For two years, Li Su’e had been experiencing a persistent, deep bone pain in her lower back.
Initially, she paid it no mind, attributing it to years of hardship and fatigue.
However, as the pain became prolonged and frequent, she secretly took herself to the county hospital for a check-up, without telling her daughter.
The county hospital found nothing, and the doctor prescribed painkillers.
Once the painkillers took effect, Li Su’e stopped worrying about it.
Until recently, the pain recurred more often, and the painkillers no longer worked.
One day, Li Su’e was in so much pain that she collapsed. People from the market took her to the hospital.
After a thorough examination, the doctor informed Li Su’e that she had bone cancer, in its advanced stage.
Li Su’e’s vision went black, and she nearly fainted.
As time passed, Li Su’e had to accept this cruel reality.
When the doctor told her she needed to be hospitalized for treatment, including chemotherapy, Li Su’e refused.
Her reasons for refusal were twofold: the cost of hospitalization and treatment would be substantial, and she did not want her daughter to know.
"Sister E, modern medical technology is so advanced, and cancer is not an incurable disease. You shouldn't give up on yourself like this. Besides, you have such a lovely daughter. How can you bear to leave her alone?"
Hearing Li Su’e talk about refusing treatment, Wu Chunmei immediately began to persuade her.
After Wu Chunmei finished, Li Su’e shook her head. "Chunmei, I know you care about me and want me to get better, but I know my own body. How can advanced cancer be cured? Your words are just meant to comfort me; I understand perfectly."
Even without medical training, Li Su’e, as an ordinary person, knew what cancer was, and advanced cancer meant her life was on the decline.
Now, all she hoped for was that the end would come a little later, so she could spend more time with her daughter.
"Sister E! Jingjing is already grown up. Why don't you tell her the truth? I think you should discuss it with her properly before making a decision."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Li Su’e to seek medical treatment, Wu Chunmei placed her hope on Li Jing.
As Li Su’e's most cherished daughter, Li Jing's words would surely be heeded.
However, since Li Su’e hadn't told Li Jing about her bone cancer, Wu Chunmei felt it wasn't her place to pry.
"Chunmei, there are some things I haven't told you before. The reason my daughter shares my surname is because she has a scoundrel for a father..."
Li Su’e's husband had posed as a good man before their marriage, treating her very well.
But after they were married and she became pregnant, his true nature gradually emerged. He had a severe violent temper, enjoyed drinking and gambling, and frequently beat and verbally abused Li Su’e.
Despite enduring numerous beatings and scoldings, Li Su’e silently tolerated it all for the sake of giving her daughter a complete family.
Until one day, Li Su’e's husband incurred a large debt and, while Li Su’e was away, actually intended to sell their daughter to pay it off.
This shattered Li Su’e's last shred of hope. She resolutely took her daughter and left that scoundrel, moving to Rongcheng alone to raise her daughter.
"Chunmei, Jingjing doesn't have a father, nor a happy family. I already feel so sorry for her. Now, I have advanced bone cancer, and she's about to lose her only remaining relative. Tell me, how can I tell her? How can I tell her this cruel reality?"
Li Su’e spoke through tears, her sorrow so profound that her clothes became soaked.
Wu Chunmei, sitting beside her, also shed tears.
Sister E was truly too unfortunate. Just as she had raised her daughter and sent her to university, such a tragedy struck. It was truly devastating.
*Clang.*
Just then, the sound of something falling to the ground startled the two women, who were immersed in their sorrow.
"Jingjing!"
They both looked up and saw Li Su’e's daughter, Li Jing, standing at the doorway.
Li Su’e never imagined that the very thing she dreaded most had happened.
"Mom, is what you just said true?"
Li Jing's voice was filled with shock and disbelief.
Li Su’e stood up, intending to walk to Li Jing.
But in the next moment, she felt a sharp pain in her lower back and could no longer stand. She collapsed to the ground.
"Mom! Mom, what's wrong?"
"Sister E! Sister E!"
Seeing Li Su’e fall, Li Jing and Wu Chunmei rushed to her side.
Li Su’e's face was contorted with pain, yet she still wanted to say something to Li Jing.
"Mom! Mom, don't say anything else. Let's go to the hospital first."
Li Jing held Li Su’e's hand.
Wu Chunmei, after saying, "I'll go call a taxi," stood up and ran out.
When Wu Chunmei returned with a taxi, she found Li Su’e had already fainted from the pain. Li Jing beside her was pale and in tears.
With the help of the taxi driver, they quickly helped Li Su’e into the car and headed straight for the hospital.
...
"Dr. Du, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, my old bones would have gone to meet the King of Hell. This is a small token my son prepared. I hope you'll accept it."
In the traditional Chinese medicine clinic, an elderly gentleman with white hair sat opposite Du Fei.
The elder held a bag of local specialties, preparing to hand it to Du Fei.
"Elder, treating the sick and saving lives is my responsibility. I cannot accept your gift."
Du Fei waved his hand, indicating he couldn't accept it.
But the elder remained insistent.
Just then, a hand took the bag from the elder.
"Grandpa, we accept your kind gesture. However, we have other patients to see soon, so we won't be able to entertain you further."
The person who took the bag was Wang Zhongling.
Seeing Du Fei look at her, Wang Zhongling gave him a glare, leaving Du Fei somewhat bewildered.
After the elder left, Du Fei said to Wang Zhongling, "I just said that treating the sick and saving lives is our duty. How can we accept gifts from patients?"
"I say, Du Fei, aren't you too pedantic? Firstly, this is the elder's heartfelt gesture. Secondly, it's just a small bag of local specialties; it's not valuable at all. The important thing is the sentiment. If we insist on refusing, the elder might feel uneasy. Now that I've accepted it, everyone is happy. If you still insist on your principles, you can just consider it that I accepted it."
Wang Zhongling was speechless at Du Fei's approach.
Just as Du Fei was about to retort, his phone rang.
"Hello, Mom, is there something you need?"
"Alright, don't worry. Wait for me there; I'll be right there."
After hanging up, Du Fei told Wang Zhongling he had something to attend to and would be leaving, so the clinic would close early today.
Before Wang Zhongling could say anything, Du Fei had already rushed out, disappearing from sight.