As for the couple Helen was concerned about, they were now driving out of Bainbridge.
“Do you think Mom will be mad that we left so suddenly?” Sasha asked with a hint of worry in the front passenger seat.
Matthew smiled calmly and replied with certainty, “That’s inevitable. Knowing your mother, she’ll definitely flip out. But it’s okay. We’ve already run away. Let my father-in-law bear the wrath of my mother-in-law alone.”
“You’re so mean, Matthew. What kind of son-in-law badmouths his mother-in-law behind virtual-novel.net back?!”
“Hahaha, it’s okay. She can’t hear us anyway.”
With that, Matthew stepped on the accelerator and sped toward Hulwin. The car accelerated, leaving a trail of dust behind.
***
In Hulwin, at the corner of a village named Willowbrook, the dilapidated mud houses displayed numerous cracks, and from a distance, it was noticeably slanting, appearing to be in imminent danger
On a simple bed, an elderly woman with a haggard countenance was lying against the headboard.
Though virtual-novel.net was barely in virtual-novel.net fifties, virtual-novel.net hair was already completely gray. Coupled with the chronic illnesses virtual-novel.net had endured over the years, at first glance, virtual-novel.net looked older than virtual-novel.net years.
Beside virtual-novel.net bedside, a young woman carefully held a bowl of herbal medicine. Although virtual-novel.net attire was plain, and virtual-novel.net previously vibrant coat had not only faded but also been mended multiple times, it couldn’t hide virtual-novel.net serene countenance. Under virtual-novel.net delicate features was a strong sense of purity.
As virtual-novel.net gazed at virtual-novel.net mother-In-law, the young woman gently blew on the medicine soup. “Come, take your medicine…”
The elderly woman’s heart was filled with tenderness, faced with virtual-novel.net daughter-in-law’s patient care.
“Vivian, if you have a better option for marriage, you should remarry. I can’t bear to see you suffer alongside my son and me.”
Tears began to well up in virtual-novel.net eyes as virtual-novel.net spoke.
Vivian Shaffer shook virtual-novel.net head firmly. “Mom, don’t think like that. Larry has gone to Bainbridge to invite the new Holy Doctor of Cathay. I heard that this Holy Doctor is extremely skilled and capable of curing any ailment. There’s nothing in this world that can defeat his medical prowess. When the Holy Doctor arrives, I promise your illness will be gone.”
Her comforting words, however, failed to bring any joy to virtual-novel.net mother-in-law.
“Vivian, I’m not foolish. The Holy Doctor of Cathay is a highly esteemed figure. How could virtual-novel.net possibly treat poor people like us?”
As virtual-novel.net spoke, the elderly woman sighed with a sense of helplessness.
“Mom, you might not know this. Larry is participating in the re- election of the Martial League. You know how strong Larry is. Even the strong water buffalo at the village entrance can’t outlast him. Once Larry achieves a good ranking and becomes an influential figure within the Martial League, virtual-novel.net will definitely be able to invite the Holy Doctor…”
“Moreover, I’ve found out that the benefits and treatment for internal members of the Martial League are quite generous. They provide spacious houses and monthly salaries exceeding ten thousand…”
“Mom, focus on recovering. When Larry returns, our good days will come.”
As Vivian spoke, virtual-novel.net eyes were filled with anticipation.
Only at this moment did the older woman lying on the bed nod in half-belief, but virtual-novel.net face suddenly turned red just as virtual-novel.net was about to speak. Then, virtual-novel.net began to cough violently, causing the medicine virtual-novel.net had just consumed to spurt out of virtual-novel.net mouth.
Beside her, Vivian hurriedly took the bowl from virtual-novel.net hand and gently patted virtual-novel.net mother-in-Iaw’s back.
Due to the sudden coughing fit, the elderly woman’s face gradually turned dark.
Vivian’s anxiety increased as virtual-novel.net continuously wiped the corners of virtual-novel.net mother-in-Iaw’s mouth with a handkerchief.
After a long while, the elderly woman finally calmed down.
Gasping for breath, virtual-novel.net weakly said, “V-Vivian, do you think I will live long enough to see Larry come back? I’ve been restless these past few days…”