Chapter 296 Alright, Alright, Grandpa Will Wait

9:00 PM, ICU.

Song Jingmo had changed into his isolation gown and gently pushed open the ward door, with Lu Er following behind.

On the hospital bed, Grandpa Song was already awake.

He lay there, still connected to various monitoring devices, but his eyes were open, staring at the ceiling.

Hearing the movement, he slowly turned his head, and upon seeing the two people entering, a weak smile appeared on his aged face.

“You’re here?”

Song Jingmo quickly walked to the bedside and held the hand Grandpa Song reached out: “Grandpa, how are you feeling?”

“Much better.”

The old man blinked, then his gaze shifted to Lu Er. “You’ve worked hard this time, Lu Er.”

Lu Er hurried forward, smiling: “Grandpa, it’s good that you’re awake. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

The old man looked at him, eyes full of affection. “Good child, Grandpa feels fine.”

He paused, his eyes showing some concern. “Jingmo being here with me is enough. Lu Er, you should go rest—you must be exhausted today.”

Lu Er quickly waved his hand. “Grandpa, my work isn’t busy. Tonight I’ll stay with Jingmo to take care of you. We can alternate shifts without getting too tired.”

Grandpa Song’s eyes carried a pleased smile. “Alright, then the two of you stay together. Seeing you like this makes me happy inside.”

The next morning, Song Jingmo was called to the office by his attending physician.

The doctor gestured for him to sit, speaking with a complex expression: “Director Song, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Song Jingmo straightened his posture.

The doctor opened the files on the computer. “You know your grandfather’s condition. Although the surgery cleared the cerebral hematoma, his heart problem hasn’t been resolved.”

“At this point, aside from maintaining with medication or patch-up surgery, there’s one more option—a heart transplant.”

Song Jingmo’s fingers tightened slightly. “The waiting list for heart transplants is many years long… he’s never come up in the queue…”

“Last night, there was a car accident patient whose family agreed to donate organs. The compatibility test is complete—it matches your grandfather very well.”

Song Jingmo felt a rush of relief. “I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”

The doctor nodded. “Discuss it with your family and make a decision as soon as possible. Opportunities like this are rare.”

Two days later, in the VIP ward of Kangren Hospital.

Grandpa Song leaned on his bed, silent for a long time after hearing the news.

Song Sinian and Qu Suwan stood nearby, looking serious.

After a while, Grandpa Song lifted his head and asked, “The person behind me in the queue, how old are they?”

Song Jingmo answered truthfully: “A young man in his thirties, with two children at home.”

Grandpa Song nodded, his gaze calm like deep water. “Then give this chance to him.”

“Dad!”

Song Sinian couldn’t help but speak, his voice anxious. “This is a life-saving opportunity—you can’t just…”

The old man looked at his son firmly. “Sinian, I’ve lived enough years. My children and grandchildren are all around me; I have no regrets.”

“That young man is only in his thirties—he has decades ahead, a wife, children, and unfinished business.”

“Giving him this chance is better than giving it to this old man.”

“Grandpa…”

Song Jingmo opened his mouth, his voice tight.

Grandpa Song held Song Jingmo’s hand, gently patting it. “Jingmo, I know this opportunity is rare. But I’ve lived long enough to see everything clearly. Life and death are natural—you don’t need to feel sad for me.”

The doctor had made it clear: without a transplant, Grandpa Song’s heart could only rely on medication and periodic maintenance. How long this would last was uncertain, and emergencies could happen at any time.

The family fell silent.

Lu Er looked at Song Jingmo, his heart aching.

As a grandson, Song Jingmo knew better than anyone that a heart transplant was the optimal treatment.

As a doctor, he couldn’t go against his grandfather’s wishes.

Finally, Grandpa Song broke the silence. “Don’t make such serious faces. I’m not dying tomorrow.”

“The doctor said it can still be patched up—so it can last a few more years.”

Song Sinian turned, voice hoarse. “Dad…”

“That’s enough.”

Grandpa Song waved his hand. “I know your intentions. But this matter—I’m in charge. That young man needs this heart more than I do.”

He looked at Song Jingmo, eyes full of trust and reliance. “Jingmo, you’re the doctor. Tell me, if I don’t get the transplant, how long can I last?”

Song Jingmo was silent for a few seconds. “If properly maintained, with regular check-ups, and a careful diet and lifestyle, maybe three to five years, possibly longer—medicine is advancing.”

“That’s enough.”

Grandpa Song smiled, his wrinkles relaxing. “Three to five years is enough. Seeing you all well—that’s enough.”

Silence returned to the ward.

After a while, Song Jingmo looked at Song Sinian and Qu Suwan, voice steady: “Dad, Mom, I respect Grandpa’s decision.”

Song Sinian looked at his son, wanting to say something, but ultimately just nodded.

Qu Suwan wiped her eyes and softly said, “Then let’s listen to Grandpa.”

Outside the ward, Song Jingmo leaned against the corridor wall, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

Lu Er stood before him, looking up with his gaze full of concern.

“Jingmo.”

He called softly.

Song Jingmo opened his eyes and looked down at him.

Lu Er reached up, cupping his face, his thumb gently brushing his cheek. “You did the right thing. Respecting Grandpa’s decision—that’s love. But…”

He paused, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his forehead. “If you feel upset, you can tell me.”

Looking at this soft person in front of him, Song Jingmo finally let the emotions in his eyes spill out—exhaustion, pain, reluctance, and the carefully restrained vulnerability.

He pulled Lu Er into his arms, resting his chin on his head, letting out a muffled, “Mm.”

Lu Er wrapped his arms around his waist, lightly patting his back.

After a while, Song Jingmo let go, his expression back to normal.

He leaned down, pressed a gentle kiss on his lips, then held his hand: “Let’s go, time to be with Grandpa.”

In the ward, Grandpa Song was in good spirits, talking with Song Sinian.

Seeing them come in, he waved with a smile: “Jingmo, come sit.”

Song Jingmo walked over and sat by the bedside.

Lu Er moved a chair to sit next to him.

Grandpa Song looked at Song Jingmo, then at Lu Er, eyes full of contentment. “Jingmo, the greatest blessing in my life is having a grandson like you.”

“And now I have a good granddaughter-in-law too—what a reward.”

Lu Er’s face turned red at being called “good granddaughter-in-law.”

Song Jingmo peeled an apple for Grandpa Song. “Grandpa, focus on getting better. Don’t worry.”

“Kangren has the best medical equipment and the most skilled doctors. Even without a transplant, you’ll be fine.”

“Medical technology keeps advancing—maybe in a few years, there will be new methods. You take care of yourself and wait for that day.”

Grandpa Song smiled and nodded. “Alright, alright, Grandpa will wait.”