Chapter 3

To say that Sang Ran fully believed Mother Zhu would lend her the money without any strings attached, well, not exactly.
Although in the original host’s memories, Mother Zhu was a decent person, the circumstances back then were special. Right now, the Zhu family was at the peak of their prosperity.
From Zhang Cuixia's figure, one could tell that in an era of food and clothing shortages, having a slightly plump build was quite impressive.
Although Zhu Chang’an couldn't marry any particularly good wife, he certainly wasn't lacking options. With money, was there any fear of not having girls willing to marry into the family?
The reason he was willing to marry the original host was mainly because her reputation was genuinely good, she was known in the area as a well-behaved, gentle, and obedient girl.
At this moment, Zhang Cuixia was quite satisfied with Sang Ran, which was why she asked with concern.
The two families had only verbally agreed at this point; there had been no formal matchmaking, betrothal gifts, or setting of an auspicious date.
Sang Ran called her "Auntie," and Zhang Cuixia's expression softened even more, prompting her to ask another question.
Sang Ran didn't hesitate and directly explained the situation, then said, "Auntie, I know this isn't the right time, but I grew up with my grandfather. If I don't get him treated, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life. I want to borrow money from you. Don't worry, I'll write a formal IOU in black and white. No matter what, I will definitely pay you back!"
Zhang Cuixia's smile faded slightly, and she hesitated.
A hundred yuan was no small amount, it was enough to cover two to three years of frugal living for an ordinary family.
Sang Ran pursed her lips. This was the first time in her life she had borrowed money like this, and she felt awkward. Fresh out of college, she had been short on money before, but when borrowing from friends, she had always been confident because the amounts were small and she could repay them quickly.
But this hundred yuan would likely take at least several months to repay, not to mention that others didn't believe she had the ability to pay it back.
Apart from the Zhu family, Sang Ran couldn't think of anyone else who could lend her this money.
Song Jianguo was out of the question. The original host wasn't close to him, and now that Su Ya had taken him, any further interaction would be inappropriate. She didn't want to risk being tricked by Su Ya again.
But thinking of Grandpa Sang at the doctor's, Sang Ran told herself to toughen up. If she succeeded, it would be a good thing; if not, she'd just have to accept it.
Zhang Cuixia's gaze swept over the young girl in front of her a few times. As a woman who managed such a large household efficiently, she was quite shrewd. Even if she didn't want to lend money, she could refuse politely without causing offense.
But this time, she didn't outright reject the request. Instead, she asked, "Are you sure you can repay it yourself?"
"Yes!" Sang Ran nodded firmly without hesitation.
Zhang Cuixia smiled, a hint of admiration in her eyes. The Sang Ran before her was more to her liking than the one she had heard about, bold and straightforward. After a moment's thought, she nodded and said, "You're a good girl, and Auntie likes you. I can lend you the money, but let's be clear: even brothers keep accounts. Even if you marry into our family in the future, this debt won't be erased."
"Of course," Sang Ran replied with a generous smile. "Thank you for your help, Auntie."
"Come with me to get the money," Zhang Cuixia waved her hand.
"Where to?" Sang Ran asked instinctively, wondering if she carried her savings with her.
Zhang Cuixia glanced at her with a smile and said, "What do you think I'm here for? My eldest daughter just had her second child. I came to bring her some soup. We'll get the money from her place."
As she spoke, she lifted the lunchbox in her hand.
Sang Ran immediately remembered, this was the day Zhang Cuixia's grandson was born. She was in a good mood, which was why, even after hearing that the original host had been locked up by her mother for refusing the marriage, she hadn't actually gotten angry.
Sang Ran felt a bit uncomfortable but still followed along.
Zhu Chang'an's second sister shared a similar temperament to Zhang Cuixia, generous and unpretentious, sharp-witted yet amiable. She treated Sang Ran politely, and even when Sang Ran arrived empty-handed, she greeted her with a cheerful smile, ensuring she felt no awkwardness.
When Zhang Cuixia mentioned needing money, she immediately handed it over without a second thought.
Sang Ran didn't stay long, leaving after just a few minutes. Zhang Cuixia had intended to accompany her to visit Grandpa Sang, but as they hadn't settled in yet, Sang Ran persuaded her not to insist, and she relented.
Sang Ran hurried back to where Grandpa Sang had been earlier, but he was no longer there. She rushed outside and saw Uncle Sang standing grim-faced by the spot where they had parked their bicycles.
Spotting her, Uncle Sang snapped, "Where did you run off to? Acting like a child!"
"Sang Ran doesn't come to town often, it's fine. We haven't been waiting long," Grandpa Sang quickly interjected to smooth things over.
Breathing heavily from her sprint, Sang Ran didn't reply immediately. Her gaze fell on the two boxes of medicine in Grandpa Sang's hands, and after catching her breath, she forgot to answer, frowning as she asked, "Is this all the medicine you got?"
Grandpa Sang smiled, "It's enough, it's enough. I'm perfectly fine."
Uncle Sang's face darkened, and he took a deep drag from his cigarette, his voice heavy. "You say it so lightly. Do you know how much this medicine cost? Five yuan!"
Sang Ran pressed her lips together, wanting to retort that Grandpa had spent countless times that amount raising him, but she knew it was pointless. They were in their forties or fifties; a few words from her wouldn't make them see the light. Their coldness stemmed from taking things for granted.
Perhaps if she were in Grandpa Sang's position, she might make the same choice, old people were bound to die eventually, so why waste the money?
She simply took Grandpa Sang's arm and said, "Grandpa, I just borrowed a hundred yuan. Let's go get you admitted to the hospital and have the surgery before we head back."
Uncle Sang froze, staring at her in disbelief, momentarily speechless.
Grandpa Sang was shocked. "Where did you borrow the money?"
"I ran into Auntie Zhu and borrowed it from her," Sang Ran replied casually, pulling him along. "Let's go get you admitted and prepare for the surgery."
The Zhu family? Wasn't that the family Sang Ran was discussing a marriage arrangement with?
Grandpa Sang broke out in a cold sweat, waving his hands frantically and pulling her back in a panic. "What foolish thing have you done, child? I'm perfectly healthy. Where did you borrow the money? Return it right away. Oh, this is just awful! I'm too old for this!"
What if they held this against Sang Ran and treated her poorly in the future? The thought made Grandpa Sang's heart ache.
"Grandpa!" Sang Ran called out sternly.
Grandpa Sang tremb as he stopped moving, looking at her with a hint of timidity.
"I've already borrowed the money, and returning it is out of the question. If you refuse to go for treatment, I’ll just throw the money away. Either way, I’ll still have to repay the debt," Sang Ran said sternly, her expression resolute.
"Silly girl!" Grandpa Sang scolded hoarsely, his eyes reddening, his voice choked with emotion.
At that moment, Uncle Sang snapped back to reality but didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he chuckled cheerfully, "That’s perfect. Third Daughter is being filial. Dad, let’s go get admitted to the hospital first."
Uncle Sang was quite pleased, filial piety without spending his own money. After all, once his father recovered, he’d still be around to work for their family.
"Grandpa, let’s head back first to complete the hospitalization procedures. You can rest here while Uncle and I go home to fetch some clothes and other necessities," Sang Ran said with a smile, gently pushing Grandpa Sang toward the hospital.
Grandpa Sang’s lips quivered as he gazed at his naive granddaughter, unable to utter a word.
He had raised so many sons, yet only this one granddaughter truly cared for him.
Grandpa Sang no longer resisted treatment.
Sang Ran took him to complete the hospitalization formalities and settled him into his assigned ward. There were several other patients in the room, but not many family members were present.
After temporarily getting Grandpa Sang settled, Uncle Sang had to return home, there were countless matters waiting for him there. Sang Ran, needing to retrieve some belongings, went back with him.
After all the commotion, it was already quite late. Sang Ran would have to make another trip back, and if she delayed any further, she’d likely end up walking in the dark.
Even though Sang Ran was strong, it didn’t change the fact that she was a delicate young woman, so she walked especially quickly.
The two of them rushed through the arrangements and hurried back. Grandpa Sang sat quietly on the bed, obediently watching his granddaughter with longing eyes.
A fellow patient nearby chuckled and said, "Old brother, your son and granddaughter are so filial."
Hearing this, Grandpa Sang grinned and replied, "Yes, indeed! My granddaughter is very filial."
It was just a pity she had to suffer.
Now that she had borrowed money from the Zhu family before even getting married, she would likely struggle to hold her head high in the future.
There wasn’t much he could do except focus on recovering his health, hoping to leave something behind for his granddaughter someday.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
The only hitch was that Sang Ran’s actions earned her a scolding from her parents. They blamed her for borrowing such a large sum without consulting them and for turning to the Zhu family for the loan. What if the Zhu family changed their minds and decided not to marry her? Wouldn’t she be at a loss?
If it hadn’t been so late, Sang Ran might not have been able to escape the situation.
Fortunately, the money had already been borrowed and spent at the hospital. No matter how displeased her parents were, they couldn’t force her to return it, otherwise, people would gossip about their lack of filial piety.
In the past, Sang Ran had always despised such threats, but this time, she was genuinely grateful for their existence.
Even so, Mother Sang still wore a gloomy expression as she said, "This debt has nothing to do with us. You’re the one who borrowed it, so no matter what happens, you’ll be responsible for repaying it."
"Of course," Sang Ran nodded.
Only then did Mother Sang’s expression soften slightly.
As dusk began to envelop the land, Sang Ran pushed her bicycle and prepared to leave. She had only taken a few steps when a somewhat familiar voice called out to her.
Sang Ran turned her head and saw Sang Xiuxiu running over, her face filled with concern and a hint of peculiarity. "Sang Ran, are you heading to the hospital?"
"Yes," Sang Ran nodded. "It’s getting dark, so I need to hurry."
Sang Xiuxiu quickly grabbed her, asking anxiously, "I heard you borrowed this money from the Zhu family? They were willing to lend it to you just like that?"
"Wait!" Before Sang Ran could answer, she hurriedly added, "You’re borrowing money from them just like that? Does that mean you’ll have to marry into their family afterward? Zhu Chang’an is a troublemaker, are you really going to marry him?!"
Sang Ran nodded. "Of course I’m going to marry him. The Zhu family is very good."
Sang Xiuxiu gritted her teeth. How could this be? If Sang Ran gave in, it meant she no longer had feelings for Song Jianguo.
Filled with resentment, she couldn’t help but say, "Are you only marrying into their family because of the money? Let me tell you"
Sang Ran frowned unhappily. "Stop talking. I don’t want to hear it. Please move aside; I need to go."
She disliked speaking ill of others behind their backs, especially those who had helped her.
"I’m serious!" Sang Xiuxiu refused to let go, gripping the handlebars of her bicycle and raising her voice slightly. "The Zhu family must be trying to trap you, they have ulterior motives, "
Just as she said this, a sharp voice abruptly cut her off: "Who are you saying has ulterior motives, girl? How can someone so young speak so harshly?"
Sang Xiuxiu’s breath hitched, her face turned pale, and she trembled as she looked over.
In the dim light, a slightly plump woman approached.
Sang Ran immediately called out obediently, "Hello, Auntie."
Zhang Cuixia smiled at her, her tone completely different from before, soft and gentle. "Sweetheart, I made some soup for my eldest daughter and thought you might not have left yet, so I brought it over for you to take to your grandfather. There’s plenty, both of you can have some. I’ll come by tomorrow morning to check on your grandfather."
"Thank you, Auntie." Sang Ran parked her bicycle and went over to take it.
Sang Xiuxiu stood frozen the entire time, as if paralyzed, her face burning with shame. She wanted to run but didn’t dare.
She glanced at the heavy container in Sang Ran’s hands, unable to believe that Zhu Chang’an’s mother could be so kind?
Before the marriage was even finalized, they were willing to lend money and even bring soup?
Recalling how she had secretly mocked Sang Ran for being pitiable at noon, Sang Xiuxiu felt even more uncomfortable, and her jealousy grew. Why did Sang Ran always have such good luck?!
Her face turned pale and then flushed, her nails digging deeply into her palms. Only after steeling herself did she manage to call out stiffly, "Auntie"
"Don’t call me Auntie," Zhang Cuixia sneered, placing one hand on her hip, her demeanor fierce. "Don’t talk about ulterior motives, I was just being kind for once. Even if Sang Ran didn’t marry my son, I would still lend her the money. I just like this girl, is that a problem? Why do you have to meddle?! If I ever hear you say something like that again, you’ll have me to deal with!"