan suddenly took out her phone and transferred fifty thousand yuan to each of her parents. “Here’s some money for you. Pay any bills or buy whatever you want. Don’t be stingy with money.”

The couple’s eyes widened when they saw the bank notifications.

“Ningxuan, what are you doing?”

“How do you have this much money? Isn’t the bonus supposed to come later?”

Sun Shuzhen recalled what her daughter had said yesterday and explained it to her husband.

Yan Xiubai’s reaction was the same as his wife’s the day before: no wild joy over a windfall, but deep concern. “Sweetheart, is this really not a scam? The news says scammers lure victims by giving them benefits first, sometimes even transferring tens of thousands initially, so the victims believe they’re genuine. You know the saying, ‘You can’t catch a wolf without losing a lamb.’ I’m worried…”

Yesterday, when he came to the hospital, he heard that his daughter earned some money, enough to pay for medical expenses and still have some left.

But he had some work documents in hand and was a bit anxious, so he just assumed it was a reward for her excellent work and didn’t ask further.

Yan Ningxuan raised an eyebrow. “Dad, don’t worry. Your daughter’s not that foolish. There’s nothing in our family worth scamming.”

Yan Xiubai remained worried. “If they can’t scam your money, they might try to scam your heart.”

Suddenly, Yan Qingyu chimed in, “Or your kidneys.”

Yan Ningxuan glared at her brother.

At a time like this, not helping his sister—what was he thinking?

Don’t think she wouldn’t dare to scold him just because he’s sick.

Startled by the glare, Yan Qingyu shivered, tucked in his neck, and fell silent.

Sun Shuzhen, worried that her daughter might be upset, quickly smiled to ease the mood. “We have to trust Ningxuan. She’s very smart.”

Yan Xiubai glanced at his wife, saw her nod, and reluctantly said no more.

Perhaps their daughter truly had her own opportunities.

Yan Xiubai conceded, “Alright, but if anything happens, you must inform me immediately.”

“I understand,” Yan Ningxuan replied and changed the subject. “Dad, delivering takeout is really dangerous—exposed to wind and rain every day, and so tiring. Let me handle the money-making. You should find a lighter job.”

Once she saved enough, she would help her father make a comeback.

Yan Xiubai was touched by his daughter’s thoughtfulness and care. “I know you’re filial, but I’m not that old yet, and delivering takeout isn’t that hard. Let me continue for a while longer.”

Besides the medical bills for their son, the family still owed millions in debt.

How could he pass all the pressure onto his daughter?

Yan Ningxuan knew he wouldn’t agree for now; maybe when she earned more, he would. She compromised, “Alright, Dad. I’ll agree to you continuing delivery, but you must come home to sleep every night.”