Reborn as a Tough Army Wife

Chapter 589 - 584: Hope Fading

"Take the money back. I can figure out something myself." Even when it came to borrowing money, Luo Zhiyong insisted on not borrowing from Fang Pingying. He said, "As a man, I cannot rely on a woman to bear everything for me. Even if you couldn’t earn money like other women, I would still find a way to treat my dad’s illness."

As soon as Luo Zhiyong finished speaking, he saw Luo Dahu hurry over, looking anxious and urging him, "Zhiyong, the doctor has come out and is waiting for your decision."

Luo Zhiyong was resolute and said, "Tell the doctor to arrange for a move to the ICU."

Luo Dahu glanced at Fang Pingying and then whispered to Luo Zhiyong, "But the doctor said that we have to pay a deposit of one thousand yuan upfront for the ICU admission, or they won’t let us in."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiyong immediately pulled out a stack of money from his pocket and handed it to Luo Dahu, "Uncle, here’s US$ 500. Give this to them first and tell the doctor that I’ll figure out a way to get the rest of the money, I’ll definitely make up the one thousand yuan this afternoon."

After speaking, Luo Zhiyong hurriedly turned and left.

After Luo Zhiyong had left, Luo Dahu looked at Fang Pingying, unsure of what to do next.

Fang Pingying didn’t say much and went straight to talk to the doctor, "Doctor, I will take care of the hospital admission now. Please transfer him to the ICU. No matter the cost, we will treat him. We must cure the patient."

Fang Pingying quickly paid the hospital admission fees, and Luo Dashan was then moved into the ICU. By the time Luo Zhiyong came back, Luo Dashan had already been settled in the ICU.

Luo Zhiyong nodded at Fang Pingying without saying a word. At this time, words were pointless. He had managed to borrow the money, but it would take days for his comrade to transfer the money over, and Luo Dashan couldn’t wait that long. It had to be this way.

The ICU at this time was not as strictly managed as in previous times, but entry was still not allowed to too many people—only one family member wearing disinfected clothing could stay inside for care.

Luo Zhiyong thought it wasn’t practical for so many people to stay in the hospital, so he said to Fang Pingying, "I’ll take care of my dad. You’ve been dragging the kids around for a long time without having had a meal. Go get something to eat first. Afterwards, find a place to stay with the kids."

After speaking, he turned to Luo Dahu and his wife and said, "Uncle and Aunt, there’s no need to worry with us here; you can go back home."

"Let your aunt go home. I’ll stay here with you guys," Luo Dahu said. After looking at Fang Pingying and the two children, he added, "But it’s not right for Pingying and the kids to stay in the hospital too long. Why don’t you all go back with your aunt? Stay at my place."

Fang Pingying smiled and shook her head, "Uncle, I’ll stay at a guesthouse in the county tonight. If Uncle Dashan’s condition stabilizes tomorrow, I will take Yaoyao and the others back to the provincial city. I won’t go back today."

Seeing Fang Pingying’s determination, Luo Dahu didn’t insist further and nodded, "Alright then."

Although Luo Dahu insisted on staying, Luo Zhiyong was concerned about his uncle’s age and health, which had declined since the incident with Luo Cuilan jumping into the river two years earlier. Besides, he was present along with Luo Zhiming who could run errands, and both Fang Pingying and Luo Honglan were there; enough people to care for Luo Dashan. Eventually, he persuaded Luo Dahu and his wife to eat something and return home before dark.

In the evening, since Luo Zhiyong was inside the hospital keeping watch, Luo Zhiming ran errands outside, and Fang Pingying didn’t feel comfortable letting the little ones sleep on the hospital chairs—a risk for catching cold—she and Luo Honglan opened a room at a fairly clean guesthouse not far from the hospital.

Because Fang Pingying had to look after the kids, she didn’t go back to the hospital that night. Dinner was delivered by Luo Honglan, who also bought some for the rest.

Honestly, Fang Pingying thought it was better for Luo Honglan to get the food. If she had gone, she certainly wouldn’t bother with Luo Zhiming and would let him starve.

But looking at Luo Zhiming, it appeared he couldn’t even scrounge up ten cents, and if no one provided him with meals, it was not inconceivable that after a few days in the hospital, he too might end up in the ICU.

Although Luo Honglan also despised Luo Zhiming, she wouldn’t let him starve to death; after all, he was her second brother.

Early the next morning, after Fang Pingying and the two kids had their breakfast, they went to the hospital again, hoping for news of improvement in Luo Dashan’s condition.

If there was no improvement, they might have to stay home for a while because the doctors had said that if Luo Dashan was moved to the ICU without any signs of getting better, they would have to start preparing for his funeral.

But when Fang Pingying and her group arrived at the hospital, the scene in the ward startled them.

There they saw many doctors and nurses bustling in and out of Luo Dashan’s room, hurriedly moving various medical devices inside, clearly indicating a change in Luo Dashan’s condition.

Meanwhile, Luo Zhiyong stood by the wall with his head drooping, his face a portrait of deep sorrow, and his eyes filled with urgency.

Luo Zhiming also appeared to be in a complete daze, huddling in a corner, his gaze vacant as he watched the doctors and nurses bustling in and out.

Fang Pingying and Luo Honglan immediately took the two kids with them, approaching the ward; Fang Pingying touched Luo Zhiyong gently and asked anxiously, "Zhiyong, what’s happening?"

Luo Zhiyong, upon hearing Fang Pingying’s voice, turned around in a daze.

Inexplicably, upon seeing Fang Pingying, Luo Zhiyong’s eyes grew warm, but his throat tightened, and he found himself unable to speak.

After a while, he finally managed to utter in a hoarse voice, "The doctor said my dad’s condition has suddenly worsened, and he needs emergency treatment. They’ve just issued another critical notice, telling us to be mentally prepared."

Upon hearing this, Luo Honglan’s and Fang Pingying’s legs went weak, their faint hopes now seeming bleak.

After Luo Honglan heard the news, she slumped into a chair in the hospital, murmuring, "Dad, Dad..."

Seeing that Luo Honglan was sitting in the chair and wasn’t in any immediate trouble, Fang Pingying left her there and turned her attention to Luo Zhiyong, who she felt was about to collapse.

She looked around and spotted a bench in a quiet spot not far away, so she pulled Luo Zhiyong over to sit down with the two kids.

In truth, at such a moment, Fang Pingying didn’t know what to say; her lips moved several times, but ultimately all she could manage was, "Don’t panic, the fact that the doctors are trying to save him means there’s still hope."

Luo Zhiyong had been hanging his head, but suddenly he lifted his face and, with his hands over his face, he sighed with a sob.

Fang Pingying watched, her heart aching slightly, but she didn’t know how best to comfort him.

After a long silence, Luo Zhiyong’s emotions seemed to stabilize somewhat. He sighed, wiped the moisture from his eyes, and in a low voice said, "Pingying, actually, I feel quite guilty toward my dad. Because of my mom’s situation, I haven’t paid him any attention these days; I didn’t even know he was anemic and that his health isn’t as good as before. The doctor said, if only he was a bit healthier, he would not be struggling this much. I didn’t even know when he fell ill, and I was even planning on leaving..."

By the end, Luo Zhiyong’s voice was choked with sobs again, unable to continue speaking.