Is Self-Redemption Really That Hard? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 9

After deciding to bring her mother along to the capital, Lu Wuqi suddenly found herself with more things to handle.

Making money, for once, was no longer her top priority.

With the fifty thousand yuan transfer from Miao Miao, all Lu Wuqi needed was a bit of time—she could easily turn that sum over and over again.

She put down her phone, gaze falling on the planner spread open on the desk. A thought flashed through her mind.

She’d already finished writing the ten-thousand-word apology letter.

Should she take a picture of it and send it to Xuxu?

But she’d promised to take her mother for a more thorough check-up tomorrow. If Xuxu insisted that she hand the reflection over in person, then there would be no way to hide what she was doing.

No, she realized, even if she did take her mother to the capital, that news would reach Lan Xu sooner or later anyway.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she stopped overthinking it. Before ten o’clock, she snapped a picture of the planner and sent it over.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, I’ve finished the ten-thousand-word apology letter. When would it be convenient for you to review it?

At that moment, Lan Xu was sitting cross-legged on her bed, counting the crumpled bills she’d dug out from her piggy bank.

Lan Xu: Tomorrow night! I’ll go for a walk after dinner—let’s meet at the park then?

Daytime was too hot to go out without a good excuse. Besides, Lu Wuqi had her part-time job then, so it was better not to disturb her.

Lan Xu’s thoughtfulness erased one small worry from Lu Wuqi’s mind. Their conversation naturally drifted toward lighter topics—just little things about their day.

For example, Lan Xu had met a huge orange tabby during her evening walk. She’d even bought a chicken sausage to feed it, and noticed a small triangle missing from one ear—a sign it had already been neutered by some kind-hearted person.

Lu Wuqi, ever the attentive listener, admired the photo of the “King of Mealtime” and added a few words of praise for the adorable cat.

Lan Xu: Lu Wuqi, once we start working and earning money, let’s adopt a stray cat, okay?

Lu Wuqi: Sure! But since there’ll be two of us, how about two cats? That way, when we’re out working, they’ll have each other for company.

Lan Xu: Perfect! One orange tabby and one tabby-striped cat—we’ll each take care of one!

They were still at least four years away from graduating and finding jobs, but that didn’t stop Lan Xu from vividly sketching out the gentle future she imagined through her words.

When they could afford two cats, they’d probably also have a cozy little place of their own—not too big, maybe eighty square meters. Two bedrooms and a living room, with a small study.

Following her description, Lu Wuqi pictured it too—a small home, two people, two cats.

Lan Xu would teach Chinese in a nearby middle or high school, and Lu Wuqi would work at a local tech company.

Even if they couldn’t see each other during work hours, they could commute together—talking and laughing on their way to and from work.

Lan Xu, who started and ended work earlier, would handle the grocery shopping and decide what to cook for dinner.

Lu Wuqi, who got off later, would be the designated driver—a responsible, law-abiding chauffeur.

The life Lan Xu envisioned was simple yet warm—the kind of ordinary happiness most people long for. No need for riches or fame; just having someone who understood you and a peaceful, content life together was enough.

“Kidney problems? That’s impossible. I don’t smoke or drink—how could there be something wrong with my kidneys?”

Lu Wuqi’s mother had been getting ready to go to work when her daughter stopped her. When she heard the hospital asking her to come back for a follow-up, disbelief colored every line of her face.

“I feel perfectly fine—no headaches, no back pain. How could there be something wrong with my kidneys? Maybe it’s a scam?” she muttered, grasping at denial.

“Mom, the call came from the hospital’s landline. I checked—it matches the number on their official website.” Lu Wuqi’s tone was calm but firm. “Even if there’s a chance it’s nothing serious, I still want you to go. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on work or getting ready for school.”

“You’re talking nonsense,” her mother scolded, frowning. But when she met her daughter’s unwavering gaze, she reluctantly called her boss and asked for leave—on her very first day of work.

Since the appointment had been booked in advance, the hospital arranged her tests quickly. Some results would take a full day, but others came out within minutes.

“Based on your current results, it’s confirmed there’s a tumor in your kidney,” the doctor explained, pushing up his glasses. “Whether it’s benign or malignant will require further testing. I recommend you stay for a detailed examination—an ECT scan and a genetic screening would help us determine the nature of the mass.”

“A tumor? I have a tumor?” Her face went pale in an instant. “Doctor, could there be a mistake? I’m healthy! How could I have a tumor?”

Her mind was spinning. She was the only one supporting their household—if she got sick, if she was hospitalized, who would take care of her daughter? How would she pay for her tuition and living expenses?

“Mrs. Lu, please calm down,” the doctor said gently. “We’ve verified the results several times—there’s no error. And you don’t need to panic. If it’s benign, a small surgery and a short recovery will be enough. You’re still young, your body is strong—you’ll recover quickly.”

But Mrs. Lu’s composure was crumbling. She grabbed her daughter’s hand tightly. “Xiao Lu, let’s just go home. I don’t want to be hospitalized. I know my own body—I’m fine.”

No, she couldn’t be sick. She couldn’t afford to be sick.

She’d just promised her boss she would work hard to pay back the debt. She couldn’t break her word—couldn’t fall ill, couldn’t have surgery.

“Mom, please just stay for the tests. What if the first doctor was wrong?” Lu Wuqi said softly, squeezing her mother’s hand in return. “If you refuse to do it, then I won’t go to the capital for school either.”

She knew exactly what her mother was thinking. Her mother wasn’t refusing treatment out of stubbornness—it was fear. Fear of becoming a burden, of holding her daughter back.

So, the only way to convince her was to tie her own future to her mother’s health.

Sure enough, when she realized that refusing the tests might jeopardize her daughter’s education, Mrs. Lu panicked. Once the doctor reassured her that most of the costs could be covered by insurance, she gritted her teeth and agreed to be admitted for further examination.

“Not bad,” Lan Xu said, sitting on the swing in the park, gently kicking at the ground while reading the densely written reflection notebook under the glow of the streetlamp.

“So, does that mean you forgive me?” Lu Wuqi asked, eyes lowered, watching her profile.

“Since your reflection seems sincere enough, I’ll let the text message thing slide.” Lan Xu closed the notebook and extended her left hand toward her.

Lu Wuqi smiled, reaching out to clasp it tightly. “Xuxu, thank you for forgiving me.”

“Hmph. But I’m only forgiving you this once. If it happens again, even a hundred-thousand-word apology letter won’t save you,” Lan Xu said sternly, turning to meet her eyes with mock seriousness. “Remember that, Lu Wuqi.”

“I will,” Lu Wuqi promised solemnly, raising her free hand as if taking an oath. “I swear—there won’t be a next time.”

Lan Xu’s expression softened with satisfaction. That answer would do—for now.

“Oh, right. How much did you earn at the internet café today? Is there any part-time job I could do too?” she asked eagerly.

She wanted to start saving early—so that, if Lu Wuqi ever ran into trouble, she could secretly help her without her parents knowing.

Lu Wuqi hesitated, then decided to tell the truth. “None. I didn’t go to the café today.”

“Huh? Did you take a break, or work somewhere else?” Lan Xu asked, puzzled.

“No.” Lu Wuqi tightened her grip on Lan Xu’s hand and said quietly, “I went to the hospital today—with my mom. She needed some tests.”