Chapter 29 Only Thousands of Tears
Qin Yi was riding a two-wheeled motorcycle on the Tong Railway. Hong Jiang called and said that Hu Jiao's mother was eager to save people and was seriously injured. Several critical illness notices had been issued.
No one in the township government knows Hu Jiao's exact location at this moment, and it is unrealistic to drive to find him. Now that all the construction teams have entered the site, many places have been closed off, and only two-wheeled motorcycles can barely pass.
Fourteen kilometers away from Tieshu Township Government, we finally found Township Chief Hu.
At this time, Hu Jiao was wearing a red safety helmet. With a tall and thin figure, he was moving back and forth among the workers. He was holding a large rice bowl in his hand, talking and laughing with people. From time to time, he pointed to the woods beside the road and explained, trying his best to make the construction team pay attention and not to cut down trees indiscriminately. They must construct within the designated area.
When Qin Yi saw Hu Jiao, he became even more anxious. It was already five o'clock in the afternoon.
Stopping the motorcycle, Qin Yi called out loudly, "Village Chief Hu! Village Chief Hu!"
Hu Jiao turned around, waved at him, and continued chatting with the workers.
Qin Yi was so anxious that he jumped out of the car, ran to Hu Jiao, and grabbed Hu Jiao, "Let's go, it's urgent!"
Hu Jiao stumbled a few steps in a daze and tried to shake Qin Yi off. "Hey, hey, are knives raining from the sky? Finish your words."
Qin Yi leaned close to his ear and said, "Hongjiang has an urgent call. Your mother is seriously injured and hospitalized. She has been in critical condition for several days! Let's go quickly. The county party committee's car is waiting at the main intersection."
Hu Jiao's face changed drastically. Did something happen to his mother?
He didn't believe it! He couldn't believe it! He couldn't believe it! How could he be seriously injured? Where did this come from?
In a dazed state, Qin Yi pressed him into the back seat, stepped on the accelerator, and drove away quickly.
Hu Jiao was still wearing a red safety helmet at this time, and behind him came bursts of surprised voices and laughter from the workers.
After several minutes, Hu Jiao came back to his senses, "Qin Yi, did you tell me how my mother was injured?"
Facing the wind, Qin Yi shouted, "It seems like saving a student."
Now Hu Jiao had no choice but to believe it!
No one knows a mother better than her son. If he were told anything else, he might be skeptical, but when it comes to saving students, the mother will never back down.
What he was worried about now was whether his mother's life was in danger, whether she could survive, and what her injuries were like.
When they reached the main intersection, Tie Xiangqian waved at Hu Jiao from the SUV in front. The latter got off the motorcycle in a panic. Qin Yi chased after him and took off the helmet from his head.
After getting in the car, Hu Jiao seemed very tired and kept panting, "Uncle Tie, what's the situation?"
Tie Xiangqian said calmly, "It's okay. The brain surgery expert from the Provincial Military District Hospital is doing the surgery himself. The operation is still in progress. Your father is also in the hospital. Don't worry, your mother is a good person. Nothing will happen to her."
Then Tie Xiangqian began to explain the situation to Hu Jiao. This incident not only shocked Hongjiang City, but also affected the provincial party committee.
When the provincial party secretary Chang Aijun heard the news, he was furious. The wanted criminal returned to his hometown. The police were not as good as the gangsters? He instructed the provincial public security department to send a special task force to assist the Hongjiang police in launching a severe crackdown on the gangs. He also prepared to transfer teacher Li Aiju to another hospital, and must use the best medical equipment and the best experts to rescue teacher Li Aiju.
That evening, Hu Jianguo went into shock when he learned that Li Aiju was temporarily out of danger.
Secretary Chang convened an office meeting of the Provincial Party Committee overnight and instructed the Propaganda Department to prepare the materials and come up with a publicity plan as soon as possible. He also suggested that Comrade Li Aiju be awarded the titles of "Outstanding Communist Party Member" and "Outstanding Model Teacher" of Nanzhao Province, and that comprehensive coverage be conducted. He also called on all walks of life in the province to learn from Teacher Li Aiju.
When Hu Jiao rushed to Hongjiang People's Hospital, the operation had just been completed. He learned that his father Hu Jianguo was in shock. Hu Jiao felt like he had fallen into an icy cave and was at a loss.
Should I go see my dad first or my mom first?
Hu Jianguo's secretary Qian Dezhong solved the problem for him. "The mayor is in the dean's lounge. Teacher Li's operating room is next door, and there is a one-way mirror there."
Hu Jiao followed Qian Dezhong into the hospital like a sleepwalker. Tie Xiangqian felt helpless, as he could understand Hu Jiao's mood at the moment.
From Hu Jiao's perspective, he had just experienced a career turmoil and was almost demoted to the lowest position, although he eventually retained his position as village chief.
But in the final analysis, it was all because of Hu Jianguo and Li Mingyong. If it weren't for these two big trees, even if Hu Jiao didn't lose his job, he would have been punished.
Now that both parents have fallen at the same time, how can Hu Jiao, as a son, bear this feeling? Who can he blame for this anger? This hatred is unsolvable!
Listening to my father's steady breathing and the knife-like wrinkles on his face, especially the "Chuan" character between his brows, he exuded deep fatigue and profound sadness.
Turning towards the one-way glass, Hu Jiao saw his mother, whose hair was shaved bald, wearing a hood, a hospital gown and eyes closed, like a lost child, unable to find his father or his mother.
But their parents were by their side, watching them lying quietly on the snow-white hospital bed, receiving an IV drip. Hu Jiao first walked to his father's side, bent his tall and thin body, and held his father's hand tightly, "Dad, I am Jiaojiao..."
He choked up before he could finish his words, tears streaming down his face.
Hu Jianguo felt his son's warmth and affection, the blood ties thicker than water, transmitted through his cold palms. With trembling eyelids, Hu Jiao hurriedly stopped sobbing, "Dad, Dad, it's me! Hu Jiao , are you awake?"
Hu Jianguo opened his eyes with great effort, and it took him several seconds to fully wake up. Looking at Hu Jiao's red and tearful eyes, Hu Jianguo smiled, "Son...your mother..."
As he spoke, he struggled and then remembered his wife's injuries.
Hu Jiao held her father down, "Dad, the operation was successful, Mom is not in danger! You can rest assured, I will take care of everything."
Hu Jianguo let out a long breath, a rare warm smile on his face. He reached out and stroked his son's chin, "You have a stubble. Must your work be tiring?"
Hu Jiao pursed his lips tightly and shook his head.
At this time, Hu Jianguo had a son to rely on. He had to give his son strength and be a role model for his son. He could not give up easily again. He was the head of this family.
At this time, Hu Jiao also had the strength of his father. He had grown up and his parents were old. They needed his care. He could not let his parents worry anymore. He had to help support this family.
The father and son looked at each other and saw comfort, hope, warmth and strength in each other's eyes.
But they could not stop crying because their loved one was seriously injured.
Hu Jianguo didn't want to cry in front of his son, so he struggled. His secretary Qian Dezhong stood behind him holding the medicine bottle. Hu Jiao accompanied him, standing behind the one-way mirror.
Looking at Li Aiju quietly.
That is the wife, the beloved one, the lifelong partner.
That is mother, the person I love most and the teacher of my life.
The expert came in, followed by the dean and Hongjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary Mao Yongcheng. "Jianguo, are you okay?"
Hearing Secretary Mao's question, Hu Jianguo smiled on his pale face. "It's okay. I was so worried that I couldn't hold on. Now I'm fine. Is this Professor Liu?"
Professor Liu stepped forward and held Hu Jianguo's hand that was not receiving the IV drip. "The patient is no longer in danger of death. The detailed condition requires further diagnosis. My suggestion is to move him to the Provincial Military District Hospital for follow-up examination and treatment. The environment and equipment there are better."
Hu Jianguo nodded, looked at Hu Jiao, and began to ask, "When will she wake up?"
When they heard the question, the expressions of the people who had just entered the room suddenly became extremely strange, including Mao Yongcheng.
Professor Liu hesitated for a few seconds, gritted his teeth and said, "He can't wake up for the time being. The human brain is the most complex, with nerves and capillaries all over it, and human consciousness is controlled by the brain. The patient's current condition..."
Hu Jianguo asked in a deep voice: "Brain death?"
Professor Liu shook his head. "It's very complicated. It's not brain death for now. The conditions here are not good. I can only judge based on experience. The patient's current condition is moderate brain... coma."
Hu Jianguo closed his eyes and muttered, "That is to say, if I wake up, there will be serious sequelae. If I can't wake up, I will be... a vegetable?"
He often learned medical knowledge under the inspiration of Li Aiju, and Li Aiju would test him on rare and difficult diseases like vegetative state.
Professor Liu smiled bitterly, "Your description is... very accurate! The operation took so long, and for most of the time, I was fighting a blood clot the size of a grain of rice. If it was broken bones or other keratinous foreign bodies, I could have easily completed it. But blood clots are soft in the brain, and I was worried that if I delayed it for too long, a bigger accident would happen, so..."
Hu Jianguo once again held Professor Liu's hands tightly. "No, thank you very much! You have saved Aiju's life, which is a great favor to me and my son. So don't blame yourself."
Professor Liu had a relaxed expression on his face. He had indeed tried his best. The operation lasted more than five hours and was already the limit for his current physical strength.
"Jianguo, I have reported to the Standing Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. He instructed that we must do our best to rescue Teacher Li. The Military Commission and the Political Commissar also called just now. At 11 o'clock tonight, Professor Liu and others will take a helicopter to the Provincial Military District Hospital to take care of him. What do you think about this?" Mao Yongcheng sounded earnest.
Hu Jianguo nodded, "Thank you Secretary Yongcheng! Thank you comrades of the provincial and municipal party committees, and thank you for the organization's love and care for Aiju. I have no objection, but now the work of the municipal government will be temporarily handed over to Comrade Hongbing."
Mao Yongcheng nodded. "Of course. The government work is under the care of Hong Bing. You can rest assured. Then you and Hu Jiao can take a night's rest and go to Nanhu tomorrow?"
Hu Jianguo shook his head and refused. "No, Jiaojiao and I will go tonight. No matter what the situation is, I will be back to hold my post in five days."
Mao Yongcheng gritted his teeth and patted Hu Jianguo on the shoulder. This mayor is capable, good at communication and coordination, and good at mobilizing the enthusiasm of cadres. He has been in Hongjiang for only half a year, but he has managed the government work in an orderly manner. He also cooperates with him very well. He never makes decisions on his own regarding organizational personnel, party building style, etc., and clearly expresses his willingness to emulate him as the secretary.
It is rare for local cadres to have such a harmonious relationship with each other, and Mao Yongcheng cherished this partner very much.
The students of Hongwu Middle School who were in the hospital's open space had already left after being persuaded by the principal and the teachers and parents. Of course, the news that Teacher Li was out of danger played a big role.
Looking at the flickering candlelight, Mao Yongcheng and Hu Jianguo sighed, "We, the people's servants, should feel ashamed. People like Comrade Aiju are true Communists, the noblest, most selfless, and most outstanding people's teachers."
The next day, the title of a special news report in the provincial newspaper quoted the candlelight picture of the students of Hongwu Middle School. "Mom, wake up!" became the most eye-catching headline in the provincial newspaper that day.
The article begins by quoting this passage from Mao Yongcheng, and then changes the tone to introduce Li Aiju's life, from how she followed her husband to the Red No. 5 Middle School and took the initiative to serve as the head teacher of the worst class in the school. In less than half a year, she brought the grades of all the students in the class to the forefront.
Among them, Ma Jin (pseudonym of Ma Xiaowu) is particularly used as an example to focus on describing Li Aiju's advanced deeds of loving and caring for students, and not fearing criminals, standing up and sacrificing herself to save others. The article also introduces that Teacher Li has been in a coma due to severe brain injuries.
The article mainly focuses on saving lives, supplemented by the achievements made by teacher Li Aiju over the years. Finally, the article reports that the provincial party committee awarded teacher Li Aiju the titles of "Excellent Communist Party Member" and "Excellent Model Teacher", and called on all walks of life in the province to learn from Li Aiju's noble character of dedicating herself to education, sacrificing herself to save lives, and serving the people.
Passionate propaganda was carried out vigorously in Nanzhao in midsummer. Reports about teacher Li Aiju could be seen everywhere. In the whole Nanzhao, in just three days, the name Li Aiju had become a household name.
Television stations, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and various party publications have all published a large amount of content to promote the advanced deeds of teacher Li Aiju. All walks of life in the province have organized cadres and employees to study in various forms.
To Hu Jianguo and his son, the publicity from outside was like snowflakes passing by. In their eyes that were concerned about Li Aiju's condition, it did not leave a single trace.
They only care about the life and death of their wife and mother. If this continues for a long time, not only will the health of the patients themselves be damaged, but they and their son will also suffer greatly.
Their nanny has been sent to the hospital and is learning professional medical care under the guidance of the head nurse over the past two days.
Professor Liu hopes that they can make long-term plans.
In other words, it is possible to wake up immediately, or it is possible not to wake up in a lifetime. It is possible to wake up in a few days, or it is possible to wake up in a few years, a dozen years, or even decades.
In just three days, Hu Jianguo's temples turned gray, his eye bags became prominent, and his eyes began to appear yellow and dim. Hu Jiao accompanied his parents every day. He couldn't let his father continue like this.
Under the persuasion of Li Mingyong and the guarantee of Hu Jiao, Hu Jianguo left the military hospital on the fifth day.
In the lounge, Hu Jiao fell asleep in Li Juan's arms.
The Hongjiang City Public Security Bureau is in a bit of a dilemma regarding how to deal with Ma Xiaowu. Judging from the evidence collected so far, Ma Xiaowu did participate in the fight, but the targets of his violence were fugitive criminals, and the two people were not seriously injured.
And the most crucial point is that he was the student whom the mayor's wife saved at the risk of her life.
This matter was finally submitted to the municipal party secretary Mao Yongcheng, who read the report carefully and decided that since Ma Xiaowu had not committed any crime, he would fulfill Teacher Li Aiju's righteous act and release him immediately.
Ma Xiaowu returned to school, thinking that all his classmates would hate him, dislike him, and blame him. But he still returned to school. After all, this was Teacher Li's school, and as long as Teacher Li was still the vice principal, he was a student here.
When he walked into the classroom, he was greeted by...
applause!!!
Welcome the heroes who fight against gangsters!
What's going on? Ma Xiaowu stood at the door in a daze, looking at the big words on the poster behind him.
How did I become a hero who fought against criminals? What kind of hero am I? What kind of a fucking hero am I!
I caused the teacher to be seriously injured and almost die, and caused... my mother to suffer so much...
Ma Xiaowu rushed over like crazy and wiped it hard with his hands.
All the students in the class looked at him and no one stopped him.
Ma Xiaowu's hands were scratched and the skin was raw. He was whimpering and the tears in his eyes were rolling around but wouldn't fall.
Squad leader Wu Qing shouted loudly: "We know you are seeking revenge! But we don't blame you!"
Ma Xiaowu stopped and stood there blankly. Do they know?
Someone else said, "We don't blame you. Teacher Li said that our class eight is a whole. We are all brothers and sisters, and we are all her good children! We don't blame you!"
Ma Xiaowu finally understood the meaning of the phrase "every word pierces the heart".
He cried silently, his forehead banging against the blackboard again and again, and he uttered hoarsely, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry..."
Someone shouted: "Instead of spending time blaming yourself, why not study harder! Repay Teacher Li with the best results! When you get the college admission letter, Teacher Li will be very happy!"
Ma Xiaowu turned around and looked at the whole class. These classmates, whom he once thought were helping the stupid boy, the country bumpkin, and the idiot girl, all looked at him firmly and cheered him on.
"Yes! That's what we should do! Teacher Li will definitely be very happy!"
Ma Xiaowu clenched his fists, and his whole body once again radiated a new and greater strength. This was different from the momentum when he was fighting, but it was even more exciting!
