Transferring Hospitals

Li Hui, standing nearby, listened to Ye Yuan's string of phone calls, utterly bewildered—talk of Shangjing Hospital, Naval Hospital, it completely threw him off.

Watching Ye Yuan finish his calls, Li Hui said in a choked voice, "Yuan'er, you've heard about my family's situation. Going to Shangjing—we really can't afford it. Thanks for your help, but there's no need."

"What are you thinking? Who said you'd pay? If Uncle's illness can be treated, no matter the cost, I'll cover it."

Hearing Ye Yuan's words, Li Hui could hardly believe it. He knew this buddy's family was dirt poor; word was they'd recently relocated from some island county, and how much could a county relocation payout be?

Ye Yuan saw Li Hui's hesitation and reassured him, "Don't think this money's free. Once Uncle's better, you'll work for me to pay off the debt."

Li Hui thumped his chest and declared, "Don't worry, from now on, my life belongs to the Ye family."

"Cut that nonsense. What would I do with your life? Work hard, and I guarantee you'll pay me back soon."

Soon the two returned to the hospital room. Li's Father had opened his eyes and, seeing Ye Yuan, weakly pointed to the foot of the bed, shifting his own feet to make room for Ye Yuan to sit.

Li Hui came in and briefly explained that Ye Yuan had arranged for his father to go to Shangjing for treatment and was covering all expenses. Li's Mother's tears wouldn't stop flowing; sobbing, she started to kneel before Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan quickly helped her up. "Auntie, what are you doing? You're cutting my life short! You're my elder, please don't."

Li's Mother, supported by Ye Yuan, kept saying, "Thank you, Xiao Yuan, thank you. Your uncle's life is saved. You're our family's great benefactor."

The room was small, and everyone could hear their conversation. A woman tending to another patient spoke up: "Sister, you should be happy. Your man's met his savior this time, unlike those folks a few days ago. Ah... your family's got hope now, but mine..." The room fell silent.

In the oncology ward, most patients had cancer, and the families bore even more pressure than the patients.

Just then, a man in a doctor's coat entered with several soldiers. The doctor pointed to Li Dongming's bed and said, "This is the patient you're looking for."

The soldiers approached the bed, saluted Li Dongming, and then asked, "Which one of you is Mr. Ye Yuan?"

Ye Yuan guessed these were sent by Old Master Xu and replied, "I am."

The soldier faced Ye Yuan, snapped his legs together, puffed out his chest, and—swish—gave a crisp military salute. In the distinctive voice of a soldier, he announced loudly, "Blue Island Naval Unit XXX, Ren Minghui and all members of Tip Sword Squad One, ordered to escort the patient and family to Shangjing Hospital. Awaiting instructions." The accompanying soldiers all saluted in unison.

The room fell into a brief silence; even breathing could be heard.

Ye Yuan stepped forward quickly and said to the soldier, "No need, no need."

The soldier could tell Ye Yuan wasn't military, but his orders were to escort Ye Yuan, Li Dongming, and his family to Shangjing.

This order came directly from the highest commander of the Blue Island Navy. He didn't know who this man was, but to a soldier, orders were orders.

Ye Yuan turned to the still-stunned doctor and said, "Doctor, could you handle the transfer paperwork?"

The doctor snapped out of it and quickly replied, "Of course, of course."

Ye Yuan pulled Li Hui along to handle the transfer. Meanwhile, two female soldiers with red cross armbands entered, took charge of Li Dongming, started an IV, and ordered the male soldiers to bring a stretcher and carry the patient out.

When Ye Yuan and the others reached the hospital entrance, a military medical vehicle was already waiting. Li Dongming lay inside on a bed.

Li's Mother and the two female soldiers were by the bed, adjusting some instruments Ye Yuan didn't recognize.

Two armed male soldiers stood at the vehicle's door. The space inside was large enough that Ye Yuan and Li Hui didn't feel cramped entering.

When the two male soldiers boarded, sat by the door, and closed it, all the other soldiers climbed into a military vehicle ahead.

The front vehicle led the way, the medical vehicle following closely behind.

On the expressway from Blue Island City to Shangjing, the two military vehicles sped smoothly toward their destination.

They arrived in Shangjing past ten at night. At the entrance to Shangjing Naval Hospital, nurses were already waiting. Li Dongming was lifted onto a prepared bed and wheeled inside. Ye Yuan got out of the vehicle and spotted a familiar face—Xu Hang, Old Master Xu's own grandson.

Xu Hang handled the handover with the escort team, signed the documents, and the soldiers drove back toward Blue Island.

Ye Yuan wanted to invite the soldiers for a meal, but Xu Hang stopped him.

They shook hands. Xu Hang said simply, "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. It's late now, the old man's asleep. My mission's done. See you tomorrow." He tossed Ye Yuan a key card for the guesthouse and left.

Ye Yuan first went to the ward. Li's Father's room was a VIP suite with a separate caregiver bed and private bathroom.

Li Hui and his mother marveled at the treatment.

This was a naval hospital—not just anyone with money could get in, and even if they did, such perks were unheard of.

After a few brief instructions, Ye Yuan went downstairs, paid a 200,000 deposit, and returned to the guesthouse.

He was exhausted after the long day of travel.

Remembering he hadn't told his family he was in Shangjing, he called his father and explained the situation. His father sighed repeatedly and told Ye Yuan not to rush back—since he could help now, he should, and not to worry about home.

He slept deeply through the night. Waking up refreshed, he ate breakfast at the guesthouse and headed to the ward, where several doctors were talking with Li Hui.

After the doctors left, Li Hui told Ye Yuan that his father would undergo some tests today. If his condition was good, surgery could happen tomorrow. At the Blue Island hospital, doctors had said the post-surgery recovery rate was 30%, but here, they claimed it could reach 60% with good recovery.

Li's Mother had gone out to buy breakfast. Li Hui chatted with Ye Yuan for a while, then checked the time and asked Ye Yuan to keep an eye on his father while he handled the test paperwork.

After Li Hui left, Ye Yuan exchanged a few words with Li's Father. Feeling thirsty, Li's Father reached for his water cup.

Ye Yuan hurried over to hand it to him, then suddenly remembered the Spatial Lake Water. He secretly added some to the cup.

Li's Father took the cup, sipped it, paused slightly, then drained it. The man, who had seemed listless, noticeably spoke with more strength after drinking.