Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 87：Return the Thermos

Jiang Fan walked out of Professor Ma's office, his face filled with ease.
He had already completed three SCI papers and submitted them, although none had received a response so far, Jiang Fan felt confident that there were no major issues.
He still had the SCI papers for the four main subjects to complete.
The problem was, he wasn't particularly adept in these four subjects, and he only had four hours left on his Hundredfold Learning Card—just enough for one subject's study.
He decided to apply the card to Information Science, as it was the most challenging for him. At least for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, he had some prior exposure.
He glanced at the time—it was 11:30 AM. Perfect timing to grab a meal and consult with his teacher later in the afternoon.
Remembering Aunt Li's thermos from yesterday, Jiang Fan returned to his dorm to fetch it before returning it to her.
Upon entering the cafeteria, several eager students were already dining, and Jiang Fan made his way to window 10.
There was a middle-aged man behind the counter, serving food.
"Hello, Uncle, has Aunt Li come in today?" Jiang Fan asked.
"You're asking about Li Ailan, right? She's no longer working here," the man replied.
"Where has she gone?"
Jiang Fan was puzzled; Aunt Li had seemed perfectly fine just a few days ago. How had she left so suddenly?
"She's been diagnosed with kidney failure and is in the hospital. Sadly, she likely won't last much longer. Such a kind and hardworking woman..."
Jiang Fan felt his mind go blank at the news. Kidney failure? Not long to live? But Aunt Li had seemed perfectly healthy just days ago. How could this have happened so suddenly?
"Do you know which hospital she's in?" Jiang Fan asked urgently.
"Seems like she's in the Third People's Hospital in Kyoto."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
After a brief exchange, Jiang Fan prepared to leave, but the middle-aged man called out to him.
"You're Jiang Fan, right?"
Jiang Fan paused, surprised that the man knew his name.
"Yes," he replied.
"Great! I was wondering how to find you. Hold on a moment!"
The man walked into the kitchen and returned with an envelope, which he handed to Jiang Fan.
"Here, this is Aunt Li's salary for last month. She called and asked me to give it to you."
"For me?"
Jiang Fan was confused. Given that Aunt Li was ill and needed money, why would she still think of giving it to him?
The man explained, "There's 2,950 yuan inside. Please count it."
Jiang Fan didn't bother to count; he simply tucked the envelope into his pocket.
Before he could ask the man more questions about Aunt Li, he noticed the man was busy serving food to other students. Jiang Fan left with the thermos.
...
At Kyoto's Third People's Hospital, in the urology ICU, a nurse entered and spoke to the middle-aged woman lying on the bed in agonizing pain.
"Li Ailan, your pain medication has been administered. Your health insurance card has been exhausted, so if you wish to stay in the hospital, you'll need to pay at the front desk."
Li Ailan struggled to move, trying to turn over, but the pain in her abdomen made her give up.
It seemed the long-term use of painkillers was becoming less effective for her.
After catching her breath, she said, "I won't stay in the hospital. I'll leave later."
"Alright," the nurse replied, before leaving the room.
Through the intercom, she announced, "Urology ICU, Room 505, discharge this afternoon. Please prepare for the next patient."
Her voice echoed down the corridor. Having spent so much time in the ICU, she had become immune to the pain and farewells that surrounded her.
Not long after, Li Ailan's phone rang. It was the owner of the cafeteria at Longke University. Weakly, she answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Ailan, your salary of 2,950 yuan has been given to the student you mentioned, Jiang Fan."
"Okay, thank you, Old Zhang," Li Ailan said, managing a faint smile.
"I say, aren't you a fool? You work hard for a month to earn 3,000 yuan, and you still want to support some poor student! Shouldn't you be using that money for your treatment?"
"My illness can't be cured, so why waste the money? But Jiang Fan is different. He's a brilliant student, and he will certainly succeed in the future..."
"There are plenty of poor students out there. What can your little salary really do for them? Alright, enough said, I'm busy."
The line went dead.
Li Ailan lay half-sitting on the hospital bed. The pain had eased slightly, likely due to the effect of the painkillers. She adjusted her position, staring at the white wall ahead.
Her mind wandered to the first time she met Jiang Fan. She had just finished cleaning the kitchen and was about to grab two buns and some leftovers to eat.
Jiang Fan had walked into the cafeteria, and the moment she saw him, she thought of her own son, Xiao Hui.
Especially the shape of Jiang Fan's face, which bore a striking resemblance to her son's.
But alas, her husband and son had died in a car accident.
Thinking of this, tears welled up in Li Ailan's eyes.
At that moment, the door opened, and a doctor walked in, his face filled with excitement.
"Li Ailan, we've found a matching kidney for you!"
"Really?"
Li Ailan's heart surged with hope, but then her expression fell.
She knew that a kidney transplant would cost at least 500,000 yuan.
And she had no money left.
"Li Ailan, congratulations!"
"Dr. Hao, I'm not going to have the transplant," Li Ailan said softly.
"Not going for the transplant? Do you know how rare it is to find a matching kidney?" Dr. Hao replied, his voice tinged with frustration.
Li Ailan knew very well. She had been on the transplant waiting list for two years. In that time, her treatment expenses had drained all the money she had saved from selling her house for the transplant.
"Li Ailan, is it because of the money? I'll apply to the hospital for a reduction in fees."
Dr. Hao said, knowing the hardships she had faced over the years. He admired her positive attitude and sincerely hoped she could live.
Now, with a kidney source finally available, he didn't want to let her give up.
Li Ailan understood, though. Even with the hospital's discount, the cost would still exceed 400,000 yuan.
"Ah, forget it. Thank you, Dr. Hao. I plan to discharge myself this afternoon. I want to go home and see my old house one last time."
...
Meanwhile, Jiang Fan had arrived at the Third People's Hospital of Kyoto.
He asked the receptionist, who quickly provided him with Li Ailan's room number.
Jiang Fan took the elevator to the fifth floor, to the urology ICU.
He reached the door of Room 505 and paused when he saw Dr. Hao stepping out, his expression one of deep despair.
Looking inside, Jiang Fan saw Li Ailan, quietly wiping away her tears.
He hurried after Dr. Hao and inquired about Li Ailan's condition.
Upon hearing that Jiang Fan was a relative of Li Ailan's, Dr. Hao immediately began explaining the situation, hoping Jiang Fan could persuade her.
Before Jiang Fan could respond, the system's voice echoed in his mind.