Mother Chen’s three sons were all terrified by what had happened. Naturally, the thought of taking her to the hospital crossed their minds, but then the problem arose: who would pay the medical bills?
The eldest and second sons argued that since it was the third son who had caused the incident, he should be responsible for the expenses. The third son, however, felt that since he was unemployed and had no money, his two older brothers—both of whom were employed as laborers with steady wages—should pay instead.
Neither side could convince the other, and ultimately, neither was willing to suffer the loss. In the end, they dragged Mother Chen from the floor to her bed. Fearing that the blood from her head injury would stain the bedding, they placed a wooden board underneath her, and in their misguided kindness, sprinkled some wood ash onto her wound.
Chapter 629