Chapter 156

Three months later, Song Jingyu's leg had fully recovered to normal; after Su Ruo removed the steel pins, at the moment he could walk normally, this stalwart man became so excited his eyes reddened.

"He said, 'Doctor Su, thank you!'"

He then solemnly gave Su Ruo a military salute, dignified and solemn as if taking an oath, causing Su Ruo to straighten up a bit involuntarily.

"Your leg has healed, but to fully recover to its original state, you still need a long period of rehabilitation. For safety's sake, you had better avoid strenuous exercise for now."

"Good," Song Jingyu nodded solemnly. No one cherishes his legs more than he does; only after losing them does one know their value, and only with a healthy body can he better serve the country.

On the third day after Song Jingyu's recovery, a black small car arrived at the courtyard.

A middle-aged man got out of the car, and upon entering, he solemnly expressed his gratitude to Su Ruo.

"Comrade Su Ruo, Song Jingyu is a rare talent for the nation and the organization. He made great sacrifices for the country, and by saving him we are truly grateful."

After saying that, he also took out a thousand yuan and a stack of vouchers and handed them to Su Ruo.

"I know these cannot repay your kindness in saving Song Jingyu, but please believe that the organization will not forget your actions today."

The middle-aged man then took out a piece of paper, wrote a string of numbers, and handed it to Su Ruo, saying she could call that number if she ever encountered any hardship.

Su Ruo did not decline; she smiled and took the note.

Although Su Ruo did not know the middle-aged man's identity, she knew that the weight of that note far outweighed the money and vouchers.

Moreover, this was her due; why would she refuse?

"You need not be polite; I am a doctor, and healing the sick is my duty."

In the middle-aged man's gaze toward Su Ruo, there grew a hint of admiration.

After a brief stay, they left.

After the two left, Si Yannian emerged from the room; Su Ruo did not ask why he had been avoiding that person.

After all, in this world everyone has their own secrets, and the greatest taboo in dealing with others is to speak deeply while being shallow acquaintances.

Su Ruo divided the money and vouchers given by the middle-aged man into two parts, giving one to Si Yannian and keeping the other for herself.

Because without Si Yannian's help, she could not have saved Song Jingyu either.

Si Yannian knew that if he refused the money, Su Ruo would certainly not agree.

So he smiled, took the money, and said, "Then I'll thank you, little sister. You're so capable; from now on I'll rely on you to support me."

Su Ruo's mouth twitched; if she hadn't seen the fine Panlong Inkstone and the whole set of golden-thread nanmu furniture on Si Yannian's desk, she might have believed his nonsense.

Since Song Jingyu had left, Su Ruo naturally had no need to stay any longer.

On the way to send Su Ruo back to school, Song Jingyu kept looking at her with a resentful gaze, as if she were a heartless man who abandons what he starts.

"Little sister, you're really so ruthless, wanting to abandon your brother."

Su Ruo instantly felt her teeth ache, but considering how much Song Jingyu had helped her these days, she endured it.

But as Su Ruo had just reached the doorway, she ran into her anxious Third Senior Brother coming out to look for her.

"Third Senior Brother, what's wrong?"

"The madam's condition has worsened; the Eldest and Second Senior Brothers have already passed, and the master sent me to fetch you."

"Let's talk in the car," Si Yannian said, his face also turning grave.

After the three got in the car, no one spoke; Su Ruo's face sank heavily. She had thought she had plenty of time left, but she never expected that the madam, who had been fine for ten years despite her illness, would suddenly deteriorate now.

When Su Ruo arrived at the Siheyuan, the master, Eldest Senior Brother, and Second Senior Brother were all keeping watch by the sickbed.

The master sat in the main hall, seeming to have aged ten years in an instant, and no longer had his former vigor.

"Your madam is inside; go see her off!"

Hearing the master's low-toned words, Su Ruo's eyes instantly reddened; she had never seen him like this before.

Su Ruo wanted to comfort the master, but she knew any words would sound pale and powerless before him.

Seeing the master wave her off, Su Ruo strode into the room; the most important thing now was to learn the madam's condition.

Su Ruo entered the room; at that moment, the Eldest and Second Senior Brothers were guarding the madam's bedside.

The first thing Su Ruo did upon entering was to have the system check the madam's condition.

Through the system's probe, Su Ruo learned that the madam's brain had a large area of bleeding, and the bleeding point had not stopped to this day.

If this trend continues, even a Great Luo Immortal could not save her.

Su Ruo immediately ran a simulation in her mind, but her face instantly became extremely grave.

Because given the madam's current condition, the success rate of surgery would not exceed twenty percent.

But if no treatment is given, the madam will surely die.

No matter what, Su Ruo could absolutely not just watch the madam die helplessly without doing anything.

Having made up her mind, Su Ruo immediately turned and walked out, came to the hall, and knelt straight on the ground, saying:

"Master, I want to perform surgery on the madam."

"Although I know the success rate is low, I earnestly beg you to let me try."

Yan Jiu looked at Su Ruo; his resolute face fell into hesitation.

Over these years, he too has had doubts—whether forcibly keeping his wife by his side all this time was right or wrong.

If his wife still had consciousness, she must be suffering terribly!

Being like this—without dignity, unable to move or speak, having to rely on others' care just to live—is this really for her good?

Although Su Ruo said she wanted to save his wife, he too wished to revive her, but he knows better than anyone how difficult this surgery is and how low its success rate.

Does he really need to let his wife endure this pain again as she approaches death?

Moreover, if the surgery fails, it will surely inflict a huge blow and psychological trauma on Su Ruo, perhaps leaving her unable to recover; each time she thinks of it she will feel guilty, and in severe cases she may never be able to pick up a scalpel again.

He has not been without seeing such cases; this is also why doctors avoid operating on close relatives.

To pay such a great price just for a slim chance—is it really worth it?

Yan Jiu remained silent for a long time, then finally rubbed Su Ru's head and said, "Master, I know you mean well, but forget it—perhaps my fate with your madam has run its course; she has suffered enough these years, and now I only hope she can depart with dignity."

"Master" Su Ruo's eye sockets instantly welled up; he knew how reluctant the master was, he knew making this decision would cause the master great pain.

"She knows, she should respect the master's decision, but she still wants to try."

"Master, let me try, I can definitely do it!" Su Ruo's eyes were filled with eager hope and unwillingness.