"Why is the pest infestation so severe this year?"
The director of the Agricultural Science Institute had even come in person. The usual pesticides were no longer effective—the insects had developed resistance.
While everyone was still studying the problem, Yang Yufen went to inspect the fruit trees as usual and noticed children picking up fallen fruit from the pruned branches.
Those fruits had already been sprayed with ineffective pesticides. Worried the children might eat them and get sick, Yang Yufen hurried over.
"Those fruits aren’t safe to eat!"
She shouted. The children, startled by the adult, hesitated but still clutched the fruit and ran. Anxious, Yang Yufen gave chase.
"Kids, the fruit has pesticides—I’m not trying to scold you!"
She called out, but in her haste, she tripped over a branch the children had dragged out while gathering fruit.
The fall terrified the children. They dropped the fruit and, after a moment’s hesitation, ran back.
They wanted to help Yang Yufen up but didn’t dare.
"Go call for help, children. These fruits were sprayed—they’re not safe. Wait until the fruit ripens, alright?"
Yang Yufen felt something wrong with her knee and didn’t dare move. Seeing how frightened the children were, she suppressed her pain and kept her voice gentle.
"Sorry," the oldest child finally said before rushing off to get help.
Yang Yufen was taken to the hospital, and the children were scolded harshly by their parents. Their families lived nearby, and the orchard often provided temporary work opportunities for them.
Yang Yufen sighed as she watched the bruised children. She could guess why their parents had brought them along.
"The orchard’s fruit was sprayed—you all know that. If something had happened to these children over a few pieces of fruit, could you have lived with the consequences?"
Her knee was in a cast, the injury severe—a dislocation combined with a fracture. She had just undergone surgery, and recovery would take at least three months. At her age, complications were inevitable.
Aunt Wang shooed the parents away.
"You’re too soft-hearted for your own good. Now you’re the one suffering."
"At my age, if something had happened to those children, it would’ve been bad for the orchard too. You know how people can twist things."
Yang Yufen’s words silenced Aunt Wang. When things went wrong, even reasonable people could turn hostile. Maybe they should’ve burned the pruned branches and fruit or kept them out of the children’s reach.
"Focus on recovering. Don’t worry about the orchard. We can’t cut corners—we’ll raise the fences higher so this doesn’t happen again."
The incident was a wake-up call. Someone might even accuse them of poisoning the fruit on purpose—troublemakers always found a way to twist the truth.
Yang Yufen hadn’t called Qin Nian, but Zhou Ang, the surgeon, didn’t keep it from her.
"The injury is serious. She won’t be able to move for at least six months."
Qin Nian’s heart clenched at the news.
"I’ll take leave and go back."
She decided immediately.
Shen Xianjun was away for further training, and even if she could reach him, he wouldn’t be able to take time off. Qin Nian didn’t even bother calling.
When she arrived, dusty and exhausted, Yang Yufen lay with one leg suspended, forcing a smile.
"Why’d you come back? Sit down."
"Mom, does it hurt badly?"
She didn’t ask why her mother-in-law hadn’t told her—she already knew it was to avoid burdening them.
"It did at first, but it’s better now. Just boring lying around all day. The caregiver’s good—have you eaten?"
"I ate on the train. I’ve taken leave, so don’t worry."
Qin Nian stayed by her side. When the caregiver returned with food, Qin Nian took over, wiping Yang Yufen’s hands with a towel and setting up the tray.
The meals were decent, and the caregiver, recommended by her sister-in-law, was attentive.
"Your daughter-in-law is so devoted, leaving work to care for you," the caregiver remarked.
"Of course. I didn’t want to trouble her—she’s a capable woman, handles everything at home and work, and raises the kids well too."
Yang Yufen praised her without hesitation.
Once the caregiver left to rest, Yang Yfen spoke more openly.
"The caregiver’s good—I’m well taken care of. Just check in when you can. I’m not one to suffer in silence. Don’t neglect your work."
"It’s no trouble. You’ve always supported us without complaint. If I ignored you now, that would be wrong. I can handle work calls. I’ll stay until you’re discharged, then hire two helpers—one for you, one for the house."
"Where’s Xianjun? Why just you?"
Unable to argue, Yang Yufen changed the subject.
"He’s in training. Contacting him would be complicated. Don’t overthink it—just focus on recovering. I’ll have the house renovated too."
Yang Yufen nodded. They’d bought the house but never properly furnished it, just moved in with basic furniture.
"Alright. But with the caregiver here, you don’t need to stay all the time."
Yang Yufen tried to persuade her, but Qin Nian fetched warm water to bathe her.
Her mother-in-law was fastidious—even raising two children alone, she’d kept everything spotless. After days in bed, Qin Nian noticed small details the caregiver had missed.
She bathed her, trimmed her nails, and only left once Yang Yufen was asleep.
Yang Yufen opened her eyes after Qin Nian left.
She stayed hospitalized for eighteen days. Qin Nian cared for her for fifteen.
In that time, the villa was renovated—the path to the door widened and smoothed, a step replaced with a ramp.
Every sharp corner on the first floor was padded, and handrails were installed from the bedroom to the bathroom.
Two helpers were hired—one for cleaning, one for cooking.
"Mom, the first floor’s ready. Stay here for now. The phone’s set up—call me anytime."
"Got it. You’ve been away from work too long—go back without worry."
"Don’t worry, Miss Qin. We’ll take good care of her—someone will always be with her, and we’ll make sure she gets fresh air and sunlight daily."
Qin Nian paid them well, insisting they be efficient, strong, and skilled in caregiving.
The helpers knew the family’s status and didn’t dare slack off—especially after neighbors dropped by, speaking kindly but making it clear they were being watched.
