An 80s female translator was spoiled rotten by a rough and jealous man.

Chapter 25 Application Form

Inside the tent, the light was dim, and Meng Youyou's complexion was not good. Her lips were slightly pursed, and she looked at Xiaofeng with worry in her eyes.

Xiaofeng had many abrasions on his body, especially on his palms, where there was still fine sand hidden in the wounds.

Meng Youyou carefully picked up a cotton swab, dipped it in water, and meticulously cleaned the wound.

"Hiss..." Xiaofeng couldn't help but bite her lip, her little face scrunched up tightly, but she didn't utter a sound, and fine beads of sweat gradually seeped out from her forehead.

Seeing this, Meng Youyou moved even more gently.

After applying the medicine, Meng Youyou squatted down in front of Xiaofeng, her eyes full of concern.

She asked softly, "Xiaofeng, what happened today? How did you get like this?"

Xiaofeng lowered his head, remaining silent, his hands nervously twisting the hem of his clothes. After a while, he slowly raised his head, his eyes slightly red, his tone tinged with guilt, and said softly, "Sister, I'm sorry."

Meng Youyou looked confused and tilted her head slightly: "Why are you apologizing to me?"

Xiaofeng's lips trembled slightly, and her voice was muffled: "Sister, the broom we made together yesterday is broken today."

Meng Youyou could clearly see the regret in the boy's eyes at that moment, as if the broom was more important than his injuries.

……

The night breeze was cool, and Meng Youyou's long, flowing hair danced freely in the wind.

...Meng Youyou couldn't stand it anymore and said indignantly, "At such a young age, they've already learned to bully the weak instead of learning good manners. What's the use of apologizing? Can I beat them up first and then apologize to them?"

Huo Qingshan's eyelids twitched involuntarily: "..."

"I will go to Xiaofeng School tomorrow to have a talk with their teachers."

Meng Youyou quickly responded, "I'll go with you."

Huo Qingshan decisively refused: "...You shouldn't go."

"Why won't you let me go?" The tone clearly carried some dissatisfaction.

Huo Qingshan glanced at her indifferently and said in a low voice, "I'm afraid you'll get into a fight with those kids."

Meng Youyou: "..."

Do I look like the kind of person who would bully elementary school students?

"Then you really... chose the right person."

Meng Youyou said listlessly, "Then when you go to school tomorrow, could you help pay Xiaofeng's book fees? Otherwise, people will keep making fun of him about this. I'll pay you back whatever amount is on my tab."

Huo Qingshan laughed, the corners of his mouth turning up, the smile reaching his eyes: "This is the first time I've seen someone borrow money as domineeringly as you, talking about borrowing money as if you were lending it to someone."

The tone was teasing.

"Fine, don't lend it to me then. I'll find someone else later."

Meng Youyou turned her head to the other side in a huff.

Huo Qingshan questioned clearly, "I said I wouldn't lend it anymore? You only paid for his books this time, but what about next time? Where will the tuition for next year and the year after come from?"

With a determined look in her eyes, Meng Youyou said firmly, "Then I will continue to sponsor Xiaofeng's schooling until he graduates from university. You know, Xiaofeng is the top student in his class. With such good grades, he will definitely be able to get into university in the future."

Huo Qingshan shook his head and asked meaningfully, "Did you give away the things you bought for him today?" Meng Youyou paused and muttered softly, "He only took a notebook and a pen, and didn't take anything else."

Huo Qingshan revealed a knowing expression and slowly explained, "Xiaofeng is a child with a strong sense of self-respect. He won't accept your sponsorship for no reason."

"What can we do? Grandma is getting older and older, and now she has injured her leg. I can't just stand by and watch her drop out of school because we can't afford the tuition, can I?"

Meng Youyou sighed deeply, her tone dejected.

Huo Qingshan abruptly changed the subject, "Xiaofeng said something to me in the car today. He said his father is a hero. You can tell he's very proud of his father."

As he spoke, Huo Qingshan took a piece of paper out of his pocket and held it up in front of Meng Youyou.

Meng Youyou took it with a puzzled look. "What is this?"

Huo Qingshan answered succinctly: "Application Form for Compensation for Survivors of Retired Military Personnel Who Died Due to Recurrence of Old Injuries While Disabled on Duty".

Meng Youyou looked at the unfolded table in her hand, not quite understanding, and asked in a puzzled tone, "But Xiaofeng's father died because of a relapse of his old injury? Didn't you say he died while saving someone?"

Huo Qingshan stated calmly and objectively, "I asked Zhang Yong to ask Grandma Xiaofeng, and she was also at the scene on the day of the rescue."

According to her description, during his military service, Xiaofeng's father suffered a severe gunshot wound to his left calf during a mountain warfare mission, resulting in a fractured tibia and damage to nearby muscles and nerves.

Despite a long rehabilitation process, he still suffered from severe sequelae. Doctors diagnosed him with complex traumatic neuromuscular injury syndrome, accompanied by post-traumatic bone injury sequelae.

While he was in the icy lake water and engaged in strenuous activity to rescue people, the aftereffects could very well have caused rapid muscle spasms in his legs, which may have been a significant contributing factor to his tragic end.

Meng Youyou quickly understood Huo Qingshan's intention, her eyes lit up slightly, and she eagerly asked, "Then how can we prove that Xiaofeng's father experienced a muscle spasm in his leg when he was saving people?"

Huo Qingshan raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "This is what I'm going to entrust to you."

……

At night, Xiaofeng lay down next to Meng Youyou.

Meng Youyou hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Xiaofeng, could you tell my sister about Sister Xiaobei?"

He reached out and stroked Xiaofeng's forehead.

In the darkness, Xiaofeng's eyes suddenly widened, and she answered with a hint of trepidation, "Sister, why are you suddenly asking about Sister Xiaobei?"

"When my sister went to the neighbor's house to borrow scissors last time, she saw Sister Xiaobei. So, Xiaofeng, how is Sister Xiaobei usually to you?"

Xiaofeng thought about it seriously for a moment, and then said earnestly, "Sister Xiaobei is very good to me. She often secretly brings food for Xiaofeng and Grandma, and she will also sneak over at night to teach Xiaofeng how to do her homework. Sister Xiaobei has excellent grades. She is the top scorer in the county's high school entrance examination. She can answer any question."

Upon hearing this, Meng Youyou blurted out the question that had been troubling her: "Dad left because he was saving Sister Xiaobei... Doesn't Xiaofeng mind at all?"

Xiaofeng fell silent... and didn't speak for a long time.

Meng Youyou didn't ask any more questions, even though Huo Qingshan had clearly told her that the biggest obstacle in the process of this matter would most likely be Zhou Xiaobei's mother.

But she didn't want to ask anymore...

She didn't know if the rumors that had been circulating in the village for so many years about Yang's mother and Zhou Xiaobei's father after his death had ever reached Xiaofeng's ears.
Perhaps a child this young understands everything, but Meng Youyou didn't want to ask anything more, not even indirect or roundabout questions.

I'll just go find someone to get the details myself tomorrow.

Meng Youyou turned to tuck the blanket around Xiaofeng and whispered in his ear, "Go to sleep. Uncle Huo will take you to school tomorrow morning."

(End of this chapter)