As Shen Qiang marvelled at the county hospital's formality and competence, the Village Chief urgently asked, "Did you find connections? What did they say?"

Zhuzi's second uncle, anxiously stamping his foot, slapped himself in frustration, saying, "This is my fault, I was too hasty, otherwise this wouldn't have happened."

The Village Chief glared and said, "Did I ask you to find connections or to make excuses?"

"I contacted the director," Zhuzi's second uncle replied. "The director called over Zhuzi's doctor and explained in person, using a lot of technical terms, that Zhuzi's infection is severe, and anthrax meningitis has already developed. If we don't amputate, the infection may cause sepsis and kidney failure, and it will be certain death."

"Then the director said we must quickly decide whether to transfer him to the Provincial City or treat him here. If treated here, an immediate amputation is necessary to save his life. If transferred, the journey is long, and the risks are higher."

At this point, Zhuzi's aunt hung up the phone and said, "I called our elder uncle at home, spoke to the experts at the military hospital, and after reviewing the tests we sent over, they recommended an immediate amputation. They said they would do the same even if he was there, so we shouldn't waste time."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xiu Lian wailed, "I only have one son, if he becomes disabled, how will we live? Oh, I can't go on, oh heavens..."

Shen Qiang coughed once, but Aunt Xiu Lian ignored him.

Zhuzi's wife held her as she cried, "Auntie, don't cry. Even if Zhuzi loses his hand, I'll stay by him. Don't cry."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xiu Lian cried even harder.

At this moment, a young doctor from the hospital walked over and said, "Who is Zhang Tianzhu's family member? Our operating room is ready, so if the surgery is to proceed, please fill this out."

Looking at the agreement the young doctor handed over.

Everyone present sighed helplessly.

"Xiu Lian, don't cry anymore; it's no use to cry. Wipe your tears, sign it, and proceed with the surgery. Even with one less hand, Zhuzi will still be upright and strong."

"Yes, having one less hand is better than losing a life."

"Right, as long as there's life, there's hope. Crying doesn't solve anything, so sign it. We've considered all options, and the military hospital experts also recommend this. Any further hesitation won't help."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xiu Lian cried even harder.

"If my son is left with only one hand, how will he work? He won't be able to support his family, and even if his wife stays, will they live on nothing? My life is so bitter..."

Seeing Aunt Xiu Lian banging the floor while crying, secretly glancing at Zhuzi's wife, everyone knew that Aunt Xiu Lian was looking for a promise from her. Shen Qiang coughed again.

But still, Aunt Xiu Lian didn't pay attention.

But the Village Chief noticed that Shen Qiang wanted to say something.

He frowned and said, "Xiu Lian, wait a moment, Shen Qiang is here. He is a doctor from the big hospital in the province and a graduate student from the Medical University. Listen to him before continuing to cry."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes focused on Shen Qiang. The adjacent doctor, upon hearing this, sized him up briefly and then walked away with a sneer.

"If it doesn't work out, just comfort her a bit, maybe say something about finding work for Zhuzi in the future. Don't say anything else; she values her pride a lot, so watch your tone," the Village Chief whispered in Shen Qiang's ear.

Shen Qiang smiled.

Squatting in front of Aunt Xiu Lian, he looked into her bewildered eyes and said, "Transfer Zhuzi to another hospital, I'll ensure his hand is saved."

In an instant, everyone was stunned.

Zhuzi's aunt got anxious, "Shen Qiang, don't let earning some money outside make you think you know better. The expert I called from the military hospital said even they couldn't save it, and you can? What if it's delayed and Zhuzi dies?"

Upon hearing Zhuzi's aunt's words.

Shen Qiang smiled, "If Zhuzi is harmed, I'll be your son, I'll support you. That's not the issue. The main point is whether Aunt Xiu Lian trusts me. If you believe in me, transfer Zhuzi now, and I'll save his hand. If not, sign and proceed with the surgery. I've said what I need to say. I can't force you with a knife to transfer him today or claim only I can treat him, because you might not believe it, and may even think it a joke."

Upon hearing this, Zhuzi's second uncle protested, "Shen Qiang, don't be reckless. My brother's family only has this one son; this is about life and death, it's not a joke."

Zhuzi's aunt also said, "Xiu Lian, you can't listen to Shen Qiang. He's young and inexperienced; believing in him is setting yourself and Zhuzi up for failure. Zhuzi is part of our Zhang Family. Even if he becomes disabled, we'll take care of him, so go ahead with the surgery. If you don't want to sign it, I'll sign it myself. If Zhuzi blames someone in the future, let it be me; I'll be the bad guy."

Hearing this, Zhuzi's wife was completely bewildered, her eyes lost and unsure of what to do.

At this moment, the Village Chief was also a bit angry, saying, "Shen Qiang, what are you doing? Taking on anything that comes your way? Just let it be. Go home and eat dinner! Can you bear the responsibility if something goes wrong?"

Shen Qiang, helpless, prepared to stand up.

Just then, the tear-blurred Aunt Xiu Lian suddenly grabbed Shen Qiang, "You aren't lying to me, are you?"

"Remember the year I took Zhuzi to steal persimmons in Hexi? I said I'd never tell, even when my dad beat me so badly. You know this. Have I ever lied to you?" Shen Qiang raised an eyebrow.

Hearing this, while everyone was surprised.

Aunt Xiu Lian froze for about five seconds, then, to everyone's astonishment, she said, "Xiao Mei, go find a doctor right now to transfer Zhuzi!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuzi's aunt got anxious, "Xiu Lian, do you believe everything Shen Qiang says? If the experts can't handle it, how can he? Does that make him better than the experts?"

"Sister-in-law, be prudent. Don't act rashly. My brother is rushing back anxiously to see Zhuzi; don't make it worse by causing him immense grief. Let Zhuzi have the surgery and stay safe; that's better than anything!" Zhuzi's second uncle said, "I'll cover the surgery costs."

After everyone said this, the Village Chief glared fiercely at Shen Qiang, gritting his teeth in anger, "I thought you had matured, wouldn't mess things up again. I especially called you in, yet you're so bold. Get out, go home immediately, stop causing trouble here. Believe it or not, I'll give you a good beating."

Shen Qiang smiled without saying a word.

At that moment, Aunt Xiu Lian wiped her tears and suddenly stood up, "Stop bickering with Shen Qiang; our families are neighbors. I've watched him grow up. Although he sometimes bullied Zhuzi and always lied, I believe he wouldn't lie to me in this situation. Sister-in-law, Second Uncle, Zhuzi is my son, and transferring him is my decision. If something goes wrong, it's my blindness, not your responsibility."

With this said, Aunt Xiu Lian didn't listen to the others and took Xiao Mei to leave.

"Doctor, we're transferring Zhang Tianzhu, right now."

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