“Auntie will Lu Qingshen remain at the Military District Hospital for treatment? Might he be moved somewhere else?” Qin Jian asked.
“We do not know yet. Specialists will come to examine him first. If facilities elsewhere are needed we may consider transferring him.”
Qin Jian nodded. “I see.”
This meant it made sense for her to stay at the hospital for now. The hospital was too far from the house on Baixiang Street.
Three days passed quickly. Director Zhong a leading brain specialist flown in from another province reviewed all the findings and presented a treatment plan.
“Commander Lu Director Fu we are fifty percent confident in performing surgery to clear the blood clot in Battalion Commander Lu’s brain. If successful his chances of regaining consciousness will improve greatly.”
“And if it fails…” Director Zhong’s words hung in the air. Everyone understood what he did not need to say.
Qin Jian did not see why they hesitated. “Director Zhong if we do not operate will he wake up on his own?”
“The chance is practically zero.” Director Zhong answered honestly.
“Then there is no reason to wait. We should go ahead with the surgery.”
In her past life Lu Qingshen had survived. That meant the surgery had been done and it had succeeded.
Fu Shuang and Commander Lu looked up at her surprised by her certainty.
“Ajian if the surgery fails he may be worse off than he is now.” Commander Lu spoke with effort keeping his voice steady but his sadness showed clearly and he leaned toward caution.
“Yes Ajian even if he remains in a coma we can care for him. At least we can still be with him.” Fu Shuang’s tone was firm. She too favored conservative treatment.
“If I were Lu Qingshen I would not want to spend my life lying in bed.” Qin Jian shook her head. They had not known each other long but she knew he was a man of pride.
Both of them went still their expressions hardening. Qin Jian flinched and stepped back resting a hand on her stomach.
Fu Shuang noticed and quickly softened her expression. “Ajian we are not angry with you. We are disappointed in ourselves.”
“We did not think of what Qingshen would want. We only saw things from our own point of view.”
Qin Jian felt uneasy at her gentleness. Fu Shuang was usually so dignified and stern and Commander Lu was the same. To be treated so gently felt strange indeed.
“Auntie you have every right to be cautious. The decision is yours.”
“Thank you.” Fu Shuang smiled warmly.
Qin Jian could not help thinking the smile seemed a little forced though no one else appeared to mind. She said nothing.
“Ajian please rest here. Commander Lu and I will discuss things further with Director Zhong.”
Fu Shuang settled Qin Jian in the only chair in the room and then spoke quietly with her husband and the doctor. Qin Jian was moved. Her own mother had never treated her with such care. Only her grandparents had shown her real kindness and even then it had been limited.
She looked at Lu Qingshen and felt a pang of envy. His parents loved him so deeply.
Then she saw his eyelid twitch. She stood quickly and leaned over the bed watching his face closely willing him to open his eyes.
Director Zhong had said his external injuries were serious but not life threatening. The real concern was the clot and the damage to the nerves. Even thirty years later nerve injuries remained extremely difficult to treat and most recoveries came from the body healing itself.
“What is it?” Commander Lu noticed her movement.
“I think I saw his eyelid move.” Qin Jian spoke uncertainly. “I am not sure.”
“Really?” Commander Lu’s voice lifted. Fu Shuang leaned forward eagerly.
Director Zhong came over. “Let me examine him.”
Qin Jian stepped aside. Ten minutes later the doctor looked up with surprise. “His will to live is very strong. Commander Lu Director Fu with this sign of improvement the surgery’s chance of success is at least seventy percent.”
The couple exchanged a look. Their resolve had been wavering. Finally Fu Shuang bowed her head in acceptance.
Commander Lu spoke heavily. “Director Zhong then we will proceed. When can it be done?”
“In two days. His condition is as strong as it will be. Delaying will only weaken him further.”
“Very well.” Commander Lu’s voice trembled.
“Then please sign the consent forms.”
Qin Jian spoke up. “Father let me sign.”
It was not a sudden thought. She saw how afraid they were of losing him. She would take the burden from them and Lu Qingshen would owe her for it.
“Ajian are you certain? If it fails the weight will be on you.” Commander Lu was not a man of indecision but having already lost one son he could not bear to lose the other.
“I am his wife. It is my place to take this responsibility.”
Her words moved him. “Very well. Sign it.”
Two days later outside the operating room Qin Jian signed her name before them. Lu Qingshen was wheeled inside. She sat down to ease the discomfort of standing for so long. Though she had no morning sickness the pregnancy tired her more than usual.
Two hours into the surgery Xiao Liu saluted the senior officers and turned to Qin Jian. “Comrade Qin your family has called the base asking to speak to you.”
Qin Jian frowned. She thought of her mother and Qin Yun and knew this would not be good news.
“Father Mother I will take the call.” She stood and addressed them formally once more.
Fu Shuang wanted to object but was afraid to push her away. “Go ahead. If they give you any trouble you tell me.”
Qin Jian touched her nose. It was odd how gentle Fu Shuang remained when they were alone. Clearly the family cared deeply about the child. Xiao Liu drove her to a phone booth near the hospital entrance.
“Hello what is it?” She narrowed her eyes. She had hoped their last argument meant she was done with her mother.