Chapter 57: Yao Hong Arrives

[Alright, three updates today! Everyone, don't blame me for the slow updates. I really don't want to repeat past mistakes. The outline is gradually improving, and the speed will pick up.]

"Qin Chuan, I heard that you showed great heroism last night, saving a beauty, and now you're almost a son-in-law to the mayor's family. Is that true?" He Xiaokang immediately pulled Qin Chuan and asked as soon as he entered.

"How did you know that?" Qin Chuan was very surprised.

"So, it's true? Wow, you're really something. No way, no way, such good news must be celebrated." He Xiaokang immediately started to stir things up.

Qin Chuan smiled and said, "Celebrating is no problem. At noon, I'll buy everyone a meal in the canteen."

"Come on, Qin, that's too stingy. Just a meal in the canteen?" He Xiaokang naturally wouldn't be satisfied. Last time, he was treated to a feast at Jin Yushifu.

"I can't help it. I just started working, and by now, do you think I have much left in my pocket? How about I treat everyone to Jin Yushifu next month when I get my salary?" Qin Chuan really had no money left. Now that he was working, he couldn't ask his family for money. He hadn't been working long, and his salary wasn't high. With his current experience, he couldn't even work in the outpatient department. The amount of medication and tests he could prescribe was very limited. Without these, his salary, after deducting housing provident fund, pension, and other miscellaneous expenses, didn't leave much. This month, Qin Chuan had also applied for a medical project, and he was able to maintain his current situation mainly because he ate many meals at home, and Jiang Lingling provided breakfast and often brought him lunch.

Qin Chuan and Jiang Lingling had similar job titles, and in fact, Jiang Lingling's base salary was slightly higher. Nurses generally received higher subsidies than doctors. Additionally, as a woman, Jiang Lingling felt more comfortable asking her parents for money. As a man, Qin Chuan was at an age where he should be independent in both life and finances.

He Xiaokang clearly understood Qin Chuan's situation and patted him on the shoulder, "Then it's next month. I guess you won't have much left next month either."

"Don't jinx me, or I'll borrow money from you," Qin Chuan threatened. But thinking about it, the possibility was indeed very high. If he went to Xingsha for the National Day gathering, he would have to be careful with his monthly salary.

When Qin Chuan went to check on the patients, Yao Sihai's bed had been completely refreshed, with new sheets and a clean hospital gown for Yao Sihai.

"Doctor Qin, I have to tell you, Yao Sihai went to the bathhouse yesterday. Don't look at him, he doesn't talk to anyone, but he actually cares a lot about his appearance. He was just forced into this situation. Otherwise, who would want to do such a shameful thing?" Wang Yuezhen immediately told Qin Chuan about Yao Sihai as soon as she saw him.

"Grandma Wang, have your children visited you recently?" Qin Chuan asked casually.

Wang Yuezhen's expression darkened, "They are all very busy. They only come once a month to pay the medical fees. Now I'm just their monthly expense."

Wang Yuezhen smiled bitterly. Qin Chuan regretted asking about this topic. For someone her age, living in the emergency department, her family situation couldn't be good. Mentioning it would only make her sad. Who wouldn't want their children to be more filial?

"Grandma Wang, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," Qin Chuan said, feeling ashamed.

"It's okay, it's okay. It's all my fault for not educating them well. Everyone gets old. I wasn't good to my parents or my in-laws in the past, and now I'm getting what I deserve. So I don't blame them. It's because I didn't do well. But I'm worried that they will be like me when they get old. The next generation learns from examples." Wang Yuezhen turned her head and wiped her tears with a tissue from a roll of toilet paper.

Qin Chuan didn't say anything, waiting quietly for Wang Yuezhen to speak. Although it seemed that Qin Chuan had made Wang Yuezhen recall sad memories, in fact, such timely release of inner depression was beneficial for patients.

After a while, Wang Yuezhen calmed down, "Doctor Qin, thank you. These things have been weighing on my heart for a long time. Now that I've said them, I feel much better. I've never blamed my children, even though they treat me much worse than I treat them. I'm just worried about them."

"It would be good if your children could hear these words," Qin Chuan said.

"Doctor Qin, you will be a good doctor and a filial son. I can tell. A person who is full of kindness will definitely love their parents. I just didn't understand these things and didn't educate them well. They grew up to be as selfish as I was. Looking back, I realize I was wrong. I'm a bit tired. I want to sleep," Wang Yuezhen said.

Qin Chuan covered Wang Yuezhen's cup, "Sleep well. I'll come back to see you this afternoon."

After leaving Wang Yuezhen's bed, Qin Chuan walked to Yao Sihai's bed.

"Doctor Qin, thank you. Don't worry about the medical fees. When I get better, I'll find a way to earn money and pay back the hospital," Yao Sihai said.

"Old Yao, don't worry. Tuberculosis is partially covered by the government, so you don't owe the hospital much. I'm not here to collect the fees. That's not my job. I'm here to treat you. I went to Youzidong Village and talked to some people about your situation," Qin Chuan said.

Yao Sihai didn't respond, not knowing what Qin Chuan meant by this.

"I haven't been back to the village for many years. There's just an old house there. It's not worth much," Yao Sihai said.

"Who knows? If it gets demolished one day, it might be worth a lot," Qin Chuan smiled.

Yao Sihai laughed, "I used to hope for demolition, but after so many years, it hasn't happened. I don't expect it anymore. Hehe."

"Do you regret sending those two brothers to university for nothing?" Qin Chuan asked.

"Regret? I don't regret it. I never expected them to repay me. I spent the happiest days of my life with their family. Having a family to rely on gives you motivation. I don't blame them at all," Yao Sihai said.

Qin Chuan wasn't sure if Yao Sihai was being sincere, but it seemed genuine.

"Doctor Qin, stay away from me. I have tuberculosis, it's contagious. You're a good doctor, don't catch my disease," Yao Sihai said.

"Don't worry. Your condition isn't severe. I'm wearing a mask, so it's fine. We doctors deal with viruses every day," Qin Chuan smiled.

"Still, be careful," Yao Sihai said.

"I want to find Zhang Guiping and his brother to see what's going on. People shouldn't be like this," Qin Chuan said.

"No, Doctor Qin, I know you mean well, but I don't want to make Hu Yemei difficult. She has always been concerned about me. She used to bring me food and take care of me. They don't allow her to come. If you go to them, Hu Yemei will be very difficult," Yao Sihai shook his head repeatedly.

"Don't worry, I'll find Zhang Guiping and his brother privately. I'll see if I can persuade them to let Hu Yemei come and see you," Qin Chuan explained.

"Forget it, Doctor Qin, don't waste your time. I know you're doing this for me. They are now officials, and having me as a stepfather would be embarrassing for them. It would affect Guiping's career," Yao Sihai said.

"Old Yao, you're wrong. You won't affect his career. It's their ingratitude that will affect his career if it gets out," Qin Chuan said.

"Doctor Qin, no matter what, don't tell anyone about this," Yao Sihai was anxious.

"At this point, why are you still protecting them? People like this should be exposed for everyone to see their true colors," Qin Chuan said.

"I don't want to ruin them. Hu Yemei would be very sad," Yao Sihai said.

Qin Chuan finally understood. Yao Sihai still had deep feelings for Hu Yemei and was willing to suffer himself to avoid making her difficult.

"Alright, I won't go to them," Qin Chuan said.

A woman in her sixties entered the emergency room, carrying a bag of various nutritional supplements.

"Excuse me, which ward is Yao Sihai in?" the woman asked Jiang Lingling.

"You're looking for Yao Sihai?" Jiang Lingling was very surprised. She knew that Yao Sihai had been in the hospital for four or five years, and no one had ever visited him.

"Yes, I'm Yao Sihai's sister," the woman turned out to be Yao Sihai's only sister, Yao Hong.

"You really should have come earlier. Yao Sihai has been in the hospital for so many years, and no one has ever visited him. A few days ago, he was infected with tuberculosis. If it weren't for Doctor Qin, he might not have survived," Jiang Lingling's voice was slightly cold.

Yao Hong was very embarrassed but didn't say anything.

"He's in there. Be careful, he has tuberculosis, which is contagious. Wait a moment, I'll give you a disposable mask," Jiang Lingling's voice was cold, but her heart was warm.

"Thank you, thank you," Yao Hong said repeatedly.

Yao Hong entered Yao Sihai's ward. Yao Sihai looked up but didn't recognize her. Five years had passed, and Yao Hong had aged a lot, with gray hair.

Qin Chuan, who had never met Yao Hong, stood up and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"Brother, Hong is here to see you!" Yao Hong's lips trembled, and she was already sobbing by the time she finished speaking.

Yao Sihai was stunned and said angrily, "Brother, do I even have a sister?"

"Brother, it's all my fault. I'm not a person. You've suffered here. I should have come to take care of you earlier," Yao Hong knelt beside Yao Sihai's bed.

"Hong, get up. I don't blame you. I know your difficulties," Yao Sihai, upon seeing Yao Hong, seemed to see the little girl who used to follow him around. His resentment had long disappeared. Although his sister had married well, she had never been decisive. After marrying, she never made any decisions. After her in-laws died, her sons married, and she had to deal with her in-laws and then her daughters-in-law.