Chapter 570: Chapter 561: Unexpected Incident
Two hours ago, at the Jiangcheng City First Peopleâs Hospital.
"Doctor, how is my dadâs condition? Please tell me 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 time 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 couldnât say it like that. After all, Ding Qiang was just a kid in his early twenties.
Ding Qiangâs father was a worker on a construction site. At the end of last year, he accidentally fell while working in his hometownâs county. Although he didnât die on the spot, by the time 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 heâs hanging on in the ICU.
The compensation from the construction site, combined with the familyâs savings, was long spent. Even relatives had been asked for loans. Under these circumstances, asking the construction site for more money wasnât 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 Qiangâs 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 treatment.
As for Ding Qiang himself, he felt helpless. He never hated himself more for not stepping up to earn money sooner, for his own mediocrity. Yet, despite this, he didnât 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 couldnât help but sigh in his heart. Every time they heard family members 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 doctorâs words were cautious. Ding Qiangâs fatherâs situation was complex. Even if the surgery succeeded, he wouldnât be able to work afterward. The cost of the surgery gown alone was significant, not to mention the subsequent care and rehabilitation after leaving the hospital.
For wealthy families, these considerations wouldnât matter. They would use whatever means necessary. But clearly, this family was ordinary and couldnât 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, "Iâm going to get the money, prepare for surgery!"
Then he turned and left. Afterward, he wandered for a long time on the streets, eventually finding his way to Su Qingâs neighborhood.
Indeed, he came 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 couldnât 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 something he didnât want to resort to unless absolutely necessary, as it could damage their friendship, especially considering he had no means to repay it.
If he borrowed the money, how many years would it take to pay it back? If Su Qing didnât 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 come.
"Hey, Da Qiang, where the hell have you been all this time? We couldnât reach you by phone!"
When Su Qing heard the side narration, he immediately had a bad feeling, telling him to come upstairs, but Da Qiang insisted he came down.
With no choice, he quickly changed his clothes and hurried downstairs, immediately spotting the transformed Da Qiang.
The once tall and chubby Ding Qiang was now visibly thinner, almost emaciated, his beard scruffy, his face oily. Even if you couldnât empathize with him, just one glance would tell you how exhausted he was.
Suddenly, Su Qingâs 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 seemed so weak.
"Qingzi, I..."
"Did something happen? Come upstairs with me, we can talk slowly," Su Qing said, pulling on Ding Qiangâs arm to leave, but he found Ding Qiang unmoved, though he could feel Ding Qiangâs arm trembling slightly.
"Whatâs wrong, come on!"
Faced with his words, Ding Qiang shook his head, remained silent for a while, and then said, "Qingzi... I came to find you on New Yearâs Eve, Iâm really embarrassed, but I need money now, I..."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingâs eyes grew serious, "Did something happen to your family?"
Given that Ding Qiang was right in front of him, apart from being overly thin, he was just mentally exhausted. With the side narrationâs hints, he naturally thought something might have happened to Ding Qiangâs family.
Ding Qiang nodded, "My dad fell while working on a construction site, heâs now in Jiangcheng City First Hospital. The situation is bad, he needs surgery, Iâm really embarrassed, I..."
But before he finished, there was a sharp âslapâ, an ear-piercing sound as a slap landed on his face.
Immediately followed by Su Qingâs angry shout, "If you need money, why the hell didnât you call me earlier? And not answering our calls, what are you trying to prove?"
In an instant, Du Qiang looked up sharply, meeting Su Qingâs furious gaze, "Qingzi... I..."
Hearing this, Su Qing took a deep breath, "How much money?"
"Three... three hundred thousand."
"Letâs go!"
With that, Su Qing grabbed Ding Qiangâs 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 friendâs concern.
To Su Qing, he didnât have many friends, each one was invaluable, and Ding Qiang was among the most important.
...