Chapter 150: Prosthesis Choice
Huai Yu wanted to sulk after being criticized by Zhou Qian.
However, Zhou Qian nonchalantly finished his extra meal and then urged her,
“Hurry up and sell the vegetables. You’ve got such a big basket, and if you don’t sell them soon, they’ll go bad.”
Huai Yu glanced down at the long beans in the basket on the table. She thought of Boss Tang waiting for her, and so she stood at the table, swiftly putting the basket on her back.
Since she didn’t have to bend down again, the heavy basket pressed against her shoulders. Although it made her grit her teeth and struggle, it wasn’t impossible to carry.
Her expression was a bit grim.
Unconsciously, Huai Yu looked at Zhou Qian. She had the feeling he was secretly laughing at her.
Sure enough, when she turned to look, she saw him tugging at the corner of his mouth, his expression hard to define — it wasn’t exactly a smile.
“Hmph!”
Huai Yu sulked and waved her hand, “I’m going to sell the vegetables now.”
Zhou Qian nodded, his face as usual, “Go ahead.”
As she reached the door, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, “Are you getting the prosthesis today? When are you going to do it? I’ll come with you.”
Zhou Qian impatiently replied, “It’s just a basic adaptation, not the actual fitting yet. Do you really need to come with me for something so minor? You still need to sell those vegetables, so focus on that and earn some points.”
Huai Yu thought to herself, You underestimate me! I can easily finish at Boss Tang’s!
But she didn’t say anything. Instead, she proudly turned her head and walked out.
Her footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor. Zhou Qian, expressionless, pressed the call button.
Soon, three doctors arrived in the ward, holding thick contracts.
“Hello, we need to confirm again — do you confirm the choice of the new type of biological material prosthesis?”
“Confirm.”
“Do you understand the pros and cons of traditional prostheses versus new biological material prostheses?”
“Understand.”
“Do you voluntarily agree to sign the biological material experimental contract? Additional notes: The biological material laboratory will not interfere with your personal life, but will conduct regular follow-ups and require you to describe your usage experience in detail.”
“Voluntarily sign.”
“Great.” One of the doctors handed over the contract,
“Please sign and affix your fingerprint at the designated places. The contract will take effect immediately once completed.”
Zhou Qian flipped through the contract, quickly signing his name at the designated places and pressing his fingerprint neatly.
“Thank you for your cooperation — Mr. Zhou, please follow us to the observation room. Before that, we need to confirm your data again. At 2 PM, our professional team will come to fit your prosthesis.”
The doctors left with the contract in hand, and Zhou Qian declined the nurse’s offer of a wheelchair. Instead, he grabbed the crutches that had been resting by his bed.
Click, click, click…
The sound of the crutches hitting the floor was sharp and clear, as he took one step after another. His movements were slow and difficult, yet determined.
Just like Huai Yu, who struggled under the heavy weight of her burden.
Behind him, at the private nurse’s station in the hospital, two nurses exchanged looks of both admiration and pity as they watched his retreating figure, whispering to each other —
“Doesn’t he feel pain? He’s had his thigh amputated! We’ve been taking care of him for so long and never heard him shout in pain…”
But it was clear that he felt pain.
Every day his hospital gown was soaked with sweat, and during infusions, his arms were covered in cold sweat. If not for the intravenous needle, his muscles would have been so tense that they wouldn’t have been able to insert the needle.
“You didn’t see it, but when the nerve pain started, he endured it for so many days… by the time he was brought back, the wound was completely soaked and rotting…”
He really could endure it!
There was already a legend circulating through the medical staff — whether it was surviving a deadly nerve toxin or his later ability to withstand pain beyond human limits.
The nurses exchanged sighs —
“Well, at least he’s from the defense army. His physical condition is stronger than most people’s.”
“What’s truly scary is his ability to endure pain. He’s even choosing a new material prosthesis — look, the traditional prosthesis combined with new materials isn’t bad either!”
Before the disaster, the technology for traditional prostheses was already quite advanced.
Now, with the ongoing research and a large number of disabled people, the demand for medical care has surged. Prostheses have incorporated more biological materials, and the results are outstanding.
But Zhou Qian chose the new type of biological fusion material, which has clearer advantages and disadvantages.
That’s why the nurses couldn’t understand —
“Yeah, traditional prostheses can carry weight and allow normal walking, but they can’t handle high intensity. Plus, they take longer to adapt… But he’s retired now, so he doesn’t need high intensity anymore, right?”
“I don’t get it… Maybe it’s because he’s running low on contribution points? I heard that if you choose the new biological material prosthesis, the research institute gives an extra 2800 points!”
“That’s true… But I’ve heard that unless someone is desperate, they wouldn’t choose this. The defense army’s benefits are decent, so he shouldn’t be that bad off…”
“Maybe not, but you see that girl who brings him food every day? She’s pale, thin, and small… She probably needs more points to be supported.”
“Sigh…”
Zhou Qian didn’t hear their conversation.
Even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared.
Whether the prosthesis was suitable or not, only he could determine that.
The advantages of traditional prostheses were obvious — gentle, harmless, and long-lasting.
But there was one flaw: they had low strength and couldn’t keep up with his now significantly improved body.
Once they were fitted, they wouldn’t be able to handle high-intensity combat and physical activity anymore.
Only the new type of biological fusion material could do that —
Because it was biologically induced and fused more closely with the human body and nerves, there would be no rejection, and it had basic nerve feedback.
The downside was — When the biological material fuses with the nerves, it would trigger excruciating pain, similar to nerve toxins.
Acid, swelling, numbness, itching, pain…
The constant adhesion of new nerves would make it almost unbearable.
Because of this, globally, even though biological materials were nearly flawless in every other aspect, the number of people who had survived the adaptation period was fewer than 10.
At first, Zhou Qian hadn’t considered this.
The previous 30 years had been hard enough, and he thought that a more ordinary prosthesis that allowed him to walk would be good enough.
But now…
Now things were different.
Huai Yu was still so young. Every time he saw her work hard for a better life, he felt like her small body was carrying too much weight.
Yet, she wasn’t an ordinary little girl. She had the innocence, kindness, and softness of a child, but sometimes she would say surprisingly mature things.
She had so many secrets, yet she was easily trusting of others…
Zhou Qian realized —Ordinary people couldn’t help her or protect her.
And he himself hadn’t protected Zhou Ning six years ago. Six years later, he hoped to give Huai Yu a stable life.
