10: The sufferings of life are always like this, one wave after another

“We still need five thousand yuan.”

Chen Mengyao looked down at the bulging change in her small wallet; there were blue ones, green ones, and only a few red ones.

This was the money she earned while preparing for the college entrance exam and working part-time in her hometown of Chuan-Yu.

It was all the savings the family currently had.

Even if she took it all out, there would still be a five-thousand-yuan gap that couldn't be filled.

To Lu Chen, five thousand yuan was less than a drop in the bucket; even if it fell on the ground, he wouldn't bat an eye, much less bother to pick it up.

But for Chen Mengyao at this moment, it was like a mountain pressing down on her slender shoulders, making it impossible for her to breathe.

Chen Mengyao's pink lips were tightly pursed, and her slender, jade-like fingers were clenched, her nails digging into her palm.

She looked at the nurse beside her, bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then bravely asked in a low voice:

“Nurse sister, can you lend me five thousand yuan? I’ll pay you back very soon.”

Hearing this, the nurse shook her head slightly and sighed:

“I’m sorry, girl, I’m just a worker, and I don’t have that much money on me. Besides, even if I covered you this time, after the surgery, the hospitalization fees will also require a large sum.”

Chen Mengyao was stunned, her pretty face turning pale.

Yes, even if the surgery went smoothly, the hospitalization fees would be an enormous sum. What should she do?

Unless she gave up their rented apartment, she definitely wouldn't be able to get this money in a short time.

But if she gave up the apartment, where would Xuening and her mother live then? Chen Mengyao’s eyes dimmed, and her heart was filled with bitterness.

“Girl, if you still have any relatives, quickly inform them,” the nurse said sympathetically, looking at her.

Chen Mengyao shook her head and forced a smile: “Thank you for your concern, Nurse sister, I understand.”

Relatives… where would she have any relatives in Yanjing City?

Not just in Yanjing City, she no longer had any relatives anywhere else either.

The nurse understood, realizing how miserable this beautiful girl in front of her was, and couldn't help but comfort her:

“Don’t be sad, things will always work out.”

At this moment,

the chief female physician from before came back and asked: “How is it? Has the surgery fee been paid? The patient’s condition cannot be delayed any longer.”

The nurse shook her head, her eyes showing some difficulty.

Seeing this look, the chief female physician immediately understood.

She turned to look at Chen Mengyao. This girl was about the same age as her own daughter and should be enjoying the beauty of youth right now.

But at this moment, those beautiful eyes were filled with helplessness and exhaustion, devoid of any light.

“Sigh…” The chief female physician sighed, her heart softening. She stepped forward and said softly:

“How much is still needed? I’ll cover it for her first.”

Chen Mengyao looked up, her beautiful eyes welling with gratitude, and she quickly said: “Doctor sister, thank you!”

“It’s nothing,” the chief female physician smiled gently, handed Chen Mengyao a card, and instructed:

“There’s five thousand yuan in here. Remember to transfer it to the surgery account in time.”

“Mhm, mhm, thank you, Doctor sister,” Chen Mengyao nodded heavily, her eyes red, and she choked out her thanks.

“Go pay the fee quickly,” the chief female physician smiled slightly upon seeing this, then turned and left.

“Thank you, Doctor sister, I will definitely return this money to you as soon as possible,” Chen Mengyao thanked her again.

Seeing this, the chief female physician lovingly stroked her hair:

“Child, don’t be polite. You are still young, and there is still time for everything.”

With that, she turned and left.

Chen Mengyao stood rooted to the spot for a long time, tears instantly gushing from her eyes.

The feeling of being given charity by a stranger was actually very unpleasant, because she currently had no ability to repay them.

She could only remember it in her heart, silently noting it down.

Chen Mengyao didn't dare to delay and quickly paid the surgery fee.

After doing this, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, her whole body exhausted, and she slowly slid down the wall to sit on the ground.

“Sister, here’s a tissue…” Chen Xuening, who had been standing quietly and sensibly by her side, suddenly ran to her and handed her a clean tissue.

Chen Mengyao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and reached out to hug Chen Xuening.

This was the second time she had cried.

“Xiao Ning, thank you,” she said with a choked voice.

Chen Xuening gently patted Chen Mengyao’s back, comforting her:

“Sister, don’t be sad. When Mom wakes up, let’s find a cheaper new house together and move out, okay?”

Saying this, the little girl seemed afraid she wouldn't agree and quickly added: “Sister, don’t worry, I’ll be very obedient during this time and promise not to make you or Mom angry.”

Chen Mengyao looked at her sister’s well-behaved appearance, a sudden pang of sadness in her heart, and she didn't speak, just held her tightly… An hour later,

the operating room light finally went out again.

The female physician from before walked out, and Chen Mengyao, who had been sitting by the side, immediately went up to her.

“The surgery went relatively smoothly, and the patient has been saved.”

Upon hearing these words, Chen Mengyao finally breathed a sigh of relief, a joyful expression appearing on her pretty face.

However, the next moment, the female physician sighed, her tone shifting slightly, “But… the underlying cause that led to your mother being bedridden for so long has not been completely resolved. Further treatment requires other surgical procedures.”

As soon as her words fell, Chen Mengyao’s delicate body trembled.

The female physician looked up at Chen Mengyao, her gaze filled with pity and heartache. She hesitated for a moment, then still said:

“The estimated cost for the next surgical treatment plus hospitalization and medication is conservatively three hundred thousand yuan, not excluding other potential expenses.”

“Actually, this isn’t a major illness, but you all have delayed it for too long, already missing the optimal time for surgery. If you continue to delay the surgery, given your mother’s current condition, she can only last for at most another two and a half years.”

Chen Mengyao was completely frozen in place, her eyes filled not only with intense worry but also deep bewilderment.

Three hundred thousand… where could she get three hundred thousand… The female physician patted Chen Mengyao’s shoulder and said softly:

“I can help you apply for the hospital’s poverty assistance, and you can also try to seek help from society; you should be able to raise some money.”

“Don’t worry, we still have time.”

The female physician comforted Chen Mengyao while trying to think of solutions for her.

If it were tens of thousands of yuan, she could grit her teeth and help, but for three hundred thousand, she was powerless.

This had already exceeded her limits.

After speaking, she handed Chen Mengyao a tissue and walked towards the other side of the corridor.

Chen Mengyao stared blankly at the female physician’s retreating figure, her mind a chaotic mess.

After a long while, Chen Mengyao slowly squatted down, hugging her knees, silent tears streaming down her exquisite face.

Finally, they dripped onto the floor tiles at her feet, shattering into crystal-clear tear blossoms.

This was her third time crying…