Chapter 10: Widow Ji’s Decision

The Ji family did not understand words like test subject or medical research team. They looked at Qin Zhan.

Qin Zhan did understand, though. “Could Professor Yang explain in more detail? The family needs to fully understand before they can make a decision.”

“Of course.” Professor Yang explained his plan, “We will form a research team using the patient as a test subject. I will assign someone to watch over her 24 hours a day. Everything related to her will be handled by our research team. Of course, we don’t know whether she is responsive to the outside world, so we will carry out some actions to test whether she has any reactions.

But don’t worry. We will not do anything that harms the patient. These tests will be carried out on the basis of her safety. However, regarding the patient’s reactions to the outside world, considering that she is a new mother, her child should be the strongest stimulus. If the child could come and interact with her from time to time after she becomes a test subject, that would be even better.

At the same time, once she becomes a test subject, all her medical expenses will be covered by us…”

Professor Yang detailed his plan. “Of course, this plan won’t start right away. It will take a few more days. I need to continue observing her condition.”

The Ji family could not fully understand some of what Professor Yang said—it was too technical for them. But they clearly understood that if Ning Xin became a test subject, Professor Yang would cover all her medical expenses.

Second Brother Ji and Zhang Caihua had no right to make the decision or speak. They looked toward Widow Ji. Widow Ji also did not understand it clearly, but she did not make a decision immediately. “I need to think it over.”

Professor Yang said, “That’s reasonable. I still need to observe the patient for a few days. You can take your time to think. Just give me your answer before I leave.”

After Professor Yang finished speaking, he left with Doctor Zheng.

As soon as they left, Widow Ji quickly asked Qin Zhan, “Comrade Qin, I didn’t quite understand what that old doctor meant. Can you explain it again? Also, this research thing, and being a test subject, do you think it’s okay?”

Qin Zhan said, “Auntie, what Professor Yang means is…”

He rephrased Professor Yang’s words in plain language. “This matter is actually beneficial for your family.

First, if Comrade Ning becomes a test subject, the research team will cover all her medical expenses. Even if she only gets IV drips every day, if this goes on for months or even years, that won’t be a small amount.”

Widow Ji nodded at that. Indeed, IV drips were expensive. If this went on for a long time, the 2,000 yuan in her hands might not last. If the money was spent but her eldest daughter-in-law was not saved, and they still had to continue paying for IV drips, that was something she could not afford and had no ability to handle.

Would they just watch her die because they could no longer afford the IV drips?

So, when Professor Yang said the research team would cover medical costs, she was genuinely moved.

Qin Zhan continued, “Second, as a test subject, Professor Yang will arrange someone to observe her 24 hours a day. That’s something you can’t manage.”

Widow Ji nodded again. She could not always care for her eldest daughter-in-law—she still had to go to work. But leaving her eldest daughter-in-law alone in the hospital wasn’t a solution. Not only would there be the cost of the hospital stay, what if her daughter-in-law needed to pee? They couldn’t leave her lying there in wet clothes all day.

Even the hospital wouldn’t allow a patient bed to constantly smell like urine.

“But I heard that old doctor say if my eldest daughter-in-law becomes a test subject, my grandson would have to come visit her every now and then. But… but we can’t possibly travel from our hometown to the city every few days, can we?” Widow Ji pointed out the biggest problem.

Qin Zhan said, “That is indeed a problem. But as Professor Yang mentioned, if Comrade Ning has any awareness of the outside world, her child would be the best medicine to awaken her. Even if she is not currently conscious, who can say when she might become conscious? But the location of the research team and the child’s living arrangements would also need to be resolved. How about this—you think over this matter first. If you agree to let Comrade Ning become a test subject, then we’ll talk with Professor Yang about the issue of the child.”

Widow Ji nodded. “Okay. I’ll discuss it with my second son and his wife.”

In truth, there was no need to discuss. From Qin Zhan’s explanation, Widow Ji understood clearly that this was good for her family. Medical costs would be saved, her eldest daughter-in-law’s care would be handled, and there would be doctors watching her 24 hours a day. If anything happened, they could respond quickly.

The only issue was her grandson. But for the sake of her eldest daughter-in-law, the child could not be separated from her. Yet she also wasn’t comfortable handing the child to someone else. So what should she do?

After Qin Zhan left, Widow Ji asked Second Brother Ji and Zhang Caihua, “Second Brother, second daughter-in-law, what do you think about making your sister-in-law a test subject?”

Second Brother Ji did not hesitate. “We’ll do what mom says.”

Zhang Caihua also gave no opinion. “We’ll follow mom’s decision.” That went without saying—they were in favor. Zhang Caihua appreciated the kindness of her sister-in-law. During her pregnancy and postpartum period, her sister-in-law had helped her a lot. So she was also willing to help raise her nephew.

But spending money continuously for her sister-in-law’s IV drips and treatment? She couldn’t manage that. Very realistically, she had no money. If all the family’s savings went to treat her sister-in-law, what about the children?

Yet to outright say they wouldn’t pay for her treatment—that was like saying she should just die. She couldn’t say something like that.

Now there was a solution that satisfied both sides. Becoming a test subject wouldn’t harm her sister-in-law. Wasn’t that great?

Widow Ji also knew asking them was pointless. “Then what about Xiao Dong? I won’t feel at ease if I leave him behind.”

Zhang Caihua said, “Mom, then talk to them. If eldest sister-in-law becomes a test subject, you take Xiao Dong and stay with her.”

Second Brother Ji’s eyes lit up. He thought his wife’s idea was reasonable. “Mom, I also think that’s a good idea. Don’t worry about things at home. We’ll work hard.”

“That won’t do.” Widow Ji rejected it outright. Living alone in an unfamiliar place where she didn’t even recognize a single word, having to spend money on meals every day—she couldn’t bear it. “If I bring Xiao Dong, just the two of us eating every day would cost how much? Our family doesn’t have a gold mountain or silver sea. The test subject stuff is probably done at the hospital, which means staying in the city. Food and lodging all cost money. A few days or a month is fine. But who knows when your sister-in-law will wake up? We can’t afford that. I also wouldn’t be used to it.”

She didn’t plan to tell anyone about the death benefit from her eldest son. She also had no intention of using it.

That money was her eldest son’s life in exchange. No one else had the right to spend it. Not even his siblings or nieces and nephews.

Only she, as his mom, his wife, and his child could use it.

Second Brother Ji and Zhang Caihua agreed after hearing this.

“Then what should we do?” Second Brother Ji asked.

Widow Ji glared at her son. “I’m asking you to think of a solution, not asking what we should do.” She didn’t know why, but even though she was smart, none of her children had inherited her intelligence—except for the eldest. Probably because they took after their short-lived father.

Second Brother Ji scratched his head and gave a silly smile. But even after his smile turned awkward, he couldn’t come up with an idea.

Zhang Caihua also tried to think seriously. But she had never thought about such complicated matters before. Her mind had rusted from lack of use. At the moment, she couldn’t come up with a good solution either.

So, the two of them could only look at Widow Ji helplessly.

Widow Ji no longer counted on them. She was already used to being the decision-maker in the Ji family. “When Comrade Qin comes tomorrow, I’ll ask him again.”

She had no other choice. She could only swallow her pride and ask Qin Zhan. Her family had little knowledge and no one she could really talk to.

The next day.

Qin Zhan was still on leave. Before Ning Xin’s matter was resolved, he came to the hospital every day to check on the situation. Today was no different. But he wasn’t alone today. Political instructor Chen Zhengming came with him.

If this were a normal time, Widow Ji would surely be nervous seeing a military leader. But in just this one week, she had experienced so many heart-stopping things. Now, even when facing military leaders, she no longer felt nervous.

However, she was still very grateful toward the military leaders. Her gratitude mainly came from Qin Zhan. Qin Zhan was also a military leader. She knew he had been doing his best to help them, mainly because of her son’s death. But no matter what, she felt Qin Zhan was a good person.

Because of this, her impression of military leaders was very good.

Chen Zhengming had always found it hard to believe when Qin Zhan told him about Ning Xin’s condition. But after seeing her today, he finally believed. This person really looked like she was simply asleep.

“Sister-in-law, if there’s anything you need help with, feel free to come to our organization.” Chen Zhengming sighed. Ji Aihua had died in the line of duty. His wife was like this, and he left behind a widow and an orphan. If they hadn’t known, that would be one thing. But now that they did, they would help however they could.

“Thank you, leader. Comrade Qin has already helped us a lot.” Widow Ji quickly spoke well of Qin Zhan in front of Chen Zhengming, wanting him to know how good Qin Zhan was.

But neither Chen Zhengming nor Qin Zhan understood Widow Ji’s personal intention.

Chen Zhengming nodded. “No problem. Qin Zhan is on leave now. If you need anything, just ask him for help.” That way, Qin Zhan would also feel better.

Qin Zhan echoed, “Mm.”

“Thank you all so much,” Widow Ji remembered their kindness.

Chen Zhengming said, “Then I’ll go first… Qin Zhan, are you coming with me?”

Widow Ji hurriedly said, “Comrade Qin, about what that old doctor said yesterday about the test subject, I’ve already thought it through. Can you take me to see that old doctor? I want to talk to him.”

Qin Zhan said, “No problem.” Then he turned to Chen Zhengming and said, “You go ahead.”

Chen Zhengming waved his hand, “Alright, then you go take care of it.”