Give me a cigarette.

Restless and agitated, I turned to Wang, the Fatty, and said, "Do you have any cigarettes? Give me one."
He fished out a pack of Red Double Happiness worth about ten yuan and handed me a cigarette. As I was about to smoke, a nurse came over to stop me: "No smoking here. If you want to smoke, go outside."
I thought, with Fatty waiting here, I needed somewhere to smoke and calm myself, to think things through. I patted Fatty’s shoulder to let him know I was going out for a cigarette.
Fatty patted my back, saying, "Feng, don’t blame yourself, and don’t act impulsively. Go and clear your head."
I walked to the hospital’s flower bed. It was nighttime, and the area was deserted. I hid beneath a tall tree and began to smoke. I hadn’t originally been a smoker, but after spending so much time with convicts in prison, I picked it up.
After I was released, I tried hard to quit and had almost succeeded, but the pile-up of troubles brought the craving back.
I took deep drags, trying to steady myself. Trouble kept coming, one wave after another, and the enemy lurking in the shadows had struck at those closest to me. I couldn’t just sit and wait for death. I needed to strike back—but how?
The two people dearest to me now were Jin Yulian and Lin Ironhead. Lin Ironhead had just been attacked; I had to find the real culprit and bring them to justice. I suspected it was Qian Duobao and Xu Qingyun, but without evidence, what could I do? Finding proof was key.
Where to start? The blond-haired reckless driver—I’d read the traffic police’s report and knew his name was Huang Yongfa. He would be my breakthrough. But if he refused to admit anything, I’d be helpless.
Suddenly, I remembered how I’d left Jin Yulian behind tonight; she must be heartbroken. She’d prepared everything so carefully, and I’d let her down.
Women all have their pride, especially someone like her. But for the sake of a friend hit by a car, I’d rushed away from her. What would she think? She must believe she’s not important to me.
Brothers are like limbs, wives like clothes—my actions surely chilled her heart. No wonder she said, "Xiaofeng, tonight is your last chance. If you let it slip, you’ll regret it your whole life."
If I hurt her, Qian Duobao would seize the opportunity. Qian Duobao, you harmed my brother and now want to take my woman; if Ironhead can’t be saved, I’ll drag you down with me.

Thinking of Ironhead, I took a deep drag, tossed the cigarette, and ran to the emergency room door. The door was still closed. Through the window, I could vaguely see doctors busy inside, but Ironhead was out of sight.
Fatty and I could only wait anxiously. Suddenly, a sorrowful voice echoed, "Ironhead, where are you? How are you?"
I saw an elderly woman approaching, crying. Though I hadn’t seen her in years, I immediately recognized Ironhead’s mother. Fatty and I hurried to greet her. Choking up, I said, "Aunt Lin, please don’t worry. Ironhead’s still in the emergency room."
Ironhead’s mother wept, "Ironhead! How could you be so careless? If anything happens to you, how will your sister and I survive?"
Because Ironhead was undergoing surgery, his survival uncertain, the hospital had notified his closest kin.
When Ironhead was first hit, he was conscious and thought his injuries weren’t serious. So, when he called Fatty, he wanted to keep his mother in the dark. But that was impossible—he needed someone to sign for his treatment, and I’d signed in his place when there was no time.
Looking at Ironhead’s mother’s aged face, her devastated expression, I remembered Granny Li, who raised me, and thought how Ironhead had been implicated because of me.
Unable to hold back, I knelt before her, choking, "Aunt Lin, please don’t grieve. Ironhead is my brother; he’ll be all right. If anything happens, I swear I’ll take care of you for him, you can rest assured."
Aunt Lin was stunned by my gesture, then quickly helped me up. "Feng, I know you’re a true brother to Ironhead. Hearing that comforts me."
Seeing me kneel, Fatty knelt as well. "Auntie, Ironhead is my brother too. I’ll take care of you."
Granny Li who raised me was gone, so I regarded Ironhead’s mother as Granny Li; Fatty’s mother had left him for good, so he yearned for a mother’s presence.
Our actions were genuine expressions of feeling. For me, it was also penance, because I knew Ironhead was hurt because of me—if I hadn’t sought him out, if he hadn’t helped get me that job at the construction site, he wouldn’t have suffered this calamity.
Aunt Lin helped Fatty up, saying, "You are both true brothers to Ironhead. Having you eases my heart."
Just then, a nurse called, "Who is the patient’s family? Please come in, the doctor has something to say."

Worried Aunt Lin might collapse from grief, Fatty and I quickly supported her inside. A bespectacled chief physician saw us and motioned for Aunt Lin to sit. She couldn’t wait, asking, "Doctor, how is my son Ironhead?"
The doctor replied, "After the rescue, the patient is out of immediate danger. However, his injuries are severe—multiple fractures in his thigh and arm. He’ll need a long period of treatment to recover."
Aunt Lin worried, "Will he be able to walk, to work and earn a living?"
The doctor said, "It’s hard to say right now—it depends on the outcome of his treatment. For now, saving his life is the top priority."
Aunt Lin nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, life is most important." Her voice grew fainter, clearly overcome by fear and sorrow.
I silently rejoiced—nothing mattered more than saving his life. As long as he lived, there was hope.
Night had deepened. The doctor said, "The patient will be treated in intensive care for several days. When his condition stabilizes, he’ll be moved to a regular ward. There’s nothing more you can do now. Leave your contact information and go home. If there’s an emergency, the hospital will notify you."
We said, "Thank you, doctor. You’ve worked hard."
The doctor added, "To avoid delays in treatment, it’s best to pay more deposit. Although insurance will cover the accident, if their payment isn’t in place, you’ll need to pay upfront."
Aunt Lin worried, "What should we do?"
I quickly reassured her, "Don’t worry, Auntie. Fatty and I will think of something."