Chapter 43 - Grandma’s Illness
After walking a few steps, Ye Tianxin suddenly stopped and exclaimed, “Grandma, I’ve forgotten one of the reports. Wait here for me. Don’t go anywhere with anybody. I’d be terrified if I came back and you weren’t here!”
Not suspecting anything, her grandmother nodded and sat on a bench to wait for Ye Tianxin.
Soothing her violently pounding heart, Ye Tianxin ran back to the doctor’s office. When the doctor saw her, he was momentarily stunned.
“Doctor, my grandmother’s illness. Is it operable?”
The doctor deliberated for a while before saying, “It is operable, but surgery would only buy your grandmother a little more time. Also, this surgery would be very costly, and I don’t think you guys would be able to fork over that much money.”
“Doctor, please tell me. What is the estimated cost of this surgery? As long as it can help my grandmother live longer, I’ll use any means necessary to raise the money.”
“At least five hundred thousand.”
Ye Tianxin knew that even though the doctor said it would only cost five hundred thousand dollars, it would actually cost a lot more than that.
A lot more.
The problem was that there were only fifty thousand in her grandmother’s bank deposit book. That amount was like a drop in the ocean compared to how much the treatment for her grandmother’s illness would cost.
Now, in addition to preparing for the college entrance exams, she’d have to find work as well. How could she, within such a short period of time, make a million dollars?
“Young lady, judging by your appearance, you don’t look like you come from a well-to-do family. Think about it and work out for yourself whether this is really necessary.”
“My grandmother’s cancer, has it spread to other areas?”
“Yes, it has spread. Also, even with surgery and subsequent cancer treatment, in her condition, your grandmother still might not be able to hold on for that much longer.”
Ye Tianxin hung her head. With tears in her eyes, she asked, “So, what can we do? I can’t just sit back, do nothing, and give up on my grandmother!”
The doctor told it as it was. “Young lady, think this through carefully! My suggestion is that since your grandmother is already quite old, there’s no need to cut her up.”
Ye Tianxin was well aware that the doctor was thinking of what was best for her when he made that suggestion, but she didn’t need his kindness.
Looking dazed, Ye Tianxin left the doctor’s office. In the distance, she could see her grandmother sitting alone on the bench, waiting for her to return. Tears streamed down Ye Tianxin’s face.
She couldn’t possibly give up on her grandmother.
She was determined to get her grandmother’s illness treated.
She would definitely raise enough money to have her grandmother treated.
With the best medicine.
With the best doctors.
She was determined… so determined… to make sure that her grandmother stayed alive and well.
“Grandma.”
Ye Tianxin sat beside her grandmother, and together they watched the constant stream of people in the hospital hurrying to and fro.
Her grandmother sighed. “There are so many people in Capital City. So many in the hospital and on the buses. There are people everywhere!”
“Grandma, are you homesick?”
Ye Tianxin rested her head on her grandmother’s shoulders, fully aware that her grandmother was homesick.
Grandma had spent so many years in the town of Jiameng. And now, having to come to an unfamiliar place, she was surely uncomfortable.
“Nope. This is my first trip to Capital City,” Grandma replied, her words not reflecting her true feelings.
Laughing softly, Ye Tianxin said, “Grandma, it’s too early to say for sure, but I might not have passed the preliminary interview. If I didn’t make it past the first round, we’ll have to head back home in the afternoon two days from now.”
“That won’t happen. My Tianxin is so capable. How could you not make it!?”
Grandma consoled Ye Tianxin, and they both sat there quietly, mulling over their own thoughts.
“Auntie.”
A familiar voice sounded in her ears, and Ye Tianxin felt her head start to pound loudly, as if fireworks had exploded in her head.
Confused, Grandma raised her head and looked up at the person standing in front of them. “Are you Jijun? Lu Jijun?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Lu Jijun’s eyes landed on Ye Tianxin. “My word, she is all grown up now!” he thought.
“Auntie, why are you and Tianxin in Capital City?” he asked.