Chapter 366: I can’t go back for the New Year, I keep calling
After signing the contract, the burden on my shoulders became heavier. I returned to the room and arranged the dates.
The initial recovery period takes two months, and it's almost October now. So, by December, I want to make sure he can get out of bed and walk.
If I go back to celebrate the New Year, I have to stay at home for a month before the New Year. When I come back after the New Year, it will be February of the third year in Shangzhou.
This period of time is a crucial milestone for Cruz's health. It's called the consolidation phase. It's like a newly paved cement road, which requires someone to guard it to prevent people and animals from damaging it.
If the consolidation period fails, Cruz will just become a person who can only take care of himself, and it will be impossible for him to recover to his previous state, such as attending classes or treating patients.
This was far from what the Kru family expected.
In other words, I had no choice but to give up celebrating the New Year and stay here with Cruz.
This was a difficult choice. After all, the Chinese New Year held a special significance for the Chinese people. Moreover, Yu'er was still a baby.
I paced up and down the room.
It would be a lie to say that I didn't want that sizable sum of money that would give me financial freedom, but it's also untrue to say that I only wanted that sum of money.
I thought of an even more terrifying consequence, which is what Liu Qiming said: "You cured Cruz and brought honor to Chinese medicine."
The implication is, what if I fail?
This is not a question of how much money it costs, nor is it just a question of whether Wan Shanhong's family can be reunited. My success or failure is related to the status and reputation of Chinese medicine in the Philippines.
If I fail, Chinese medicine will be discredited. In a country that doesn't trust Chinese medicine to begin with, where even ineffective medication can lead to lawsuits and closures of pharmacies.
My failure will make countless Chinese doctors lose face and will also cause the development of Chinese medicine in the Philippines to suffer setbacks.
It’s chilling to think about it.
Only by curing the disease can we live up to Mr. Zheng, Liu Qiming, and all Chinese doctors.
Once I cure Cruz, the news will be all over the place. Chinese medicine will be proud of itself. It will also open up a new avenue for my career in the second half of my life.
I couldn't get this across to my mom, or even to Xiaolin. My dad might be a little better, but he doesn't like to talk much, so asking him to convey my message would sound awkward. It even led to misunderstandings between my mom and Xiaolin.
My brother-in-law is the most suitable candidate.
I thought I should tell him the truth about everything else, except for one principle: not talk to him about money. If he asked, I would tell him that the Cruz family would pay me.
I'm only confident I can cure Cruz. But he won't be able to return home for Spring Festival until March.
I called my brother-in-law and talked to him for forty minutes until he understood the necessity, the importance, the criticality of my staying.
My brother-in-law finally asked about the money: "How much will he give you if you are cured?"
I absolutely cannot frighten a small restaurant owner. I must make sure his heart can handle it. If he gets sick from the shock, I would be showing too little respect for his concern for me.
After all, he's the one who takes care of the family. He's also the only independent-minded male member of my extended family who remains in Upstate.
I said, "Two million RMB, maybe a little more."
He thought for a moment and said, "400,000 a month is better than what you're getting at Xuri. But will Xuri still pay you?"
"I think so. Mr. Chen is very generous. Besides, he can call me if he has anything to ask."
My brother-in-law said, "In that case, just focus on your job. The restaurant is already on the right track. I will talk things over with my family and visit more often."
I said, "The mountains are high and the road is long. I leave everything to you."
After making this call, I sat quietly for a while and then called Mr. Chen again.
This time, I didn't even discuss money. I only discussed Cruz's condition, my treatment plan, and the timeline.
Mr. Chen said, "Shanhong, as long as you use the company's name, I can find you if I need anything, and you will answer all my questions. I still say the same old thing: you can always say that you are a consultant of Xu Ri and a friend of mine, Chen Yousheng.
The more famous you become, the more fame you'll gain. I'll keep your salary, and I'll arrange for Lao Xiao to visit your parents more often. Just do one thing: even if you become world-famous, you can't sever your connection with Xu Ri. I'm not short of money, I only care about you as a person."
I didn't say anything for a long time.
"What's wrong? Bad signal? Hello, hello."
I choked up a little and hung up the phone.
After wiping the corners of my eyes, I sent a WeChat message to Mr. Chen:
"Hello, Mr. Chen. My throat is a little blocked. I'm so excited that so many words are coming to my mind that I don't know which to say. Thank you so much. Especially when you asked Lao Xiao to take good care of my parents, my tears welled up."
After a while, he replied to me:
"Support each other, understand each other. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Just focus on curing his illness, no need to thank me. By supporting you, I am also doing good."
I replied with a string of thanks.
After that, I wanted to make three more calls, one to Lao Xiao, one to Brother Shi, and another to Shiyu.
Lao Xiao's call was quite relaxed. After listening to my introduction, he joked, "Just don't be fickle. If you are, you'll settle down there. I won't be fun anymore."
I said, "If it weren't for the treatment, I would fly back tomorrow. It's so lonely here, there's no one to talk to."
He said, "Find someone to date. Don't they have movies where women are asked to learn foreign languages in hotels?"
I laughed and said, "The first sentence tells me not to be fickle, and the second sentence instigates me to fall in love. Nonsense."
Lao Xiao laughed heartily: "Aren't you lonely? It's so nice to be happy like this."
I said, "The New Year is almost here. My parents asked you to visit them more often. People get suspicious when they get old. If you don't go, they'll get upset and think Xu Ri has abandoned me."
He said, "Okay, my mom likes me, I will go there often."
I said, "You should ask a few more people to go, like Shi Ge, Shi Yu, and Qing Ruo. That way, they will feel something different. If you go alone, my mother will think you are relying on your old relationship with Wu Xiang."
Lao Xiao said: "You are a filial son and you are good at studying geriatric psychology."
After that call, I called Brother Shi again. He asked for help for a while. Then I called Shiyu again and explained the situation here. I told him to take good care of Taiyi Temple.
After making the call, I finally let out a long sigh.
At this time, the phone rang.
"Teacher Wan, I didn't know you were going to Vietnam last time, but this time you're going even further. I only found out after asking Xiaolin. I want to express my sincere gratitude to you. My wife's transfer has finally been resolved."
"That's great. I was just about to call you. I have something to ask of you. I won't be home during the Spring Festival, so please come to my house more often when you have time. Every time you go, bring a fish, a piece of meat, or a box of tea..."
I understand and laugh out loud.
I said, "I'm absolutely not kidding. Old people are very sensitive. If you go there and bring something, they'll think it doesn't matter if I'm upstate or not, we're still friends."
He understood what I meant, stopped laughing, and said, "I can tell you're telling the truth. Okay, I'll do as you say. I'll thank you when you come back."
"Director Chen, Director Shi, please also explain for me.
After finishing this series of calls, I called my master.
The master listened for a moment before saying, "You are performing a high-risk operation. Fortunately, Mr. Chen reminded you that the other party signed a letter of commitment, otherwise it would be very dangerous. If you want to treat the disease, you will need to take a different approach and obtain a medical license."
If it's hard to get a medical license, you can get an acupuncturist license. If you master acupuncture, it's the same as traditional Chinese medicine and can cure diseases just as well."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
