Chapter 18: Though Gentle by Nature, a Woman Becomes Strong for Her Child! (Please Continue Reading!)

"Buddy, could I get your contact info?"

"If you ever need to vent again, just look me up. I'm available anytime..."

Before Jiang Tao could finish his sentence, Wang Fei had already turned and strode away.

"..."

Seeing this, Jiang Tao didn't press the matter. The transaction of fists for cash was complete, and it was time for him to bow out. Although he enjoyed an occasional drink, he wasn't really accustomed to the atmosphere of bars.

It was exactly 1:00 AM when he walked out of Shan Yu Cocktail Bar. In other words, from the moment Jiang Tao received the intel at midnight, it had taken him exactly one hour to earn a whopping 80,000 yuan!

He hailed a cab at the entrance and headed straight home. Back at his rental in Xiao Sha He, Jiang Tao pulled out his phone to check his balance on Alipay.

80,145.66!

The 145.66 was his original balance, and the 80,000 was what he had just earned.

"If only I could land a gig like this every day!"

"Forget every day, even once a month would be fine! An 80,000-yuan monthly salary is pretty great!"

"Money from rich kids is certainly easy to come by!"

Looking at the numbers on his screen, Jiang Tao rubbed the spot where Wang Fei had punched him earlier, a grin stretching across his face from ear to ear.

"Sleep, time for sleep! I'll find some time tomorrow morning to pay off my debts, and then I won't have to worry about that anymore."

The mere thought of clearing the mountain of debt hanging over him made Jiang Tao feel as if he could finally breathe easy. He slept soundly that night, not waking until past 7:00 AM.

After washing his face and getting dressed, he headed downstairs straight to the mutton soup shop in the urban village. Having already earned 80,000 yuan before even starting his day job, he figured he deserved a bowl of mutton soup to reward his hard work.

He finished a large bowl of creamy white mutton soup along with half a flatbread, feeling full and warm. Once he settled the bill, he headed out toward the edge of the village. Even though he had already made a small fortune, who would complain about earning more? He didn't intend to give up his day job until he had saved enough.

By noon, he had completed three jobs and earned 258 yuan. During his lunch break, he found his various creditors on WeChat and transferred the funds to them. With that, Jiang Tao had finally cleared his debts; he felt as light as a feather. He enjoyed that feeling of freedom for the rest of the afternoon.

Around 4:00 PM, his phone rang. He pulled it out to see "Brother Wang" on the display. He had seen Wang Lianming that morning, but hadn't spotted him all afternoon.

Jiang Tao didn't overthink it and swiped to answer.

"Hey, Brother Wang, what’s up?"

"What? Your wife, she..."

Hearing Wang Lianming confirm on the other end that He Fang had indeed been diagnosed with cervical cancer during her check-up today, Jiang Tao felt a heavy weight in his chest, despite already knowing the information. Hearing it directly from Wang Lianming made it feel all the more oppressive.

"Don't thank me, what's there to thank? Which hospital are you at? I'm just about to clock off, I'll come by to visit this evening."

"Right, right, right. Is there anything you need me to bring?"

"Okay, got it. That's all for now, take good care of her. Talk later."

After a brief exchange, Jiang Tao hung up. Wang Lianming had thanked him a dozen times over the phone, grateful for his well-intentioned warning yesterday. Had it not been for Jiang Tao, He Fang wouldn't have gone for a check-up and wouldn't have discovered the cancer early. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor with no obvious symptoms in the early stages; by the time symptoms appear, it is often already in the middle or late stages.

Wang Lianming’s voice had been trembling, showing just how shaken he was. At that moment, Jiang Tao realized that even though the tip about He Fang hadn't earned him a cent, it was far more valuable than any amount of money.

After driving back to Xiao Sha He, Jiang Tao went straight to the Pang Dong Dong Supermarket.

"Master Jiang, want to try your luck with another bottle of Qing Hua Lang today?" Yu Dongdong teased with a chuckle as Jiang Tao walked in.

"Not today. That was pure luck. Nobody stays lucky forever," Jiang Tao replied with a smile, walking deeper into the store.

He picked up several new stainless steel basins, new towels, a washbasin, a thermos, and toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes. It was a big shopping trip that cost over 300 yuan, resulting in two bags filled to the brim. Once he paid, he didn't even stop for dinner, instead calling a ride-hailing car straight to Jishuitan Hospital.

On the way, he sent a WeChat message to Xu Li, telling her he had plans and would be home late.

Upon reaching the hospital, Jiang Tao carried his bags of supplies to the elevator and headed to the oncology ward on the seventh floor. He quickly found room 718, where He Fang was staying.

"Jiang Tao! My good brother!"

"Brother, brother... I really don't know how to thank you! Brother..."

Wang Lianming choked up, giving Jiang Tao a bear hug as soon as he entered, tears streaming down his face. A man of nearly forty, a big guy, was crying like a child.

"Brother Wang, we’re brothers. Don't say such formal things."

"The priority now is getting your wife treated. Everything else is secondary."

Jiang Tao looked toward He Fang, who was half-sitting in the hospital bed, already in her gown. In just one day, her appearance had changed drastically. Yesterday, she had been like a vibrant flower; today, she looked withered.

"Jiang Tao, you're here. Sorry to trouble you so much. Thank you."

He Fang’s voice wasn't as crisp as it had been yesterday; it sounded weak and breathless. Illness strikes like a landslide, especially something like cancer.

Jiang Tao said sincerely, "Sister-in-law, don't be so formal with me. We're all out here on our own; it's only right we look out for each other. If you need anything at all, just call me. I'll be here whenever you need me."

"Thank you, Jiang Tao, thank you. If we hadn't listened to you, otherwise..."

"Our kids, Congcong and Nannan, are still so young. I really can't bear to leave them."

At the mention of her children, tears welled up in He Fang’s eyes again. When the doctor told her she might have cancer, her first thought was of her children. If she died, what would become of them? It was a sentiment that only parents could truly understand. Women may be seen as the weaker sex, but they are strong as mothers; men may be seen as the strong sex, but they become soft as fathers.

Jiang Tao comforted her, "Don't let your mind wander, Sister-in-law. Didn't the doctor say it's ultra-early stage? As long as you follow the treatment, you can fully recover."

Wang Lianming stepped forward to hold He Fang’s hand, encouraging her, "Honey, don't think like that. You will recover! You definitely will!"

Jiang Tao stayed at the hospital until visiting hours ended at 6:00 PM before leaving. During his visit, he pulled Wang Lianming into the hallway to ask about medical expenses. He offered to lend him money if they were short. Having just paid off his debts with the 80,000 yuan earlier that day, and considering his recent gains—selling the watch, the liquor, and finding nearly 30,000 yuan in "secret stash" money in his sofa—his own finances were much more relaxed.

Wang Lianming declined, saying they didn't need it. He and He Fang had saved 500,000 to 600,000 yuan over the years, intending to buy a house in their home county in full next year. Now that He Fang was ill, that money would naturally go toward her treatment. Money, he said, could always be earned again.