Back to 2008: I Helped My Dad Become the Richest Man

Chapter 75 Anything that money can solve isn't a problem.

The corridor of the cardiology department at the First People's Hospital of the city was packed with people.

The air was filled with the sounds of various dialects and the smell of disinfectant, making it feel particularly noisy and oppressive.

Luo Xinde helped Grandpa Liu find an empty seat on a bench in the waiting area.

"Mr. Liu, please have a seat. I'll go register."

Luo Xinde, holding Liu Ye's identification, squeezed into the long queue at the registration window.

Luo Xiyuan went to the self-service machine next to her, bought two bottles of water, opened one, and handed it to Master Liu.

"Uncle Liu, have some water."

Grandpa Liu took the water and looked at the anxious patients and their families around him, his brows furrowing again.

"I told you I wouldn't come. With so many people, how long would it take to get a turn?"

"Since you're already here, just wait patiently." Luo Xiyuan's tone was very calm.

She looked around; the hospital facilities were old, and some of the paint on the walls was peeling off.

This was completely different from the city hospital she remembered it had been renovated a few years later.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, Luo Xinde finally squeezed out of the queue, sweating profusely, with a registration slip in his hand.

"I got an appointment with a specialist for 3 PM. There are still more than twenty people ahead of me."

He glanced at his watch; it was only 10 a.m.

This means they have to wait here for five hours.

"Dad, please take Grandpa Liu to find a place to sit first. I'll go ask around."

Luo Xiyuan took the registration slip and walked to the triage desk.

A young nurse, head down and busy organizing medical records, asked without looking up, "What is it?"

"Hello, we booked an appointment with a specialist this afternoon. The patient is elderly and has heart problems; we're worried he won't be able to wait too long. Is there any way to expedite the process?"

The nurse looked up, glanced at her, then at the registration slip in her hand, and a hint of impatience appeared on her face.

"Hurry up? How can I hurry? Everyone's in line. Who are you to try and cut in line?"

Her voice wasn't too loud or too soft, but several people in line around her cast strange glances at her.

Upon hearing this, Luo Xinde became furious and strode over.

"Hey! How can you talk like that, young lady? We're just asking what 'cutting in line' means."

"Ask? It doesn't matter who comes, I'll ask!" The nurse slammed down the patient's book. "If everyone acted like this, what would become of the hospital's order? Get in line!"

"You—" Luo Xinde's face turned bright red.

"Dad." Luo Xiyuan grabbed her father's arm, signaling him not to act impulsively.

She turned her head and looked at the nurse, her face expressionless.

"We're not trying to cut in line. I'm asking if the hospital offers other services, such as private rooms or special outpatient services? We're willing to pay for those."

The nurse paused for a moment, then looked Luo Xiyuan up and down.

A little girl in an ordinary school uniform had quite a big mouth.

"Special needs outpatient clinic? Yes, there is." She pursed her lips, pointing to the end of the corridor, "Over there in the inpatient ward, it's eight hundred a day, not including medical fees. Can you afford it?"

In her opinion, this father and daughter from the countryside were probably just putting on a show of wealth.

Luo Xinde was stung by her contemptuous gaze.

What he hated most in his life was being looked down upon.

He was about to lash out when Luo Xiyuan was faster than him.

"Eight hundred? Okay. Could you please open one for us?"

She took a wallet out of her small schoolbag.

The wallet was opened, revealing a neat stack of red 100-yuan bills.

She took out ten cards and slapped them on the triage table.

"Here's a thousand dollars. Is that enough for the deposit? If not, I'll add more."

The crisp sound instantly silenced the area around the triage station.

The young nurse's eyes were fixed on the stack of money on the table, her mouth slightly agape, momentarily forgetting what to say.

Those who had been watching the spectacle just moments before now all showed expressions of surprise.

A middle-aged woman who looked like a head nurse came out from the inner room and frowned when she saw this scene.

"Xiao Liu, what's going on?"

"Head Nurse, they—they want to open a special ward." The young nurse's voice suddenly weakened.

The head nurse glanced at Luo Xiyuan, then at the money on the table, and her attitude softened considerably.

"This family member, there are indeed special needs wards available, but beds are in high demand. I'd like to inquire for you."

"Thank you for your help." Luo Xiyuan nodded and took the money back. "We don't need hospitalization. We just need a place where the elderly can rest quietly and see a doctor as soon as possible."

The head nurse understood what she meant.

"Alright, I'll take you to see Director Zhang of our department. I'll explain your situation to him."

Led by the head nurse, Luo Xiyuan and Luo Xinde helped Grandpa Liu through the crowded corridor to the director's office.

Director Zhang was a man in his fifties who wore glasses and looked very refined.

After listening to the head nurse's introduction and glancing at Mr. Liu's expression, he nodded.

"The elderly man's condition is indeed not suitable for him to wait outside for a long time. Here's what I'll do: I'll arrange for him to have a detailed electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. You can go pay the fees first, and once the results are in, bring them directly to me."

He didn't mention money, but everyone understood that this was a special case being handled.

Luo Xinde thanked him repeatedly and helped Liu Ye to get a checkup.

Luo Xiyuan then went to pay the fee.

That young nurse was right there at the payment window.

Upon seeing Luo Xiyuan, her face flushed red and then turned pale, and her movements became somewhat stiff.

Luo Xiyuan didn't say anything, she just handed over the form.

By the time all the tests were completed and the results were presented to Director Zhang, it was already noon.

Director Zhang's brows furrowed as he looked at the ultrasound images.

He placed the film on the lightbox and pointed to one of the spots.

"The situation may be more complicated than you think."

He pulled Luo Xinde aside and lowered his voice.

"The elderly gentleman has two severely narrowed coronary arteries, with blockages exceeding 80%. This is a very dangerous sign and could trigger a large-scale myocardial infarction at any time."

Luo Xinde's mind went blank for a moment.

"Then—what should we do? Doctor, you have to save him!"

"Judging from the scans, medication alone is no longer very effective. The best approach is to have a coronary stent procedure," said Director Zhang.

"Surgery? Is it dangerous?"

"Any surgery carries risks. However, our hospital's interventional cardiology department has very advanced techniques." Director Zhang paused, then added, "But in the old gentleman's case, the blockage is in a difficult location. I suggest that, if conditions permit, you should go to Peking Union Medical College Hospital in the provincial capital and consult Professor Huang Canghai in the cardiology department. He is an authority in this field, and having him perform the surgery will significantly increase the success rate."

The provincial capital? Professor Huang?

Where could a farmer from the countryside find a professor from the provincial capital?

Luo Xiyuan stood quietly to the side, listening intently.

After the director finished speaking, she asked, "Director, is it difficult to get an appointment with Professor Huang?"

Director Zhang glanced at her and nodded.

"Professor Huang is a top expert in China. His surgeries are already booked up for six months in advance. Ordinary people simply cannot get an appointment with him."

Luo Xinde's heart sank completely.

Half a year? Wouldn't that kill Master Liu?

Just as he was about to plead, he saw his daughter take out her phone and dial a number.

"Hello, Manager Wang? This is Luo Xiyuan. There's something I'd like to ask you for a favor—"