"No, no, it's alright, thank you, sister! Thank you!"
Hearing that Su Ding did not require compensation, the girl repeatedly bowed in gratitude, disregarding her injuries.
But as she bowed, her foot seemed to twist even more severely. A hint of pain flickered across her face, yet she never dared to make a sound.
A flicker of compassion crossed Su Ding's eyes. "Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."
The girl glanced at the shared bicycle, then at her foot, a look of distress appearing on her face. "Sister, could you please take me to the Third Municipal Hospital?"
She didn't want to take advantage of anyone, but now that her foot was injured, she didn't know how she would get to the hospital to care for her mother. The Third Municipal Hospital was not close, and it would take half an hour by car.
Su Ding had nothing else to do, so she nodded. "Of course, I'll help you get in the car."
"Thank you, sister, thank you."
The girl took a sniff, suppressing the bittersweet surge of gratitude.
These past few days, she had been almost crushed by cruel reality. Just moments ago, when she saw the car about to collide with her, she had even wished she could die.
Her mother was seriously ill, she had lost her virtue, and her friends had betrayed her...
All of this caused her unbearable pain, yet she didn't even have time to lick her wounds.
She had expected the car owner to demand compensation, but she never imagined the owner would be so kind and so beautiful, not only not demanding compensation but also offering to take her to the hospital.
After helping the girl into the car, Su Ding also fastened her seatbelt.
The car slowly started to move.
"Ring ring ring."
Just then, the girl's phone in her bag suddenly rang.
The girl nodded apologetically at Su Ding before carefully answering the phone. Upon hearing something, she immediately became agitated and said anxiously, "Don't touch my mom, I'm coming right now to pay the bill!"
Then, her voice softened.
"Mom, don't worry, I'll be there soon. Just focus on your examination, I'm here for everything..."
Finally, the call ended. The girl seemed to have been drained of all her strength, her eyes a little vacant.
Su Ding seemed to sense something and looked at the girl beside her. Her clothes were all from a "9.9 Yuan free shipping" store, and her jeans were almost washed white.
The backpack behind her also had some mended rips, and judging by its shape, it likely contained books.
"Is your mother in the hospital?" Su Ding asked. Seeing the girl quickly wipe away her tears, she smiled at her. "Yes, my mother is sick, and I'm on my way to take care of her now."
"Judging by your appearance, are you still in school?"
The girl seemed to feel Su Ding's kindness and nodded. "I'm a student at Zhonghe University."
Su Ding glanced at the girl again. From her delicate and pretty face, she seemed to see her past self.
At that time, Shao Zheng'ang had already driven her mother and her out of the house. Later, when her mother fell ill, she attended university while working part-time jobs until the cost of surgery overwhelmed her.
She then sought help from Shao Zheng'ang, only to be deceived by Shao Lin...
She shook her head, unwilling to dwell on those dark days, and said softly, "Your mother's illness will be cured, and things will get better slowly."
This simple comforting remark caused the girl, who had been trying hard to smile, to break down.
Her tears seemed to have burst through a dam, flowing uncontrollably.
"Thank you... thank you, sister..."
The girl cried, constantly wiping away her tears, sobbing her thanks.
But seeing the girl cry, Su Ding was also a little flustered. She hadn't expected the girl to suddenly lose control and quickly handed her tissues.
After crying for a while, the girl felt a little relieved.
Under Su Ding's worried gaze, she blushed with embarrassment and explained in a hoarse voice, "I'm sorry, sister. I was a bit out of line just now. Because... because I encountered some unpleasant things a few days ago and was feeling down, and today my part-time boss fired me..."
"My mother's hospitalization fees are due soon, so I just couldn't hold it in..."
"It's been a long, long time since anyone cared about me."
The girl spoke intermittently, her voice still a little choked with sobs.
Su Ding, being a rather sentimental person, also felt a pang of heartache watching this scene.
Perhaps others couldn't sympathize with such an experience.
But she could.
She even felt a strong urge to help the girl, as if her grown self were reaching out to help the helpless girl she once was.
However, she was still a stranger to the girl, and being too proactive might seem as if she had ulterior motives.
After a moment of thought, she said, "I have a job here, would you consider it?"
"A job?" The girl's eyes suddenly lit up, and a touch of color returned to her pale face.
"I just opened a small restaurant a while ago and am looking for a waitress. If you don't have classes, you can come and help out. It's not too far from your university, and the salary is four thousand yuan a month."
Su Ding set the salary based on market rates. It was less than that of a full-time waitress, but for a part-time job, it was already quite substantial.
Hearing four thousand yuan, the girl became excited. "I can do it, sister! I'll work hard, I promise! I'll give it my all."
Four thousand yuan was more than all her part-time jobs combined.
Su Ding's image in her eyes became exceptionally tall and divine, truly a benefactor.
"Then it's settled. My name is Su Ding, and my phone number is 135..."
"Add me, and I'll send you my WeChat location. If you have time, come over and contact me."
Su Ding was direct and finalized the job offer with the girl on the spot.
Now she knew that the girl's name was Zhang Xiaoya, a third-year student at Zhonghe University. Her father had passed away early, and all the family's money had been spent on her mother's medical treatment. The girl's part-time jobs were the only source of income for the family's expenses.
Soon, they arrived at the Third Municipal Hospital.
Su Ding helped Zhang Xiaoya get her injury checked. The doctor said there were no major issues and gave her some ointment for scrapes.
Afterward, she accompanied Zhang Xiaoya to the payment counter.
Su Ding wanted to help, but Zhang Xiaoya refused, insisting, "Sister, I have enough money. Once I officially start working for you, you can pay me then."
Seeing this, Su Ding didn't say anything more.
When they reached the ward, Zhang Xiaoya's mother had already been taken for a check-up. Su Ding didn't stay long, as the mother and daughter needed to have some private conversation, and her presence would be inconvenient.
"Xiaoya, you stay here and take care of your mother. I'll be going now."
"Thank you, sister. I really appreciate your help today. I'll come find you at the shop once I'm done here."
Zhang Xiaoya's mood had improved considerably. She walked Su Ding downstairs and waved goodbye, "Drive safely, goodbye!"
Su Ding waved back.
After bidding farewell to Zhang Xiaoya, Su Ding drove to Tingxia, planning to discuss Zhang Xiaoya's situation with Wen Yang.
Meanwhile, at the Shao family's old mansion, the atmosphere was unusually tense!
Madam Shao was furious upon learning that Shao Zhengchang's cooperation project with Oya Group had fallen through. Shao Jun and Shao Zhengchang were so intimidated that they dared not speak, bowing their heads to face the silent storm.
"This isn't the first time! Every time you provoke Shao Xu, it brings endless trouble! And yet you still go after her. Do you think she's easy to deal with?"
"This Oya project, how long have you been planning it? You said it was a sure thing, and now what?"
"All of Shao Group's collaborations were postponed to pool the funds. Now, all that effort is for nothing. How many times have I told you, don't corner yourselves!"
Madam Shao said with a gloomy expression, clenching her aged hand tightly.
Even she hadn't expected that a project, which had been confidently secured, would be lost at such a crucial juncture.
And the reason was that their own family members had caused it!
"Have you found out? What is Shao Xu's relationship with Oya Group? Why did they turn you away with just one word from her?"
Her questioning gaze swept over everyone present.