Chapter 3

The neighbors whispered among themselves.

"Fifty thousand isn't a small amount. This child looks like he won't make it."

"Rachel is ruthless enough."

My mother-in-law picked up a bill, wiped off the dust, and stuffed it in her pocket.

"Nina, what are you standing there for? Why aren't you thanking Rachel? Only Rachel is kind-hearted. In any other family, they wouldn't give you a penny and would make you pay for road repairs!"

"Take the money and get lost! Don't be an eyesore here!"

Derek crouched down to pick up the money.

"Nina, are you stupid? Quick, take it! With this fifty thousand, we can renovate the house next year. As for Daniel... we can just have another one."

Looking at this family, I said nothing.

Logan on the ground began convulsing.

Those blood-covered hands scratched at the ground, fingernails digging into the dirt.

"Mom... Mom..."

The voice was faint.

Rachel frowned and stepped back.

"What are you calling for? Still not being quiet in this condition! Really a debt collector!"

I bent down and snatched the money from Derek's hands.

"Fine."

"Since Rachel is so generous, I won't refuse."

Derek grinned.

"Now that's more like it! Nina, you're finally being sensible!"

Rachel also smiled contemptuously.

"Smart of you. Alright, hurry up and get rid of him. Just looking at him makes me sick."

I clutched that stack of bills.

"Rachel, I'll take the money. But we need proof of this, right?"

I glanced at Logan on the ground---his convulsions were getting weaker.

"What if you go back on your word later and say I extorted money from you? Or what if the child really dies and you turn it around, saying I caused it?"

Rachel laughed.

"Oh, quite the legal awareness? Fine, you want proof? Then let's write an agreement!"

Rachel pulled out a small notebook and pen, quickly writing a "liability waiver."

She shoved the notebook in front of me.

"Sign it. Once you sign, the money is yours, and we're square from now on."

Derek urged.

"Sign quickly! What are you dawdling for? If my brother comes back and sees this mess, what will it look like?"

My mother-in-law also tapped the ground.

"Sign! Hurry up and sign! The sooner this mess is over, the better!"

I took the pen and glanced at the dying Logan on the ground.

I signed my name on the paper: Nina Carter.

Then I added a line: "Rachel personally confirms waiving any rescue obligation for said injured party and demands family members immediately clear the scene. Consequences borne by her."

Rachel barely looked before snatching the notebook back and putting it away.

"There, smart of you."

"Derek, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and help your wife get rid of this... this thing!"

Derek rolled up his sleeves, about to drag the body.

"Nina, give me a hand. Let's move him to the back yard---don't let him be an eyesore here."

There was only an abandoned pigsty in the back yard.

I stepped back.

"Wait."

Derek frowned.

"What now? Having second thoughts?"

"Since we signed the agreement and took the money, I'll handle the body myself."

I looked at him.

"No need to dirty your hands."

Derek breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fine, fine, you handle it yourself. I'll go help Rachel rinse the doorway. All this blood is so unlucky."

He ran to get the hose.

Rachel nodded with satisfaction.

"My brother-in-law is sensible after all. Nina, don't blame me for being heartless. Don't be too sad either. That child was always a bit slow anyway. Better to die early and be reborn early."

She took out a wet wipe to clean her hands.

In the distance, an engine roared.

Two headlight beams shone directly over.

A Mercedes G-Wagon pulled into the village road.

Rachel's eyes lit up.

"Oh! My brother's here! My brother's here!"

She fixed her hair.

"Mom! Derek! Quick, quick, quick! Don't let this unlucky scene disturb my brother!"

My mother-in-law threw down her cane to move debris blocking the road.

Derek dropped the hose and ran to greet him.

"Nina! What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and drag away the dead body! If my brother sees this and gets upset, you can forget about keeping that fifty thousand!"

The car stopped five meters from the blast crater.

The door opened, and Raymond stepped out in a fur coat with gold chains, a cigar in his hand.

"Hey, Rachel, why is it so messy here?"

Raymond glanced at the crater and me, frowning.

Rachel smiled and rushed over.

"Raymond! It's nothing, nothing! Just Nina's little brat who didn't know any better, playing with fireworks and blowing up the manhole. And now, he's blown himself to death. I already gave her money and told them to clean up!"

Raymond exhaled smoke, scanning me with contempt.

"Oh, dead? If he's dead, hurry up and get rid of him. Why leave him lying here on New Year's to disgust everyone?"

He turned to get gifts from the trunk.

"Rachel, quick, come see what I brought you. This is authentic Australian lobster..."

The whole family gathered around.

Logan on the ground had completely stopped moving.