My Over-Powered Wealth System

The hospital room was sterile and quiet, the only sound the gentle beeping of the machines surrounding Chén Lóng's mother. The soft hum of the ventilator and the steady pulse of the heart monitor created a soothing melody, but Chén Lóng's nerves were on edge.

He sat beside his mother's bed, his eyes fixed on her pale face. Her eyes were sunken, her skin dry and cracked. The once vibrant woman who had always been his rock now lay frail and weak, her life slipping away.

Chén Lóng's grip on her hand tightened as he felt a sense of desperation wash over him. He had to save her. He had to.

Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open, and Dr. Li entered, his expression somber. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," Dr. Li said, his voice gentle but firm.

Chén Lóng's heart sank. He had been preparing himself for this moment, but the words still felt like a punch to the gut.

"What is it, Doctor?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Dr. Li hesitated before delivering the blow. "Your mother's cancer has progressed to stage four. The tumor has spread to her lymph nodes and other parts of her body."

Chén Lóng felt like he had been punched in the gut again. Stage four? That meant... He couldn't bear to think about it.

"How long does she have?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Li's expression was sympathetic. "I'm afraid it's not looking good. However, there is one option – a highly aggressive surgery that could potentially remove the tumor."

Chén Lóng's eyes lit up with hope. "What are the chances of success?"

Dr. Li's expression turned cautious. "Honestly, it's a long shot. But it's the only option that could potentially save her life."

Chén Lóng's mind was racing. He would do anything to save his mother.

"How much will it cost?" he asked, bracing himself for the answer. Dr. Li's expression turned grim. "The surgery will cost 5 million yuan."

Chén Lóng's jaw dropped. 5 million yuan? That was an astronomical amount! He felt like he had been punched in the gut again.

Chén Lóng's eyes widened in shock as he processed the astronomical cost. "5 million yuan?" he repeated, his voice shaking.

Dr. Li nodded sympathetically. "I'm afraid so. The surgery is extremely complex and requires specialized equipment and expertise."

Chén Lóng's mind racing, he scrambled to calculate his finances. "I...I only have 2 million yuan," he admitted, feeling a wave of desperation wash over him.

Dr. Li's expression turned apologetic. "I'm afraid that's not enough. We require full payment upfront."

Chén Lóng's eyes pleaded with the doctor. "Can't I...can't I owe the hospital the remaining amount? I promise I'll pay it back, no matter how long it takes."

Dr. Li's expression turned firm. "I'm afraid that's against hospital policy. We can't provide treatment without full payment."

Chén Lóng felt like he'd been punched in the gut again. He knew he couldn't afford the surgery, and now his mother's life hung in the balance.

Dr. Li turned to leave, his voice firm but laced with a hint of sympathy. "I'm afraid time is of the essence, Mr. Chén. Your mother doesn't have long left. I suggest you explore other options, but I must stress that every minute counts."

Chén Lóng watched as Dr. Li exited the room, feeling a sense of desperation wash over him. He turned his attention to his mother, gently taking her frail hand in his.

As he looked at her pale face, a flood of memories rushed back. He remembered her warm smile, her comforting hugs, and her unwavering support. He recalled the countless times she had sacrificed for him, working multiple jobs to provide for their small family.

He saw himself as a young boy, laughing and playing in the park. His mother sat on a bench, watching him with a warm smile.

"Be careful, Lóng!" she called out, her voice filled with concern. "Don't climb too high!"

He saw himself as a teenager, struggling with his studies. His mother sat beside him, patiently guiding him through his homework.

"You're so smart, Lóng," she said, her eyes shining with encouragement. "You just need to believe in yourself."

He saw himself as a young adult, graduating from college. His mother beamed with pride, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"I'm so proud of you, Lóng," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "You've grown into an amazing person."

The memories faded, and Chén Lóng found himself back in the hospital room, his mother's hand still clutched in his.

With a sense of determination, he leaned forward and kissed his mother's hand. "I promise, Mother," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'll find a way to save you. I won't let you go."

Chén Lóng walked out of the hospital, the cool evening air hitting him like a slap in the face. He stood on the sidewalk, his eyes gazing out at the cityscape before him.

He clenched his fist, determination burning within him. He remembered his mother's words, spoken to him during one of his darkest moments:

"As long as you have breath in your body, you can fight," she had said, her eyes shining with conviction. "Never give up, Lóng. Never lose hope."

Chén Lóng's grip on his fist tightened, his nails digging into his palm. He felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins, fueling his resolve.

He would find a way to save his mother. He would fight with every last breath in his body. For the rest of the day Chén Lóng spent the rest of the day making desperate calls to friends, relatives, and banks. He begged for loans, pleaded for help, and scraped the bottom of his own savings account.

But every door he knocked on was met with rejection. Friends and relatives claimed they were "tight on cash" or "couldn't afford to lend him that much." Banks turned him down flat, citing his lack of collateral and poor credit history.

As the day wore on, Chén Lóng's frustration and despair grew. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of indifference, with no lifeline in sight.

He thought of his mother, lying in the hospital bed, her life slipping away with each passing moment. He thought of the doctor's words: "Every minute counts."

And he knew he couldn't give up. Not yet.

Chén Lóng dialed another number, his fingers trembling with desperation. His friend, Wáng Jiàn, answered on the first ring.

"Hey, Lóng! What's up?" Wáng Jiàn asked, his voice cheerful.

Chén Lóng took a deep breath before launching into his plea. "Jiàn, I need a favor. My mom's in the hospital, and I need 3 million yuan for her surgery. Can you help me out?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Lóng, I'm sorry. I really am. But I'm in a tight spot myself. I just lost my job, and I'm struggling to make ends meet."

Chén Lóng's heart sank. "Okay, thanks for being honest with me, Jiàn."

He hung up the phone and dialed another number. His aunt, Lǐ Huì, answered.

"Aunt Huì, it's Lóng. I need to ask for a loan. My mom's in the hospital, and—"

"I'm sorry, Lóng," his aunt interrupted. "Your uncle and I are retiring soon, and we need all our savings for ourselves. We can't afford to lend you that much money."

Chén Lóng's frustration boiled over. "Can't anyone help me?" he exclaimed.

His aunt's voice turned cold. "You should have thought of that before you got yourself into this mess. You're always so reckless, Lóng."

The conversation ended with Chén Lóng feeling defeated and alone.

He walked to a nearby park, the cool night air offering little comfort. He slumped onto a bench, his head in his hands.

Why was the world so cruel? Why couldn't anyone help him?

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he thought of his mother, lying in the hospital bed, her life slipping away. He felt like he'd hit rock bottom. What was he supposed to do now?

Chén Lóng's gaze fell upon his finger, and his eyes locked onto the simple gold wedding ring that adorned it. Memories of his wife, Lî Yīng, flooded his mind. He remembered their happy moments, their struggles, and their dreams.

A determined glint sparked in his eye as he realized what he had to do next. He stood up from the bench, his shoulders squared, and hailed a cab.

The taxi screeched to a halt beside him, and Chén Lóng got in. "Take me to the Golden Hills Estate," he instructed the driver, his voice firm.

The taxi driver's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a low whistle. "Impressive, kid. That's one of the richest neighborhoods in the city. You must be meeting someone important."

Chén Lóng's expression remained stoic. "Just drive."

The taxi driver shrugged and put the car in gear. As they sped away from the park, Chén Lóng's mind was already racing ahead, planning his next move. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to save his mother.