Chapter 14: Just Call Me Big Brother!

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Hearing the little girl’s clear and lively response, Su Chen crouched down and gently patted her head, speaking softly, “My name is Su Chen. You can just call me brother!”

“Hello, big brother!” Chen Pingping blinked her eyes, then obediently brought a plastic chair and placed it in front of Su Chen, timidly whispering, “Big brother, please sit.”

“Thank you, Pingping, you’re such a good girl!”

Su Chen took a piece of chocolate from his pocket and handed it to her with a smile. “This is a reward for you. Take it and eat it.”

Chen Pingping swallowed greedily but did not immediately reach out. Instead, she looked expectantly at Zhu Fei.

“Thank you…” Zhu Fei whispered in gratitude as she looked at her daughter’s hopeful face. Then she turned to her daughter. “Brother is giving you chocolate, so just take it quickly and thank him.”

“Thank you, brother!” Pingping said sweetly before eagerly taking the chocolate.

“You go inside to play first. Brother and I need to talk about something,” Zhu Fei said gently.

Pingping nodded, clutching the chocolate with excitement, and ran into the bedroom to play on her own.

“Pingping is very sensible…” Su Chen murmured softly as he watched the bedroom door.

“Yes, she’s very good and sensible. It’s me who hasn’t taken good care of her…” Zhu Fei wiped her tears bitterly, then poured a cup of water for Su Chen, blushing slightly as she said, “My place is simple and not very good. Please bear with it.”

“Not at all, you’re joking,” Su Chen smiled and shook his head. “The place I’m living now isn’t even as spacious as here.”

Zhu Fei was momentarily stunned by his words. She had thought this remarkably handsome young man came from a wealthy family.

But if he also rented a place to live, then perhaps he wouldn’t be able to offer much help.

“Thank you for coming to see us. You’ve been very kind…” Zhu Fei sighed deeply in her heart but maintained a warm expression, not cooling off just because he might not be able to help much.

Regardless of whether he could offer assistance, as long as he came with goodwill, Zhu Fei was profoundly grateful.

Su Chen observed the change in her expression silently. Seeing no shift in her attitude, he finally made up his mind.

What he was about to do was no small matter, and he would face a lot of criticism himself.

So first, he needed to confirm that she was someone worthy of help, someone who understood gratitude and reciprocity. Otherwise, all his time and effort would be in vain, and if he didn’t even get a word of thanks, he’d be furious.

Of course, if that fury turned into an enormous amount of anger, Su Chen would accept it without reservation.

“Pingping’s condition…” Su Chen asked in a low, measured voice.

“The doctor said it’s a stage three malignancy, located in the cerebellar vermis. It hasn’t spread yet, but every day of delay increases the risk...” Zhu Fei’s face was filled with sorrow, and she spoke softly and helplessly. “The only option now is brain surgery… but I can’t afford the surgery, chemotherapy, or rehabilitation fees.”

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Su Chen sighed deeply upon hearing this. Putting other things aside, brain surgery on the cerebellum is one of the riskiest operations there is.

Even if the surgery succeeds, the subsequent chemotherapy and functional rehabilitation are arduous and complicated processes, far from simple.

Thinking about little Chen Pingping enduring such inhuman pain even if the medical fees were covered, Su Chen’s heart grew heavy.

“This is a small token from me. It’s not much, but it’s a modest contribution.” Su Chen took a yellow envelope containing five thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to Zhu Fei.

Trembling, Zhu Fei took it, her eyes red and brimming with tears. She wanted to kneel and thank Su Chen, but he grasped her hand firmly.

“This money could mean the difference between my poor daughter living or dying. I dare not refuse it, though I can’t promise if I’ll ever be able to repay you...” Zhu Fei held Su Chen’s hand tightly, her eyes wet with earnest tears. “But I will never forget this kindness. I will remember it for a lifetime!”

“You flatter me,” Su Chen waved his hand solemnly. “I know this money is far from enough for Pingping’s medical expenses.

But I have a way to raise the funds. I can’t guarantee success, and you might suffer a little, but are you willing to try?”

“I’m willing!” Zhu Fei didn’t hesitate for a moment and nodded repeatedly. “As long as I can raise my daughter’s medical expenses, even if it means dying now, I’m willing!”

As long as there was the slightest hope, she would never give up, for this was a matter of her daughter’s very survival.

“Good, that’s all I need to hear!” Su Chen nodded, his face serious. “I need you to take Pingping to Hefang Street, the busiest pedestrian street in Hangzhou city, and kneel step by step all the way—two kilometers.”

Zhu Fei was stunned, then nodded firmly. “Okay!”

“You don’t even ask why?” Su Chen asked softly, surprised.

Zhu Fei shook her head, calm and resolute. “Even if there’s only a one percent chance, no matter what it is, I’m willing to try!”

Looking at the face worn down by time and hardship, Su Chen felt a profound, steadfast, and awe-inspiring strength—deep maternal love.

Su Chen sighed deeply and explained gently, “First, I will share your video on my Douyin account.

At the same time, I’ll make a deal with you: if you can complete the entire two-kilometer route on your knees step by step, I will donate five hundred thousand yuan.

While you’re doing this, I will try to get the media to cover the story…”

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Hearing this, Zhu Fei nodded knowingly. This would surely attract public attention, and kind-hearted people would donate medical funds, saving Pingping!

What puzzled her was why Su Chen wanted to make the agreement on Douyin. Wouldn’t he face criticism and even be scolded because of her situation?

Su Chen smiled and continued, “If it were just this, the story would only attract limited attention and it might be hard to raise all of Pingping’s medical fees at once.

So after you finish this, I will publicly break the promise on Douyin and mock you…”

Zhu Fei shuddered at these words, then looked at Su Chen in stunned disbelief.

She could already imagine what he would endure afterward—not just simple verbal abuse or criticism.

Facing overwhelming pressure and malice could destroy anyone. Just thinking about it made her feel suffocated, let alone actually facing it.

She hesitated a moment, then shook her head repeatedly, refusing. “No, this won’t do. Everyone would attack you and might even try to track you down…”

How could she save her daughter by sacrificing the well-being of a kind-hearted and innocent person willing to help? That would be heartless.

Su Chen smiled, unfazed, and said firmly, “Only by doing this can we raise enough medical funds for Pingping, right?

Only then will you gain countless people’s attention and sympathy. They will be outraged and defend you.

Only such intense emotions can prompt the public to donate generously and raise all the funds!

I know human nature’s evil, so I don’t bet on their kindness, because their kindness is unreliable. I bet on their malice.

I don’t bet they want Pingping to live, I bet they want me dead.”

His words struck Zhu Fei profoundly, leaving her restless for a long time. She was both impressed by this boy’s insight and understanding of human nature and moved by his sincere kindness and courage.

“But… but that will ruin you!” Zhu Fei’s eyes reddened, her voice trembling and choking.

Though she knew this might very well raise the funds, it would come at the cost of destroying an innocent, well-meaning person. Her kind heart could not accept such a price—it was too great.

“Don’t worry, it won’t ruin me…” Su Chen smiled broadly and said with ease, “The more they hate me, the happier I am!”

Zhu Fei stared at Su Chen in astonishment at his words.