The Audi raced through the traffic like a crazed eel, weaving in and out with great speed.
Though his colleague boasted about his driving skills, Mu Zi was still anxiously urging him to go faster. Finally, they reached the Municipal Hospital. With a sharp screech of brakes, the car stopped abruptly at the hospital's entrance. Without saying a word, Mu Zi jumped out and rushed towards the hospital.
Before he could enter, Mu Zi abruptly stopped. There, slumped on the steps at the entrance, sat a tall, thin teenager, drawing circles on the ground in a dispirited manner.
Mu Zi approached him, concerned. "Lao San, what's wrong? What happened?"
"It's nothing," Lao San mumbled without looking up.
"Nothing... How's Yezi? Did something happen to her...?" A bad feeling suddenly struck Mu Zi, prompting him to turn towards the hospital entrance.
But Lao San stopped him. "Yezi's been transferred."
Perplexed, Mu Zi turned back. "Transferred? She left? When did she leave?"
"An hour ago."
"Did her condition worsen?" Mu Zi's voice trembled with a terrible premonition as he turned back, ready to rush inside.
"Yes. The effects of chemotherapy are diminishing. Yezi... she urgently needs a bone marrow transplant," Lao San said, his head still down, letting Mu Zi grab his collar.
"Did they find a suitable donor?" Mu Zi shook his head, trying to force himself to stay calm.
"They did. The surgery is scheduled for four days from now. But the key issue is..." Lao San trailed off, shaking his head helplessly. His finger, drawing circles on the ground, pressed harder, having already worn to bleeding.
"Money?" Mu Zi let go of Lao San's collar, his voice devoid of hope.
"Yes." Lao San's voice was barely audible. Then he lifted his head, and Mu Zi was shocked to see tears streaming down Lao San's gaunt, dark face. "When Yezi left, her family had only managed to gather 400,000 yuan. Even with help... Anyway, they're still short of at least 100,000 yuan for the surgery."
100,000 yuan...
Mu Zi felt powerless.
"But, Mu Zi, I really can't do any more. I'm working three part-time jobs, selling hard labor, and barely making 2,000 yuan a month... Mu Zi, I can't bear to see Yezi like this, I don't want to see her... die!"
The tall, thin, passionate young man finally broke down in tears. His crying attracted the attention of many passersby, who cast curious glances their way.
Mu Zi felt confused, bombarded with thoughts. Yezi's lively and beautiful image, her captivating eyes, and lashes kept flashing in his mind.
He looked up at the sky, defiantly meeting the sun that was hanging precariously but still blazing red.
The setting sun quickly stung his eyes, and he closed them.
In the enveloping darkness, he found tranquility, allowing him to think clearly again.
Yezi, 100,000 yuan, the boss, the lady boss...
This sudden calm felt familiar, like when he decided to kill all his enemies by himself.
After a moment, Mu Zi opened his eyes.
He pulled Lao San to his feet. "Go back to school," he said calmly.
Lao San shook his head. "Do you think I can still study now?"
"Do you have any other way to get the money?" Mu Zi asked, staring into his eyes.
"No," Lao San admitted helplessly.
"Then go back to school. When Yezi recovers and returns to school, you'll be responsible for helping her catch up," Mu Zi patted his shoulder.
"You mean... you can get the money?" Lao San asked, doubtful.
"Yes." Mu Zi patted his shoulder again. "Go back to school. Wait for Yezi's good news."
With that, Mu Zi turned and walked towards the street opposite the hospital, quickly disappearing into the bustling crowd.
This idea was sudden; he needed some time to think it through.
Walking among the crowd, Mu Zi was undisturbed by the noise around him. His mind was at peace.
His hand reached into his jacket pocket, fingers gently touching the delicate glass bottle.
If this plan worked, it could solve all the problems at once.
For Yezi, the boss, and the lady boss.
These three people were important to him; he felt they were like his family.
Having lost his mother, he knew the pain of losing a loved one. So, he didn't want to lose any more family.
The sun finally disappeared below the horizon. The night of Wutong City arrived again. Shopkeepers turned on their lights and neon signs, making the city colorful.
Mu Zi remembered the lotus-shaped neon sign of Ningxiang Pavilion.
He entered a nearby public phone booth and called his colleagues at Ningxiang Pavilion, telling them he wouldn't be working tonight.
Now, he had something far more important to do than work. He thought.