How can a decision be made?
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had never been the kind to make big decisions.
Now, they were so panicked that they couldn’t come up with a solution.
They looked at Tie Niu, the second eldest of the Tie Family, at the same time.
Tie Niu was also at a loss, knowing that taking him home meant waiting for death.
Such a big decision, how dare he make it now? His elder brother had just gotten married not long ago, and they didn’t even have children yet. If he went now, there wouldn’t even be a descendant left behind.
Just as he was at a loss, he saw Qin Ye beside him and his eyes lit up, asking quickly,
"Brother Qin, you were closest to my elder brother. What should we do?"
Why is he being asked?
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t bother with them, but he had received much help from Tie Zhu over the years and naturally didn’t want to see him just die.
Without silence, he turned to the doctor, "If we send him to the county hospital now, how much chance of survival does he have?"
"The rib that broke inside seems to have punctured his lung, and there’s internal bleeding; an operation is a must... It depends on whether the doctors there can perform the surgery."
"However, the chances of survival are very small... Another problem is, the county town is at least two hours away by car from our town, and the road is bumpy. It’s very likely he won’t make it to the county hospital... He might not survive halfway there."
The doctor looked at them, "It might be futile to send him to the county hospital; after all, his injuries are indeed too severe. I’m just telling you this, so make a quick decision."
The clinic they were at was very poor and had no vehicles. If the patient had to be sent to the county hospital, they would have to find a vehicle themselves.
Tie Niu urgently asked, "You mean... there’s only a slight chance he could live?"
The doctor looked at him, then nodded, "That’s right." He actually doubted the county hospital could save him.
It might just be a futile effort. But if there’s a chance to fight for his life, they must try.
Tie Zhu’s wife and Iron Pillar’s mother were so distraught they almost fainted again.
Tie Niu was utterly lost and asked Qin Ye again, "Brother Qin, should we send my brother?"
"If there’s a slight chance, then we must send him. At least you won’t have regrets later on," said Qin Ye.
Aunt Tie, sobbing, added, "But, if he dies out there, he won’t be able to return to the town, and I can’t let my Tie Zhu become a wandering ghost."
There was an unwritten rule here, a tradition passed down from their ancestors.
If a person died in a foreign place, their body was not allowed to be brought back.
So, what would they do with her Tie Zhu if he died at the county hospital and couldn’t be brought back?
With this thought, she cried even harder, barely able to catch her breath.
The Tie Family also realized that it was unacceptable for him to die and not be returned.
The townspeople strictly forbade the dead from entering the town, and the clan felt the same.
Tie Niu, with deep furrows on his brow, asked, "Mom, should we bring big brother home then?"
And Tie Zhu’s wife just cried—she was devastated. They had been married for such a short time; how could she live if this man were to die?
Moreover, she had no children.
The doctor remembered this too; he couldn’t make the decision for them.
In the hearts of these people, the dead must be buried in their hometown.
Just then, Tie Lin, the youngest of the Tie Family, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Mom, let’s send him to the county hospital! What if there’s a chance to save big brother?"
"But what if he dies on the way? Your brother can’t die outside," Iron Pillar’s mother fiercely objected, adamant in her disagreement.
If there was a chance he could live, she would absolutely agree; if not, she couldn’t let her eldest son become a lost spirit.
The Tie Family argued about the decision for a while.
Eventually, they stopped arguing when a nurse ran out saying the patient had vomited blood again.
The doctor went in first to treat him, then came out again, "Go see him now! He’s awake this moment, but, his condition has worsened... There’s no need to send him to the county hospital; he won’t make it."
At this, the Tie Family immediately rushed in.
Qin Ye followed as well.
"Tie Zhu... Oh my Tie Zhu..."
"The head of the family..."
Tie Zhu still had some awareness at that time and knew that he couldn’t be saved. Despite his unwillingness, he knew it was futile.
Struggling to open his mouth, but as he did, blood kept gushing out...
The Tie Family, seeing him , became even more heartbroken, crying louder.
Qin Ye, witnessing this scene, and especially seeing Tie Zhu’s ghastly state, thought about how he was going to die so young.
A flicker of struggle passed through his eyes.
Eventually, he stepped forward, "Tie Zhu, you know my wife, right? If you’re willing, I can bring her over to check on you, just nod if you agree."
Who would want to die if they could live? After hearing Qin Ye’s words, Tie Zhu, who had been skeptical of his sister-in-law’s medical skills before, now grasped at this chance, since he was about to die anyway. A strong desire to live made him nod.
While others were unaware of the situation, Qin Ye, seeing Tie Zhu nod, quickly said, "Then you must hang in there; I’ll bring her right over."
After these words, not caring what others might think, he quickly ran outside.
The doctor, also in the emergency room, naturally didn’t understand what the man had meant.