The New Favorite

The three sat on a sofa, and Xu Ke carefully reviewed the contract. Lin Yao also took a look. The sales lady said, “Hehe, there’s not much to see, it’s all standard.” Soon, a staff member from Bank of Communications came over with another contract. Xu Ke meticulously filled out several forms and documents, then went to the finance department to pay. Since few carried large amounts of cash, there were many people queuing to use their cards. While waiting, Xu Ke’s phone rang. She saw it was an unfamiliar number but recognized the area code as her hometown, L City. She answered, and her face changed instantly. After hanging up, Xu Ke’s hand trembled as she handed a stack of contracts, documents, and her bank card to Lin Yao. “I need to rush back to L City immediately. The bank card password is 821125.” Lin Yao looked at her in surprise, “You’re going back to L City now?” “Yes, I have to leave right away. When you’re done, take the contracts home and keep them safe.” Xu Ke hurriedly instructed and briskly walked out of the sales office. Standing at the street corner, amidst the bustling crowd, under the scorching May sun, she felt a chill. The person who loves her the most in this world, her closest kin, is now lying in the hospital, with their life hanging in the balance. Her heart was gripped by extreme panic and fear. In this vast city, amidst the sea of people, she had never felt so alone, her heart empty like a solitary sail on a cold wave, adrift at a deserted ferry, lonely and unsupported. She hailed a taxi, and upon getting in, the driver was reluctant when he heard she was going out of town. Xu Ke took out five hundred yuan and pleaded urgently, “Please help me, sir, I have an emergency and need to rush back. Please drive faster.” The driver took the money, and the car sped off towards L City. Sitting in the car, her heart pounded incessantly, with all sorts of possibilities turning over in her mind, tormenting her fragile nerves, almost pushing her to the brink of collapse. Shao Yiping had a weak heart; Xu Ke remembered her father mentioning that doctors had advised against pregnancy back then, but she risked it to give birth to Xu Ke, and after the birth, she was hospitalized for two months straight. Over the years, Xu Ke’s greatest concern had always been her mother’s health. This time, she prayed fervently that it wasn’t a heart problem, her palms already drenched in cold sweat. In the taxi, her thoughts were in disarray, suddenly realizing that her mother’s illness might require a significant amount of money. In her initial shock and haste, she hadn’t thought of this, and she quickly pulled out her phone to call Lin Yao. “Lin Yao, let’s not buy the house for now.” “What?” “My mom is sick. We’ll talk about the house later, but not now.” “No way, we’ve already paid.” Xu Ke was taken aback; how could it have been so fast? With so many people in line, it should have taken at least half an hour to get to them. Unable to think about the house anymore, she hung up abruptly, wishing she could sprout wings and fly back home. The car moved swiftly, and after an hour, it stopped at L City People’s Hospital. Xu Ke dashed up to the second floor emergency room. Neighbor Aunt Meng, sitting at the door, immediately came over and tightly gripped her hand upon seeing Xu Ke. “Child, you’re finally back. Your Uncle Li isn’t home, and I’ve been here alone, worried out of my mind.” Xu Ke, holding back tears, asked urgently, “Aunt Meng, how is my mom?” “She’s been in there for half an hour, and the doctors haven’t come out yet.” Xu Ke’s tears, held back all the way, now started to fall. Aunt Meng patted her hand, “Child, don’t worry. Your mom has a guardian angel, and God will bless her.” Xu Ke choked back, “Aunt Meng, thank you.” “What are you thanking me for? We’ve been neighbors for years. There were guests at your house today. I was picking vegetables in the garden and brought back some fresh chives for your mom to serve to the guests, but when I went in, I saw her collapsed on a stool.” “What guests?” Xu Ke was puzzled; they hardly had any relatives, and few people visited. “I don’t know them, never seen them before. The driver was in a BMW, a very fashionable and imposing woman.” Xu Ke’s heart skipped a beat, immediately thinking of someone. “Was she using a cane?” “A cane? I didn’t notice, but she seemed to walk awkwardly.” Xu Ke realized who it was. A surge of anger rose within her. After all these years, with Shen Xiaoshan long gone, could Li Jinghua not let go and still insist on driving them to their wits’ end? Others could hurt her, but they must not hurt her mother. Fueled by anger, she took out her phone and dialed Shen Mu’s number. As soon as the call connected, Xu Ke said, “Shen Mu, your mother has gone too far! What does she want? Does she want to drive my mom to death to feel satisfied?” Unable to contain her anger, Xu Ke, who usually avoided dredging up the past, could no longer tolerate it and let out some bottled-up words: “I have no right to judge the affairs of the previous generation. But did your mother have no faults back then? When Uncle Shen was hospitalized with stomach cancer for three months, she left everything to the hospital and the nurses, only returning from abroad once during the entire ordeal. Did she fulfill her duties as a wife? Did she ever care for Uncle Shen for a single day? Besides money, what else did she contribute? What gives her the right to blame others?” As she spoke, tears streamed down Xu Ke’s face, and thinking of her mother being so upset by Li Jinghua, she trembled with anger. Shen Mu on the other end of the phone seemed unaware of anything and asked urgently, “What happened to your mom?” Xu Ke didn’t answer, just asked, “What’s your mom’s number? I need to speak to her.” Shen Mu pressed, “What exactly happened to your mom? Where are you now?” Seeing that he wouldn’t give her Li Jinghua’s number, Xu Ke hung up without further ado. After what felt like an eternity, a doctor in his forties finally came out. “Who is the family member?” Xu Ke stood up immediately, “I am her daughter.” “Come with me.” Xu Ke followed him into a nearby office. The doctor first inquired about past medical history and other details, then explained Shao Yiping’s condition, concluding with, “The equipment and technology here aren’t fully reliable. Once her condition stabilizes in a few days, it would be best to transfer her to the provincial capital for a coronary bypass surgery.” Xu Ke asked nervously, “Is there a risk?” “Of course, there’s risk. Firstly, there’s the risk of anesthesia. Each person reacts differently to anesthetics, and the surgery requires full anesthesia with the heart stopping. There’s always a chance for unexpected issues. Also, after connecting the vessels and removing the external circulation machine, there’s the issue of blood rushing back into the new vessels, which could cause rupture and massive bleeding. Any kind of unexpected event could occur, and it’s our responsibility as doctors to inform the family. You need to be prepared.” Xu Ke’s heart raced, her palms sweating. “Of course, these are potential risks that I must inform you about. But based on previous similar cases, the outcomes post-surgery have been very good. The technology is well-established. I recommend the surgery; otherwise, there’s a constant risk to her life.” Xu Ke felt slightly relieved. After a while, she asked, “How much will the surgery cost?” “No more than a hundred thousand.” Xu Ke mentally calculated; the money Shao Yiping had given her, combined with her savings, was all invested in stocks, and after the down payment, there was very little left. Life always seemed to throw these obstacles at her. Where could she possibly find a hundred thousand yuan in such a short time? With no other choice, she thought of someone, hesitated for a moment, then finally sent a message. “Xiao Xiao, I urgently need a hundred thousand for my mom’s surgery. I’ll pay you back later.” This was the first time in her life she had borrowed money, and such a large sum at that, making her feel extremely uncomfortable. Her mother often said, “Even among brothers, accounts must be settled clearly.” Many friendships, romances, and family ties have soured due to financial entanglements, and she always avoided any monetary dealings with her only good friend. However, all principles must face the test when confronted with reality. Either you stick to them, or you abandon them. Mo Xiaoxiao quickly called back. “Xu Ke, what’s wrong with your aunt? What illness does she have?” “She needs a coronary artery bypass graft.” “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll transfer the money to you right away. By the way, go to Zhang Fei’s hospital; it’s easier to get things done when you know people there.” A warm current surged through Xu Ke’s heart, and she choked up, “Xiaoxiao, thank you.” “Why be so polite? I hate that. Send me the bank card number by text.” Xu Ke sent Shao Yiping’s bank card number over. At this moment, Shao Yiping had already been moved into the intensive care unit, with tubes and wires connected to various machines, an oxygen tube in her nose. Tears welled up in Xu Ke’s eyes again. Seeing her once strong mother lying there so frail and small, Xu Ke felt a sharp, cold pain in her chest. Memories from childhood flooded back, both the sweet and the bitter, the happy and the sad. Only now did she realize how alone and helpless she felt, with the financial burden and emotional fear weighing heavily on her shoulders. At this time, she had no one to rely on. After a long while, her phone rang. It was Lin Ge. His voice was urgent, “Xiao Ke, what’s wrong with your mother? Where are you now?” Xu Ke replied softly, “My mom had a heart attack, I’m at the hospital in City L.” “I’ll be right there.” “Don’t come yet, call Xiaoxiao. Her boyfriend works at the hospital; have him help with the hospital arrangements. I’ll transfer her in a couple of days.” Lin Ge asked roughly about the condition and said, “Alright. Xiao Ke, don’t worry, I’ll contact Mo Xiaoxiao now and head over tomorrow.” “Okay.”