PFC Chapter 287 The Return Journey and the Scheme
Chapter 287 The Return Journey and the Scheme
The train made a rhythmic clanging sound on the tracks, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from the high-rise buildings of Beijing to the fields of the suburbs, and then to the gray-tiled bungalows of the small county town.
Yuan Bao leaned against the window of the sleeper car, his fingers lightly tapping his knees, his mind constantly calculating the next steps.
My uncle was sitting on the lower bunk opposite me, whispering with my aunt: "If we want to go to Beijing with Bao and the others, we need to take care of our work first."
I've worked at this company for so many years, and if I suddenly want to leave, the management might not let me go.
My aunt nodded: "And Xiaoshan's school, the transfer procedures also need to be completed in advance."
Hearing this, Yuan Bao turned her head and said, "Uncle, don't worry about the school. I can ask Boss Chen to help me contact schools in Beijing. As for the job..." She paused, "If you've decided, I can ask Boss Chen when would be a good time to help you look into the logistics company you're interested in."
My uncle's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great!" But then he hesitated, "But where will the whole family live if we move there all at once? Rent in Beijing isn't cheap."
Yuan Bao smiled and said, "Let's just stay in the courtyard house we live in. We'll think about buying a house after things settle down."
Grandpa, sitting in the next bunk, listened to their conversation and suddenly interjected, "Your mother and I have discussed it; we're definitely going to Beijing with Yuan Bao's family. We're getting old; it's time to enjoy our retirement."
Grandma was combing Pingping's hair when she heard this and smiled, "Yes, the medical conditions in Beijing are good. If we, the two of us, go there, we won't be a burden to you."
My aunt's family sat at the other end of the carriage, while my uncle frowned, clearly still struggling with his decision.
His aunt nudged him: "What are you thinking? Bao'er already said she could help you find a job in Beijing."
My uncle sighed: "I've worked at the county agricultural machinery station for twenty years, and suddenly I have to transfer..."
Yuan Bao walked over and said softly, "Uncle, there's no rush. Take your time to think it over. There are still five months. My brother and I start school in September. It's only February now; we can make a decision before July."
Uncle-in-law looked at Yuan Bao gratefully: "Bao girl, thank you for thinking of us so thoughtfully."
When the train made a temporary stop at a small station, Yuan Bao took his aunt and mother to the connecting area between the carriages.
It's noisy here, so it's not easy for others to hear you when you speak.
“Auntie, you must follow the plan when you get back.” Yuan Bao lowered his voice. “The first step is to make your feigned illness convincing.”
This is the 'medicine' I prepared for you.
She took a small porcelain bottle out of her pocket and poured out ten pale yellow pills.
The aunt took the pills and asked doubtfully, "Can this really make me look sick?"
Yuan Bao nodded: "This is called 'Muscle Yellowing Pill.' Taking it will turn your complexion yellow, making you look sickly, but it actually has no effect on your health. Take one pill a day, in front of your aunt's family, and say it's a medicine prescribed by a major hospital in Beijing."
"Honey," Yuan's mother asked worriedly, "is this medicine really safe?"
"Mom, don't worry, I specially got this from an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor, it's absolutely fine."
Yuan Bao didn't mention the system, but instead instructed her aunt, "When you get back, tell her that the checkup in Beijing revealed a liver problem that requires long-term care. Here are the medical records and test reports." She then took out a file folder from her bag.
My aunt opened the file bag, and inside was a medical report from a top-tier hospital in Beijing. It clearly stated "chronic hepatitis, requiring long-term medication and rest," and was stamped with the hospital's official seal in bright red.
"This...this looks so real!" Auntie exclaimed in surprise.
Yuan Bao smiled mysteriously: "I had someone arrange this; it can definitely withstand scrutiny. If your uncle has any doubts, feel free to ask him."
Aunt Yuan was still worried: "Sister, you must be careful when you get back. What if that family finds out you're faking illness..."
“No, it won’t.” The aunt gripped the medicine bottle tightly, a determined glint in her eyes. “I’ve been their nanny for over ten years, and they’ve never cared about my health. Now that I’m ‘sick,’ they’ll only see me as a burden.”
The train whistles; it's about to arrive at the station.
Yuan Bao gave her final instructions: "Auntie, remember, don't bring up divorce when you get back. Just stay in bed and 'recover,' let them cook and do the laundry. They'll get fed up with it in a few days."
The aunt nodded emphatically and carefully hid the medicine bottle and medical record in her inner pocket.
It was already afternoon when the train arrived at the station.
To make the act convincing, Yuan Bao and his mother helped the aunt out of the car, one on each side. Following Yuan Bao's instructions, the aunt walked unsteadily and looked pale—actually, it was because she had just taken her first muscle-tonifying pill.
"What's wrong, sister?" asked Aunt Wang, the neighbor who came to pick her up at the station, in surprise.
Aunt Yuan sighed, "Sigh, I suddenly felt unwell while we were in Beijing. A checkup at the hospital revealed a liver problem; I need to take good care of myself."
The aunt coughed twice to make it look good, and said weakly, "It's nothing... I'm just a little tired..."
News travels fast in a small county town. By the time they arrived at their aunt's husband's house, several neighbors were already pointing and whispering about it.
The gate to my aunt's husband's house was half open, and my aunt's husband was drinking with his two grown sons in the yard.
Upon seeing Yuan Bao and his group, the uncle frowned: "Why are you only coming back now? No one's even cooked!"
Mother Yuan immediately raised her voice: "Brother-in-law, my eldest sister was diagnosed with liver disease in Beijing, and the doctor said she needs to rest in bed for at least six months! How can you still have the nerve to let her cook?"
The uncle was stunned, and only then did he notice his wife's pale face and the way Yuan Bao and her daughter were supporting each other.
His eldest son—a robust young man in his twenties—scoffed dismissively, “What serious illness could he possibly have? He just wants to slack off, doesn’t he?”
Yuan Baoqiang suppressed his anger and waved the medical record in front of him: "If you don't believe me, cousin, you can go to a hospital in Beijing to get it checked. Aunt's illness is contagious if it's not treated properly!"
"Contagious?" The second son immediately shrank back.
My uncle took the medical record with some skepticism and flipped through it. The dense medical terminology and bright red official seal on it made him have no choice but to believe it.
He frowned and asked, "Then... how much will the treatment cost?"
Yuan Bao had been waiting for this question: "Initially, the monthly cost of medicine is about five hundred yuan, and later it depends on the recovery." This amount was a huge sum in a small county town in the 90s.
"Five hundred?!" My uncle almost jumped up. "Where did he get so much money?"
Yuan Bao sneered: "Auntie has worked so hard for this family for so many years, and now that she's sick, you're not even willing to pay for her treatment?"
The aunt coughed at that opportune moment and said weakly, "I...I still have a thousand yuan in my savings account...I'll use that for now..."
The two sons exchanged a glance.
Yuan Bao knew that the fish had taken the bait—his aunt had saved up some money by living frugally, and if this money was spent on "medical treatment," it would be equivalent to touching what they considered "family property."
Sure enough, the eldest son immediately said, "Dad, Mom's illness won't get better anytime soon, so... how about letting her go back to her parents' home to recuperate?"
My uncle's eyes darted around, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
Seeing that the time was almost right, Yuan Bao gave his mother a wink.
Understanding the implication, Aunt Yuan said loudly, "Elder sister, since they're so heartless, why don't you come back to our house for a few days! We'll talk again when you're feeling better!"
Auntie nodded weakly, and Yuan Bao and Yuan's mother helped her turn around and leave.
Behind me came the sound of a heated argument from my aunt's husband's family, and I could vaguely hear words like "divorce is a burden".
Yuan Bao's lips curled up slightly—the plan was progressing smoothly.
Back at the Yuan family home, Auntie immediately perked up. Father Yuan and Baoguo had already arrived and were unpacking in the yard.
Upon seeing them return, Mr. Yuan asked in surprise, "What happened to my eldest sister?"
Aunt Yuan closed the door and laughed, "It's all an act! Bao'er's idea is brilliant; that family has already taken the bait."
Yuan Bao poured his aunt a glass of water: "Auntie, please stay at our house for the next few days and don't go anywhere else. Wait for your husband to come and talk to you about the divorce."
Grandpa nodded, puffing on his pipe. "That's a good idea. That family is used to being selfish; seeing you're 'sick,' they'll definitely be eager to get rid of you, this 'burden.'"
Sure enough, on the morning of the third day, my aunt's husband came to visit with his two sons.
Yuan Bao hid in the inner room, observing the situation outside through the crack in the door.
My uncle rubbed his hands, looking troubled: "Um... how long did the doctor say you'll need to recover from this illness?"
Lying in bed, my aunt weakly replied, "The doctor said... I can't work for at least six months... and it's uncertain whether I'll recover..."
The eldest son impatiently interrupted, "Mom, let's be frank. Your illness will cost a lot of money, and our family simply can't afford it. How about... you divorce Dad? That way you can go back to your parents' home and focus on getting better."
Yuan Bao almost burst out laughing in the inner room—this went even more smoothly than expected!
The aunt feigned shock: "You...you really despise me that much?"
My aunt's husband said awkwardly, "It's not that I'm disgusted... it's for your own good. After the divorce, it'll be easier for your sisters to take care of you..."
After a painful struggle, the aunt finally "reluctantly" agreed to the divorce.
My aunt's husband was afraid she would change her mind, so he took her to the Civil Affairs Bureau that afternoon to complete the formalities.
Because my aunt "voluntarily" offered not to accept any property, the procedures were completed exceptionally smoothly.
That evening, when Auntie returned to the Yuan family home with the divorce certificate, the whole family cheered and jumped for joy around her.
With tears welling in her eyes, Aunt Yuan hugged her older sister, saying, "Big sister, you're finally free!"
The aunt wiped away her tears, but was actually smiling: "More than ten years... I finally don't have to serve that ungrateful family anymore!"