Chapter 573: Chapter 564: Inescapable Death

On the first day of the New Year, the sound of firecrackers continued outside, yet there were four drunkards sitting by the window discussing the future.

Just as Ding Qiang had said, most young people in this world are constantly running, merely to chase after the selves that were once held in high esteem.

To avoid disappointing our parents, we struggle desperately to live up to their ideal image of us, yet we forget what we initially desired.

No one wants to exert effort or strive because effort and striving are evidently not easy tasks, but why do so many people choose to do so?

It’s simply because they dislike being stagnant.

However, different people have different fates. Some stand under the spotlight through effort, some remain sidelined despite a lifetime of effort, while others, after realizing their limitations midway, choose to go with the flow and accept their ordinariness.

Ding Qiang, however, is a different case. He just chose to run, but his legs were broken.

When a person grows up, and when their parents are hospitalized and they can’t afford a penny, it is a significant blow to a young person.

Ding Qiang experienced this, but fortunately, he knows someone affluent and willing to help him.

Throughout the night, Ding Qiang shared all the polite niceties he learned in the workplace with the three others.

However, his tolerance for alcohol was terrible; he fell asleep without even realizing it.

No one expected that their first reunion this year would turn out like this.

The four men lay sprawled across the living room, sleeping until nine in the morning, awakened by a phone call from Ding Qiang’s phone.

It was a call from the hospital, stating that they could schedule the surgery and that they should come by to complete the process.

Upon hearing this, the four immediately perked up, quickly washed up, took two cars, and headed straight to the hospital.

At the hospital, they also happened to meet Ding Qiang’s mother. After a night of mental struggle, she finally decided to give it another try.

She even made up her mind that regardless of the outcome, they would first repay the debt from the compensation money. At worst, they could pay back their son’s classmates first, and the relatives would have to wait.

Construction sites have their death compensations pre-set, usually resolved with money, but they fear those who linger in the hospital, as they are too troublesome. It’s better to settle it all at once.

Although the construction site gave them some money, if the person dies, that amount is far from enough. The compensation for a death in a project is roughly around a million yuan, which is rather cruel.

A life valued at about a million yuan, but ordinary folks have no way to negotiate more, leaving them dragging helplessly.

Amidst expressions of gratitude, they met the attending physician.

"Doctor, I’d like to ask, when is the soonest the surgery can be performed?" Su Qing inquired.

Since his arrival, Ding Qiang and his mother seemed to find a sense of reliability in him. Luckily, they stayed at a hotel the previous night, so today they both appeared in better spirits; otherwise, they might have had trouble even standing.

"The staff is ready. As soon as the procedures are completed, the surgery can be performed in the afternoon. However, I must state that this surgery carries significant risks, with a success rate of less than ten percent... The patient has been impaled by a section of steel bar...."

The doctor explained in detail, fearing they might not understand. He mentioned both the difficulty and danger of the surgery, stating that even from his professional standpoint, he favored discontinuing treatment. Just removing the tubes would suffice, and insisting on surgery would largely result in wasted money. Noticing Ding Qiang’s family’s average financial condition, he spoke quite frankly.

Yet, none of them, including Su Qing, understood the technicalities, but everyone was aware that the surgery carried immense risk, with a success probability of less than ten percent.

"Auntie, you and Da Qiang should decide. If you decide to proceed, I’ll go down and pay right now."

After the doctor finished, Su Qing passed the decision-making power to Ding Qiang and his mother, acknowledging their outsider status.

Hearing the doctor’s words, the mother and son paled slightly, but Da Qiang took a deep breath, then nodded heavily, speaking in a deep tone:

"Go ahead!"

No sooner had the words been spoken than Su Qing’s mind was filled with a narration.

[Ding Dashan, with a penetrating chest injury accompanied by multiple fractures causing internal bleeding, given the current conditions of Jiangcheng Hospital and the attending physician’s analysis, the probability of success is eight percent. Today’s surgery result... failure!]

Instantly, Su Qing stood frozen in place. Although mentally prepared, upon hearing that narration, he still couldn’t help but swallow hard.

"Doctor... can we do it the day after tomorrow?" Su Qing asked with some difficulty, a hint of hope in his voice.

Hearing this, the doctor paused, then nodded instinctively: "It’s doable, but given the patient’s current condition, sooner is better than later. Moreover, the ICU charges are quite substantial with additional waiting."

[Surgery performed tomorrow will have a seven percent success rate, result... failure!]

On hearing this, Su Qing clenched his fist instinctively. He initially thought it depended on the doctor’s skill and luck today, but now it seemed otherwise...

"What’s wrong, Qingzi?" Wang Xing asked, somewhat puzzled.

Wasn’t it decided yesterday? So why delay again today instead of proceeding?

Even Ding Qiang and his mother looked at him in confusion.

But Su Qing paid no attention to their glances, staring intently at the doctor, and after a long silence, he asked: "Doctor, if we transfer to the capital, will the success rate be higher?"

The doctor thought for a moment, nodding responsibly: "It should be somewhat higher, but the exact increase is uncertain. However, I must tell you, the patient’s current state doesn’t allow for transfer. Insisting on transferring might result in death on the way."

As soon as the doctor finished speaking, the narration echoed in Su Qing’s mind once more.

[If transferred to the capital, the surgical success rate would reach seventeen percent. However, transferring would have a one hundred percent probability of death. If doctors from the capital come over, given the existing conditions at Jiangcheng Hospital, the success rate would be about eleven percent, decreasing over time.]

On hearing this, Su Qing was utterly despondent, closing his eyes. He didn’t expect there was no way to escape this fatal outcome.

It wasn’t that there were no better options, but the patient’s condition didn’t allow for it. Hospital equipment, doctors’ skills, and the passage of time were all variables.

"What’s wrong, Qingzi?" Ding Qiang noticed his difficulty but knew it wasn’t about money, which made him even more puzzled.

Looking at Ding Qiang’s stubbly face and drastically thinner body, Su Qing opened his mouth, only to find himself unable to speak.

"Nothing... Nothing, I’ll go pay! In that case, you and Auntie find a time to go inside and see Uncle."

Having said this, Su Qing took a deep breath, turned around, went downstairs to make the payment, and prepared for surgery.

He knew very well that Ding Qiang’s father couldn’t make it, but he couldn’t say it. Sometimes not all money has to lead to results.

Even if there are no results, this money must be spent. Otherwise, this event might become an unresolved hurdle for Ding Qiang in his life.

Three hundred thousand, spent to buy Ding Qiang the peace of trying his best as a son, spent to buy a clear conscience. It was worth it.

...