Dan Qing never thought she would see Xiao Lin again. When Niu Niu brought Hua Qingyi and Xiao Lin to her doorstep, her eyes were moist. Although she could already get out of bed and walk, she was still unsteady. Hua Qingyi was the first to support her, while Xiao Lin frowned as he surveyed the residence.
"Even if you can be discharged, you should know that in such an environment, your body will still be prone to lung infections due to the polluted air."
Niu Niu’s home is close to a cement factory. Although she wouldn’t directly come into contact with the lime dust, the dust would still be sucked into the body as it floated in the wind. Even a normally healthy person could develop lung discomfort over time, or even more severe symptoms like lung cancer, let alone someone with Dan Qing’s condition.
Xiao Lin knew that Niu Niu’s family was not wealthy, but he didn’t expect the situation to be so dire. The sink was piled with unwashed pots and bowls, there was just a thin blanket on the bed, and clothes were heaped in a corner of the bed, some folded, some just left lying there.
"Big Brother, please have a seat. I’ll pour you some water." Being very considerate, Niu Niu set aside a small red envelope and carried a kettle out the door. This is a quadrangle courtyard, and the kitchen is in a communal area.
Xiao Lin took Dan Qing’s hand. From her pulse, her bodily functions seemed stable, her organs protected by a layer of energy, preventing any major sudden issues.
"Dr. Xia comes by every week to check on me, which has been a great help." Dan Qing gathered her half-length hair, revealing her slender neck. In recovery, Dan Qing could be considered a pretty woman—she had a classic oval face, a petite and straight nose, not large eyes, but the distance between them was perfect, making her facial features pleasant to look at. Her slender fingers were so pale they appeared somewhat sickly but did not detract from their elegant beauty.
"Please thank her properly for me, Dr. Xiao."
"Are you still practicing the Profound Lady Heart Scripture?" Xiao Lin looked around the room. It was already winter, and the room without heating relied on an electric heater for warmth. The heater still had the new appliance smell, presumably a recent gift from Xia Xue.
"I am practicing; Dr. Xia has repeatedly emphasized its benefits for my health." Dan Qing forced a smile, though it did help her body to some extent, the pain still lingered, and the hospital had yet to provide any new updates. Even if there was a kidney donor, she couldn’t afford it.
"Pack the clothes and daily items you and Niu Niu use most often; I’ll be waiting in the car."
"Dr. Xiao? This is..." Dan Qing stared at Xiao Lin in bewilderment.
"A change of environment. This place is unsuitable." Without further explanation, Xiao Lin walked out of the residence, where the temperature inside was marginally warmer compared to outside, despite the lack of wind.
"Hello, Dean Yu, this is Xiao Lin." Calling the dean of Yan University Hospital, Xiao Lin’s succinct greeting caught him off guard, more with surprise than anything else.
"Xiao, is something up this late?"
"Dean Yu, I’m sorry to call you so late, but I need your help with something." Hua Qingyi raised an eyebrow at Xiao Lin—when did he become so considerate in his speech?
"I have a patient who needs a bed, in preparation for a kidney transplant, while awaiting a donor."
"Hmm... this!" Yu Zhengbo hesitated. A kidney transplant at their level of hospital was beyond their capabilities. Merely taking in patients like that could lead to unnecessary complications and affect the hospital’s reputation: "Xiao, our hospital may not have the equipment and medical expertise for such procedures."
"Dean Yu, please don’t worry about that part. I will perform the surgery myself and handle the equipment. I just need you to provide a bed and daily care, ideally a private room, plus a place for a young girl." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Hearing that Xiao Lin himself would be performing the surgery, Yu Zhengbo had no doubts. He had immense faith in Xiao Lin’s medical skills, and a successful kidney transplant would also enhance the hospital’s reputation: "Alright then, when do you need the room?"
"I’m bringing her in right now, if that’s okay with you?"
"I’ll arrange it for you, but Xiao, are you sure this is okay?" Yu Zhengbo asked one last concerned question.
"Rest assured, if anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility." Hanging up the phone, Xiao Lin picked up the still somewhat bewildered Niu Niu and placed her in the car, took the small bag from Dan Qing’s hand, and helped her into the back seat: "Don’t worry about anything; I’ll take care of it all."
To Dan Qing, Xiao Lin’s words were like an incantation, miraculously calming her anxious heart. Grateful eyes never left Xiao Lin’s back, unsure of how to repay this young man.
"Yan University is where I work. I’ll personally handle your surgery. As long as you maintain your current living status, there should be no major issues." Sitting in the front passenger seat, Xiao Lin felt the need to explain to the mother and daughter behind him: "Moreover, the dean of Yan University Hospital has promised that expenses will be waived, so you needn’t worry about anything else. Just focus on recovering and taking care of Niu Niu."
From behind came the sound of Dan Qing’s sobbing, faint but filled with excitement and unspeakable emotions.
Xiao Lin met up with Yu Zhengbo at the hospital entrance. He hadn’t expected him to come in person, which made him feel somewhat awkward. He introduced: "Dean Yu, this is Dan Qing and her daughter Niu Niu."
Niu Niu held her mother’s hand, blinking her large eyes at Yu Zhengbo: "Hello, Dean."
Yu Zhengbo tousled Niu Niu’s fluffy hair, smiling: "Let’s go see the ward first. I’ve added a sofa bed."
A single ward costs over 400 yuan a night, fully equipped with air conditioning, a TV, a refrigerator, a phone, and other appliances, along with 24-hour hot water for bathing.
"Will this do?" Yu Zhengbo quietly asked Xiao Lin.
"Dr. Xiao, this is wonderful. Perhaps we should go to a regular ward; this is really too..."
"No worries, stay here and rest easy without worrying about costs." Xiao Lin winked at Yu Zhengbo, who nodded in understanding.
"Just settle in comfortably here; Dr. Xiao will have everything well-arranged for you."
"Brother Xiao, can I eat this?" Niu Niu asked as she held the bread and milk from the basket. She was very hungry, having not eaten all day.
"Oh, I forgot. I had the nurse prepare this for you, thinking you probably haven’t had a chance to eat yet!" Yu Zhengbo again patted Niu Niu’s head.
"Thank you, Dean." Once Niu Niu had arranged the living items, she very considerately handed a piece of bread to Dan Qing, opened a pack of milk, poured it into a cup, heated it in the microwave, and handed it to her mother, then sat to the side nibbling on bread. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to visit [Qidian](qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)