Two hours ago, at the Jiangcheng City First People’s Hospital.
"Doctor, how is my dad’s condition? Please tell honestly, I can handle it!"
In the office, Ding Qiang asked a doctor in a white coat, his eyes filled with panic.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged doctor thought for a long ti and then sighed helplessly, "The situation is not optimistic. Right now, it is impossible to move him to a general ward. Even staying in the ICU is not a solution. The best option is to arrange another surgery as soon as possible, though I must tell you, the chances of success... are not high."
As he spoke those last words, the doctor paused, adjusting his language because the reality was indeed cruel, but he felt he couldn’t say it like that. After all, Ding Qiang was just a kid in his early twenties.
Ding Qiang’s father was a worker on a construction site. At the end of last year, he accidentally fell while working in his hotown’s county. Although he didn’t die on the spot, by the ti he was rushed to the hospital, he was severely injured, with a piece of rebar piercing through his body.
Initially, they managed to save him, but his condition suddenly worsened later, and now he’s hanging on in the ICU.
The compensation from the construction site, combined with the family’s savings, was long spent. Even relatives had been asked for loans. Under these circumstances, asking the construction site for more money wasn’t impossible, but it was very difficult. They might stall, and in the worst-case scenario, pay in one lump sum, rather than continually stringing us along.
The ICU is a bottomless pit that no one can withstand.
In such a situation, gathering funds for another surgery is not only difficult but likely a futile effort that could leave the family with nothing.
Ding Qiang’s mother is just an ordinary rural housewife. What more could she do but cry? She was already so worn out that she decided to give up on the treatnt.
As for Ding Qiang himself, he felt helpless. He never hated himself more for not stepping up to earn money sooner, for his own diocrity. Yet, despite this, he didn’t want to give up, or maybe he was just afraid to give up. Trembling, he asked the doctor, "Then... what are the odds of success?"
Hearing these words, the doctor couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. Every ti they heard family mbers ask this question, they knew it was a sign of giving up.
But for this patient, he actually supported the decision to give up, as the chances of recovery were indeed slim.
"Less than ten percent."
The doctor’s words were cautious. Ding Qiang’s father’s situation was complex. Even if the surgery succeeded, he wouldn’t be able to work afterward. The cost of the surgery gown alone was significant, not to ntion the subsequent care and rehabilitation after leaving the hospital.
For wealthy families, these considerations wouldn’t matter. They would use whatever ans necessary. But clearly, this family was ordinary and couldn’t afford such high expenses.
After hearing this, Ding Qiang was plunged into deep struggle, then he inquired about the cost of the surgery, visited his mother in front of the ICU, took a deep breath, and said, "I’m going to get the money, prepare for surgery!"
Then he turned and left. Afterward, he wandered for a long ti on the streets, eventually finding his way to Su Qing’s neighborhood.
Indeed, he ca to borrow money. He knew that his friend had the money, but... they were both in their early twenties, and he had nothing, not even a secured job. To ask for tens of thousands at once, knowing he couldn’t repay it in the short term, would Su Qing lend it to him?
Among them, Ding Qiang was the most mature, having grown up quickly due to poor family conditions.
He clearly understood that while his relationship with Su Qing was good, borrowing money was sothing he didn’t want to resort to unless absolutely necessary, as it could damage their friendship, especially considering he had no ans to repay it.
If he borrowed the money, how many years would it take to pay it back? If Su Qing didn’t lend it, would their relationship return to how it was before?
Despite the intense inner conflict, on the other side was his father. He had no choice but to co.
"Hey, Da Qiang, where the hell have you been all this ti? We couldn’t reach you by phone!"
When Su Qing heard the side narration, he imdiately had a bad feeling, telling him to co upstairs, but Da Qiang insisted he ca down.
With no choice, he quickly changed his clothes and hurried downstairs, imdiately spotting the transford Da Qiang.
The once tall and chubby Ding Qiang was now visibly thinner, almost emaciated, his beard scruffy, his face oily. Even if you couldn’t empathize with him, just one glance would tell you how exhausted he was.
Suddenly, Su Qing’s ominous feeling deepened. What had happened to bring such an optimistic and cheerful guy to this state?
Yet, he still approached with a smile, giving Da Qiang a punch in the chest as a greeting.
Perhaps infected by his emotion, Da Qiang grinned slightly, but he seed so weak.
"Qingzi, I..."
"Did sothing happen? Co upstairs with , we can talk slowly," Su Qing said, pulling on Ding Qiang’s arm to leave, but he found Ding Qiang unmoved, though he could feel Ding Qiang’s arm trembling slightly.
"What’s wrong, co on!"
Faced with his words, Ding Qiang shook his head, remained silent for a while, and then said, "Qingzi... I ca to find you on New Year’s Eve, I’m really embarrassed, but I need money now, I..."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing’s eyes grew serious, "Did sothing happen to your family?"
Given that Ding Qiang was right in front of him, apart from being overly thin, he was just ntally exhausted. With the side narration’s hints, he naturally thought sothing might have happened to Ding Qiang’s family.
Ding Qiang nodded, "My dad fell while working on a construction site, he’s now in Jiangcheng City First Hospital. The situation is bad, he needs surgery, I’m really embarrassed, I..."
But before he finished, there was a sharp ’slap’, an ear-piercing sound as a slap landed on his face.
Imdiately followed by Su Qing’s angry shout, "If you need money, why the hell didn’t you call earlier? And not answering our calls, what are you trying to prove?"
In an instant, Du Qiang looked up sharply, eting Su Qing’s furious gaze, "Qingzi... I..."
Hearing this, Su Qing took a deep breath, "How much money?"
"Three... three hundred thousand."
"Let’s go!"
With that, Su Qing grabbed Ding Qiang’s arm without further ado, heading straight for the neighborhood entrance.
As Ding Qiang was dragged along, his eyes were red, unconcerned about being slapped, only feeling his friend’s concern.
To Su Qing, he didn’t have many friends, each one was invaluable, and Ding Qiang was among the most important.
...
User Comments
0 comments from readers