Li Zhenâs hospital room was in excellent condition, and the Li family made every effort to treat him, even bringing in experts from other places. However, even the experts were at a loss in the face of his illness. No matter how high-class the ward was, it could not bring back a healthy body.
Xiao Qian, led by Father Yu, arrived at the hospital, and Mother Yu came over too, standing at the entrance. As they looked at each other, they both saw the agitation in each otherâs eyes.
âDidnât they say the operation was successful? Why is there no sensation?â Mother Yu asked Father Yu. She had been notified last night that Li Zhenâs operation was successful, but today, news came that the situation was very grave, and there was no normal post-operative response.
This situation was heading towards paralysis.
âIâll ask the doctor later, see whatâs going on and whether itâs treatable or not. If not, weâll find someone else!â Father Yu was also simmering with anger.
Outside the ward and in front of a window, Li Zhenâs father stood. Xiao Qian was surprised when she first saw him.
It didnât seem to be too long since she last saw Father Li, which was when she had just met Yu Minglang and went to Liâs house with him to settle matters.
At that time, Father Li seemed quite healthy. But now, with white temples and a worn expression, he looked as if he had aged ten years. The reckless actions of his wife and the accident of his son had crushed him.
Seeing Father Yu, Father Li extended his hand, and they shook hands. Father Li spoke with shame,
âI failed to properly teach my son and control my wife, and Iâve caused such trouble for your family. Iâm truly ashamed. If Li Zhen were not so seriously ill, I should personally apologize to you.â
âWhat are you talking about? Itâs me who didnât educate my younger sister well. Itâs my fault!â
âDonât say that, itâs all my fault!â
They both apologized to each other from the bottom of their hearts. Neither of them usually spoke in such a sincere manner. Aunt had drawn both her husband and her older brother into great trouble without even considering the consequences.
Father Li and Father Yu used to be friends, and their relationship was quite good. Even after Father Li moved to another area, they still kept in close touch. Father Yu felt that he didnât deserve to see his friend anymore, as he shouldnât have married his sister to him.
Father Li also felt guilty towards Father Yu, believing everything was caused by his wife. He had neglected his wifeâs thought process due to his busy work, and now both fathers found themselves in a passive situation.
âNow is not the time for a struggle session; howâs the child doing?â Mother Yu asked.
Father Li sighed and shook his head.
Xiao Qian had been standing by them, quietly listening to their conversation and deciding her next steps. What on earth did Li Zhen need her for?
Just then, Li Zhenâs chief physician arrived. Father Li called him over, and the chief physician began to explain Li Zhenâs condition.
âAs you can see in these images, the injured area is a relatively mild cauda equina injury in terms of spinal cord damage. The ability of the cauda equina to resist injury is stronger than that of the spinal cord. According to our assessment, the worst post-operative outcome for him should be Level E, or perhaps even better than that.â
âWhat the hell are you talking about? Speak in terms we can understand!â Father Yu said impatiently.
Mother Yu, being a doctor, understood and explained to everyone, âAll spinal fractures can potentially lead to paralysis, but the degree of paralysis and postoperative recovery varies. Medically, paralysis is divided into levels A to E, with A being the most severe, meaning completely bedridden, unable to care for oneself, and unable to control oneâs bowel and bladder. Level E is the mildest form, causing numbness in a specific area.â
âSo whatâs his current situation?â Father Yu asked further.
Xiao Qian silently looked at the images, seeming to have an idea.
âI canât explain it clearly to you, but let me put it in simpler terms. According to Li Zhenâs imaging results, his condition should be considered less severe than Level E, and he would only need to rest and recover. However⦠his current condition has reached the most severe point, with no sensations and loss of control over his bowel and bladder.â
For a young man, this was the cruelest thing in the world. With zero dignity and being unable to even handle basic bodily functions, he had to rely on others for help. The blow to a young man could be immense, and if he had a fragile mental ability to cope, he might develop depression or even choose to end his life.
Mother Yuâs words plunged everyone into silence.
Xiao Qian took the images from Mother Yu, asked the doctor a few professional questions, and received answers one by one. Mother Yu, puzzled, asked Xiao Qian,
âArenât you studying Psychology? How do you understand this?â
Instead of replying directly to Mother Yu, Xiao Qian continued to question the doctor,
âSo, based on your examination results, Li Zhenâs body should not be experiencing this kind of physiological condition, right?â
âYes, we donât understand why this is happening either. Weâre holding an emergency meeting, but domestic cases in this area are nonexistent, and we canât find any references. Perhaps you could transfer him abroad for more advanced examinations?â
My great country, with thousands of years of Chinese medical history, how can there be nothing that can treat this? Always turning to those foreign devils; when our ancestors were using needles to cure illnesses, what were those people doing!â
Mother Yu glared at Father Yu, âGet rid of your narrow-mindedness; treating the child is the priority right now. If you canât help, donât make trouble!â
Father Yu snorted resentfully, unwilling to accept that in his heart, the moon of their own country was rounder than that of foreign countries.
Xiao Qian had already figured it out.
âNo need to go abroad.â
âXiao Qian, what did you say?â Mother Yu asked in surprise.
âI have a preliminary idea in my mind now, but whether it is or not, I need to see Li Zhen first. Iâll go in to see him now, and when I come out, Iâll explain the detailed plan to you.â
Xiao Qianâs words left the elders staring at each other, puzzled by what she was planning to do.
Xiao Qian didnât explain further and entered the ward led by the doctor. Li Zhenâs eyes were wide open, staring straight at the ceiling, his expression very calm, not at all like someone who had just suffered a major blow.
He seemed calm, as if he had seen through everything in the world. His gaze fixed on the ceiling seemed like he was searching for the entrance to another realm.
As soon as Xiao Qian saw his expression, her heart skipped a beat.
It seemed Li Zhen no longer wanted to live.
As a doctor who could read peopleâs hearts and had seen many psychological illnesses, Xiao Qian could quickly identify abnormal psychological reactions. Li Zhen was in his prime yet faced with such an ordeal. If he could be irritable, lose his temper, and display over-the-top behavior, it would be a normal reaction. But his serenity, like that of a monk who had seen through the mortal world, was a major issue.
âYouâre here.â Li Zhen saw Xiao Qian coming in, withdrew his gaze and calmly greeted her.