Chapter 602: Critical Illness Notice

Thinking back to the days when Lei Zhan Ge led the charge on the battlefield, earning countless Merits, and now seeing his frail body on the sickbed, indistinguishable from an ordinary old man, one cannot help but feel a wave of sorrow.

Yet Lu Cheng knows that Lei Zhan Ge does not like others looking at him that way.

Lu Cheng forced a smile: "Captain Lei, I thought the first thing you'd say when you saw me would be about work."

Lei Zhan Ge smiled faintly and shook his head: "I'm not worried about your work at all; what I'm most concerned about now are you kids."

Lei Zhan Ge said, glancing at Lu Cheng, and finally, with difficulty, fixed his gaze on Niu Da Kui.

"You don't need to worry about me; after a few years, when I get married, I'll come see you holding a child."

This time Lei Zhan Ge did not shake his head but nodded lightly, though in his heart he knew he would not live to see that day.

Lu Cheng was silent for a moment, then looked at Niu Da Kui and said: "As for Da Kui, rest assured, as long as I have something to eat, he'll never go hungry."

"Thank you, Da Kui is a hard‑luck child; regarding his job placement I was selfish once, and I know deep down he isn't fit to be Train Police…"

Lu Cheng shook his head: "No, Captain Lei, Da Kui is usually very proactive at work; with me guiding him, he'll surely adapt gradually."

"If a suitable opportunity arises in the future, at most I'll arrange something else."

Lei Zhan Ge finally felt relieved; after a while of conversation, Lei Zhan Ge never mentioned work at all.

Lu Cheng also didn't bring it up; he didn't know how to raise the internal combustion engine issue, because even he lacked confidence to finish its production within the deadline.

Only when Lu Cheng was about to leave did he brace his upper body to sit up, and Niu Da Kui hurriedly reached out to help.

"Lu Cheng, about the internal combustion engine, even if you don't say it I know; its manufacture will face many difficulties and needs time, I have no regrets."

"These days you've clearly lost a lot of weight; don't worry… Next time you come, bring Xiao Yang along… For me now, each meeting takes away another layer…"

Lu Cheng stood in the doorway silent, his reddened eyes making him unable to turn around.

Even though Lei Zhan Ge said so, Lu Cheng still couldn't ignore it; almost every week he would call the Shencheng Vehicle Factory and speak with Tan Zonggong to check the current progress.

Until June 7, Lu Cheng no longer felt like inquiring about the internal combustion engine production.

That day, the temperature in Capital City had begun to rise; the girls on the street wore pretty dresses, and the male Comrades mostly wore white shirts.

Clearly a scene full of vitality, yet Lei Zhan Ge's life was gradually losing its vigor.

The hospital suddenly issued a Critical Illness Notice; that day Lu Cheng was busy working in the team, and Lei Nainai came looking for him.

During this time, Lei Nainai had also become quite haggard, and Lu Cheng hurriedly helped her to a chair.

"Lei Nainai, I'll pour you a glass of water."

"Stop bustling, Xiao Lu, I'm here this time to hear your opinion; now your Captain Lei doesn't have much time left. He was making a fuss in the hospital just now about being discharged to go home, but with his current condition, going home is just waiting for death…"

Lu Cheng already knew about the hospital issuing the Critical Illness Notice.

Regarding this outcome, everyone had already mentally prepared, but when the day truly arrived, it was still hard to accept.

"Lei Nainai, don't worry; in that case, I'll accompany you to the hospital."

Lei Zhan Ge, that old man, was already stubborn by nature; probably Lei Nainai truly had no other way, so she sought him out.

Lei Nainai hurriedly stood up: "Will I be disturbing your work? Actually I didn't really want to find you; I know you're busy, but old Lei can finally hear what you say…"

Seeing Lei Nainai's anxious expression, Lu Cheng hurriedly comforted her.

"Lei Nainai, please don't get angry; you must take good care of your health, everything's got me."

Lu Cheng said that, and Lei Nainai truly felt much more at ease.

When they arrived at the hospital, before entering the ward, they heard Lei Zhan Ge scolding a junior nurse.

"Why won't you let me be discharged! This is my freedom; do I not even have this right? Call your Dean over…"

Lei Zhan Ge, whose body was already extremely weak, managed to speak these words, nearly exhausting all his strength, followed by a violent cough.

Perhaps the junior nurse, out of duty, went forward to check, but was again rebuked by Lei Zhan Ge.

"Cough cough… don't touch me, I'm fine, I want to be discharged; even if I die, I can't die in the hospital…"

Another violent cough, and Lu Cheng and Lei Nainai exchanged glances in the corridor, then hurried into the ward.

The first thing they saw was Lei Zhan Ge, on the bed, pulling at the IV line and the medical equipment cables, as well as some tubes inserted into his body.

He was just too weak; despite great effort, he only managed to tear off one IV tube.

Next to him, the junior nurse, whether scolded or hurried, was wiping tears continuously.

Seeing blood flow from the back of the hand, Lu Cheng rushed forward to press it.

"Captain Lei, it's me, I'm Lu Cheng."

"Lu Cheng?"

When he saw it was really Lu Cheng, Lei Zhan Ge's clouded eyes finally showed a glimmer of light, and his agitated body gradually calmed.

Lu Cheng then looked at the nurse beside him: "You go out first; if anything's needed, I'll call you."

He recognized that nurse; since Lei Zhan Ge's hospitalization, she had been caring for his condition, seemingly never taking a single day off.

The junior nurse nodded, wiping her tears, and ran out.

Calmed down, Lei Zhan Ge realized he had been acting like a child, even scolding the junior nurse.

"Lu Cheng, quickly help me up; I need to apologize to Comrade Xiao Liu…"

Comrade Xiao Liu was the nurse just now.

Lu Cheng also wanted to lift Lei Zhan Ge, but his upper body was riddled with tubes, making it impossible to help.

"Captain Lei, don't get too worked up, …"

Lei Zhan Ge smiled faintly and shook his head: "What else is there to nurture? I know my own body; Lu Cheng, go tell the doctor to let me be discharged."

Just as Lei Nainai said, now that the Critical Illness Notice has been issued, pulling him back only means waiting for death, possibly even dying on the way home.

Because Lei Zhan Ge now struggles to eat, surviving only on nutrition drips, even when he speaks, Lu Cheng has to get very close to hear him clearly.

"Captain Lei, you can't be discharged now; the hospital has equipment and dedicated caregivers…"

Before Lu Cheng could speak, Lei Zhan Ge shook his head again, his resolve to be discharged unusually firm.

"Even if I beg you, don't let me die undignously in the hospital; I'm a soldier…"

Hearing Lei Zhan Ge's almost pleading words, Lu Cheng for a moment did not dare to meet that gaze.

This revolutionary soldier who has devoted a lifetime to the country—has this person ever begged anyone!