Chapter 11: Still Paralyzed

Inside Doctor Zheng’s office, Doctor Zheng, Professor Yang, Widow Ji, and Qin Zhan were all seated, discussing the matter of using Ning Xin as the test subject.

Professor Yang looked like a very kind person. His facial features practically spelled out “a doctor’s benevolence.” He smiled and said, “Family member, if you have any doubts or difficulties regarding this matter, you can tell me.”

Professor Yang was devoted to medical research, which was also something the country currently needed very much. Not only was this an era of scarce medical resources, but compared to foreign medical techniques, the country was still lagging behind. Professor Yang had returned to the country after studying abroad, which had been a difficult journey because he had a patriotic heart.

Now, with Ning Xin being such a good example, and also a case he had never encountered before, he naturally did not want to miss it.

Qin Zhan said, “Auntie, the questions you asked me earlier can all be brought up with Professor Yang.”

Before coming to see Professor Yang, Widow Ji had already discussed this matter with Qin Zhan, so he knew what her concerns were.

Widow Ji didn’t hesitate and asked directly, “Old doctor, I agree to let my eldest daughter-in-law be your… your test subject. You said you would cover her medical expenses, send someone to take care of her twenty-four hours a day, and won’t harm her. Does all that still count?”

Professor Yang chuckled, “Of course it counts. You can rest assured. I can personally promise you that.”

Hearing Professor Yang confirm it again, Widow Ji let out a sigh of relief. “But our family is from a very remote countryside. If my grandson has to visit his mom now and then, the trip would be difficult. But if my grandson visiting her is good for her waking up, I don’t know what to do.”

Professor Yang said, “I didn’t make it clear. We can arrange housing near the lab for your grandson. Considering the child is still young, you can take care of him together. Would you agree to that arrangement? If family members can accompany, that would be best. After all, since the test subject could have emergencies at any time, even when we need to perform emergency rescue, it’s best to have the family’s consent form.”

Professor Yang was a man fully devoted to medicine. He didn’t think through such trivial matters thoroughly. But as long as the family raised a question, he would solve it.

When Widow Ji had discussed it with Second Brother Ji and his wife yesterday, she had said she didn’t want to be away from home for a long time. In fact, that was indeed the case.

But if it was for her eldest daughter-in-law and grandson, with no better choice, she could only do it. But the problem was, “Old doctor, how much is the rent where you are every month? Also, our harvest in the countryside hasn’t been good. All the grains are turned in. At home, we’re eating wild vegetable soup every day. If we live where you are and don’t have food coupons, how will we eat?” She thickened her face and brought it up.

Professor Yang was stunned. People with their status ate food provided by the state, so they weren’t really aware of the food shortage outside. Hearing Widow Ji mention this, he realized he hadn’t explained clearly and quickly said, “We’ll provide meals and give you a fixed amount of grain every month—rice, flour, and coarse grain—adding up to twenty-five jin in total.”

Widow Ji’s heart stirred. She had asked just to try her luck and didn’t expect this old doctor would really help. In this time and age, what did people in the countryside eat every month? Getting twenty-five jin of rice, flour, and coarse grain every month from them was equivalent to the welfare of urban residents.

With grain, even without breast milk or formula, she could cook rice porridge to raise her grandson.

Once she heard this assurance, Widow Ji didn’t have any other demands. “Alright then, I agree to this test subject thing. But I have to go back home first to arrange things and get a letter of introduction from the brigade.”

Professor Yang was very pleased, “Of course. But we need to sign an agreement first, indicating that you’re willing to accept the test subject plan. After that, you can go back home. In a few days, you just need to go directly to the capital. I’ll give you the capital’s address.”

When Widow Ji heard about signing an agreement, she looked at Qin Zhan, “Comrade Qin, I can’t read. I don’t know what an agreement is. You see…”

Qin Zhan said, “An agreement is a written consent saying you agree to let Comrade Ning be a test subject. Right now, Auntie, you’ve agreed, but it’s just a verbal agreement. If there’s a written consent, that’s evidence.”

Professor Yang said, “Yes. We can’t just use someone for testing without the family’s consent.”

“It’s like writing an IOU when borrowing money. That way, it’s clear,” Widow Ji expressed her understanding.

Afterward, the few of them discussed more related matters before wrapping up.

In the afternoon, Professor Yang finished writing the agreement and asked Qin Zhan to serve as a witness. After he and Widow Ji both signed it, the agreement took effect.

However, Professor Yang still needed to observe Ning Xin’s condition for a couple more days before transferring her to the capital. Widow Ji, on the other hand, returned to her hometown the next day with the baby and the Ji family to handle related procedures. Qin Zhan went with them.

Once the necessary procedures were completed in the countryside, Qin Zhan could take them straight from the hometown to the capital.

A few days later, the group returned, and Qin Zhan stayed at the guest house in town waiting for Widow Ji.

After a few days away in a hurry, returning to the countryside again, both Widow Ji and Second Brother Ji’s couple had some changes in their mindset. Although they still liked their hometown and didn’t feel as restricted as outside, they also understood that getting out was different.

They didn’t want to leave, but they hoped their children could leave and see the world and understand things others didn’t.

Take this event for example—test subjects, medical research—if they hadn’t experienced it, how would they have known such things existed?

At the guest house, Qin Zhan originally thought he would have to wait several days for Widow Ji. But unexpectedly, the next afternoon, Second Brother Ji came to find him.

As soon as he saw him, Second Brother Ji, with red eyes, said, “Comrade Qin, my mom… my mom is at the commune’s hospital. I’d like to ask you to come with me.”

When he heard Widow Ji was at the hospital, Qin Zhan instinctively asked, “Is the baby sick?”

“No, it’s my mom… my mom had a stroke.” Second Brother Ji was angry as he explained, “At noon today, my third sister-in-law brought up splitting the family and the compensation money for my big brother. Then she made my mom so mad she fainted. We called the barefoot doctor from the brigade, and the doctor gave some medicine. At first, we thought it was nothing. But when my mom woke up, she found she couldn’t move her legs. She was paralyzed. Just now, we sent her to the commune hospital. The doctor said it was a stroke.”

Qin Zhan never expected such a thing to happen.

For a moment, his heart felt particularly complicated.