The Desperate Journey: Racing Against Fate

Hu Lao San urged the bullock cart forward with determination, unable to bear witnessing the distressing scene, especially as tears streamed down Fu Bao's face. He attempted to console her, "Fu Bao, your grandfather will be alright, please don't cry."

Fu Bao glanced ahead, wiped away her tears, and nodded. "Yes, Grandpa will be fine."

Upon reaching the town's health center, Hu Lao San hurriedly carried Old Man Li inside and placed him on a chair. He then rushed to the consulting room, calling out urgently, "Doctor, doctor! Please come quickly and attend to him!"

The medical staff hurried to assist the elderly man, noting the blood stains on his clothes and his struggling breaths. With their experience, they feared the situation was dire.

"Doctor, please save my husband. He promised he wouldn't leave before me, so please do everything you can!" pleaded Mrs. Li, tears in her eyes as she grasped the doctor's coat, nearly dropping to her knees.

The doctor gently lifted her up, reassuring, "Please, don't worry, ma'am. Let's examine him first. If there's any chance of saving him, we'll do our utmost."

Mr. Li was swiftly taken into the examination room for further assessment.

Given the limited resources of the town's health center, it could only handle minor ailments and injuries. Serious illnesses were beyond its capabilities, lacking the necessary equipment and expertise. The doctor conducted basic examinations but determined that Mr. Li's condition was critical. It could be a lung tumor or pulmonary embolism, potentially fatal at any moment.

Outside, Mrs. Li and the two children anxiously awaited news, each passing second feeling agonizingly long.

Unable to contain his emotions, Li Xiaolei sobbed uncontrollably, turning to Mrs. Li and asking, "Grandma, will grandpa be okay? I don't want him to die, waaaaah..."

Mrs. Li's eyes welled up with tears, but she tried to remain composed, giving Li Xiaolei a gentle tap on the back of his head. "Silly boy! Don't say such things. Grandpa won't die. Don't speak nonsense!"

Seeing Fubao crying as well, Mrs. Li lifted her up and cradled her in her arms, soothing her in a hushed tone, "Sweetheart, your grandpa is a tough man. He survived falling off the mountain before, so he'll pull through this too!"

"Yeah!" Fubao nestled her tear-streaked face into Mrs. Li's embrace, wiping her tears with her hand. Then, she closed her eyes and concentrated, attempting to tap into the spiritual power she had accumulated over the past five years to access her mind space—

In just a couple of minutes, the doctor emerged from the clinic with a grave expression. "The patient's condition is dire. We don't have the resources to treat him here. You'll need to take him to the county hospital."

"No resources?" Mrs. Li was stunned, her face draining of color. "What..."

"Don't stand there. Get ready to take him to the county hospital. But I have to warn you, the old man is very sick. He might not make it there. Prepare yourself," the doctor said with a helpless sigh.

The old lady Li couldn't come to terms with this, her tears flowing freely as she pleaded with the doctor in a choked voice, "Doctor, I beg you! I'll kneel if I have to, just save my husband! I can't bear to lose him..."

In old age, one might contemplate the inevitability of death and separation from loved ones, but the suddenness of this moment was overwhelming. She had always assumed she would go before her husband, but now it seemed he was slipping away ahead of her.

The doctor, unable to bear her grief, shook his head sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, we've done all we can here. You need to get him to the county hospital."

Just then, a nurse rushed out in a panic. "It's urgent! The patient's condition is deteriorating rapidly!"