The voice of the system echoed in Jiang Fan's mind.
[System]: "Task issued: Save the kind-hearted Li Ailan.
Task reward: The Super Theory of Physics on Blue Star.
Failure to complete the task: No reward."
In truth, Jiang Fan would have chosen to help Aunt Li even without the system's task.
"Dr. Hao, if I pay now, when can the kidney transplant be performed?"
"Of course, the sooner the better. Li Ailan's condition is deteriorating rapidly!"
"Alright, I'll go pay now!"
Dr. Hao, upon hearing that Jiang Fan was going to pay, was overjoyed. Li Ailan's life was now secure.
"Come on, young man, follow me, I'll take you to the payment office!"
Jiang Fan followed Dr. Hao and paid the 600,000 yuan for the surgery. Originally, Dr. Hao had suggested that 500,000 yuan would be sufficient, but Jiang Fan, fearing it might not be enough, handed over the full 600,000 yuan.
After the payment was made, Jiang Fan proceeded to Li Ailan's hospital room.
Li Ailan was startled when she saw Jiang Fan.
"Xiao Fan, you... What are you doing here?"
"Aunt Li, why didn't you tell me when you were hospitalized?" Jiang Fan asked.
"It's nothing serious, just an old ailment. I'll be discharged soon," Li Ailan said with a forced smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Then, Jiang Fan pulled the envelope from his pocket and handed it to Li Ailan.
"Xiao Fan, this is a small token from Aunt Li. Please accept it."
"Aunt Li, there's no need. I have money!" Jiang Fan replied.
"Xiao Fan, I know young men have their pride, but you haven't earned anything yet. This money isn't much. If you save it, it should be enough for half a year's living expenses. Look at how thin you are!" Li Ailan said, her voice full of concern.
"Aunt Li, I really have money!"
Jiang Fan guessed that Li Ailan must have taken him for a starving student. After all, his erratic diet while working on research and writing papers had caused him to look particularly gaunt—his body a clear sign of malnutrition.
"Xiao Fan, if you don't accept it, Aunt Li will be angry!"
Li Ailan, seeing that Jiang Fan was refusing, knew it was his pride preventing him from accepting. Before she could persuade him further, the door opened, and Dr. Hao walked in again.
Upon seeing Dr. Hao, Li Ailan immediately spoke.
"Dr. Hao, thank you for your kindness, but I've already made up my mind!"
If Jiang Fan knew she had kidney failure, he would never accept her money.
Dr. Hao, however, smiled warmly and didn't leave. Instead, he signaled to a nurse to come in and take blood from Li Ailan.
Li Ailan, confused, wondered why they were drawing blood when she was about to be discharged.
"Dr. Hao, why are you drawing blood?"
"It's just a pre-surgery check," Dr. Hao explained.
"I already told you, I'm not having the surgery!"
Li Ailan became anxious; Jiang Fan was right next to her. If she said too much, the truth would inevitably be revealed.
"Heh heh... This time, you have no choice. Someone has already paid for your surgery!"
Someone had paid for her surgery? Li Ailan froze. She thought for a moment, then asked,
"Dr. Hao, it must be a mistake, right?"
She had no relatives in JingDou. Even her family back home couldn't afford 500,000 yuan in cash. Who would pay such a large sum for her surgery?
Dr. Hao laughed, saying, "I don't dare make mistakes with such a large sum. Here's the payment receipt. Heh..."
He glanced at Jiang Fan, realizing that he probably hadn't told Li Ailan yet about the payment.
Li Ailan took the receipt and saw that indeed, 600,000 yuan had been paid. She quickly checked the patient information—her name was listed.
"This... this..."
Li Ailan stuttered. She had been mentally preparing herself for death, but now, a glimmer of hope for life had ignited!
Who doesn't fear death? Li Ailan had chosen not to undergo surgery because she saw no other option. But now, with someone paying for the surgery, it felt like a second chance at life. How could she not be moved?
"Dr. Hao! Who paid for my surgery?"
"Far away, yet close at hand," Dr. Hao teased.
Li Ailan looked at Jiang Fan, then at Dr. Hao and the two nurses. It couldn't be the nurses, and Jiang Fan was too poor to even afford a proper meal. So, there could only be one person: Dr. Hao.
"Dr. Hao, could it be you?" Li Ailan asked, astonished.
"Me? You're overestimating me!"
Li Ailan was puzzled. If it wasn't Dr. Hao, could it have been Jiang Fan?
"Ah! Dr. Hao, stop playing these riddles and just tell me who it is!"
"Of course, it's your relative," Dr. Hao said, pointing to Jiang Fan.
"Jiang Fan?"
Li Ailan's face was filled with disbelief.
How could this be? Jiang Fan could barely afford a meal, how could he possibly pay 600,000 yuan for a kidney transplant?
Jiang Fan smiled at Li Ailan but didn't speak.
"Jiang Fan, is it really you?"
Li Ailan asked, her voice full of confusion.
"Yes," Jiang Fan nodded.
Upon hearing Jiang Fan's confirmation, Li Ailan's mouth hung open in shock, unable to believe it.
"How... How could you have so much money?"
"I was lucky recently. I successfully completed a research project and received a reward from the government..." Jiang Fan offered an explanation.
"Really? Xiao Fan, you're amazing!"
"See, knowledge really is wealth! Hehe..."
Li Ailan said with a smile, as though her child had brought home a prestigious award.
The once somber atmosphere in the room was now filled with warmth and lightheartedness.
A moment later, Li Ailan looked at the envelope in her hand and quickly tucked it away.
She had been so embarrassed to think of Jiang Fan as a penniless student. Thankfully, Jiang Fan hadn't minded.
Half an hour later, Dr. Hao walked in, smiling.
"All your vital signs are normal. The surgery has been scheduled for 3 PM today."
"So soon?"
Li Ailan grew nervous upon hearing that the surgery was to take place so soon.
"The earlier, the better for you. Don't worry, our hospital has an 80% success rate for kidney transplants," Dr. Hao reassured her.
At 3 PM, Li Ailan was quickly wheeled into the operating room.
Jiang Fan waited outside the door, and after three hours, the surgery was a success!
However, Li Ailan remained in a coma.
Following Dr. Hao's suggestion, Jiang Fan arranged for a caregiver to look after Li Ailan during her recovery.
Just as Jiang Fan was about to return to school, the system's voice rang in his mind.
[System]: "Congratulations to the host for completing the task and receiving the Super Theory of Physics on Blue Star!"
Before Jiang Fan could react, a golden light flooded his mind, and all the knowledge of physics on Blue Star instantly surged into his consciousness!
Jiang Fan couldn't contain his excitement. Not only had he saved Aunt Li today, but he had also gained the Super Theory of Physics on Blue Star!