11 - The power of money
The helicopter landed on the roof of the county hospital, and several medical personnel quickly disembarked, rushing to the operating room.
Watching her mother being swiftly transferred, Yang Qing felt her mind turn to mush, unable to process anything.
"This is a helicopter from Xia Hospital! Truly impressive, Young Master Jiang. Only you could mobilize Xia Hospital to such an extent!" The hospital director, Ma, exclaimed, his voice trembling with admiration.
"Xia Hospital? Can they treat my mother?" Yang Qing asked urgently.
"Xia Hospital is the best in Liu City. Their equipment and specialists far surpass anything we have here. Although the chances of curing your mother are slim, Xia Hospital can undoubtedly provide her with the best possible care!"
"..."
Yang Qing initially felt joy but soon nodded bitterly. She knew her mother was suffering from a terminal illness, and simply prolonging her life was the most she could hope for.
Reflecting on Jiang Hao's earlier promise, her emotions became increasingly complicated.
She had assumed that her sharp questioning would leave Jiang Hao speechless. But instead, he not only confidently affirmed his words but also turned them into reality.
The helicopter's speed was unparalleled, ensuring her mother reached Liu City in the shortest time possible. If all went well, her mother's life could indeed be saved.
Jiang Hao had truly outrun death itself, fulfilling his promise.
But all of this was thanks to… money.
For the first time, Yang Qing wavered. She had never imagined the power of money could be so immense—enough to give hope to the hopeless and effectively buy time and life.
Shaking her head to dispel her thoughts, she realized now was not the time for idle musings.
Seeing her mother safely loaded into the helicopter, Yang Qing glanced gratefully at Jiang Hao before stepping forward, intending to board the helicopter herself.
Just as she took her first step, Jiang Hao raised his hand to stop her.
"The helicopter's space is limited, and the medical staff will need to focus on your mother. I know you're worried, but it would be best if you came with me," Jiang Hao explained seriously.
"Come with you? Where? Can't I wait a bit longer?"
Yang Qing's face turned pale as various thoughts filled her mind. Her expressive eyes betrayed a mix of fear and vulnerability.
Though she had always found Jiang Hao different from others, she had still prepared herself to pay a price when she called him for help.
There was no such thing as a free lunch, especially not from the rich.
Yet she hadn't expected Jiang Hao to be so impatient, unable to wait even until her mother was out of danger.
Couldn't he give her just a bit more time? At least until she could confirm her mother's condition?
Noticing Yang Qing's expression, Jiang Hao quickly deduced her thoughts.
He shook his head helplessly and explained, "I meant that you can ride in my car to Liu City. If you're uncomfortable, I can ask Director Ma to take you instead."
Counterattack Points +50!
Jiang Hao's words instantly softened Yang Qing's feelings toward him.
While she felt relieved, she also silently blamed herself.
It turned out she had misunderstood him again! Jiang Hao wasn't the kind of person she had feared.
However, sharing a car with him still made her uneasy.
Due to her mother's teachings and her experiences with men, Yang Qing had always kept them at arm's length.
She realized she had never been alone with a man before.
Yet given the urgency of the situation, there was no time to dwell on her discomfort. Yang Qing gritted her teeth and agreed.
She kept reassuring herself: even if Jiang Hao did something inappropriate in the car, she would endure it.
After all, this was her debt to pay.
As the medical helicopter took off, Jiang Hao drove his sports car, taking Yang Qing out of the county.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was tense.
Yang Qing kept her head down, silent, her expression a mix of worry and fear.
Meanwhile, Jiang Hao focused entirely on driving, offering no words of comfort or conversation to ease the awkwardness.
Soon, as she realized Jiang Hao had no improper intentions, Yang Qing felt a pang of guilt.
She had misjudged him again…
Time passed in her mix of worry and self-reproach.
Thanks to Jiang Hao's speed, what was originally an hour-long drive took only forty minutes.
The sports car arrived directly at Xia Hospital.
As soon as the car stopped, Yang Qing anxiously opened the door.
Seeing the imposing hospital complex and the helicopter that had recently landed on the main building, her anxiety lessened for the first time.
She felt that she had done everything she could. Now, her mother's fate was in the hands of the heavens.
"If even a hospital of this caliber can't save her, then it must be destiny," she thought.
"Stop daydreaming. Let's go!"
Jiang Hao waved her along, and Yang Qing quickly followed.
The two entered the main building and took an elevator to the operating room floor.
Yang Qing's mother had already been brought in, and the red light above the operating room door was lit.
The two sat a few seats apart, beginning a long and silent wait that lasted through the night.
There was no conversation. Both remained silent.
Perhaps it was Jiang Hao's presence or her confidence in Xia Hospital, but Yang Qing felt a strange sense of calm.
It was as if her crumbling world had suddenly found a pillar of support.
---
At dawn, as the chirping of birds filled the air, the red light above the operating room finally went out.
An older, weary-looking doctor stepped out.
"Young Master Jiang!"
The doctor nodded at Jiang Hao before removing his mask and smiling confidently. "After the collective efforts of several specialists, the patient has passed the critical stage. She is no longer in immediate danger!"
"That's wonderful!"
Yang Qing broke into tears of joy, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
She wanted to thank Jiang Hao, but the stress of the past night had drained her completely.
As she turned to speak, her vision blurred, and she felt her strength leave her body.
Just as she was about to collapse, a pair of strong hands caught her, helping her stay upright.
"I told you, your mother would be fine," Jiang Hao said firmly.
The first time she heard those words, Yang Qing dismissed them as the arrogance of a wealthy man.
This time, she believed him.
Her nose stung, and tears streamed down her face as she buried her head in Jiang Hao's chest, crying like a child.
Counterattack Points +150!
Counterattack Points +200!
The system notifications made Jiang Hao's faint smile disappear.
Even with a beautiful woman in his arms, Jiang Hao maintained his composure, gently patting Yang Qing's shoulder like an older brother.