It was already getting late when they emerged from the suburban villa.
"This godforsaken place is so remote, it's hard to even get a taxi."
Lucci tossed the car keys to Tatsuya.
"You can use this car for now, it'll be more convenient. I have other cars at home."
Tatsuya took the keys without much ceremony: "Alright."
He knew Lucci was worried about him having trouble commuting, and he appreciated the gesture.
The two got into the car. Lucci buckled his seatbelt, then turned his head to ask, "Where to next? Back to the city?"
"Mm," Tatsuya started the car, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, "to the hospital. I need to pay Hoshino's medical bills first, and also... I need to have a talk with my parents."
"A talk? About what?" Lucci was startled. "Are you planning to tell them..."
The car drove steadily towards the city.
On the way, the two briefly coordinated their stories.
Regarding the source of the money, there had to be a plausible and unquestionable explanation to maximally reassure his parents and prevent them from overthinking or even panicking.
"Just say you helped my family resolve an extremely tricky overseas project, providing crucial... hmm... technical analysis or market information?"
Lucci stroked his chin, pondering.
"Anyway, just lean towards high-tech, highly confidential stuff. They won't understand it, but it'll sound impressive and valuable."
"I'll talk to my dad and ask him to cooperate, so it'll be easier to smooth things over if your parents ask."
Tatsuya nodded: "Okay, say it was a generous thank-you gift, and that subsequent plans for buying a house and car are all part of the gratitude package from the Liu Family."
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Lucci patted his chest. "I'm a professional at acting!"
By the time they arrived at the hospital, it was already past seven in the evening.
The inpatient department building was still bustling with people downstairs.
Tatsuya went directly to the payment counter, and under the slightly surprised gaze of the staff, he swiftly swiped his card, depositing one million yuan.
The enormous number printed on the POS machine receipt had an unreal quality to it.
Soon after, a middle-aged director with gold-rimmed glasses and a refined demeanor, along with a slightly younger attending physician, hurried over.
"Sir, are you a family member of Shiba Hoshino?"
The director inquired, his gaze sweeping over Tatsuya and the seemingly astute Lucci beside him.
"I am her brother."
Tatsuya nodded, getting straight to the point, "Director, Doctor, for my sister's upcoming treatment, all expenses, including the best imported medicines, the latest experimental protocols, and if a bone marrow match is found, the transplant surgery and all subsequent anti-rejection treatments—money is not an issue."
He took out a freshly printed bank statement and a copy of his company account's asset certificate from his briefcase, handing them over: "This is one million yuan for the initial part of the treatment.
"Whatever is needed subsequently can be paid at any time. I only have one request: use the best possible plan, and do your utmost."
The director and the attending physician took the copy, and when they saw the numbers on it, their expressions subtly changed.
They had seen many family members who struggled to raise medical funds, but this was the first time they encountered someone so young, so decisive, and explicitly stating "no expense spared."
Lucci stepped forward at the opportune moment, pulled out a business card, and handed it over, a perfectly appropriate business smile on his face: "Hello, Director. Hello, Doctor. I am Mr. Tatsuya friend and a partner in his company."
"Mr. Tatsuya recently led our company in completing a very important strategic investment, yielding substantial profits. Therefore, all of Miss Shiba Hoshino's subsequent medical expenses will be fully supported and guaranteed by our company. Please rest assured."
The director looked at the company name on the business card, which was quite well-known in the city, then at Tatsuya's steady demeanor and Lucci's impeccable words. Much of his doubt dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief.
"Mr. Tatsuya, Mr. Lucci, please don't worry!" The director's tone became much more enthusiastic. "We will definitely organize the best team to formulate the most comprehensive treatment plan for Miss Shiba Hoshino!"
"With the support of family members like you, our confidence has also greatly increased!"
After discussing some more treatment details, Tatsuya and Lucci left the payment counter and headed towards the ward.
As he neared the ward door, Tatsuya's steps paused almost imperceptibly.
He heard his mother, Shiba Aya, gently coaxing his sister to take her medicine, and his father, Shiba Haro's, weary sigh.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
In the ward, Shiba Hoshino was propped up in bed, her small face pale, frowning slightly as she sipped water and swallowed medicine.
His mother sat by the bed, her eyes full of heartache and exhaustion.
His father stood by the window, looking outside, his back appearing somewhat hunched.
Hearing the door open, all three looked over.
"Brother!" Shiba Hoshino's eyes lit up, her voice tinged with a weak happiness.
"Tatsuya is here?"
Shiba Aya quickly stood up, and seeing Lucci behind him, she was a little surprised, "Lucci is here too? Come in and sit down."
Shiba Haro also turned around, forcing a smile on his face: "Tatsuya, not busy today?"
Tatsuya walked to the bedside, touched his sister's hair, feeling the slightly cool temperature at his fingertips, his heart tightened, but he showed a gentle smile: "Mm, I'm done with work. Dad, Mom, it's good you're both here. There's something I need to tell you."
He pulled over two chairs for his parents to sit, while he and Lucci stood by the bed.
"What is it? Why so formal?"
Shiba Aya looked at him somewhat uneasily, then at Lucci.
Tatsuya organized his thoughts and began in as calm a tone as possible: "Dad, Mom, a while ago, I helped the Liu Family with a rather significant matter, involving a crucial investment decision in their family business."
Lucci immediately chimed in, his expression and tone extremely sincere and natural: "Auntie and Uncle, it wasn't a small favor, it was a huge favor!"
"The critical information and subsequent technical support Tatsuya provided directly helped our family avoid an eight-figure loss and also facilitated a large overseas investment! My dad said this kindness is immense!"
Tatsuya's parents listened, stunned.
Eight figures?
Overseas investment?
These words were too far removed from their lives.
Shiba Haro spoke with some hesitation: "Lucci... this... Tatsuya is just a student, how could he help with something so big? You're not..."
"Oh, my Uncle!"
Lucci slapped his thigh, his expression exaggerated but not false.
"Don't you know how smart Tatsuya is? He's just low-key! And in business today, information is money, and timing is life!"
"Tatsuya's intervention was perfectly timed, helping our Liu Family seize an opportunity and weather a risk! Truly, I'm not exaggerating at all!"
Tatsuya interjected at the right moment, his tone calm yet weighty: "So, Uncle Liu insisted on giving a thank-you gift. The amount was quite large, and I couldn't refuse, so I accepted it."
He took out his phone, brought up the balance page of his banking app, and showed it to his parents.
Under the bright lights of the ward, the long string of zeros on the phone screen was blindingly clear.
.
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