Chapter 6 — How Much Does Love Cost?

After that call, I had three years of peaceful life. My father stopped contacting me, perhaps because he felt embarrassed. My eldest uncle's family also completely disappeared from my life. Only my mother occasionally used the neighbor's phone to secretly call me. Asked me if I was living well, told me to pay attention to my health. She said To Loi's debt ended up requiring him to sell an old house to be able to pay it off. Because of that, my aunt cursed at home every day, saying that the To family had raised a white-eyed wolf. And my father's temper became increasingly hot-tempered. Even the slightest thing makes him angry, saying that his whole life's dedication has created an enemy. Hearing those words, my heart no longer wavered. During these three years, I was promoted in the company and my salary doubled. I borrowed money to buy a small apartment in Shanghai. Not very big. But it belongs entirely to me. I raised the fat "Man Thau" into a round, shiny ball of fur. I used to think life would stay peaceful like that forever. Until my 27th birthday. At that time, I was working overtime at the company when I received a strange call. Is the home area code. I picked up the phone. Her voice was choked, panicked and helpless.

“Vy Vy… Vy Vy, come home quickly!”

“Your dad… your dad is hospitalized!”

My heart stopped.

“What happened?”

“This afternoon he was at home… suddenly fainted…”

“Brought to the hospital, the doctor said it was…acute brain hemorrhage.”

“Now… still in emergency…”

I squeezed the phone tightly, my palms were cold and sweaty. No matter how much I resented him in my heart... The moment I heard that news, my first reaction was still panic.

"Which hospital? I'll be right back."

I immediately asked my superiors for leave and booked the earliest flight back home. More than ten hours later, I appeared dusty and tired at the City People's Hospital. The emergency room light was still bright red. The hallway was filled with people. My mother, eldest uncle, second uncle and almost all relatives were present. As soon as my mother saw me, it was as if she saw a lifesaver and immediately grabbed my arm tightly.

“Vy Vy, you're finally home!”

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying too much, and she could no longer speak clearly. The eldest uncle stepped forward, his face heavy.

“Do you still know the way back?”

His voice was full of blame.

“If it wasn't for you making your father angry over and over again, would he have become like this?”

My cousin also stood next to her and chimed in:

"That's right, my second uncle treats me so well. Even after graduating, he still refuses to go home. His heart is too cruel."

To Loi stood in the crowd, arms crossed, looking at me coldly. Like I'm the culprit who caused it all. I don't pay attention to them. I walked next to my mother and asked in a low voice:

“What did the doctor say?”

"The doctor said... the situation is very dangerous. Even if you can save... you will probably be paralyzed..."

Mother's voice trembled violently. At that moment, the emergency room door opened. A doctor stepped out and took off his mask.

“Who are the patient's family members?”

The whole crowd immediately rushed forward.

"Currently, the patient is temporarily out of danger."

They all breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. The doctor changed his tone.

“The patient suffered a large hemorrhage in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing serious neurological damage.”

“The recovery process will be very long and expensive.”

“Family members need to prepare mentally and financially.”

The eldest uncle immediately pulled the doctor asked:

“Doctor, roughly how much will it cost?”

The doctor looked at us.

“The initial surgery and ICU costs are at least around 200,000 to 300,000 yuan.”

“As for rehabilitation, physical therapy and medicine, each month will cost at least 10,000 to 20,000 yuan each month, which is a long-term treatment.”

That number made the entire hallway fall silent. The eldest uncle's face became extremely unsightly. The second uncle also frowned. Only my mother was completely panicked, standing there crying non-stop. Everyone's eyes seemed to never stop on me. I know what they are thinking. In their eyes, I am the one who graduated from a prestigious university, works in Shanghai, and is the person who earns the most money in this house. That money... Of course it should be paid by me. The eldest uncle cleared his throat and was the first to speak.

“Vy Vy, look at your father's condition now…”

“As siblings, we will definitely help, but we all don't have much money.”

"Now you are the most successful person, this house... still depends mainly on you to take care of it."

As soon as he finished speaking, his relatives immediately followed.

“That's right, Vy Vy, your father loves you the most.”

“Saving dad's life is a daughter's responsibility.”