Glimmer

The smell of disinfectant seemed to have seeped into the walls, the floor, and even every breath, so strong it was impossible to dispel. This three-person ward at the Municipal Ankang Hospital was somewhat dim even during the day, with only the small lamp by the bedside emitting a weak, yellowish glow, barely illuminating a small patch of space around the bed.

Hou Jun, also known as Monkey, carefully used a cotton swab dipped in warm water to gently moisten his younger sister Hou Xiaoya's chapped lips. The girl lay quietly, her face pale from prolonged lack of sunlight, her eyes sunken, and her once thick hair had almost all fallen out due to chemotherapy. Wearing a woolen hat, her small face appeared even more shockingly thin.

"Brother, that's enough." Hou Xiaoya turned her head slightly, her voice soft and almost breathy, "Use it sparingly."

She was referring to the opened packet of cotton swabs in Monkey's hand. Her gaze swept over the half-bowl of cold white porridge and a small dish of bland boiled vegetables on the bedside table, which Monkey had brought from the hospital cafeteria; she had barely eaten any of them.

"It's okay, a pack of cotton swabs only costs a few dollars." The Monkey grinned, trying to make a relaxed smile, but his facial muscles were stiff, making the smile look worse than a grimace. He put down the cotton swabs and picked up the comb next to him. "Here, let me comb your hair."

He gently combed the sparse, soft down peeking out from the edge of her hat, as if afraid of hurting her. Hou Xiaoya closed her eyes, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her pale skin, like two weary butterflies.

"Brother, didn't you... go to your part-time job today?" She suddenly opened her eyes and asked, her eyes filled with unease and guilt.

The Monkey paused slightly while combing his hair, then continued nonchalantly, "Oh, there's less work over there today, so the boss gave me a day off. Perfect, I can spend more time with you." He didn't dare look into his sister's eyes, afraid she'd see the weariness and the lie in them. He'd just been fired yesterday from that temporary moving job; the boss said he was "not focused on the work and didn't have the energy."

"Oh," Hou Xiaoya responded softly, not asking any further questions. She was too sensible, so sensible that it broke Monkey's heart. She never complained about the noise in the ward, the side effects of the medication, or the metallic taste in her mouth that made her lose her appetite. Even when she was in so much pain that she was covered in cold sweat, she would always grit her teeth and remain silent, afraid that he would worry, afraid of spending even a penny more on painkillers.

The more she acted this way, the heavier the weight on the Monkey's heart became, almost suffocating him.

After combing her hair, Hou Xiaoya seemed to have exhausted all her strength and drifted off to sleep again, her breathing weak and steady.

The Monkey gently tucked the blanket around her, his movements so tender it was as if he were afraid of disturbing a fragile dream. He sat by the bed for a while longer, making sure his sister was truly asleep, before standing up and walking unsteadily out of the ward, gently closing the door behind him.

The air in the corridor outside the ward was slightly better, but the smell of disinfectant was still everywhere. The Monkey leaned against the cold wall, its body slowly sliding down until it finally slumped onto a bench in the corridor.

He tilted his head back, pressed the back of his head against the wall, closed his eyes, took a deep, silent breath, and then slowly exhaled. It was as if he wanted to expel the heaviness, fatigue, and powerlessness that had accumulated in his chest with that breath. But clearly, it was in vain.

He raised his hands and vigorously rubbed his cheeks, his fingers running through his greasy, unkempt hair. The pressure from his fingertips seemed to be an attempt to alleviate the pent-up anxiety and pain within him through the stinging sensation on his skin.

money.

Like an invisible mountain, it pressed down on this young man who was just over twenty years old.

His parents' savings were already depleted, and he had borrowed from all the relatives and friends he could. The little money he raised online was a drop in the ocean compared to the exorbitant and seemingly endless medical expenses. He worked desperately, tutoring, handing out flyers, carrying bricks on construction sites... he did any job that could earn money. But the money he earned was thrown into the bottomless pit of the hospital, leaving no trace.

He watched his sister grow thinner day by day, her condition fluctuating repeatedly. Listening to the doctor's ambiguous analyses filled with technical jargon, he felt as if he were trapped in a huge, ever-shrinking maze, surrounded by high walls, unable to find an exit, and could only watch helplessly as the person he cared about most succumbed to darkness.

A deep, almost overwhelming sense of despair, like the chilling wind in the corridor, seeped into his very bones. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, leaving crescent-shaped red marks.

Just then, his cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

The buzzing sound was particularly clear in the quiet corridor.

The Monkey seemed to be startled awake, his eyes snapping open, a lingering sense of bewilderment and pain still present. Somewhat bewildered, he pulled out his old phone with a slightly cracked screen, and paused, stunned, when he saw the name flashing on the screen.

Lin Feng?

Why would he call at this time?

The Monkey took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound normal, and pressed the answer button.

"Hey, Madman." His voice had a barely perceptible hoarseness.

"Monkey, where are you now?" Lin Feng's voice came from the other end of the phone, his tone seemingly... lighter than usual?

"I'm at the hospital, with Xiaoya," Monkey answered honestly, though he was a little suspicious.

"Well, I just got in touch with a friend who happens to know a very famous cancer expert in our province, specializing in lymphoma. I briefly explained your sister's situation to him."

The Monkey's grip on the phone tightened unconsciously, and his heart skipped a beat. A provincial expert?

"Huh? Really?" His voice carried a hint of urgency and anticipation that he himself didn't even realize. "What did the expert say?" He almost held his breath, waiting for the verdict from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, yes, I didn't expect them to be so accommodating, agreeing to take some time to look at the scans and assess the situation. And the key point is, their hospital, in terms of both equipment and technology, is far more advanced and has much better facilities than ours!"

A better hospital? Better conditions? The Monkey felt his blood flow quicken, and a faint but real warm current began to surge through his almost frozen heart.

"So you see, hurry up and get your sister transferred to another hospital as quickly as possible. Yes, to the one in the provincial capital..."

Transfer to another hospital? To the provincial capital? Monkey's mind raced. This sudden news caught him off guard, but it was followed by immense joy and... worry.

"Oh, why are you being so polite with me? It's no trouble at all! We're brothers, no need for such formalities."

He knew, of course, that would be troublesome. Going to the provincial capital and finding experts—each of these was an immense challenge. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to express his gratitude, but felt that any words would seem pale and powerless at this moment.

However, Lin Feng's next words were like a thunderbolt, directly dispelling the last bit of gloom in his heart and igniting all his concerns.

"You don't need to worry about money at all. Don't worry, I can't guarantee anything else, but I'll cover all of your sister's subsequent medical expenses!"

"What?! No way! Absolutely not!" Monkey blurted out, his voice rising several decibels with excitement, drawing the attention of a nurse in the distance down the corridor. He quickly lowered his voice, his tone urgent and resolute, "Madman! This is too much! I can't..."

"Of course it's not free! You wish! Let me tell you, Hou Zhi, this money is a loan. From now on, you'll be my slave and pay it back slowly! You hear me?"

Lin Feng's half-serious, half-joking laughter came through the receiver, carrying an undeniable domineering air, yet strangely soothing the Monkey's inner struggle to avoid incurring too much debt. To be a slave... if it could truly save Xiaoya, let alone be a slave...

"Alright, alright, stop with the fuss. Guys, be straightforward! What's most important right now? Getting your sister the best treatment possible! Stop talking nonsense and get the paperwork done. I'll coordinate with the hospital and specialists here."

The call was abruptly ended.

Hearing the busy tone from the phone, Monkey remained in the same position, still on the phone, stunned for several seconds.

A few seconds later, he suddenly stood up from the bench!

The previous exhaustion, despair, and overwhelming sense of powerlessness seemed to be instantly dispelled by an invisible, powerful force! His chest heaved violently, and his eyes were bloodshot, but within those bloodshot eyes burned a long-lost, hopeful light!

He gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white with excitement again, but this time, it wasn't from pain, but from exhilaration.

There is hope!

Xiaoya has hope!

The Madman found a specialist! He found a better hospital! He even... he even took on the enormous medical bills that would have crushed his entire family!

A surge of hot tears welled up in his eyes, Monkey blinked hard, forcing back the stinging sensation. Now was not the time to cry; now was the time to act!

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. This time, the tightness in his chest seemed to lessen considerably. He raised his hand and vigorously wiped his face, erasing the remaining dejection and exhaustion.

His eyes regained their firmness and focus.

He glanced at the closed hospital room door, imagining the long-lost relaxed smile that his sister might show when she heard the news.

Without further hesitation, he strode towards the nurses' station, his steps firm and powerful.

He needed to find out what documents were needed and what the specific procedures were for transferring patients to another hospital.

There can be no more delay.