Chapter 215: Grace Falls Ill
"Really?"
The dark-skinned little boy's eyes lit up. "Scarlett, you're amazing! You actually know this big brother! I heard that he donated money to build our Maplewood Primary School!"
"Is that true? Wow! Noah big brother is amazing!"
Scarlett blinked her big eyes and clapped her hands happily. She had no idea about this.
On the stage, the future principal of Maplewood Primary School and the director of the education bureau, Quentin, gave speeches.
The content is straightforward. First, it thanks Noah for his kind act of donating to build Maplewood Primary School. Secondly, it encourages the children to study hard and become useful individuals to society and Eagleland, while also learning from Noah's spirit of boundless love and helping others.
After listening to the speech, the children clapped happily.
Once the speech was over, the ribbon-cutting ceremony began. Long red ribbons were raised, and the emcee handed the scissors to Noah and others.
Crack!
Firecrackers went off, filling the air with the smell of sulfur.
Snap!
The ribbon was cut, and Quentin and others applauded. The children in the audience also clapped happily.
Noah's gaze scanned the crowd, and he immediately spotted a lovely little girl, Scarlett, who was as charming as a jade carving.
Quentin said some motivational words, and then the ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded.
Noah walked off the stage and smiled at Scarlett.
"Scarlett, did you miss me?"
"Of course, I missed you so much, Noah big brother!"
Scarlett smiled happily, revealing her two rows of pearly white teeth, and ran towards Noah.
Noah opened his arms and embraced Scarlett, holding her tightly. He reached out and pinched her tender cheek.
"How have you been recently? Are you doing well?"
Noah genuinely liked this adorable little girl.
"I'm doing fine. Although we live in temporary housing, it's much better than our old house!"
Scarlett nodded her little head and then her face turned sorrowful.
"But my mom is sick. She has been lying in bed these past few days and can't eat."
"Sick?"
Noah's brows furrowed. "What kind of illness?"
"I don't know. I asked her, but she won't tell me," Scarlett shook her head. "She just said it's a minor illness and she'll be fine after some time."
Noah's eyes flashed. If it's just a minor illness, there's no reason not to tell Scarlett.
"Take me to see her," Noah immediately said.
"Alright!"
With Scarlett in his arms, Noah headed towards the residential area.
After about ten minutes, Noah arrived at Grace's temporary residence.
"Mom! Noah big brother is here to see you!" Scarlett cheerfully shouted as soon as they reached the door.
Noah pushed the door open and entered.
Grace was lying in bed. When she heard the voice, a look of delight appeared in her big eyes. She propped herself up on the bed with her arms and was about to get out of bed, but Noah had already entered the room.
"Grace..."
Noah looked at Grace, his expression becoming serious.
At this moment, Grace had become much thinner compared to when she had left last time, with slightly sunken cheeks.
Her skin had turned pale as paper, giving a feeling of weakness all over her body.
"Grace, Scarlett said you're sick. What illness is it?" Noah put Scarlett down and asked worriedly.
"It's just a slight cold with a fever, a minor illness. It'll be fine in a few days," Grace waved her hand and forced a smile.
Noah furrowed his eyebrows. A regular cold with a fever wouldn't be like this.
Grace's cheeks were hollowed, and her arms seemed like bones were visible.
"Noah, my mom hasn't been eating much for several days now, and when she does eat, it's only congee. She can't eat vegetables or buns at all," Scarlett spoke up.
"I feel like it's not just a cold and fever."
"Scarlett, why are you talking nonsense? I'm perfectly healthy!" Grace glared at Scarlett fiercely, scaring her into silence.
Noah's gaze swept around the room and suddenly noticed a piece of paper under Grace's pillow.
He reached out and pulled out the paper.
It was a diagnosis report.
"Noah, give it back to me!"
Grace's face changed, wanting to take the report back, but her hand lifted weakly, and it fell to the ground.
Noah's gaze fell on the report:
"Sighted near the 22-25 centimeters position from the anterior teeth, irregular thickening in the left anterior wall, fragile texture, easy bleeding upon touch, with three patches at the junction, cancer cells present..."
"Diagnosis result: Early symptoms of esophageal cancer."
"Esophageal cancer..."
Noah's face turned completely gloomy. "Grace, why didn't you tell me that you're suffering from such a serious illness?"
Grace finally couldn't hold on and burst into tears, drops of teardrops falling:
"Ooo... What's the use of telling you? This illness, it's not a common one, it's cancer, and it's incurable..."
"The doctor said, with the current medical technology, even with surgeries, chemotherapy, and Chinese medicine, it can only delay the spread of cancer cells. After two years, I will..."
"Not to mention, just the cost of surgeries and chemotherapy will be in the hundreds of thousands, even millions. Where would I get so much money... ooo..."
By the end of her words, Grace's crying became louder.
As a divorced woman, supporting this family was already not easy. Who knew the pressure she had on her shoulders?
Now, an even bigger disaster had befallen her. She had contracted cancer, which undoubtedly pushed her closer to death.
This illness was also greatly related to her day and night toil.
"What? Cancer?"
Upon hearing this, Scarlett's face turned pale instantly, tears streaming down:
"Mom, how could... why didn't you tell me?! Ooo..."
Scarlett cried out loudly.
Upon seeing her daughter cry, Grace felt a pang of pain and reached out to wipe Scarlett's tears away.
"I'm afraid my illness is basically incurable. After I'm gone, Scarlett may have to live alone, completely isolated in this world. She's so young, how can I bear to leave her?" Grace's voice choked as she looked at Noah.
"Noah, can you do me a favor? I hope that after I'm gone, you can take care of Scarlett for me... Please, I beg you! I will forever be grateful for your kindness and generosity!"
"Mom, please don't leave!" Scarlett collapsed into Grace's embrace, holding onto her tightly.
"Don't worry, Grace, you'll be fine," Noah spoke with determination.
After saying that, Noah stepped forward and lifted Grace up in his arms.
She was so light in his embrace, as if devoid of any weight. It was apparent that Grace, who had been unable to eat for the past few days, had drastically lost weight.
"Noah, where are you taking me?" Grace paused for a moment.
"To the hospital," Noah stared straight ahead and walked towards the door, with Scarlett following closely behind.
"It's useless, Noah. I have cancer, and even if we had the money, it's impossible to cure... The current level of medical technology has not reached that point," Hopelessness appeared in Grace's eyes.
"So, let's just give up!"
"Don't worry, it will be cured, trust me," Noah lowered his head and looked at Grace, his certainty unquestionable.
As Grace looked at the determined gaze of the young boy before her, for a moment, she felt a sense of genuine hope for a cure.
But then she shook her head again. She knew Noah had money, but this was cancer. Even with money, it was impossible to cure!
