Chapter 872: Chapter 774 The World Changes So Fast_2 Chapter 872: Chapter 774 The World Changes So Fast_2 A routine health check-up in junior high revealed a problem. After listening with his stethoscope, the doctor said, “There’s an issue with your heart. I’ll write you a referral and have your parents take you to a big hospital for a check-up. You should really go to a hospital in the Provincial City. The hospitals in our town or county definitely won’t suffice. Make sure you go, don’t delay.”
The doctor repeatedly urged the child and the horoom teacher to take this seriously and to rember to inform the parents.
The horoom teacher, taking initiative, not only passed on the doctor’s ssage but also printed out a notice which he personally delivered to Teng Xini’s ho, giving it to her parents.
Her father, Teng Shaokui, seeing the teacher so concerned, felt his daughter might indeed have a real problem and wasn’t just being lazy about doing farm work, so he took it seriously.
“What sickness? I think she’s just being lazy and wants to shirk her duties,” Teng Xini’s mother, Zeng Cuiling, grumbled on and on.
Squatting at the doorway and taking a few puffs of his water pipe, Teng Shaokui said, “I’m afraid she might really be ill. She’s already fourteen. When I have a chance, I’ll take her for a check-up. We can’t neglect the child’s health.”
“During the busy farming season, who has ti for check-ups, and even at hospitals in the Provincial City? Do you think it’s free?” Zeng Cuiling was unwilling.
“A few days’ delay in farm work won’t matter, but we can’t neglect the child,” Teng Shaokui said, puffing on his water pipe. He felt a mix of fear and regret. Despite Teng Xini’s frail health, she was obedient and studied hard, always scoring well. The horoom teacher had visited several tis, insisting she continue her education beyond middle school, as she could certainly get into a good university.
Yet, given their financial situation at ho, there was no money for high school. The consensus in the village was to find work after middle school graduation, and Zeng Cuiling thought the sa.
“How much money do you even have in your wallet? Don’t you know your own finances, and yet you want to go to a big hospital in the Provincial City?” Zeng Cuiling was very angry.
With no choice but to grin and bear it, Teng Shaokui said apologetically, “Our daughter is old enough now. After graduating from junior high, she can go out and work to earn money. Seeing a doctor won’t cost much.”
“You’re daydreaming. It won’t cost much? You’re always cooped up in the mountains and have no idea. In those big city hospitals, money flows like water. Even selling this ramshackle house wouldn’t cover a day’s dical expenses. My second brother fell at work and fractured his spine; it cost him over a hundred thousand in the Provincial City, and he still can’t do any heavy lifting now. We can’t go. We can go to the town hospital, or at most to the county one.”
Teng Shaokui, getting angry, shouted, “Money, money, money, that’s all you think about! Whose child is this, ours! Are you even her mother? I’ll decide on this. We’re going to the Provincial City. The doctors already said we need to go to a big hospital and not delay.”
“Da Kui, are you going against today?” Zeng Cuiling had never seen Teng Shaokui lash out at her like this; usually, even if she berated him right to his face, he would keep silent.
“Yes, I’m going against you! What about it? I’ve decided. Help pack so clothes; I’m taking the child to the Provincial City,” Teng Shaokui stood up, knocked his pipe forcefully against the door fra, snapping the bamboo shaft in two.
Zeng Cuiling was first startled, then collapsed to the ground: “You, Teng Shaokui, are a tyrant. My life is so miserable, having married into your Teng family—”
Teng Xini and her younger brother, witnessing this scene, hid in the inner room, not daring to co out. But this behavior from their mom was nothing new to them.
When the father went inside, Teng Xini timidly approached and said to him, “Dad, let’s not go see the doctor. I’m fine.”
“What do you know, girl? Don’t listen to her. Dad is making preparations; we’ll head to the Provincial City in a few days.”
And so, Teng Shaokui took his daughter to the Provincial City, but once there, he was at a loss for which hospital was best.
Although Teng Shaokui had spent most of his life in the hills, he had worked on construction sites and had so experience.
Clinging to the money hidden inside his clothes, he asked his way to the provincial governnt, and from there, he inquired at the Security Room by the governnt building about which hospital was good for treating serious conditions.
He figured the security at the provincial governnt wouldn’t lie to him. It was more reliable than asking random people on the street.
The security staff at the provincial governnt was very helpful, not only saying where to seek dical treatnt but also advising on where to find affordable lodging, along with so other tips.
The security pointed out several hospitals, saying Nandu Affiliated Hospital One and Fuer were among the top, and then ntioned that Sanbo Hospital was also strong, particularly the Comprehensive Surgery Departnt, which was capable of treating serious illnesses. An acquaintance with a severely bent spine had been straightened out there and was now doing well.
Thus, Teng Shaokui brought his daughter to Sanbo Hospital, to the Comprehensive Surgery Departnt.
—
The next morning, the father and daughter arrived at the Comprehensive Surgery Departnt’s outpatient clinic. The clinic hadn’t opened yet, so they waited outside.
Professor Cao, upon arriving for work, saw the father and daughter: “You’re here. Co on in. I’ve already discussed with the inpatient departnt colleagues. You definitely need surgery, which carries a fairly high risk, and you’ll need to stay in the hospital for about two weeks.”
“Can it be cured, Professor?” asked Teng Shaokui tentatively.
Professor Cao nodded, “It was discovered a bit late, but at this age, it’s still manageable. If everything goes smoothly, she can study, work, get married, and live a normal life in the future.”
Hearing that it could be cured, Teng Shaokui felt much more relieved. Then, timidly, he asked, “How much will the entire surgery and hospital stay cost?”
Professor Cao thought for a mont, “That’s difficult to say. It’s not like buying sothing with a fixed price. Your case is serious. Radiofrequency ablation won’t be sufficient; you’ll need open-heart surgery, which will roughly cost a hundred thousand. The New Rural Cooperative dical system can cover part of it, but the reimbursent rate is quite low. You can inquire with our dical insurance departnt for specifics.”
A hundred thousand!
Teng Shaokui had only brought a little over ten thousand, which was all the savings the family had.
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