C13 Xiao Xiao Was Critically Ill

The lessons had been dealt out, and it was time to put the loan shark business to rest for now.

As Lin Luo watched the group hobble away, he turned to express his thanks.

"Elder Xu, I owe you a big thank you for handling this situation. Without your intervention, those people would surely have continued to cause trouble."

Lin Luo's voice was sincere, and his words conveyed deep appreciation.

He had indeed once saved Elder Xu, but in return, Elder Xu had smoothed over two instances of trouble for him.

Elder Xu received Lin Luo's grateful remarks with a casual smile, not making much of the favors he had done.

He hadn't done much, really; just made an appearance to show support, which was no big deal.

"If there's a chance, let's grab a meal together. I do have another favor to ask of Mr. Lin."

Lin Luo accepted Elder Xu's invitation without hesitation. They set a time to meet again and then went their separate ways.

On their way back to the ward, they both remained silent, with even Xiao Qingli not daring to speak up.

She had been sincere about wanting a divorce, but now she was second-guessing her hasty decision.

Lin Luo might not have shown much responsibility in the past two years, but it was undeniable that he had once been a good man, worthy of her commitment.

"I'll leave the child in your care. Since you don't want to see me, I won't trouble you any longer."

Lin Luo said with a wry smile, carefully avoiding the topic of divorce with Xiao Qingli, thinking it best to give her time to cool off.

Too much interaction now would only reinforce her resolve to divorce.

Without waiting for Xiao Qingli to respond, Lin Luo hurriedly left, almost as if fleeing.

Xiao Qingli watched his figure vanish from view and let out a sigh of resignation.

Back in the ward, Xiao sat quietly on the bed. Upon seeing her mother return, she opened her arms wide.

"Mommy, hug." Xiao couldn't resist acting affectionately, hoping it would lift her mother's spirits.

She was aware that her treatment was costly, and given their financial situation, she suspected they must have incurred significant debts for her care.

"Mommy, I don't want to treat my illness anymore. I want to go home, where we can all be together. That way, at least we won't be wasting money."

Cradled in Xiao Qingli's arms, Xiao Xiao expressed her deepest feelings.

She couldn't bear to see her parents fight over money, nor did she want to be the reason for their potential divorce.

Xiao Qingli, already feeling downcast, tensed up when she heard Xiao Xiao's reluctance to continue treatment.

"Don't talk nonsense. You're my sweetheart. What would I do if something happened to you? The surgery fees are all set. The operation is scheduled for a few days from now. After that, it will all be over," she said, though it was unclear for whom the reassurance was intended.

The professor clung tightly to Xiao Qingli's sleeve, but Xiao Xiao ultimately kept her thoughts to herself.

Lin Luo returned home with a heavy heart and lay on his bed, his emotions in turmoil.

What if Qingli was serious about the divorce? Could he really stand by and watch their marriage dissolve?

As Lin Luo pondered, he surveyed the room and sighed at the sight of the worn-out furniture.

He hadn't realized how selfish he had been in the past, always putting himself first and never considering his wife and child.

With this realization, Lin Luo clenched his jaw and resolved, "No, I have to ensure my wife and child have a good life. Even if we divorce, I want them to be the happiest they can be."

Lin Luo whispered to himself, overcome by fatigue, but decided to get some rest for the night.

Lin Luo was jolted awake by the sound of the phone ringing.

On the other end, Xiao Qingli's voice was choked with tears, "Lin Luo, Xiao Xiao... Xiao Xiao has been issued a critical condition notice. Early this morning, she suddenly started bleeding from her nose, and it just wouldn't stop."

Xiao Qingli struggled to speak between sobs, eventually unable to form a complete sentence.

Hearing her tearful voice, Lin Luo hastily dressed and dashed to the hospital.

Outside the emergency room, Xiao Qingli paced anxiously. When she caught sight of Lin Luo, she collapsed to the floor, as if all her strength had been drained from her.

"Qingli, don't worry. Everything will be alright. If the doctor can't cure her, I will," Lin Luo assured her with a firm grip on his fists.

He never should have left the child in the hospital in the first place. He could have resolved the issue himself, yet so much time had been wasted.

Watching Lin Luo boast even now, Xiao Qingli's fists clenched tightly as she pounded on his chest with forceful blows.

"I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. I thought you could at least be relied upon, but you manage to surprise me every single time," Xiao Qingli spat out the words through clenched teeth. Before Lin Luo could offer an explanation, the doors to the resuscitation room swung open.

Xiao Qingli stumbled toward the doctor, her hands gripping the doctor's white coat desperately.

"Doctor, please, you must save my daughter. I'll pay whatever it costs," Xiao Qingli pleaded urgently, her voice thick with desperation.

The doctor gently pried her hands away. "Family member, please remain calm. We are doing everything we can, but the child's condition is quite serious. The chances of a successful surgery right now are less than ten percent."

Xiao Qingli was dumbfounded by the odds.

How could this be? She had been doing so well, and the child had been eating plenty lately.

"The child's health has been poor lately. I understand she's been eating a lot, but did you know she's been forcing herself? She just wanted to reassure you," the doctor couldn't help but criticize the parents' oversight, though he was reluctant to say more.

He was just a doctor, and it wasn't his place to interfere with family matters, but he felt compelled to speak up.

Lin Luo stood frozen, and after a long silence, he finally said, "No more treatment. I'm taking my child home to care for her myself."

At Lin Luo's words, Xiao Qingli, frantic, lunged forward and slapped him across the face.

"Lin Luo, enough is enough! If even the doctors can't save her, what makes you think you can? Do you really believe you have some divine power to intervene?"

Xiao Qingli was screaming hysterically, but Lin Luo had no time to entertain her antics.

With a swift chop to the neck, Lin Luo incapacitated Xiao Qingli, offering an apologetic smile.

"Please look after my wife for a bit; I need to make a phone call."

After ensuring Xiao Qingli was in the doctor's care, Lin Luo proactively called Elder Xu.

The call connected immediately, without a moment's delay.

"Elder Xu, my daughter's health is deteriorating rapidly. I wish to treat her myself, but the doctor disagrees. Could you help me find a solution?"