Chapter 30: Is Amputation Truly Necessary? (Part Two)

"Qin Tian, what are you doing? Do you have any idea who that man was just now?" Lin Jian rushed out of the car and caught up with Qin Tian.

"Guo Chao, wasn't it? Commander of the White Tiger Squad, right? What's the matter?" Qin Tian asked, puzzled.

"You actually turned down his invitation! Do you know how many people from powerful families fight tooth and nail to get their sons into the White Tiger Squad?"

"And yet, you—right in front of Commander Guo—refused his personal invitation!"

"You really... really... are something else!" Lin Jian exclaimed, his voice quivering with emotion.

"So what? I honestly don't want to go, and I do have urgent matters to attend to," Qin Tian replied.

"Do you know Guo Chao used to be a specially invited vice chairman of the Central Military Commission? His status in the Southeast Military Region is on par with the commander-in-chief!" Lin Jian said.

"That impressive?" Qin Tian was taken aback. Even if he was clueless about military structures, he knew the commander-in-chief was the head of the entire army.

"Well? Regretting it now? It's not too late if you go back," Lin Jian said.

"No regrets. I really need to get to the hospital right now. It's urgent," Qin Tian shook his head.

"You... I..." Lin Jian stared at him, wide-eyed.

"He gave me his number, didn't he? If I want to join later, I'll just contact him," Qin Tian waved the slip of paper with the phone number in front of Lin Jian.

"There's a world of difference between him inviting you and you reaching out to him after the fact. I just... I don't know how to explain it!" Lin Jian was almost frantic; he felt this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leap ahead.

If you joined Guo Chao, your path in life would be smooth sailing! Historically, anyone who came out of the White Tiger Squad either ended up as chief commander somewhere, or at the very least, was appointed to a full regimental rank in the army! The highest record from the White Tiger Squad was someone who went directly to a deputy division commander position!

"Enough, I really can't go. Do you have a car? Get me a ride, I need to get to the hospital," Qin Tian looked around. There wasn't even a taxi in sight on this rural road.

"I'll have someone take you," Lin Jian sighed, seeing that Qin Tian was dead set on not going.

Lin Jian called a colleague, who drove Qin Tian to the hospital in a police car.

When he arrived, Qin Tian dialed Jiang Yingying's number.

"Hello, are you here?" The call was answered, but the voice was Shen Xiaoqing, which surprised Qin Tian.

"Yes, which building are you in? Why isn't Yingying answering?" Qin Tian asked.

"We're in the outpatient clinic, orthopedics on the third floor. Come over and I'll explain," Shen Xiaoqing replied.

"Alright." Qin Tian hung up.

Soon after, Qin Tian arrived at the orthopedics department on the third floor and found Shen Xiaoqing sitting alone on a bench.

"Where's Yingying?" Qin Tian frowned.

"She fainted. She's resting in a ward now," Shen Xiaoqing said.

"Fainted? Why did she faint?" Qin Tian was stunned.

"The doctor told her Uncle Jiang would need an amputation; his legs are beyond saving," Shen Xiaoqing sighed, her face full of worry.

"An amputation? Where's Yingying? I'll check on her first, then see Uncle Jiang," Qin Tian's brow furrowed. Was it really that serious?

Shen Xiaoqing led Qin Tian to Jiang Yingying's ward. She was fast asleep under the covers, still unconscious.

"How long has she been out?" Qin Tian asked quietly.

"Since she fainted. The doctor said it's nothing serious, just emotional shock. She'll be fine after some rest," Shen Xiaoqing replied.

Qin Tian placed his hand on Shen Xiaoqing's wrist; indeed, it was merely emotional agitation, nothing serious.

"What? You know how to check pulses? That's impressive!" Shen Xiaoqing's eyes lit up.

"I know more than you think," Qin Tian replied.

"If I weren't Yingying's best friend and couldn't steal her man, I'd fall for you myself," Shen Xiaoqing teased.

Qin Tian rolled his eyes. Shen Xiaoqing was playing matchmaker again.

"Where's Uncle Jiang? I'll go see him," Qin Tian said.

Shen Xiaoqing led him to Jiang Tianxiang's ward.

Inside, Qin Tian saw Jiang Tianxiang, his face ashen, both legs wrapped in thick bandages, his face and body covered in wounds—it looked severe.

But the gravest injuries were his legs!

"What did the doctors say?" Qin Tian asked.

"They said the amputation must be done soon. The legs are useless now; keeping them would only be a burden and harm his health," Shen Xiaoqing replied.

"The doctor asked Yingying to sign the papers. She got so agitated she fainted before signing," Shen Xiaoqing added.

"Good thing she didn't sign. Let me take a look—maybe there's still hope," Qin Tian said.

"Really?" Shen Xiaoqing's eyes brightened again.

"I can't promise, but it's worth a try," Qin Tian replied.

He stood by the bed, carefully examining Jiang Tianxiang, running his hands over him.

"Gross, what are you doing? Taking advantage of Uncle Jiang while he's helpless?" Shen Xiaoqing said, wrinkling her nose.

"What nonsense! I'm checking if any other bones are broken," Qin Tian retorted, rolling his eyes. Shen Xiaoqing's imagination truly knew no bounds.

Sticking out her tongue, Shen Xiaoqing stopped interrupting.

Qin Tian checked Jiang Tianxiang's arms, chest, and ribs—those bones were fine.

Some organs had suffered trauma, but nothing too serious; they would recover in time.

Qin Tian turned his attention to Jiang Tianxiang's legs—the real crux of the issue.

He could tell the bandages were only a temporary measure. Since amputation had been decided, no further treatment had been done.

"Maybe you should step out," Qin Tian said, picking up a pair of scissors, looking at Shen Xiaoqing.

"Step out? Why?" she asked, puzzled.

"There might be some blood," Qin Tian said.

"I'm not leaving!" Shen Xiaoqing insisted.

"Alright, but don't scream," Qin Tian shrugged.

Gently and painstakingly, Qin Tian began to cut open the bandages on Jiang Tianxiang's thighs, uncertain how bad the injuries were.

After a great deal of effort, he finally peeled all the bandages away. Immediately, two bloody, mangled legs were exposed.

Shen Xiaoqing clapped a hand over her mouth, retching, fighting the urge to vomit.

Were those even thighs anymore? They looked more like two heaps of meat clinging to the base of the thighs!

Qin Tian inhaled sharply. Would amputation really be necessary?

"What are you two doing in here!" Suddenly a loud shout came from the doorway.