Chapter 603: Insisting on Discharge

Lei Zhan Ge, in the final days of his life, chose to be discharged, but Lu Cheng was actually very hesitant.

He really hoped Lei Zhan Ge could stay in the hospital, even if just one more day of life, so that seeing the hope the internal combustion engine creates could add a little more.

Until Lei Zhan Ge pleaded, Lu Cheng completely changed his mind.

Seeing this old soldier being twisted beyond recognition by the medical devices, it seemed better to let go cleanly than to continue like this.

After all that turmoil, Lei Zhan Ge fell into a deep sleep again.

Lu Cheng called Grandma Lei out of the ward and briefly shared his thoughts.

Grandma Lei was a bit incredulous: "Xiao Lu, you—how can you also agree that Old Lei should be discharged?"

Grandma Lei was still in disbelief; the reason she called Lu Cheng over was to have him persuade Old Lei.

Grandma Lei knew Lu Cheng's feelings for Old Lei would surely convince him, but she didn't expect…

"Grandma Lei, I say this hoping you won't blame me; of course I wish Captain Lei could hold on a bit longer.

But you also saw that Captain Lei is riddled with tubes, he's in great pain, and if this continues, those medical devices will just grind him to death…"

Lu Cheng fell silent, because he saw Grandma Lei suddenly shed tears.

Indeed, Grandma Lei and Captain Lei have stood side by side all their lives as revolutionary spouses, yet it won't be long before this old couple is split between yin and yang.

Seeing Lei Zhan Ge like this, many might feel sad, but Grandma Lei is the one who's truly heartbroken.

Lu Cheng inhaled, deciding to say no more; whether Lei Zhan Ge should be discharged is not his call—it requires Grandma Lei's approval.

And this elderly woman, truly a veteran of the anti‑Japanese war era, quickly wiped away the tears and promptly made a decision.

"Then take Old Lei home; even if he dies, he should die by my side, so he won't suffer that much."

Seeing Grandma Lei suddenly let go, Lu Cheng felt a flicker of envy.

For an old man with Lei Zhan Ge's explosive temper to have such a steadfast lover, weathering everything together, is truly a happy thing.

Even Grandma Lei agreed and intervened with the doctors; since the discharge was decided, the hospital called an ambulance to send Lei Zhan Ge home immediately.

Unexpectedly, it got stuck at Niu Da Kui's end.

Lu Cheng was directing the ambulance downstairs; upon hearing the news, he rushed back upstairs.

A few doctors and nurses were pushing a stretcher, but Niu Da Kui blocked the doorway.

"Hey, comrade, don't block us—let us in quickly."

Niu Da Kui shook his head: "No entry!"

The doctors were helpless; Lu Cheng stepped forward: "Da Kui, what's up? Why are you blocking the way? Move aside."

Niu Da Kui looked up: "Police Chief, if Grandpa Lei isn't discharged, he'll die; he can't stay."

I thought Niu Da Kui was being obtuse again, but that was his intention.

"You move aside first."

Niu Da Kui kept his arms spread: "I won't."

Lu Cheng was taken aback; this was the first time Niu Da Kui disobeyed him.

He understood Niu Da Kui's temper; when nothing's happening, he's a bit dim‑witted, and even when irritable, it's just stubbornness.

"Come, I'll take you to eat; let's have braised pork."

At this moment, Lu Cheng could only coax him; in the past, when his temper flared, offering food always worked like a charm.

But this time he underestimated Niu Da Kui's resolve—braised pork didn't spark any interest, and he still stood there, refusing to let the doctors in.

Lu Cheng tried to forcefully pull Niu Da Kui aside, but that only provoked him; Niu Da Kui swiftly clenched his fist and smashed the door, punching a hole through it.

This was a staff‑only ward; to keep it quiet and undisturbed, the doors were made of solid wood.

Yet under Niu Da Kui's punch, a hole was ripped straight through.

That move instantly terrified several doctors, who didn't dare step forward.

Even Lu Cheng didn't know what to do; it was his first time seeing Niu Da Kui display such violence.

After a stalemate, an elderly figure suddenly appeared behind Niu Da Kui.

It was Lei Zhan Ge himself, having pulled out his tubes; his hunchbacked, gaunt body no longer showed his former vigor.

"Da Kui, how can you damage collective property! Grandpa Lei will be angry."

Hearing Lei Zhan Ge's voice, Niu Da Kui finally turned around.

"Grandpa Lei, don't be angry; I just didn't want you discharged—you'll die…"

In the past, seeing Niu Da Kui act like that would have made Lei Zhan Ge angry, but now, looking at him, he only felt pity.

"Silly kid, why are you so foolish! Grandpa Lei will die sooner or later…"

"You won't die."

"Or maybe I'm calling you foolish—everyone dies; Grandpa Lei will only be happy back home, and you don't want to see him miserable here every day, do you?"

Niu Da Kui fell silent; of course he wanted Grandpa Lei to be happy.

"Let Grandpa Lei go back; he wants to see you all every day—this place is too lonely, there's no one around…"

Finally, Lei Zhan Ge's words completely dispelled Niu Da Kui's resolve, and he silently stepped aside.

Only then did a few doctors move forward, preparing to help Lei Zhan Ge onto the stretcher.

But Lei Zhan Ge gently waved his hand, insisting on walking on his own.

Considering Lei Zhan Ge's condition, the doctors looked to Lu Cheng; after he nodded, they removed the stretcher.

The corridor was about fifty meters long; Lei Zhan Ge's hunched body tried to straighten his back with each step.

After a few attempts, he ultimately gave up.

He laughed self‑deprecatingly: "I'm really old; you can't defy old age."

After finishing his mutter, Lei Zhan Ge set off, walking the fifty‑meter corridor, somehow taking twenty minutes.

During that time, many doctors and nurses came to watch, and numerous relatives stood at the doorway, watching this steadfast elder.

When they finally reached the stairwell, Lei Zhan'ge was completely exhausted, standing there holding the handrail, and for a long time could not take a step.

At that moment Lu Cheng stepped forward, descended one step, crouched down and said, "Captain Lei, let me carry you."

Lei Zhan'ge did not refuse this time; when Lu Cheng lifted him, he even felt as if there was no one on his back, Lei Zhan'ge's body being as light as a sheet of paper.

But Lu Cheng still took a deep breath, and each step was taken with great heaviness.

They kept going until they reached the ambulance, where several doctors hurried over and lifted the person onto the vehicle.

Lu Cheng stood in front of the vehicle, and Lei Zhan'ge slowly turned his body, as if he were giving his final instructions.

"Lu Cheng, when I die, don't bury me on a mountain, and don't erect a monument for me; just scatter my ashes on the Iron Rail along the line, so I can see how far our country's Railway can go…"

Lu Cheng felt as if a wad of cotton blocked his throat; he opened his mouth for a long time before managing to say the word "Okay".