Wealthy Beauty in the 60s-Chapter 566 - 568: The Lion Opens Its Mouth Wide

Lin Xuebi also disagreed with using the family’s money for Gao Guofu’s treatment, but she feared that after Gao Guofu’s death, her son and daughter-in-law would care for her even less.

Their family then thought of Gao Guoqiang’s family. With Gao Guoqiang’s family being so rich and powerful, even a trifling amount of money slipping through their fingers would be enough to treat Gao Guofu’s illness, and perhaps they could even get some additional benefits.

Originally, Gao Guofu’s family planned to go to Beijing to find Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong, but as it was the New Year period, they endured until the third day of the New Year before coming over.

Now that public opinion was in their favor, they exploited it even more.

"Get up. Why kneel?" When Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong saw Gao Guofu and Lin Xuebi kneeling on the ground, with Gao Jianmin and Yang Hua supporting them from both sides, and their children also kneeling on the ground ready to kowtow, they felt uneasy.

"Third brother, third sister-in-law, we bow to you."

If it weren’t for the time being inappropriate, Xia Xiao might have actually laughed in frustration, while Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong, despite their disdain for Gao Guofu’s family’s antics, couldn’t bear to turn a blind eye to Gao Guofu’s cancer.

Gao Jiaxing and his children also looked on at Gao Guofu’s family with displeasure; it was a clear case of moral coercion.

"So you want us to pay for Gao Guofu’s cancer treatment, cover all the costs, and provide support for your family as well?" said Xia Xiao.

"We didn’t say that," responded Yang Hua.

"Xia Xiao, we had no choice. Our family is too poor to afford it..." Lin Xuebi continued to lament her hardship, describing her situation as sorrowful as possible.

Xia Xiao was direct: "First, bring the medical reports; otherwise, there’s nothing to talk about." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

It wasn’t about whether or not to pay for the treatment anymore. Gao Guofu’s family had completely abandoned their dignity; kneeling and kowtowing, who knew what they would demand next after getting help this time.

Moreover, the vast majority of the Guangming Team were kin to Gao Guoqiang. And now everyone was watching to see how they would handle Gao Guofu’s situation.

Xia Xiao and her family could not afford to play saints; otherwise, every person who got sick or injured without money for treatment would seek them out, treating them like an insurance company or an ATM. They were not fools.

"The report is at home. With life at stake, would we deceive you?" insisted Lin Xuebi.

"Who knows if you’re lying? We can’t vouch for the integrity of your family. Without a medical report, how can we believe you?" Xia Xiao made it abundantly clear she did not trust Gao Guofu’s family.

Xia Xiao also did not hear the word "loan" from Gao Guofu’s family, clearly indicating they were not thinking of borrowing, but expecting a direct handout for the treatment.

Suppose Old Lady Gao had gotten cancer. Even if they had severed ties, they would still feel obligated to pay for Old Lady Gao’s treatment.

As for Gao Guofu, neither Gao Guoqiang nor Zheng Xianghong owed him anything. Had Gao Guofu been a good brother, it would have been a different story, but he was not and had even done things that deeply hurt Gao Guoqiang.

At this point, Gao Jianmin sent his younger son back to get the report, regretting not bringing it and estimating how much money Xia Xiao’s side might give them.

"Third brother," Gao Guofu looked at Gao Guoqiang with infinite desolation and sadness in his eyes. He didn’t want to die. "Third brother, please save me. You’ve always been the one who cared for me most. We are blood brothers. I know I was wrong before. Please help me; I don’t want to die. Third brother, with father, eldest brother, and second brother gone, please have pity on me."

"Since you’ve seen a doctor, they must have told you how much it will cost to treat your illness," said Gao Guoqiang looking at Gao Guofu.

Gao Guofu wiped away his tears and nodded, prompting Gao Guoqiang to ask, "So how much does your treatment cost?"

"Fifty thousand," Gao Guofu hadn’t finished speaking when Lin Xuebi quickly interjected, "Five hundred thousand."

"Yes, it will take five hundred thousand to be completely cured," added Yang Hua.

The onlookers gasped at the amount; five hundred thousand was a considerable sum.

Some felt that five hundred thousand was too much, while others thought that, Gao Guoqiang’s family being wealthy, five hundred thousand wasn’t much, and given they were brothers from the same mother, it would be wrong for Gao Guoqiang to not help.

The Gao family scoffed, perceiving themselves as cash cows to be milked. Were they supposed to be fools?

At this moment, Li Min, with her belly protruding, spoke up, "I’m a military doctor. The cost of surgery for early-stage lung cancer typically ranges from twenty to fifty thousand, while mid to late-stage treatments cost between fifty to a hundred thousand. Chemotherapy costs depend on the prices of drugs used. You’re being dishonest."

Li Min was the daughter of Secretary Li and Ning Hui, well-known among the Guangming Team. While Zheng Xianghong was a decent healer, she was nothing more than a rustic quack without any license. For a serious illness like cancer, Zheng Xianghong might not be enough, requiring a large hospital instead.

Having heard Ning Hui’s words, everyone now understood that Lin Xuebi was overpricing and felt deceived.

Lin Xuebi immediately countered: "How could treating cancer be so cheap? You even said chemotherapy costs depend on drug prices, and those for cancer aren’t few."

Li Min internally agreed that each case was individual, with varying illnesses and costs, but to start at five hundred thousand was outrageous.

"Do you want to borrow five hundred thousand?" asked Gao Jiaxing. "For how many years, and how do you plan to repay it?"

Gao Jiaxing’s words left Gao Guofu’s family wide-eyed; they hadn’t mentioned borrowing, and even if they did, how would they afford to repay such a sum?

"Aren’t you rich? Five hundred thousand should be nothing to you," Yang Hua blurted out.

Xia Xiao was speechless, while Gao Guoqing’s wife stepped forward, "Gao Guofu, Lin Xuebi, have you no shame? Asking for five hundred thousand? And you think they just have money to burn, expecting fifty thousand without any intention of paying it back?"

Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were getting headaches. As Gao Jiaxing was about to speak, Xia Xiao tugged at his sleeve, preferring he not handle the matter.

Xia Xiao stated unequivocally, "You all know we’re raising funds for a zoo, and all our money is invested there. Our family lives well, but we’re not running a charity. Gao Guofu is my dad’s brother, but even blood relations should settle accounts clearly, let alone two families that have been estranged for decades. We’re willing to help by getting a hospital and specialists for Gao Guofu’s treatment, but the costs incurred should be borne by you. Of course, if you want to borrow money, that’s a different issue. Choosing to lend to you is a favor; declining is our right. We don’t owe you anything."