Chapter 484: Nolan Brooks Asked Breathlessly

"Sanxi, did you handle those sick pigs at home?" Nolan Brooks asked breathlessly, sweat beading on his forehead.

Sanxi rubbed his hands nervously, avoiding eye contact. "Bro, I couldn't get to it. With Dad suddenly falling ill, we've been scrambling. The pigs are still in the pen."

Nolan's face darkened. "That won't do! We're here to take care of Dad—you need to go back and deal with those pigs immediately." He lowered his voice. "If some shady butcher gets their hands on them, people could die!"

Sanxi stammered, "Elder Brother... maybe you should handle the pigs? I'll stay here with Dad..."

Nolan suppressed a sigh. His younger brother was honest to a fault, but utterly spineless.

"Fine," he relented. "I'll take care of the pigs. You two stay here with Mom and Dad." He pulled out his wallet. "Get a double room so you can take shifts resting. Eat properly—don't run yourselves ragged."

Sanxi and Erniu exchanged uneasy glances.

Nolan frowned. "What now?"

Erniu's face flushed crimson before he blurted out, "Bro... My business just started up. All my cash is tied in inventory. We only scraped together two thousand for the deposit, and today the hospital said... the funds are almost gone..."

Without hesitation, Nolan pulled two thick wads of bills from his bag. "Here's ten thousand. Pay the fees first, then use the rest for proper meals. Don't skimp."

His brothers' eyes glistened. When push came to shove, their eldest brother always came through.

"Take care of Mom—don't let her grieve too hard," Nolan instructed. "I'm heading back now. I don't like leaving Sanxi's wife alone at home."

At the bus station, he bought the earliest ticket back to the village.

Villagers greeted him along the way: "Nolan's back?" "How's the old man doing?"

He responded distractedly, his mind racing. Every minute those diseased pigs remained unprocessed was another minute of danger. His sister-in-law was too trusting—what if some smooth-talker showed up?

His footsteps quickened at the thought.