Inside the intensive care unit, Emily Thompson looked at Linda Thompson, her mother, who was covered in tubes and gaunt from illness, and her swollen eyes once again couldnt hold back the tears: "Mom, what should I do?"
She didnt dare to cry out loud; she could only wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes over and over again, choking and guilt-ridden as she repeated, "Mom, Im sorry, Im useless..."
What did she do wrong for the heavens to treat her this way, to punish her family so harshly?
Emily wished all the pain would fall on her, wishing for her mother to have an easier time.
But alas, her wishes went unanswered, her questions unresponded to.
Linda lay still on the hospital bed, unresponsive.
And Emilys voice had grown hoarse from crying, her tears dried up. Yet, she still didnt know what to do!
"Are you alright?" Suddenly, a warm male voice sounded from behind.
Emily jolted; it was late at night, who could be at the hospital? Who was speaking to her?
She turned around and saw a man in a white lab coat looking at her with concern. She couldnt help but be surprised; it was him, her college classmate, Daniel Wilson.
Daniel was equally shocked; he never expected to run into Emily here, the girl he had secretly admired for years.
But why did she look so haggard, her eyes filled with sorrow and melancholy? What had she gone through in these years? Why hadnt he heard from her?
So many questions arose in Daniels mind, but his expression remained calm: "Emily, is that you? What are you doing here?"
"Daniel, you..." She whispered, unable to say anything more.
Seeing her so distraught and considering her late-night vigil, Daniel quickly understood and spoke softly: "Im the doctor on duty tonight. Emily, are you alright? Who is this?"
"My mother..."
"Emily, dont worry. Your mothers condition is stable, and it can be treated! And dont worry about the money; Im here!" After chatting with Emily for a while, Daniel quickly grasped her predicament and without hesitation, took on the surgical costs.
Emily was taken aback. The surgery and subsequent treatment costs were at least several million, and Daniel, who was not related to her, was so generous as to take it all on himself. For a moment, she didnt know how to react.
"Daniel, this isnt appropriate..." Emily desperately wanted to save her mother, but she also knew that the money came too easily.
"Emily, dont overthink it. The priority now is to cure your mother. As for the rest, if it bothers you, just pay me back when you have the money later, okay?" Daniel had secretly admired her for years during college and knew her character well. To prevent her from refusing, he could only put it that way, but he never intended for her to actually pay him back.
As he expected, Emily quickly accepted his offer.
"Thank you, Daniel, really, thank you so much!" Emily clutched Daniels hand, her voice choked with emotion. Although she knew this amount of money was nothing to Daniel, to her, it was a timely help, a gift more touching than anything else.
She was truly grateful, immensely thankful for his timely appearance, solving her predicament.
"If youre going to thank me, then a hug shouldnt be too much trouble, right?" Daniel said with a gentle smile, opening his arms.
"Of course!"
This was really no trouble at all. Emilys heart finally had a place to land, and without hesitation, she reached out and hugged him.
"Emily Thompson!" A familiar sharp rebuke suddenly rang out.