"This..."
Zhang Li suddenly brought up the topic, confirming that what Uncle Zhang had said earlier was no joke. Wang Jian had been a doctor for some time now. In his entire life, not just his career, he had never encountered such a situation, let alone had it happen right in front of him.
But this family was clearly different. They had already come to terms with it and even seemed mentally prepared.
"Honey, why don't you go start dinner? Wang Jian and I will eat in a bit."
Zhang Li didn't wait for a reaction. He just patted Wang Jian on the shoulder—whether to comfort him or to reassure him, Wang Jian couldn't tell—and continued speaking. "A couple of years ago, I had that accident at the workshop. I managed to keep my life, but I nearly had to have an amputation. And even though I survived... some things got messed up."
Zhang Li pointed downwards.
"This thing... it's withered. Completely useless. It doesn't matter what doctor we see; none of them can do anything."
"When I married Liping, the plan was to make money. But then this whole thing happened... In the end, I didn't make much, and now I can't even have children. My family line ends with me."
Zhang Li lit a cigarette, his expression filled with gloom as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"To be honest, we tried to solve it at first. We were going to an infertility clinic to see what could be done, but some bastard must have seen us at the hospital and spread it around. Now people in the village are saying we can't have a child. They're cursing both me and Liping, spreading all kinds of gossip... It feels like everyone has their own version of the story to tell. Not even our relatives know what happened to me, only my dad, Liping, and I. But if this keeps up, they're going to find out eventually..."
"We haven't dared to go back to the hospital since. Gossip is a terrifying thing... you know?"
"A while back, someone called me a 'damned eunuch.' My dad got so angry he almost passed out; his blood pressure shot right up. Arguing with them didn't solve a thing, and he nearly ended up in the hospital himself."
"To be a son like me... there's really no one worse."
Zhang Li's expression was a far cry from his usual jovial self. The Zhang Li that Wang Jian remembered from childhood was carefree and always ready for fun or a fight. He had never seen him like this.
Wang Jian asked softly, "Have you thought about any other solutions?"
"Other solutions?"
Zhang Li shook his head. He glanced toward the kitchen, where Li Liping was chopping vegetables. The rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board was proof of her skill.
Zhang Li lowered his voice. "No solutions. Just a mountain of problems. Liping basically became a widow the day she married me. She's a woman with strong desires, and for the past two years, all we do is fight as a way to vent. But that's just a drop in the bucket; it doesn't do a damn bit of good... Honestly, I'm terrified she's going to leave me. And if she does, I can't even blame her. It's my fault."
Zhang Li's voice got even lower.
"But I'm just so scared. You know? If that day really comes, I don't think I'll be able to handle it."
"So... I want to ask for your help. We grew up together. You're the only one I can trust with this."
With everything laid bare, Wang Jian paused for a long moment before confirming, "How exactly do you want me to help you?"
Zhang Li stubbed out his cigarette. "Sigh. Smoking isn't good for making babies. You don't smoke, do you?"
Although the question was abrupt, Wang Jian still shook his head.
"Good, not smoking is good," Zhang Li said, grabbing Wang Jian's arm. "I've seen that you work out, too. You're in great shape. You know what the doctor at the infertility clinic told me?"
"He said that not smoking and exercising is good for a man's health and helps with conception."
Zhang Li continued, rambling a bit before letting out a laugh. "You're a doctor, you must know that."
How am I supposed to answer that? Of course I know. It's the very reason I exercise regularly and abstain from smoking and drinking.
Zhang Li's desperation was far more intense than Uncle Zhang's had been. Wang Jian could feel the pressure mounting. "Li Zi, I have a suggestion. Will you hear me out?"
When Zhang Li looked over, Wang Jian quickly explained, "I'm going to get married sooner or later. When I have a child, I could let you and Liping raise them as your own. What do you think?"
Zhang Li shook his head. "You think I haven't considered that? Some of our relatives have had kids recently, but Dad and I don't want them knowing about my situation. For something like this, telling you feels safer than telling family."
"You know the saying, 'A close neighbor is better than a distant relative.' We grew up together. I know exactly what kind of person you are, and my dad knows your family well. That's why I trust you."
"Besides, who knows how long we'd have to wait for you to get married? It's just not realistic, you know?"
It was clear that Zhang Li had already decided on the method Uncle Zhang had proposed from the very beginning. And it seemed he had already decided on Wang Jian for the role.
"Isn't Liping beautiful?"
Zhang Li noticed Wang Jian's hesitation and asked, baffled, "Don't you feel anything at all?"
"You have no idea. Liping was the belle of our factory. It took a lot of work for me to marry her. Don't tell me you're not even interested."
Wang Jian fell silent. The truth was, Li Liping was exactly his type. If he'd met a girl like her in college, he probably would have pursued her. She wasn't stunning at first glance, but the more you looked at her, the more captivating she became. She was genuinely cute, and her eyes and smile were so full of life they made you want to keep looking.
What man wouldn't want a woman like that?
Their eyes met. Zhang Li patted him on the shoulder. "Look, I'm not trying to force you. But if I don't ask you, I honestly don't know who else to turn to. I can't bear to see my dad's health fail over this, and I don't want to watch Liping leave me. I've thought and thought about it... and this is the only way."
Zhang Li had laid everything on the table. Wang Jian knew there was no dodging it anymore. "Li Zi," he began, his voice heavy, "when my family was going through our crisis, your family was the one who helped us pull through. Uncle Zhang even lent me the money for college. That's a debt I have to repay."
"You agree?"
"Yes."
Seeing Wang Jian nod, Zhang Li shot to his feet. "Alright! That's what I was waiting to hear! You're a true brother!"
"We should strike while the iron is hot. Let's get it done right after dinner."
"What? So soon?" Wang Jian was speechless. This was nothing like he'd anticipated. He had only agreed as a delaying tactic; he had another solution in mind, but since it wasn't a sure thing yet, he couldn't just say it.
Zhang Li rolled his eyes. "What's the matter? Getting cold feet? Don't tell me it's your time of the month or something?"
"You're not worried about Liping's side of things, are you? Relax. I already talked it over with her yesterday after you got back."
"Oh... so that's why."
Only then did it click. He recalled the strange way Li Liping had been looking at him earlier, like she was scrutinizing him. So that's what it was... She was sizing me up? Assessing if I was qualified? The whole thing feels incredibly bizarre when you think about it that way.
"What do you mean, 'so that's why'?"
"Nothing..."
Zhang Li didn't give it much thought. He saw Wang Jian glance toward the kitchen a few more times and cursed inwardly. This kid isn't being honest at all. He clearly wants to, but he's just putting on an act. Still, even though Zhang Li had mentally prepared himself for this, now that the moment was actually here, he couldn't help but feel a knot of unease in his stomach. But there was nothing he could do to change his situation right now. The only way this could end differently was if someone, someday, could actually cure him.
"Sit tight. I'm going to the kitchen for a minute."
Wang Jian nodded, watching him go without another word.
In reality, Wang Jian had another idea brewing in his mind: to try and cure Zhang Li himself.
Years ago, Wang Jian had apprenticed himself to a master of Chinese medicine he'd met in the city market near his university. He wasn't some famous professor or renowned physician, just an old practitioner. The reason he had progressed so rapidly in his studies was all thanks to this master. His teacher was incredibly skilled, more so than any professor or doctor Wang Jian knew, capable of treating many rare and difficult illnesses. The only drawback was that his master, despite his advanced age, loved to travel. He would often disappear without a word, leaving Wang Jian with only a few medical books and a journal called the Medical Record, which he'd never seen mentioned anywhere else.
It was because of these books and the Medical Record that Wang Jian had thought of another way to repay his debt. If he could help Zhang Li recover fully, he could solve this problem at its source.
But now... things were clearly happening too quickly...
Wang Jian sat dazedly on the sofa, his mind in turmoil. Should I do it? Or shouldn't I?