Chapter 168: Chapter 161: I Don’t Want to Die
Xia Xue felt Xiao Lin’s coldness for the first time truly, the kind that goes to the bone. Listening to Xiao Lin’s tone, Xia Xue seemed to recognize Xiao Lin for the first time, looking at him in surprise, then tugging at Xiao Lin’s sleeve, intending to push him out.
Xiao Lin naturally followed Xia Xue’s push, his feet moving towards the door, but he turned his head back and continued, "Do you think if you died, we would take care of little Niu Niu? In this world, the person who cares for Niu Niu the most can only be you, no one else, if you..." Xiao Lin hadn’t finished speaking before Xia Xue angrily pushed him out of the ward, and as she was about to close the door, she suddenly fell forward—it turns out Xiao Lin had pulled Xia Xue out of the door before he closed it.
Xia Xue angrily looked at Xiao Lin, shaking him off vigorously and said loudly, "Xiao Lin, what are you doing? I didn’t expect you to be such a cold-blooded person, I must have misunderstood you!" Xia Xue blurted out these words, clearly provoked by Xiao Lin’s behavior, thinking, "How could you say such things, so hurtful?"
Xiao Lin didn’t let go of Xia Xue’s hand; he pulled her back and pressed his voice in her ear, "Xia Xue, I am saving her, not harming her, do you understand?"
Xia Xue was already too angry with Xiao Lin, utterly unable to think straight, immediately retorting, "Saving her? I think you’re after her life!" Xia Xue didn’t lack reason, Niu Niu’s mother was already weak, her life force nearly extinguished, Xiao Lin could even sense the Grim Reaper’s aura emanating from her.
"Xia Xue, why won’t you understand?" Xiao Lin shook Xia Xue fiercely with both hands, hoping she’d snap out of it. When Xia Xue’s breath gradually steadied, unlike her earlier fury, he continued, "I am not wrong in saying you’re killing her. The damage to her body has far exceeded a normal person’s limits. Why is she still alive now? Still able to speak? So aware? Have you ever thought about it?"
Listening to Xiao Lin’s words, Xia Xue calmed down, though she couldn’t comprehend how it became saving her. Her eyes fixed on Xiao Lin’s, thinking if he doesn’t provide a satisfactory answer, she’ll bite to relieve her anger.
Looking at Xia Xue’s angry expression, Xiao Lin took another glance. He seldom saw Xia Xue angry, surprisingly she was also beautiful, even a bit cute when angry.
Xiao Lin couldn’t resist caressing Xia Xue’s delicate nose before earnestly saying, "Xiaoxue, why is Niu Niu’s mother still alive now? Given her physical condition, it’s entirely impossible; it’s a miracle of life. And creating this miracle, apart from Niu Niu’s mother’s strong will, there is also Niu Niu. Niu Niu incited her mother’s belief to live because she knows if she died, Niu Niu would become a child without love, falling into a miserable fate. So, she must live, and the words you said to Niu Niu’s mother made her feel even if she died, Niu Niu would be taken care of. Once her survival will fades, even if you teach her the Profound Lady Heart Scripture cultivation technique, even with my Dragon Soul True Qi supporting and repairing her failing body functions, coupled with modern medical techniques, she definitely won’t survive. Someone who has lost all will to live, do you think there is any hope? Think about it, did I say anything wrong?"
As a military doctor within the Dragon Soul, Xiao Lin naturally treated many people on the brink of death. Some had nearly exhausted their life force, but Dragon Soul warriors possess an extraordinary will to survive, enabling many on death’s edge to be saved by Xiao Lin’s exceptional medical skills.
Xia Xue listened to Xiao Lin’s reasoning, contemplating in a daze, increasingly feeling Xiao Lin was right. Indeed, Niu Niu’s mother could live in her physical condition because she still cared about Niu Niu, and Xia Xue’s actions had a hint of the thought that if she were gone, she’d take on raising Niu Niu. Thus, Niu Niu’s mother naturally had no more attachments, and being so gravely ill, without any will to survive, even the most advanced techniques and scientific methods can’t save someone who lacks the will to live.
"Then...taking her away harms her, why do you want us to take her?" Though having cleared her mind, Xia Xue still spiraled into another dilemma.
Seeing Xia Xue wasn’t angry anymore, Xiao Lin smiled before replying, "How could we not take her under such circumstances? Not to mention we didn’t know before that this situation was like this; even if we did know, all we could do was take her. And to urge her to continue wanting to survive, I alone must play this black role!"
Upon hearing Xiao Lin’s explanation, Xia Xue finally understood, looking at Xiao Lin with a bit of embarrassment, then saying, "I’m sorry, Xiao Lin, I shouldn’t have blamed you earlier! So...what should we do next?"
"When we go in, just watch from the side to see her condition. If indeed her survival will can’t be restored, prepare for her final arrangements!" Xiao Lin said, for if Niu Niu’s mother had already lost her will to live, even the celestial deities are powerless.
"Okay, I understand what to do now!" Xia Xue nodded earnestly.
Meanwhile, lying on the hospital bed, Niu Niu’s mother had just seen the deadly look in Xiao Lin’s eyes and listened to his icy words, immediately feeling a monstrous killing aura, realizing if she truly died, Niu Niu would indeed be as Xiao Lin said, roaming the streets, fighting with stray dogs for food. As she pictured her angelic daughter wearing pauper’s clothes, ragged, competing with street dogs over a steamed bun, Niu Niu’s mother reignited a determination to live.
Thinking back to the past two years, only taking some simple medicines, even herbs picked from the mountain, was enough to get through. Now, reaching Yan University’s renowned First Affiliated Hospital, with its top-notch equipment, first-class doctors, and excellent environment, survival is entirely possible. So why think of death?
After pushing aside these thoughts, Niu Niu’s mother’s view of Xiao Lin’s icy gaze seemed less cold. The harsh words seemed to strike a chord of survival in her heart. At this moment, Niu Niu’s mother felt that Xiao Lin wasn’t as cold as he appeared on the surface. Rather, she saw a passionate heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called his girlfriend to pick her up after saving Niu Niu.
"Understood now? If you die, Niu Niu won’t survive either!" Xiao Lin pushed the door open and came in, his eyes and tone still cold, trying to evoke Niu Niu’s mother’s survival instinct like in the past two years.
Niu Niu’s mother snapped back to reality, looking at Xiao Lin and Xia Xue with a bright smile, as if she had regained her former spirit. She asked, "Is there hope for me?" Even though Niu Niu’s mother guessed why Xiao Lin did this, she didn’t dare to have high hopes for her body.
"As long as you don’t want to die, there is hope. If even you give up, then even the Immortals can’t help!" Xiao Lin was quite pleased yet also a bit shocked. He hadn’t expected that Niu Niu’s mother wasn’t so stubborn. Her mind was quite sharp, and within such a short time, she had already changed her previous thoughts. She’s indeed a wise woman, though her fate has been too rough.
"I don’t want to die!" Niu Niu’s mother said seriously.
"Alright, that’s enough!" Xiao Lin nodded.
Just as Xia Xue was about to speak, Niu Niu’s mother suddenly said, "Thank you. I know, even if I really die, Niu Niu won’t end up that way. You’re good people!"
"Sis..." Xia Xue originally intended to help Xiao Lin explain a few things, but she didn’t expect Niu Niu’s mother to be so wise, with just a few words from Xiao Lin changing her mindset. However, thinking of Niu Niu’s mother’s and Niu Niu’s experiences over the past two years, she couldn’t help but have her eyes redden.
Xiao Lin finally felt relieved. Niu Niu’s mother was much smarter than he’d imagined, and also more decisive. If she were born into a wealthy family, with her determined personality, she could certainly accomplish great things.
"Sis, my boyfriend’s medical skills are remarkable, especially his acupuncture technique. It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s unmatched, at least I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as him before. He’s going to help you with acupuncture over this period. Combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine will boost your body’s resistance, allowing you to undergo a kidney transplant, then gradually treat your other ailments. I’m sure you’ll recover quickly!" Xia Xue said afterward.
"Yes, I believe you!" Niu Niu’s mother nodded solemnly from her hospital bed, then asked, "Do I need to get up for acupuncture?"
"No need, just lie down like this!" Xiao Lin smiled. Given Niu Niu’s mother’s current condition, she could only endure the stimulation of one Silver Needle with the most delicate True Qi to help her slowly ease.
Xiao Lin didn’t say much more, taking out the Silver Needle he brought, disinfecting it, and then inserting it into Niu Niu’s mother’s Jianchi Acupoint, cautiously and gently inputting the Nine Dragons True Qi.
For an ordinary person, with Xiao Lin’s expertise, there would be no pain felt, not even the sensation of the Silver Needle piercing into the acupoint. However, Niu Niu’s mother’s constitution was too weak, compounded by having given up the will to live, bringing her body to the brink of collapse, making her extremely sensitive. At this moment, the Silver Needle piercing the acupoint was unbearably painful for her, but this pain wasn’t too much for her; she merely furrowed her brows.
"Sis, is it very painful?" Xia Xue looked at Niu Niu’s mother with heartache, clearly seeing her discomfort, with her brows furrowing.
Just then, the sound of a door opening echoed from the outer hall, followed by the young Dr. Tang from earlier walking in nonchalantly. Seeing Xiao Lin seemingly using a Silver Needle to pierce into the patient’s body, he shouted to stop him, "What are you doing? Are you trying to murder the patient?" (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)