Chapter 26 Self-humiliation
Su Yumian's sleepiness disappeared instantly. He turned over and sat up, anxiously asking, "Dad, what's going on? Why did Mom end up in the hospital when she was fine?"
Su's father's trembling voice came from the other end of the line, "I don't know what happened. She suddenly started rolling around on the bed, clutching her stomach in pain. She couldn't speak, and I was so anxious. I knew something was wrong, so I quickly called 911. I'm on my way to the hospital now."
Hearing this, Su Yumian quickly got out of bed and, while packing his things, said to his father on the other end of the phone, "Dad, don't worry. Go to the hospital with Mom first. I'll buy a ticket right now and meet you there directly."
"Okay, remember to come to the hospital."
"knew."
After tidying up simply, Su Yumian hurriedly prepared to go out. Zhou Xubai, who was just about to fall asleep, heard the noise, opened the door and came out to check.
Seeing him carrying a backpack, I hurriedly asked, "Where are you going so late?"
"Sorry, Xu Bai, I can't go hiking. My dad just called and said my mom is in the hospital. I have to go back quickly."
Because he was worried about his mother's illness, Su Yumian was so flustered that he couldn't even put on his shoes.
Seeing him like this, Zhou Xubai went back to the house, put on his coat and said, "I'll go with you."
Su Yumian was stunned and said hurriedly, "No need, you finally got a vacation..."
"Stop talking, let's go. It should still be in time to buy tickets now." After saying that, Zhou Xubai picked up his backpack and went out first.
Su Yumian had no choice but to follow.
The two went to the station and bought high-speed rail tickets. After a three-hour journey, they finally arrived at the city where they now live, Mao County, Wen City.
The two hurried to Renhe Hospital. At this time, Su's father was sitting on a bench in the corridor, but Su's mother was nowhere to be found.
"Dad!" Su Yumian ran over hurriedly.
"Mianmian, you're here." Father Su is a genuine country man. He is honest and has no opinion. He panics and loses his mind when something happens.
Su Yumian looked around and asked, "Where's Mom?"
"He's been sent to the emergency room." Father Su wiped his tears and then noticed Zhou Xubai standing beside him. He asked, "Mianmian, who is this..."
"My friend Zhou Xubai..."
"Who is the patient's family member?"
At this time, the door of the emergency room opened and a doctor came out and asked.
Su Yumian hurried forward, "I am, doctor, how is my mother?"
The doctor took off his mask and said, "The patient has acute appendicitis and needs surgery. The family members should go and pay the bill first."
When Mr. Su heard that he had to undergo surgery, his whole face wrinkled. Over the years, the money for their food, clothing, and medical treatment was all paid for by the salary sent back by Su Yumian. He would occasionally do some odd jobs on the construction site, and he could barely make ends meet.
But now he needs surgery, where would he get so much money?
He didn't want to burden Su Yumian any more, so he asked the doctor, "Doctor, how much does the surgery cost?"
Upon hearing this, the doctor looked Su's father up and down. Seeing that he was still wearing cloth shoes with holes in them, he gave a conservative figure, "Nine thousand, but if you have medical insurance, 30% can be reimbursed."
When he heard that it would cost so much, Father Su was frightened and took a step back. His legs were not in good condition to begin with, and he almost fell down. Fortunately, Su Yumian supported him.
"Doctor, I only have 4,000 yuan on me. Can you please pay me back first?"
The doctor interrupted him before he could finish, "It's okay for now, but not for a long time. The hospital is not a charity, and I don't have the final say."
The implication is that you cannot owe debts.
"But I..."
"Dad, don't worry about the money. Go get Mom admitted to the hospital first, and I'll pay the bills."
After saying that, Su Yumian hurried to the first floor to pay the bill, and Zhou Xubai hurried to follow him.
Su Yumian came downstairs to queue up. He didn't have much money on him, at most three thousand, which was far from nine thousand.
He reached into his pocket, took out the black card given to him by Fu Quezhou, and smiled helplessly at himself.
I had vowed before that I would never touch this card, but I didn't expect to be slapped in the face so quickly.
If possible, he really didn't want to have any deeper involvement with Fu Quezhou.
But now, he has to use it.
"Hello, this is for hospitalization. Please swipe this card." Su Yumian handed over Su's mother's medical insurance card and the black card.
The toll collector took the black card and swiped it through the machine. His expression changed slightly and he said to Su Yumian, "Sir, this card shows it cannot be swiped."
The toll collector's cold voice seemed out of place in the noisy hall, and Su Yumian even thought he was hallucinating.
He was stunned for a moment, then repeated the question, "What did you say?"
Seeing this, the toll collector said impatiently, "I said this card can't be swiped. Why don't you try another card?"
This time Su Yumian heard it clearly. Fu Quezhou had clearly said that he could use this card at will, so how could he not use it?
"Is there something wrong with the machine?" His voice was very anxious. "Please swipe again."
The sound of the plastic card sliding across the card reader was particularly harsh at this moment. Su Yumian stared at the toll collector's expression for a long time, not daring to look away.
But no matter how many times the toll collector swiped the card, it showed an abnormality. She looked at Su Yumian with suspicion and raised her voice a little, "Sir, did you steal or pick up this card?"
In an instant, the bustling and noisy hall became quiet.
The people queuing next to him cast strange looks at Su Yumian, as if he had really stolen the card, staring at him until his cheeks turned red.
And the black card lying quietly on the counter seemed to be mocking his naivety.
After a long while, he quietly took the card back and said weakly, "I'd rather use cash."
Without explaining, he squeezed the black card in his hand with such force that white marks were left on his palm.
The toll collector glanced at it and said, "This is not enough..."
"Give him the money back and use my card." Zhou Xubai stepped forward and handed over his salary card.
Su Yumian tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, and said in a choked voice: "Xu Bai, thank you..."
At this moment, he would not be so foolish as to say that he could not ask for his help, because he was already surrounded by great grievances and anger.
Fu Quezhou gave him hope but also brought him despair. He was so stupid that he naively thought that the devil would have a change of heart.
After Cheng Ming was admitted to the hospital, Su's mother was sent to the operating room. The three of them waited anxiously outside the operating room. Su Yumian said to Zhou Xubai, "Xubai, I'll return the money to you after I get paid next month."
Zhou Xubai smiled gently and said, "There's no rush to pay me back. Auntie needs to recuperate after she's discharged from the hospital, and everything costs money. It's okay if you don't pay me back."
"That won't do. Even though we have a good relationship, we still have to keep money separate."
Seeing Su Yumian being so serious, Zhou Xubai felt a little uncomfortable, as if he wanted to draw a clear line with him and never have anything to do with him again.
“…As you wish.”
Two hours later, the operation was over, but the anesthetic had not yet worn off, so Su's mother was sent to the ward for observation.
Seeing this, Father Su said to Su Yumian, "Mianmian, I'll be watching over your mother here. You should take your friend home to rest. It's getting late."
After tossing and turning for most of the night, it's already past two in the morning.
Considering Zhou Xubai's relationship, Su Yumian did not refuse. "Okay, I'll come again tomorrow morning."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
