Bai Lu and I walked out of the ward together to make sure that Old Mi inside couldn't hear us. Bai Lu was clearly nervous too. She first let out a sigh of relief before answering the phone. She greeted the person on the other end and then listened to them talk for a full minute.

Finally, Bai Lu spoke up, saying, "Hey Zhang Yao, send me the test results via WeChat, and give me a brief introduction to the disease... Also, please make it clear whether there's any possibility of a cure."

Bai Lu hung up the phone, and I stared at her, my nervousness indescribable.

Bai Lu's expression was somber. She shook her head and said, "The results of the pathology slide examination are not good... Zhang Yao will send me the detailed results via WeChat later. You can take a closer look."

Looking at Bai Lu, the last shred of hope I had vanished... My hands and feet were trembling slightly, and my mind was in turmoil. I had no idea how to face this outcome... I had always thought Lao Mi was healthy, so I had never prepared myself for this.

After a few minutes of waiting, the phone Bai Lu was holding vibrated. Bai Lu glanced at it first, then handed the phone to me...

"The pathological examination results show stage III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Lymphoma, commonly known as lymphoma, is a type of malignant tumor, but it is curable, so the patient's family shouldn't be too nervous. The key is to choose an appropriate treatment method... In addition, a full-body examination is needed later to confirm whether there are any systemic symptoms. This result is crucial... However, our hospital does not have this examination equipment. We recommend that you transfer to a larger hospital as soon as possible for a PET-CT scan... This examination can macroscopically display the function, metabolism, and other pathophysiological characteristics of all organs in the body, and can also more comprehensively detect lesions... This is a crucial step for the doctor to determine the treatment plan... Please don't delay."

I tried my best to remain calm, and then sent a voice message to Bai Lu's friend: "What is the cure rate for my dad's lymphoma at this stage?"

"We need to wait for further test results... Lymphoma is known as the most insidious killer. It usually doesn't have any particularly noticeable symptoms, and by the time it's discovered, it's already quite late. So your father's result is in the middle to late stage... But if the cancer cells haven't invaded the whole body, and with appropriate treatment, the five-year survival rate is still very high."

"What does 'five-year survival rate' mean?"

"If a cancer patient survives for more than five years after treatment, the possibility of the tumor being cured can be considered to be 90%."

"Thank you... I will discuss it with my family as soon as possible and come to a decision."

"You're welcome... Finally, I have one more suggestion: I recommend that you transfer the patient to their place of household registration for treatment, because the cost of this treatment will be very high. The insurance reimbursement rate for treatment outside the area is not high, while the rate will be relatively higher if the treatment is done locally... In addition, this treatment involves many imported 'drugs,' which will not be covered by insurance... So, please raise the funds for treatment as soon as possible, and don't delay the patient's treatment."

How much money do I need to prepare?

"The more the better."

...

I returned the phone to Bai Lu and remained silent. I needed time to accept this outcome. The series of major blows had brought me to the brink of collapse, and I didn't want to lose any more of my loved ones.

I cried. I remembered so many moments I shared with Lao Mi... I can't forget the image of him letting me ride on his shoulders. When I was little, he was my hero. I was only half his height, so he could do many things I couldn't. He would pick peaches for me from the mountains, teach me to swim and fish... I admired all his skills... But now, he has fallen, like a giant, fallen deep in my heart.

Bai Lu tugged at my arm and said softly, "Cancer is affecting younger and younger people these days, and there's not much you can do when you encounter it... At this time, you have to be the strongest... And my friend also said that lymphoma is a type of cancer that has a chance of being cured, so do your best."

"I know……"

...

Not long after, Lu Jia and my mother also left the ward.

Lu Jia asked Bai Lu for the results, and Bai Lu showed her the phone... Her face immediately changed; and when my mother saw the tear stains on my face, she understood, and her whole body went limp. Lu Jia, who was beside her, helped her up, and Bai Lu also helped her up.

My mother tried not to cry out loud. She suppressed her sobs and asked me in a trembling voice, "Michael, what happened to your father?"

Bai Lu replied softly for me, "Auntie... the test results showed lymphoma... but don't worry, this disease has a high chance of being cured... so what we need to do now is not to put too much psychological pressure on Uncle, and let him accept treatment with peace of mind... only when he maintains a good attitude will he have a better immune system to fight the disease."

What if it can't be cured?

The scene was deathly silent; everyone knew what the outcome would be.

I was the last to speak: "Mom, Dad just had surgery and he's still very weak. Don't tell him about this yet... Just act the same as usual, don't let him suspect anything... Later, I'll go get the transfer certificate and transfer him to Chengdu for treatment... The medical standards in Chengdu are definitely much better than here."

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