Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Money Is Running Low

After hearing what Zhou Jinfan said, the old lady’s mouth twitched slightly. She knew well enough that even Gu’s Hospital had declared they could only save one, but Xie Qingtang had managed to preserve both lives. How precious must that medicinal powder be?

Yet the thought of handing over four hundred thousand for medical expenses pained her as if she were slicing flesh from her own body.

“Third Aunt, just pay the medical bills, won’t you? Doctor Xie saved both Sister-in-law and her child’s lives. That money is well deserved—nothing compares to the value of two lives,” said Abun, urging her on.

Meanwhile, a crowd had gathered outside the door of the Charity Hall, drawn by the commotion. The old lady was notorious, especially after causing such a scene at Gu’s Hospital. Those who came to watch already knew what had happened.

And when Xie Qingtang entered Gu’s Hospital and later returned, followed by the old lady coming to thank the Charity Hall, most had guessed the truth.

“But I really don’t have that much money. Doctor Xie, could you give me a discount?” The old lady, forcing a smile, finally uttered words that made her cheeks burn with shame.

At her plea, the onlookers snickered quietly. “This old lady is unbelievable! Who bargains with a doctor? He saved her daughter-in-law and grandson, for heaven’s sake.”

“That’s right. Clearly cares more for money than for life.” The murmurs and mocking voices turned the old lady’s face red and pale by turns. She had lost all sense of dignity, but at least before, she had a bit of reason on her side.

Gu’s Hospital was in the wrong then, but now things had changed. The Charity Hall had saved her family, yet she still haggled over medical fees. Naturally, the crowd looked down on her.

Xie Qingtang stood calmly, her clear eyes shining with an untainted purity. She regarded the old lady and said, “The price is fixed. No bargaining.”

The old lady’s face grew gray with despair. Just then, her son—the woman’s husband—arrived at the Charity Hall.

Without a word, he knelt before Xie Qingtang and bowed several times, his voice full of gratitude: “Words cannot express my thanks. On behalf of my wife and child, I thank you, Doctor Xie.”

“No need to thank me. I still charge for my services,” Xie Qingtang replied, stepping aside to avoid his bows.

The husband was more open-minded than his mother and nodded. “Doctor Xie saved my wife and child. No price is too high.”

“You unfilial son! What nonsense are you saying? She’s asking for four hundred thousand!” The old lady rushed forward and slapped her son’s head.

The husband paused, stunned by the cost, but finally gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement. “I’ll pay four hundred thousand. Compared to my wife and child’s lives, it’s nothing.”

He then turned to his mother. “Mom, give me the bank card.”

“What are you talking about? What card? I don’t know anything about it.” Even now, the old lady tried to delay.

But seeing the unwavering resolve in her son’s eyes, her own gaze dimmed. Reluctantly, she pulled out a bank card from her pocket and handed it over.

“You prodigal! You’ll squander the family fortune, and that wife you married is nothing but trouble. You’ll be the death of me,” she grumbled, knowing there was no way out. She handed her son the card and stormed out of the Charity Hall in anger.

Her earlier gratitude to Xie Qingtang had vanished. The husband said nothing, simply gave the card to Zhou Jinfan, who processed the payment.

“If a husband cannot protect his wife and child, he can hardly be called a husband. I hope you will understand this in time,” Xie Qingtang advised as the husband prepared to leave.

He paused, then turned to give Xie Qingtang a complicated look, nodded, and departed.

“A miracle doctor, truly a miracle doctor!” Those waiting outside the Charity Hall looked at Xie Qingtang with admiration.

At this moment, Xie Qingtang became, in their eyes, the genuine miracle worker—she had cured the possessed patient and brought back a mother and child from the brink of death.

“Doctor Xie, thank you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude,” Abun said, supporting his pregnant wife, Ah Xiang, as they approached Xie Qingtang, his eyes full of thanks.

Finally, a smile curved Xie Qingtang’s lips. She nodded at Abun. “It’s your third aunt’s family who should thank you. If you hadn’t insisted, I wouldn’t have treated that pregnant woman.”

“It wasn’t really my doing. If Mr. Gu hadn’t arrived in time, brought Doctor Xie into the hospital, and pushed everyone to let her into the operating room, my cousin would never have survived with her child,” Abun replied, scratching his head bashfully.

Xie Qingtang’s expression faltered at that. Indeed, Gu Xiujin, as president of Gu’s Hospital, had allowed a traditional doctor to intervene in the operating room. It was rather odd.

After the crowd dispersed and Abun left with his wife, Xie Qingtang returned to the backyard, where Gu Xiujin was still conversing with Grandpa Xie.

“Xiujin will stay for dinner tonight,” Grandpa Xie said with a smile to Xie Qingtang.

She nodded without comment, but as she busied herself in the kitchen, Gu Xiujin suddenly appeared behind her.

“I heard you charged the family of that pregnant woman four hundred thousand for the consultation,” Gu Xiujin said coolly.

Xie Qingtang nodded. “Why, is that not acceptable?”

“No. You actually asked for too little,” Gu Xiujin replied mildly.

In the midst of preparing her medicinal meal, Xie Qingtang paused, glanced at him, and couldn’t help but laugh.