Chapter 25: Death Without Hope of Recovery

Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan watched Dr. Xiao with focused expressions, waiting for him to continue. Their seriousness and anticipation must have been palpable, for Dr. Xiao glanced at them and immediately gave a wry smile.

“Are you hoping for some kind of optimistic news, something that might let you breathe a little easier?” he guessed their thoughts and shook his head with a bitter smile. “There isn’t any. The reality is even more heartbreaking than you expect.”

“I managed to get in touch with Chang Rong’s son. He told me that Chang Rong had already passed away a month before I called. I was shocked and quickly asked what had happened. He said that after his father was discharged and sent home, his condition deteriorated day by day. For a long time before his death, he was essentially unconscious.”

“I asked why he wasn’t sent back to the hospital for treatment, or if the family had lost faith in us and chosen another hospital instead.”

“The son said they never took him to the hospital again. He was cared for at home. His mother said that given how severely injured he was, no one could say how long he could have lived. But the rest of the family still had their lives to live. They couldn’t let the entire household be dragged down and destroyed by someone whose survival time was uncertain.”

“In other words, after discharge, Chang Rong received no further medical treatment. His family had essentially given up on him. It was only his own physical resilience, or perhaps his will to live, that kept him going for about six more months,” Ning Shuyi summarized Dr. Xiao’s account.

Dr. Xiao sighed deeply. “Now you probably understand why, after all these years, this patient left such a deep impression on me. Honestly, in our line of work, we don’t exactly say we’re accustomed to life and death, but we rarely get shocked. We often witness the cruel side of things. But Chang Rong’s family was truly an anomaly. Normally, families do everything they can to save their loved ones, and if they must give up, it’s an agonizing, conflicted decision. But this woman gave up decisively from the start—no hesitation, no dragging things out—and after discharge, she completely abandoned any treatment for her husband. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Because of them, I got a real eye-opener about just how selfish and cold a person can be.”

Listening to Dr. Xiao’s story, Ning Shuyi’s feelings were deeply complicated. When she had inquired near the crime scene, most neighbors praised Deng Qingrong and her son, describing them as a devoted, filial pair. Their social circle was simple, making it hard to believe anyone would target such an honest, hardworking mother and son. Although a young mother with a child did mention some less flattering incidents, these mainly reflected outdated beliefs—unfortunate but not enough to question their character. What Dr. Xiao revealed now was of a completely different nature.

Chang Rong’s former factory had paid out 500,000 yuan in compensation due to his injury. This sum was traceable, confirmed by the workshop supervisor Sun Wan, who also recalled how Deng Qingrong had negotiated for it. For a woman, to remain so cold and tactical after her husband’s accident, focusing solely on getting compensation without a trace of grief or hesitation, was telling. After receiving the money, she had not only abandoned treatment for her severely injured husband but refused to spend a single cent on him. That was a matter of character.

People have many facets. Ning Shuyi had encountered criminals who were ruthless and merciless to outsiders but tender and caring toward their own family. But when someone treats even their closest kin with cold-hearted self-interest, it speaks volumes about their nature. Even if they aren’t outright villains, their character is deeply flawed.

From this, Ning Shuyi couldn’t help but speculate that since Deng Qingrong’s kindness was a façade—one bound to crack—it was highly likely she had offended someone. Moreover, the 500,000 yuan compensation, withdrawn quickly after deposit and the bank account closed, disappeared without a trace, raising further questions about its use.

This revelation also shed light on why Deng Qingrong and her son had moved from their previous home, where they had lived for so long. Most neighbors there knew Chang Rong and were aware of his injury and the family’s refusal to treat him. News of the husband’s injury, the refusal of treatment, and his death within six months had likely made it impossible for Deng Qingrong to maintain her standing in that community.

After leaving the hospital, Ning Shuyi and Huo Yan agreed to visit that old neighborhood. Though many years had passed, as Dr. Xiao’s lingering impression showed, such cold-hearted acts tend to leave an indelible mark on people’s conscience.

Their previous residence was clearly recorded on the residence registration, making it easy for them to find. The neighborhood resembled the one near the crime scene—an older, low-rise complex without elevators, stretching across the city but sharing similar modest characteristics.

At the time, Deng Qingrong didn’t work outside, relying on the incomes of Chang Rong and their son to support the family. Life was likely tight but manageable. However, the 500,000 yuan compensation had been withdrawn entirely by Deng Qingrong and never spent on Chang Rong’s medical expenses. The mother and son still lived in a modest, somewhat dilapidated rental unit.

So where had all that money gone?

On their way to the previous address of Deng Qingrong and Chang Junchao, Ning Shuyi suddenly recalled a habitual thief with a record of breaking and entering who had once caused injury. Judging by the humble living conditions of the mother and son, there was little worth breaking into their home for, let alone murdering them. But if the target was that 500,000 yuan?

Would desperation drive someone to such lengths? It was a question worth considering.

Wishing all those taking exams divine inspiration and extraordinary performance! Thinking back to when Xiao Mo took the college entrance exam... Ah, that reveals too much about my age; better not mention it!

(The End of this Chapter)