"Oh dear, what are we going to do now! How much will it cost to pay for that machine? Where would we possibly come up with such a huge sum of money to compensate for it!"
At this moment, he was extremely anxious, like an ant trapped on a hot pan, pacing back and forth restlessly, muttering to himself without stopping for a moment.
His hands were also rubbing together uncontrollably, as if this could relieve his inner anxiety and fear.
Lying in his hospital bed, Shen Zishan felt utterly ashamed and dared not lift his head, his face filled with deep remorse.
He felt he had brought enormous trouble to the family and was filled with remorse.
The village chief and Old Man Shen also stood aside, sighing.
Just then, Ma Aning stepped forward and decisively interrupted the heavy-hearted man's incessant nagging: "Dad, please stop! Brother Shan is already seriously injured and in low spirits. Just let him rest and recuperate. No matter how big the difficulties are, our family will work together and we will always find a way to solve them."
Hearing his third daughter-in-law's understanding words, Henzhong was startled and realized that he had indeed been too nervous and out of control. So he obediently shut his mouth and stopped nagging.
After a short silence, a nurse rushed over and urged loudly, "Excuse me, is anyone a family member of the patient? The fees haven't been paid yet, please go and complete the payment procedures as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Chen Chong quickly replied, "Okay, okay, I'll go pay right away. How much will it cost in total?"
The nurse glanced down at the bill in her hand, then calmly replied, "Go pay two hundred yuan first, and we'll refund or charge you later based on the actual expenses."
"What? It costs two hundred yuan! How can it be so expensive?" Zhong Chen was so shocked by the number that he trembled all over and his face turned pale instantly.
"What? You mean our hospital would try to extort you?"
The nurse's already large eyes widened in shock as she stared intently at the heavy figure before her, as if trying to see right through him.
Her eyes were filled with anger and dissatisfaction, as if she felt greatly insulted.
"No, no, please don't misunderstand!"
Startled by the sudden question, he quickly waved his hand to explain, his face plastered with a fawning smile.
His voice trembled slightly, tinged with fear: "What I mean is... I really don't have enough money on me to cover the medical expenses right now. How about I go back and raise some? I'll definitely bring it to you tomorrow, is that alright?"
As he spoke, he carefully observed the nurse's expression, afraid that she might not agree.
Lying to the side, Shen Zishan felt a pang of sorrow as he watched his elderly father so humbly plead for mercy.
For a moment, his heart softened, and he almost couldn't help but tell the whole truth. But in the end, reason prevailed over emotion.
He bit his lip tightly, thinking to himself: If, after this injury and losing his job, his family still treats him the same as before, and doesn't abandon him and kick him out as the child in his womb has said…
"Then I stopped hiding it and told the whole story. I used all my savings to buy food and spent the three years of natural disasters that my children had talked about with my family."
The nurse looked at the somber face expressionlessly and said in a cold tone, "Then you should go and pay part of the fee first."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Chen's heart tightened, and his slightly trembling right hand slowly reached into his pocket, as if it contained some treasure.
After some fumbling, he finally managed to pull all the banknotes out of his pocket.
He carefully counted the thin stack of banknotes in his hand, clutching each one tightly as if afraid they might fly away at any moment.
After counting, he looked up, a fawning expression on his face, and said to the nurse, "Look, I have exactly 30 yuan here, not a penny more, not a penny less. How about I pay this 30 yuan first, and I'll find a way to make up the rest tomorrow? Is that alright?"
After saying that, he carefully held up the few crumpled banknotes in his hand, his eyes filled with trepidation and unease.
The nurse glanced at the money in the patient's heavy hand, hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, alright! But I have to tell you, you must pay the remaining fees by noon tomorrow, otherwise we can only process your discharge and cannot continue your hospitalization."
After saying this, the nurse gave a few more instructions and then quickly left the ward.
The village chief was filled with doubt, unsure whether the Chen family could actually come up with the money.
He frowned and said earnestly to Chen Zhong, "Chen Zhong! I understand that your family is currently facing difficulties, but the team still has some money left. I will fetch it and give it to you first thing tomorrow morning, so you can use it for now."
Hearing this, Shen Zishan was filled with gratitude. He stared intently at the village chief and said in a slightly trembling voice, "Thank you for your great kindness, village chief. I promise you that I will do my best to return this money to the team as soon as possible."
The village chief waved his hand and comforted them, "Alright, everyone, stop looking so worried all day. Look at the time, it's getting late. Let's all go home and rest. We have to go to work tomorrow."
"I'll get the money from the team tomorrow and bring it to you to tide you over for now." With that, the village chief made a decisive decision.
At this moment, Ma Aning, who had been standing silently to the side, seized the opportunity and quickly interjected, "Dad, you should go back too! I'll stay here and take care of Brother Shan. I've brought all the change of clothes with me."
He nodded heavily in agreement, "Yes, that's fine. Then I'll go back with the village chief and the others!"
"I'll come see you again tomorrow, and I'll bring you some breakfast while I'm at it," he said solemnly.
Seeing that the two nodded in agreement, Chen Shen, the village chief, and Old Man Shen walked outside.
They hurried to the oxcart and urged the old ox on its way home.
Ma Aning stood there watching them leave. Only after the oxcart had completely disappeared from sight did she turn around and return to her ward.
As soon as Ma Aning stepped into the room, she noticed that there was a new patient in the previously empty ward, who looked like she had just been admitted.
At that moment, the person in the hospital bed was complaining impatiently to the elegant and beautiful woman beside him: "Mom, hurry up and move me to a private room. I don't want to stay here and squeeze in with other people! If you don't move me, I might as well just go home!"
After saying that, she angrily turned her head to the side.
Seeing this, the beautiful woman sighed helplessly and coaxed softly, "My little darling! Why don't you lie down quietly for now? Mommy will go find a nurse to change your room, okay?"
After saying that, she shook her head and hurriedly walked out of the ward.
Ma Aning, standing to the side, gazed at Shen Zishan with deep concern and worry in her eyes.
Only after seeing Shen Zishan gently shake his head, indicating that he was alright, did she feel a little relieved.
She took out the basin she had brought from home and went outside. A little while later, Ma Aning was seen carrying a basin in both hands, half-filled with water, and carefully walking towards the ward.
As she approached the door, Shen Zishan, who had been lying on the hospital bed, suddenly looked worried and struggled to sit up, seemingly wanting to go forward and help.
Ma Aning reacted quickly, speaking up to stop her: "Hey, don't move! What if you accidentally hurt your wound again?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Zishan had no choice but to obediently lie back on the bed, no longer daring to move an inch.
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