The NO.1 Food Stall in the Wasteland novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Keeping This Family Around Just Makes Me Sick

Liu Qiang’s face flushed. "Your brother—your brother was just joking with you. He doesn’t mean what he says, how could you take it seriously!"

Shen Lu shrugged and held up her hands. "I didn’t take it seriously. That’s why I never paid him any mind."

Liu Qiang was at a loss for words. The doctor, however, had no patience to listen to them squabble.

"The surgery needs to be done as soon as possible. It’ll be around 2,000 Star Coins. You should go pay the fee."

"2,000 Star Coins? Where are we going to get that kind of money?" Liu Qiang was in a panic, looking to Shen Lu again. "Little Deer, you have to think of something."

Shen Lu looked at Liu Qiang, then at Yang Jing. "Dad, Mom, you’re not thinking clearly right now. Why don’t you step outside for a moment? I’ll talk to the doctor alone."

"Talk to him alone? You’re just a kid. You think you can handle that?"

Shen Lu: ...

’What is this crap? They tell me to figure something out, but then they don’t trust my ability to do it. I really just want to wash my hands of this whole thing.’

Perhaps sensing Shen Lu’s displeasure, Yang Jing tugged on her husband’s arm, whispered something, and the two of them left the doctor’s office.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" The doctor took a sip of water. "But let me be blunt: even if you get on your knees and beg, I can’t possibly waive the fees."

"I’m not in the habit of kneeling before people. I just wanted to discuss Liu Yaozu’s treatment options with you." Shen Lu chose her words carefully. "In his current condition, will his life be in danger if he doesn’t have the surgery?"

"No, but the bone in his arm is dislocated. If it isn’t set properly, the long-term complications will be quite severe. The bone in his calf, on the other hand, is easy to treat. We just need to immobilize it, and with some medication, it’ll heal in time."

"Then let’s skip the surgery. My family isn’t well-off. The money for his last surgery was borrowed from relatives. If there are long-term complications, so be it. We’re just lower-class citizens; being alive is good enough."

"Are you sure? Perhaps you should call your parents back in to discuss it." The doctor pushed up his glasses. ’That couple would never give up on their son so easily. This young lady, on the other hand, is quite ruthless.’

"I’ll talk to them."

The doctor said, "In any case, I still recommend the surgery. Just come to a final decision and let me know. Hmm, is ten minutes enough?"

"It is."

Outside, Yang Jing and Liu Qiang were waiting anxiously. Seeing Shen Lu emerge, they rushed to meet her.

"How did it go? What did the doctor say?"

"Is there any money left at home?" Shen Lu didn’t answer Liu Qiang’s question, asking one of her own instead.

"There’s no money. Not a single cent left." Liu Qiang shook his head. With Liu Yaozu spoiling his girlfriend and indulging his gambling habit, how could the family possibly save any money?

"Then there’s nothing to be done. The hospital isn’t a charity; they won’t provide treatment for free. Besides, I already asked the doctor. In his current condition, he won’t die without the surgery. He’ll just have some minor long-term complications that won’t affect his daily life."

"What if we try asking Xiao Lan again?" Liu Qiang suggested.

"We could, but Shen Lan has already blocked me. The only way to find her is to go to the Shen Family residence. How about I lend you my access pass, and you go look for her in the Upper City District?"

"Huh? Me?" Liu Qiang waved his hands frantically. "I’ve never been to the Upper City District. I’d get lost."

Yang Jing was even more timid. She rarely strayed from her own neighborhood and had never even been to the district checkpoint.

"Why can’t you go? You lived with the Shen Family for so many years; you must have some sort of connection with them. Maybe if you go, they’ll even help you pay off your debts. It’d kill two birds with one stone."

Shen Lu shot him a sidelong glance. "Did your ’kind informant’ not tell you that I had a falling out with the Shen Family?"

"A falling out? What did you do?"

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