Chapter 16: Yuan’s Mother’s Health Condition

“If everything is alright on your side, come to the office to report at eight tomorrow morning,” said Ning Xi.

“Eight o’clock? No problem.”

“Also, you’ll need to sign this contract. And here’s a bank card,” Ning Xi continued, pulling out a document and a sky-blue bank card from a drawer and handing them to Lin Xiao. She glanced at Lin Xiao’s simple outfit with a half-smile.

“Though a bodyguard’s work isn’t necessarily related to attire, your current clothes are quite eye-catching. It might be better if you dressed a bit more ordinarily.”

Lin Xiao felt somewhat embarrassed. He skimmed through the contract quickly, found nothing amiss, and signed his name.

“The bank card’s password is six sixes. It has your one-month salary in advance. I wouldn’t do this for anyone else,” Ning Xi said, giving Lin Xiao a flirtatious glance.

“Thank you,” Lin Xiao expressed his gratitude; he needed this money desperately.

“Alright, don’t be so formal. You helped me last time, and I haven’t thanked you yet. From now on, we are colleagues.” Ning Xi stretched, stood up, and said, “By the way, what’s your phone number? Let’s exchange them. It would be easier to contact each other in the future.”

The two then exchanged phone numbers.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” Lin Xiao stood up, bidding goodbye to Ning Xi.

“Okay, remember, eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”

“Copy that.”

After Lin Xiao left, Ning Xi sighed in relief, her face lighting up with a bright smile.

She had been trying hard to find a suitable bodyguard. The company had conducted four recruitment campaigns in the past month, but none of the previous candidates were satisfactory. This led her to take charge of the hiring process.

And Lin Xiao, from every aspect, fit the bill perfectly.

As Lin Xiao stepped out of the Brilliant Tower, he felt relieved. Previously, he hadn’t placed much emphasis on money. After all, there was rarely any need for it in the military. However, he understood what money represented for the average person, particularly those with ill family members.

It signified life itself.

Without money, Yuan Yu wouldn’t be able to continue her studies, and Yuan Yong’s mother couldn’t afford hospital treatment for her illness. She was left to gradually waste away at home.

He had made a vow to take good care of Yuan Yong’s mother and sister, but without funds, how could he possibly uphold this promise?

Now that he had finally secured a job with a top-tier salary for Jinghai City, Lin Xiao let out a sigh of relief.

Checking his watch, he realized it was still early. Remembering his promise to bring Yuan Yong’s mother to the hospital, Lin Xiao made his way once again to Maple Leaf Street.

Before long, he arrived at Yuan Yong’s residence and knocked on the door.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Yuan Yu’s exquisite face. Her eyes flickered with unexpected joy, and she quickly greeted him, “Big Brother Lin, you’re here.”

“Mm-hmm,” Lin Xiao nodded. Once inside, he promptly said, “Is your mother awake yet? Gather her clothes and toiletries, we’re taking her to the hospital.”

“Mother’s awake. She’s just lying in her room right now.”

Possibly catching wind of the conversation in the hall, a feeble voice emanated from the room, “Little Yu, is it little Yong’s comrade you mentioned yesterday?”

“Yes, mother. It’s brother Yong’s friend,” Yuan Yu confirmed.

“Ah? Little Yong’s comrade? Please come in.” The voice was tinged with evident delight.

As Lin Xiao was about to enter, Yuan Yu gently tugged on his arm. He turned back, somewhat perplexed, to find himself gazing into Yuan Yu’s clear, starry eyes.

Yuan Yu’s cheeks flushed a soft red. She quickly averted her eyes, whispering, “Brother Lin, I haven’t told mother about brother Yong’s sacrifice. Her health is poor, I fear she won’t be able to handle the shock. Could you please keep it a secret?”

A profound heaviness welled up in Lin Xiao’s heart. He nodded in somber agreement and proceeded into the room.

The pungent aroma of traditional Chinese medicine assailed his senses. A frail, pale, middle-aged woman, perhaps in her forties, was lying on the bed. Catching sight of Lin Xiao, she eagerly asked, “Is little Yong doing well in the military?”

Lin Xiao’s hands tightened, but a smile graced his face.

“Auntie, you have nothing to worry about. brother Yong is doing well in the army. He’s currently on a mission, and he asked me to check in on you.”

“That’s good to hear… cough… cough… cough…”

Relief washed over the woman’s face, but before she could continue, a violent bout of coughing silenced her.

Yuan Yu swiftly came to her help, patting her mother’s back gently. “Mother, please, try not to get too worked up.”

“Auntie, are you okay?” Lin Xiao asked, his worry apparent.

“I’m fine, just an old ailment,” Yuan Yong’s mother said, trying to brush off his concern.

Yet, her dismissiveness touched a nerve in Lin Xiao.

“Auntie,” he said, “Brother Yong entrusted me with your care. We can’t neglect your health any longer. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No need for that. The hospital fees are too much. It’s comfortable enough at home.” The mother shook her head.

“Auntie, please don’t worry. The military is covering the medical expenses. Your job is to get better. I believe brother Yong would want to see his mother healthy and vibrant upon his return.”

Lin Xiao’s comforting words and meaningful glance toward Yuan Yu prompted her to chime in as well. “Indeed, mother. Brother Yong wants you to be in good health when he returns. You don’t have to worry about the hospital fees. He’s already sent quite a sum.”

“Alright… then,” Yuan Yong’s mother conceded, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she nodded in agreement.

Once they managed to convince her, Yuan Yu packed a few changes of clothes and daily necessities. Together with Lin Xiao, they escorted her to the hospital.

Lin Xiao had chosen the Jinghai First Hospital. It was the best medical facility in the city, known for its leading experts and state-of-the-art facilities.

Upon admitting Yuan Yong’s mother, the hospital ran a comprehensive check-up. It was then that Lin Xiao finally discovered the nature of her illness: liver cirrhosis.

“Thank heavens you brought her in when you did,” the doctor said. “Any further delay and she might have developed liver cancer. No one can help at that point.”

The doctor’s words brought a wave of relief to Lin Xiao and Yuan Yu.

Lin Xiao secured a top-tier ward for Yong’s mother, ensuring round-the-clock professional care. All in all, the expenses came to over a hundred thousand. The bank card that held a balance of 150,000 in the morning was now dwindling down to a mere ten or twenty thousand.

Despite the dwindling funds, a smile played on Lin Xiao’s lips. He believed that every penny was well spent.