Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack!-Chapter 288 - 287: Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

As soon as Li Weimin got in the car, he pressed for details about what happened.

Because it was still unclear what had happened, Li Zhaodi had been admitted to the hospital.

He didn’t understand what was going on earlier.

"Brother-in-law, what exactly is going on? Mom, what illness is it?"

Even a fool like Li Weimin could sense something was off.

Gu Ruhai drove silently.

Gu Xiaoqing hesitated, then said it: "Grandma has early-stage stomach cancer and needs to be hospitalized for surgery."

Hearing this, Li Weimin was momentarily unresponsive and asked, "Cancer? What kind of illness is that?"

In the village, when elders fell ill, they typically just toughed it out at home. If it was serious, they might go to the village clinic for some medication. If it got really bad, no family would go to the trouble of going to the city for treatment.

They usually just stayed at home, and if it couldn’t be helped, the person would pass away.

So for Li Weimin, "cancer" was truly an unfamiliar term. Even though he’d spent some time in the city, cancer wasn’t something he understood.

"Uncle, cancer means that Grandma has a tumor in her stomach. Fortunately, it was caught early, and a doctor can perform surgery to remove the tumor. That way, she can be cured. If it were discovered later, it might not be so easily treatable."

Gu Xiaoqing explained it in the simplest way possible, feeling heavy-hearted, knowing that expectations and reality were two entirely different things.

Li Weimin was in a daze for a long time before he suddenly reacted, opened his mouth wide in shock, then suddenly bowed his head deeply, burying his face between his knees, while tightly pulling at his hair, and a low sobbing sound emerged.

It was suppressed, a soundless transmission of pain.

Gu Xiaoqing’s eyes reddened, feeling sore and swollen, as something wanted to break free from its confines, flowing out unchecked, silently trickling down his cheeks, over his jaw, and onto his clothes.

Gu Ruhai also felt uncomfortable but continued to drive steadily. At this moment, as the son-in-law of the family, he needed to be the one who held everything together, otherwise, the family might fall into chaos.

Right now, only Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang knew. After they got home, there were still Li Xuemei and Li Qinghai, who would also be devastated once they learned of it.

"Brother, you can cry for now, but when we get home, you need to control your emotions. Our elders can’t take such scares anymore. The doctor said it’s just a minor issue. As long as we actively cooperate with the treatment, she’ll quickly recover.

But we can’t let Dad fall ill from this too; otherwise, it’ll throw the family into disorder. As the eldest, we need to stand firm, handle this matter, and not fall apart as well."

Gu Ruhe’s words sounded less like persuasion and more like a reminder.

It wasn’t that because it wasn’t Gu Ruhai’s own mother, he was more cold-blooded and rational. It’s just that this has already happened, and wailing won’t solve anything.

Gu Xiaoqing nodded, knowing this, yet sometimes emotions just couldn’t be controlled.

She wiped her tears and handed a handkerchief to Li Weimin in the back.

Li Weimin took it silently, and after a long pause, a hoarse voice finally came: "Brother-in-law, thank you. I know you’re right, I just couldn’t hold back for a moment. I’m sad. Our parents barely enjoyed any good days following us, always worrying and suffering for us as their children.

We didn’t have money before; the family was poor, so we only thought about being filial to them once the family was better off. But now, after making money with you in business these past years, family conflicts have increased. First, it was Jianguo and Jianhui getting married, and then once the daughters-in-law came in, they were like water and fire, the household not at peace. We were busy with our own troubles and didn’t have time to look after the elders.

Our parents still live in the old house because they don’t want to get involved in our messy affairs, preferring some peace. So why has it come to this?"

Li Weimin was filled with endless regret, seemingly entrapped by scene after scene.

"I haven’t been filial. My mother suffered so much for us, her children and siblings. She always saved the best food for us, never shirking farm work, and even now, in her old age, she refuses to rest, always working herself.

She’s had these issues for a long time, with bouts of pain now and then. She always hid it from us, saying it was just stomach issues from cold food, but I should have taken her to the hospital long ago. It wouldn’t have come to this.

I was careless, wrapped up in my own affairs, failing my duties as a son. It hurts just thinking about it."

Gu Xiaoqing understood her uncle couldn’t calm down immediately, but she interrupted him, "Uncle, stop saying those words. Filial piety isn’t about regretting. Since things are like this now, nobody should dwell on it. Grandma’s condition— the doctors have agreed to keep it from her. We can only make Grandma happy during this period, to undergo surgery, so she can have many more years for you to be filial.

That’s something for later; what really needs our focus now is the present. Uncle, you’re the head of the family, and you can’t keep saying these things, or what would the younger brothers do?"

This snapped Li Weimin back to reality. He wiped his tears, nodded, and said, "Xiaoqing is right. I’m being less mature than a child. I should understand the priorities here. I’ll go home and tell Dad first. Brother-in-law, during this time, we’ll have to bother you."

Li Weimin had quickly regained his usual shrewdness and efficiency, with only a trace of gloom between his brows, while already beginning to think about how to handle the situation properly.

Both the family and household needed everyone to get through this difficult time together.

Gu Ruhai quickly said, "Brother, what are you saying? We’re family. Our mother is Xuemei’s mother, and my mother too, as Gu Ruhai. After long years, I know damn well how she has treated us. Saying otherwise wouldn’t make sense.

To be this polite among family, it really bothers me. Go home and do what needs to be done. Don’t worry about the cost of treatment. I’ll take care of finding the right connections and paying the expenses to ensure our mother is cured."

Gu Ruhai said these words sincerely because his mother-in-law and father-in-law were truly good people. The two elders had been genuinely kind to him all these years.

At that moment, Gu Ruhai felt an even greater responsibility to repay the elder’s kindness and express his filial respect.

Li Weimin remained silent.

True family stands as silent support, louder than any words.