46 The Argumen (1/2)

Xiu Ling went against the will and wishes of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Lin. She brushed past the elder woman, saying, ”Mother, I do not have the time for this. I need to get to the hospital. Lin Xi needs medical attention.”

Mrs. Lin was so shocked by this sudden burst of disobedience that she failed to process what had happened. It was not until Xiu Ling almost reached the front door that what Xiu Ling had done registered in Mrs. Lin's mind.

Mrs. Lin roared angrily, with a volume so loud that it felt like she was attempting to bring the whole house down, ”Young woman, did you not hear me? Stay where you are! Where the hell you think you are going?! You are not to step one foot out of this house!”

Mrs. Lin's enraged shout froze Xiu Ling's footsteps. She hesitated as the filial responsibility to placate her mother-in-law started to conflict with her responsibility to her son. In the end, it was the latter which had won out.

Xiu Ling bit on her lower lip as she came to a decision. She turned around defiantly to face Mrs. Lin and said, ”Mother, I cannot stay. I have to send Lin Xi to the hospital. I cannot let him continue to suffer his fever like this. I wish for him to get better soon.”

Mrs. Lin's face twitched in rage noticing the unfamiliar defiant look on her daughter-in-law's face. In her understanding, under no circumstances should the daughter-in-law go up against her mother-in-law, that was the traditional Chinese way. Therefore, her fury was born out of indignation. With her chest puffed up from indescribable fury, she challenged, ”Based on what you are saying, it sounds like you are trying to imply that I want my grandson to suffer and I do not wish for him to get better.” Mrs. Lin did not voice her dissatisfaction directly but needled Xiu Ling through an indirect, roundabout way.

Xiu Ling was understandably set back by the insinuation. ”Of course not, mother. That was not what I was trying to imply. I would never imply something like that. I am sure both of us only want what is best for Lin Xi.”

”In that case, what is it that you are trying to imply?” Mrs. Lin pressed. She was not going to let Xiu Ling wiggle out of this so easily.

”Mother, I am not trying to imply anything. I meant what I said. I just want to bring Lin Xi to the hospital so the doctor can take a look at his fever and treat his condition.”

”Rubbish! All the doctor will do for Lin Xi is to give him some side effects that will haunt him for life from all those pills with unknown chemicals!”

”Mother, you get this all the wrong way. You are unnecessarily prejudiced against the doctors. Nowadays, we have pediatricians who specialize in treating illness and disease in toddlers and children. They are professional, they will know what is best for Lin Xi.” In her hurry to leave, Xiu Ling did not realize she had inadvertently criticized her mother-in-law.