Chapter 2976: 2776 Not Easy Either (To Read the Chief's Good Book You Have to Pay for Extra Chapters)

Seeing how busy the shop was, I thought business was good and life was fine, but I didn't expect there to be so much trouble." Su Yun said, "Really, whatever you do is hard work; nothing is easy."

Yeah, after closing the stall late at night, I still can't sleep; I have to go grab the early morning goods." The BBQ shop boss vented, "Going to the wholesale market at two or three a. m. to snag today's meat, I have to stay alert, can't buy water-injected meat, and also have to pick meat without beans."

Is there still bean-fed pork?" Zheng Ren asked in surprise.

Basically none, but occasionally you run into it. If you're not careful and buy it back, the whole day's business is ruined." The BBQ shop boss said, "After coming back I can sleep a bit, five or six hours. Then I get up to attend to the old lady, and then skewer the meat."

Just hire someone." Su Yun said.

Labor is so expensive now; hiring someone would send costs skyrocketing. It's better to endure a bit of hardship and earn a little money myself. I set up the stall in the afternoon and work until late at night. Every day I live like this, never thinking about tomorrow.

Zheng Ren sighed; Yi Ren was right— that day the BBQ shop boss might have missed checking, and the fish he bought had a problem. Not saying anything would be pointless.

As long as he's not deliberately selling that kind of fish every day, it's fine.

Judging by the BBQ shop boss's appearance, I'd guess he wouldn't do that.

How about the old lady's side?" Zheng Ren asked.

We take care of the morning, and in the afternoon and evening we hire a nursing aide. Although it's not round-the-clock, having help late at night is also quite expensive. You two judge for yourselves— we spend that much money a month, yet we still managed to lodge a foreign object in the old lady's airway!

He was just complaining, but he no longer had that earlier burst of anger.

After venting his frustrations and muttering, he calmed down and also couldn't be bothered to fuss. Although life's meaning lies in struggling, a greater worry loomed over him, and he could hear creaking sounds on his shoulders, weighing down the BBQ shop boss so that he lost all vigor.

Take it slow; we'll get through it eventually." Su Yun also didn't know what to say.

His age and experience, plus his own tough nature, haven't been worn down by life into a dog's head, so these things are still quite foreign to him.

The old man's condition is okay, but he already shows a trend of hypostatic pneumonia." Zheng Ren didn't want to discuss these spine-breaking topics, and he said softly, "After discharge, he needs to increase the number of times he turns over, pats his back, and coughs up phlegm each day."

The BBQ shop boss only then realized the two before him were doctors from 912, and he hurriedly asked, "So, you two, how many times a day should this be done?"

Every 2 to 4 hours." Zheng Ren said, "I've seen that the old man has no bedsores; you've been taking care of him very meticulously."

Sigh...

Speaking of meticulous care, the BBQ shop boss not only didn't feel happy, but let out a long sigh.

Zheng Ren has seen many similar patients and their families in Hai Cheng. A bedridden patient is like a huge stone, crushing the whole family into fragments.

Some choose to let go, some choose not to; Zheng Ren understands both. As just a doctor, all I can do is remove the foreign object so the patient can leave the ICU—a place where money flows like water—as soon as possible.

Overwhelmed with lament, Zheng Ren silently finished his cigarette, stubbed it out, and patted the BBQ shop boss's shoulder, saying, "Find a place to sleep; don't worry, the critical care strength of 912 is still strong."

The BBQ shop boss felt a bit lost, sitting like a statue in the chair, paying no heed to Zheng Ren's words.

After nearly 20 seconds, he murmured, "I still have to go buy ingredients..."

Zheng Ren blinked, realizing what he'd forgotten. He had just said that every day at two or three a. m. he must go buy ingredients, otherwise the little shop couldn't stay open.

Without cash flow, not only can't we keep the old man, but we might even have to go back to our hometown to farm.

Sometimes life is still helpless; even while fulfilling filial duties at the bedside, one still has to worry about tomorrow's living.

Take care." Zheng Ren sighed and said.

It's fine." The BBQ shop boss gave a wry smile, "I've made it through so many years; could I really stumble over this hurdle? Pork prices spike every few years, I've prepared for it— it's just tough now; once pork prices drop, it'll be okay."

Although his smile was forced, Zheng Ren felt he was right.

Then let's go home." Zheng Ren said softly.

The BBQ shop boss nodded, gave a sincere bow, and said, "Both of you, thank you."

Su Yun raised her hand, waved, indicating farewell.

On the way home, the wind was a bit chilly.

It's already late November; looking up, the sky is covered with dark clouds, and it's going to snow in the next few days.

Su Yun pulled her clothes tighter and said, "Boss, you said people— living is truly not easy."

Zheng Ren smiled without speaking; he recalled the words he had said to Xiao Shitou. Su Yun's family background should be decent, plus his own physique is like having a cheat, so it should be hard for him to truly empathize.

If I didn't have Big Pig Trotter, I'd probably be no better off than the BBQ shop boss. As for now, looking at the miserable Zhou Litao is even more of a goal I couldn't look up to back then.

We're home." Zheng Ren said softly, "When are you and Chang Yue planning to get married?"

Don't bring that up; I'm afraid of marriage." Su Yun said, "Just like you're afraid of your father-in-law, let's talk about something happy—for example, when are you planning to go to Stockholm?"

To receive the award? Let's check on Xiao Shitou's condition changes." Zheng Ren said softly.

But don't end up with a melodramatic situation where you can't go to Sweden to accept the award because you're busy caring for Xiao Shitou." Su Yun said.

It won't happen, using your words—the critical care strength of 912 is strong." Zheng Ren said, "Even if I'm not there, they'll take good care of Xiao Shitou. If there's no way, there's no way; whether I'm present or not makes no difference."

How do you think Xiao Shitou's condition is?

Overall it looks okay, but after using up the medicine this time, the lung tissue fibrosis is quite severe." Zheng Ren said, "Hopefully it won't worsen further."

I saw your report saying it's mucus overflow; any good solutions?

Do you have any breakthroughs on your end?

Both asked at the same time.

Afterwards they both fell silent again. They each knew what the other was doing; their paths differed, and seeking a suitable rugged trail is as hard as it is hard— there's no such thing as easy success.

Walking back to the residential complex, Zheng Ren contacted Yi Ren, knowing she was still out walking Heizi, so he didn't dwell on those heavy, unhappy matters.

It's already late; being able to stroll two rounds downstairs with Yi Ren and whisper sweet nothings is also nice.

Entering the complex, Zheng Ren spotted Yi Ren at a glance; she was squatting on the ground, seemingly talking to Heizi. Her hand gently stroked Heizi's head, and Zheng Ren thought it's no wonder he's noticed Heizi's crown thinning lately— could it all be from Yi Ren's grooming?

It seems Heizi isn't easy either.