4

"Yuqiao, you need to come home and check on Xuanxuan. She's been crying for a whole day and night, and no amount of soothing is working! Her face is turning blue now!"

I was on my class patrol when I got my mom's urgent call.

Unlike my mom's 'the sky is falling' stance, I remained calm.

"Then take her to the hospital!"

"Your sister-in-law won't allow it!"

"You should come home and have a look!"

"Mom, I'm just a lousy elementary school teacher, not even a nurse. What use am I by going back? No more talking, okay? My students need to go to the bathroom!"

In my past life it was the same, every time my niece had a little headache or fever, my mom's first reaction wasn't going to the hospital, but calling me.

She even prettily excused it as: 'You're an elementary school teacher who has seen many children, you surely know!'

And so, I would take time off now and then to take care of my niece, going to the hospital with her was also my responsibility.

But now, I'm happily scrolling on my phone.

Casually watching as my sister-in-law rejoices on social media.

Sister-in-law: [Look at my independent woman, good baby! Starting solid food officially at six months! Got so happy at her first stir-fry meal that her face distorted!]

The accompanying picture showed my niece with a purplish face.

It was clearly an infant showing signs of distress and oxygen deprivation from food blocking the intestines.

My brother also sensed something was wrong and called me.

"Yuqiao, you need to come home quick, your niece is sick here, take her to the hospital!"

Obviously asking for my help, yet his tone was always unquestionable.

"Bro, the school recently approved a teacher swap application, and I've been transferred to the neighboring city, I can't come back!"

I'm not stupid, judging by the noise on the other end, it's likely they're already at the hospital.

Being asked to go over now, the drunkard's aim is not the wine itself.

Clearly wanting me to foot the bill. My brother immediately exploded, accusing me of lacking 'family awareness' and calling me an ingrate for raising me.

But he didn't scold for long.

Soon, the sound of my sister-in-law's angry voice came from the other end.

"She's not sick at all! What hospital do we need? What illness do we need to see? If this gets recorded as some medical history, what if no man wants her in the future?"

"Her face turning purple is just because she wants to be an independent woman!"

After a crisp sound of a slap, an argument started on that end of the call.

I cheerfully listened for a long time, finally reluctantly hanging up the phone.

Like my sister-in-law, aiming to speed up Xuanxuan toward being an 'independent woman,' there'll be plenty of fun in the future!