Chapter 353 Her protective nature towards her family VS His soft heart towards his accomplice (11)

Half a month passed quickly.

These days, Jiang Zhiyi has been busy with renovations, working late every day, so she hasn't been to the hospital.

Unbeknownst to her, during this period, Jiang Zhiqi suffered several seizures, and her condition became extremely dangerous.

The doctor advised that surgery should be performed as soon as possible, otherwise the condition would continue to worsen.

However, the success rate of the surgery is not high, and even if the surgery is successful, continuous treatment is required afterward, which incurs extremely high costs...

In other words, Qiqi's illness will never be cured, and it will cost a lot of money. She will need medication and money to keep her alive for the rest of her life.

The atmosphere in the ward was oppressive; it was almost dark, but the lights were still off.

Li Aijin and Jiang Yongfu sat in the corners of the ward, most of their bodies shrouded in darkness.

Because of Li Aijin's health condition, the couple had been married for many years but had no children, and they would argue about this every few days.

During that period, Jiang Yongfu was always playing cards, spending all his time in the card room and unwilling to go home. Li Aijin didn't indulge him; if he didn't go home, she wouldn't either, spending her time eating, drinking, and having fun outside, spending money recklessly.

The two were secretly competing, neither willing to back down.

The day Li Aijin first met Jiang Zhiyi, she had just finished arguing with Jiang Yongfu. She went to a mahjong parlor to play mahjong, and her bicycle was parked at the entrance with half a leftover meat bun in the basket.

It was the dead of winter, and Jiang Zhiyi was only four or five years old. She was rummaging through the trash can for food, wearing ill-fitting summer slippers. Her hair was a mess, and her hands and face were covered in chilblains. Her clothes were tattered, probably because she was afraid of the cold, so she wore many layers, looking like a bulging garbage bag...

When Li Aijin saw her, she thought, "This child is so pitiful. If I had a child, I would never treat her like this."

Jiang Zhiyi stole the half meat bun and ran outside, hiding in a corner to eat it in big bites.

For many days afterward, Li Aijin would always leave some food in her bicycle basket. She really felt sorry for the child. Although she couldn't help with other things, giving him some food was not difficult.

Li Aijin inquired with people and learned that the child's parents had died long ago and were now left to fend for themselves.

Many people had considered taking the child in, but the child was mentally challenged and had become confused due to a previous fever. They worried that the child would likely remain mentally challenged even when he grew up, so they all gave up on the idea of ​​adopting him.

Li Aijin didn't think the child was stupid. He knew to get food when he was hungry, he knew to put pretty flowers in the bicycle basket, and he knew he might get scolded, so he didn't dare to show himself. Every day he would just hide in a corner and secretly watch her...

She thought about it for a long time, and then an idea came to her: why not take it back and raise it?

Although it can't provide a good life, at least I won't have to scavenge for food or suffer from hunger and cold anymore.

So one day, Li Aijin secretly followed Jiang Zhiyi to that dark alley.

Jiang Zhiyi was squatting on the ground eating a steamed bun when she saw her coming. She stood up and tried to run away.

Li Aijin stepped forward and stopped the person, asking if she wanted to come home with her. She said there would be steamed buns to eat at home, but she would have to be obedient, hygienic, and study from now on...

And so, Jiang Zhiyi had a new mother, a new father, and a home of her own.

Once something like this happens once, it will happen again. Later, Jiang Zhiyi gained many more younger brothers and sisters, all of whom were quite special...

In Li Aijin's words, they are just a little different from others, nothing to worry about, it won't affect anything at all.

And that's exactly how it is. Just like Jiang Zhiyi, who was always said to be slow-witted, yet still smoothly got into university. Jiang Zhier has two extra fingers, but it doesn't hinder his life at all; in fact, his handwriting is exceptionally beautiful. Jiang Zhishan walks with a limp, which is sometimes quite endearing. Although he's not good at sports, he excels academically, winning awards in school competitions every time…

They are all good children, beloved children of their parents.

Perhaps good deeds are rewarded, because after so many years, Li Aijin became pregnant and gave birth to a lovely daughter.

Unfortunately... this act of kindness only gave the child life, but not health.

Li Aijin and her colleagues have spoken with the doctors several times, and now it's time for them to make a final decision. If surgery is necessary, they can't delay any longer.

Should we save her or not? Should we treat her or not?

They are currently unable to afford these costs. Even if they sell their house and car, they can only scrape together the surgery fee, and they cannot afford the subsequent medical expenses.

This will be a bottomless pit that will drag people down.

What about the other children? If all the money is used for Qiqi's surgery, what will happen to them? They still need to live, they still need to go to school, what will they do?

The ward had been silent for a long time, from morning till night.

“Let’s take Qiqi home,” the woman’s voice suddenly rang out. “She’s so young, I can’t bear to let her have surgery, it’s too painful…”

Jiang Yongfu wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes; he knew what those words meant.

Heartache, helplessness, bitterness...

Even the most complex emotions are forced to yield to reality at this moment, ultimately condensing into a single, brief sentence.

This one sentence determined the final fate of this life.

"Ee... Ee-ya... Ya..." The baby on the hospital bed was still trying to kick its little legs.

Those big, round eyes looked around curiously, and drool quietly trickled from the corner of their mouths.

She tried to pull her little socks out with one hand, while waving her other hand in front of her chest. Occasionally, she would pull it back and suck on her thumb obediently.

Perhaps knowing that the adults were troubled, she amused herself by herself and never cried or made a fuss.

She knew nothing and understood nothing; every move she made was like that of a cute little angel, innocent and naive.

Li Aijin didn't dare to look at her; she just slowly lowered her head, tears already streaming down her face.

Her poor daughter, her blood-related daughter, never even called out "Mom" or "Dad" before leaving this world with illness.

But she had no way to solve it.

The other children are her children too; she can't drag them all down to hell just because of Kiki...

She wept silently.