When he returned to his father's place, Dai Shenqiang was already there, and he sat beside the bed with reddened eyes.
Dai Bolin was fast asleep, and his little brother stood up upon noticing his arrival.
"Big Brother, what happened to Father? You just had a talk with the doctor, right?" He asked worriedly.
Dai Zhiqiang glanced at his father, and as if reading his mind, Dai Shenqiang said, "Don't worry. He is already sound asleep when I arrive."
Dai Zhiqiang nodded. "I think we need to contact Uncle Guang. Father needs to do surgery as soon as he can."
Dai Shenqiang's facial expression became tense once he heard that. "Why surgery? Is it really that bad?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Dai Zhiqiang contemplated a bit before finally telling his little brother what the doctor had told him. Dai Shenqiang gasped in shock when he finished his explanation.
"I-I never expected Father to have such a disease." He said in a shaky voice. "Then, if Father received that surgery, would he regain his healthy self again?"
"It's too early to tell. However, one thing for sure is that he needs that surgery as soon as possible now. However, it will cost a lot."
Dai Shenqiang gulped. "How much we will need?"
Dai Zhiqiang didn't reply and only sighed deeply. "A lot. That's why I plan to contact Uncle Guang to see if he can help us."
The younger boy scrunched his face, expressing his reluctance. Dai Zhiqiang knew his feeling, so he gave his brother a pat on the shoulder.
"This is the only way I can come up with now. Bear with it for now. Uncle Guang is not the best person to ask for a favor, but he is the best option we have right now. There is no time to hesitate."
"I understand. Then, should we go to Uncle's place and ask him if he can help us? I think that's better than talking from the phone."
"Do you know where he lives?"
"No. I thought you know, Big Brother." Dai Shenqiang tilted his head in confusion. "He liked you more than me, after all."
Dai Zhiqiang chuckled. "You mean it was because he liked to brag about his wealth in front of me more than you."
"Heh, that's true. Uncle Guang is an annoying one, but I'm sure he won't leave our Father like this."
'I don't know about that,' Dai Zhiqiang thought.
People could change because of money all the time. A familial bond could easily be severed with only a mention of this thing.
Yes, just like his mother.
'Perhaps I have to start thinking of an alternative way if this plan won't work,' Dai Zhiqiang carefully thought.
"I will contact Uncle Guang first. You stay here and look over, Father. Remember, don't tell him about this just yet. Let's tell him together when we have already secured money to pay the surgery fee."
"I know. Father will act stubborn and make a fuss to leave if we tell him everything immediately." Dai Shenqiang nodded. "Leave Father to me. Good luck, Big Brother."
Dai Zhiqiang walked out of the room and took out his phone from his pocket. He searched through his contact list and was relieved when he found Uncle Guang's contact among them. For a second, he was worried he had erased his contact.
Waiting for the call to be picked up, Dai Zhiqiang leaned his back against the wall with one hand shoved into his jacket's pocket. That was when his hand touched something warm.
Dai Zhiqiang: "??"
He pulled it, and his mind wandered to the timid girl who gave him that hand-warmer in school earlier.
He probably would return home much later if it weren't for her. His father's condition probably would be much worse by the time he arrived at the hospital.
Dai Zhiqiang played with the hand-warmer, but the temperature had gotten lower from when he received it. He remembered it felt much warmer when she shoved it into his hand.
"I have to thank her later." Dai Zhiqiang mumbled to himself. "I wonder if she will remember me?"
She wore a tie of the same color as him, so she must be a freshman too, just like him.
His train of thought was interrupted when someone finally picked up the call. Any other thought was shoved away instantly.
"Hello? Uncle Guang?"
"Yes? That voice, is that you, Zhi?" Dai Guang replied with a severely hoarse and spiritless voice like he had just woken up.
"That's right, Uncle. I'm sorry for disturbing you, but there is something I have to tell you regarding Father."
There was a yawning sound from the other end before he asked nonchalantly, "My brother? What happened to him?"
Dai Zhiqiang didn't want to waste any time, so he told everything he heard from the doctor. He also added that he hadn't told his father about this yet, because he wanted to seek his help first.
"That's the gist of everything. Uncle Guang, I'm very sorry, but can you lend us some money? I promise I will pay you back as soon as possible."
"...."
There was a long silence from the other end. Dai Zhiqiang even considered the line was disconnected somehow and checked on his phone screen. Fortunately, it was still on.
"Uncle? Can you hear me?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I can," Dai Guang laughed awkwardly. "I was just surprised by this sudden news. To think my brother will suffer such a disease. What bad luck."
Dai Zhiqiang didn't like how he put it, but this wasn't the time to complain about his uncle's choice of words.
"Uncle, my father needs to receive surgery as soon as possible. I know I shouldn't burden you, but can you lend us some help? Any amount will do."
"Of course! There's no way I will sit back and watch my brother suffer. Just text me the amount, and I'll see how far I can help."
A sense of relief washed over the boy before he reverted back to his usual composed manner. "Thank you very much, Uncle Guang. We will never forget this debt we owe you."
"Haha, why are you talking like we are strangers? As a family, it was only a matter of course to help each other when needed. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, you are right. Uncle is wise."
"I'd love to visit as soon as possible, but I need to check on something first. Take care of your father. I will be there soon."
"Of course, Uncle. Please don't mind us and take care of your business first."
"Then, I'll see you in the hospital."
Dai Zhiqiang exhaled a long breath when the call finally ended. It went much smoother than he thought it would be. No matter how brash and snobbish Dai Guang was, it seemed he still held some care towards his brother.
Perhaps Dai Zhiqiang had judged his uncle wrongly all this time.
"Thank goodness. Now Father should have more chances of receiving surgery. I should treat him better next time." Dai Zhiqiang smiled to himself before walking into the room again. He had to tell his little brother about this great news.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m