Chapter 571: Chapter 562: Hospital Gathering
"Hey, Mom, yes, I have something going on, I wonât be coming home to stay tonight, you guys just go to bed, donât worry about me."
At the hospital, Su Qing was standing at the corner of the stairs making a phone call.
There was no choice; although he couldnât really help with anything at the hospital, he wasnât at ease seeing Da Qiang like this.
It was imaginable how much pressure Ding Qiang was enduring lately to be tortured into such a drastic change in appearance.
Luckily, he was already an adult now and had graduated college over a year ago. As long as he informed his family, it was standard procedure not to come home overnight. After all, he was a man, not a young girl like Su He, so his family wouldnât worry too much.
Because of this, his mother, Zhou Hui, didnât think much of it. After all, her son was grown now, not to mention having a girlfriend and earning big money. Nowadays, heâs busy with his own business and the parents canât control him anymore.
When he finished the call, he realized Ding Qiang was standing not far behind, watching him.
"Qing... Qingzi, thanks for the trouble."
Su Qing glared at him upon hearing this: "What, been out wandering a bit, and now youâre being polite with me?"
"No... no, just feeling really embarrassed!" Ding Qiang said solemnly, giving off a sense of inadequacy.
There was no choice; during this time, he had gone through major changes in life and faced many setbacks.
Even relatives and friends who usually have very good relations with his family were somewhat distant, especially when money was mentioned, even more so.
But his dad still needed money to keep his life tethered, so every time he accompanied his mom to borrow money from relatives and friends, there was almost always some overt or covert refusal.
For example, when they asked for 2000, people would end up giving only 500 and mention how their own family currently also faces difficulties, lacking money, etc.
Some even directly said they didnât have money on hand at the moment. Regardless of whether they borrowed it or not, he and his mom had to express gratitude.
People not lending money or only lending a few hundred, was it fair to blame them? Ding Qiang knew he couldnât; after all, his dadâs situation was obviously a bottomless pit.
Most likely, the final result would be the family owing huge debts, the person not being saved, and thereâs no telling when the borrowed money would be repaid.
So everyone just meant well, good relations would lend less, and at worst, when the person was gone, they could give a little, making things easier for his mom and him, better than just pouring money out like water. After all, in this state, people are not calm.
Those with poor relations, thinking the family lost labor force and had no savings, would politely refuse to avoid losses.
This was human nature; one shouldnât resent someone for not lending them money. Clearly, Ding Qiangâs family understood this logic, especially Ding Qiang, the only man in the family now, seemed to have grown up overnight, creating a huge gap with Su Qing and others.
So facing Su Qing, he would speak in such a tone, causing Su Qing to feel somewhat uncomfortable. After all, this was very different from the Da Qiang he used to know.
Understanding these, Su Qing sighed, patted Ding Qiangâs shoulder, telling him that his brothers were still there.
Just then, the elevator next door dinged open.
"Da Qiang, Qingzi?"
"Where are they, make a call quickly!"
The voices of Wang Xing and Skinny Dog Qin Wei came through. Upon hearing them, Su Qing waved his hand: "Here!"
Before coming here, in the car, he had made calls to the two under Ding Qiangâs opposition; the conversation was straightforward.
"Something happened to Da Qiangâs dad at Jiang City First Hospital, hurry up!"
Upon receiving his call, the two rushed over without saying a word. Wang Xing was fine, his home was in Jiangcheng City, but Qin Weiâs was different; he lived in the suburbs, having spent a large amount to call a black car to come over.
The two didnât bother asking further, hearing about Da Qiangâs incident, they rushed over right away.
Back when Three left, they were all students, some were out of town, utterly unable to help, unlike now when something happened to another friend, they couldnât just stand by.
The feelings among them didnât need mention, especially after Threeâs departure, they cherished the friendship even more. There were already few people, losing one was tough enough, losing another meant not even having enough for a game of mahjong.
Wang Xing and Qin Wei turned at the sound of his voice and saw the emaciated Da Qiang, the two froze for a moment, then they both went forward and kicked Da Qiang.
"Damn, youâre really unreasonable, such a big thing happened at home, and you didnât tell us anything at all?" Wang Xing pointed at Ding Qiang and spat, expressions not looking good.
And Qin Wei, being small and thin, sighed at this moment, "Da Qiang, all the brothers have been quite worried about you. We kept trying to reach you before, if something happens you should let us know, right? If not for Qingzi calling me this time, we wouldnât know whatâs happening."
Listening to the two, Ding Qiang opened his mouth but couldnât say anything; the negative emotions faced with family and friends finally eased at this moment.
Because there was no holding back among them; they spoke openly, expressing concern most directly.
"Alright, since everyone is here, Da Qiang, you said 300,000, surely itâs not all? But donât worry, the money issue is solvable; tell me whatâs going on now." Su Qing asked.
The two rushed over anxiously; he only knew Da Qiangâs father needed 300,000 for surgery, but the specifics were unclear.
Besides, just 300,000 for surgery, it certainly wasnât a minor surgery. Post-surgery care, hospitalization, recovery after dischargeâthese all cost money. Initial estimates would be at least over 400,000.
While everyone was present, Du Qiang briefly explained his fatherâs situation. Heâs currently lying in the ICU, and the expenses are tens of thousands per dayâno family can withstand that.
"The doctor told me to arrange the surgery as soon as possible, but... the probability of success... is less than ten percent."
Upon hearing these words, Su Qing and the others fell silent. This... is going to be tough. Before arriving, he thought money could solve everything once it was in place.
The three exchanged glances. After a long pause, Su Qing took a deep breath and said, "So youâre saying, if we donât do the surgery, we lose even that ten percent chance?"
Ding Qiang was momentarily stunned, but after meeting his gaze, he couldnât help but nod.
"Then what are you hesitating about? Iâve told you, donât worry about the money. Isnât this why you came to me? When can the surgery happen?" Su Qing spoke, clarifying the situation for him.
There are only two choices now: spend three hundred thousand to take a gamble with less than a ten percent chance. If you win, your loved one lives; apart from the surgery cost, youâll end up with more debt. If you lose, without further treatment, the three hundred thousand will be lost, and youâll gain nothing.
Of course, you can choose to forgo treatment, but the reason Ding Qiang sought him out was to take a chance. If thereâs hope, who would want to lose their father?
Wang Xingâs current dilemma is simply that the probability is too low. In the past, he would have unquestionably chosen to save his father, but having matured over time, he started considering his family. The main issue is his mother. If they accrue this debt, the elderly will definitely suffer later.
"Exactly, Da Qiang, what are you hesitating for? I may not be as wealthy as Qingzi, but I can contribute eighty to a hundred thousand. Letâs get past this." Wang Xing spoke up.
Even Qin Wei nodded, though somewhat awkwardly, said, "Well, I donât have much money, only twenty thousand. Iâll transfer it to you later; use it first."
Listening to everyoneâs words, Ding Qiangâs gaze gradually became resolute, and he nodded heavily.
"Alright!"
Su Qing didnât dominate the act of kindness from Wang Xing and Qin Wei, even though he could fully cover the costs. He didnât want to deprive them of showing their goodwill.
Soon, the group of four arrived at the corridor outside the ICU intensive care unit and spotted a woman who looked about fifty, but wasnât actually that oldâit was Ding Qiangâs mother.
Dressed simply, she was laying on the floor, surrounded by some makeshift kitchenware.
Scenes like this are very common. Not everyone is wealthy. Some people canât afford nearby hotels during hospitalization and can only make do at the hospital.
"Mom, these are my high school classmates, Su Qing, Wang Xing, Qin Wei." Ding Qiang introduced.
"Hello, Auntie" *3
The three greeted her simultaneously.
At this, the woman hastily tidied up her clothes and stood up flustered, "Hello... to you all; sorry to show you such a sight."
đđâŻđŠđđŠđŁđđđđđ.đâŽđ
Despite it being the New Year, none of them mentioned it. At such times, who would think of celebrating?
Hearing this, Su Qing stepped forward and directly said, "Itâs all right, Auntie. I think Uncle needs surgery as soon as possible. Donât worry about the money; weâll handle it."
Hearing these words, the woman couldnât help but look at her son with a hint of panic in her eyes, "Son... this..."
"Mom, itâs true. Rest assured, this amount is nothing for my classmates. Dad canât wait any longer."
Although the words were clear, there was still some difficulty in the womanâs expression.
The haggard woman had already reached her psychological breaking point and was thinking of giving up treatment. The less than ten percent chance was too low, and she feared both the loss of her loved one and the burden of a huge debt. After all, her son had grown up; even if the family couldnât help much, they shouldnât drag him down either.
Before the woman could speak up, Su Qing quickly asked, "Da Qiang, can we not go in yet?"
As he spoke, he looked towards the distant ICU doors.
Ding Qiang shook his head, "Family can only visit at designated times each day."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing sighed, "If thatâs the case, better sooner than later. Go ask the doctor if they can arrange for surgery tonight."
"Okay, Iâll go right now!"
With that, Du Qiang hurried off to contact the doctor. Su Qing turned around and beckoned Wang Xing over, whispering a few words in his ear.
Then Wang Xing nodded, "Okay, Iâll take care of it right away!"
"Yes, hurry."
With that, Wang Xing also left in haste.
"Auntie, donât worry. Rest assured, Da Qiangâs matters are our matters. Youâre now Da Qiangâs only relative; you canât collapse. Leave the rest to us."
Although the woman had heard their names before, just as his mother Zhou Hui had heard of Wang Xing, Da Qiang, and the others, she never met them and wasnât familiar, so she couldnât stop expressing her gratitude verbally.
...