After what seemed like an eternity, Chen Xiong finally breathed a sigh of relief and emerged wearily. Meng Wan and Yan Nian quickly helped him downstairs, one on each side.
"Master, are you alright?" Meng Wan poured a glass of water and handed it to Chen Xiong.
Chen Xiong took the glass, and it was quickly emptied.
"Grandpa Chen, how is my mother?" Yan Nian's Adam's apple bobbed, revealing his inner tension.
Chen Xiong stroked the water glass, not daring to look Yan Nian in the eye. After a long while, he sighed.
Yan Nian dared not speak, fearing that she would not be able to bear the answer she would receive.
Chen Xiong felt a little reluctant, but he also knew that there were some things he had to say.
“Yan Nian… has been lying in bed for two years, conscious but unable to wake up or move…” Chen Xiong was speechless.
He patted Yan Nian's hand, his cloudy eyes slightly red.
In fact, Yan Nian had thought about giving up many times during these two years, but he always thought he should wait a little longer. This wait lasted for two years.
Jiang Yu has always been an optimistic and kind person. She is lively, confident, gentle, and strong. Not only Yan Nian, but even Meng Wan believed that Jiang Yu would wake up. However, she never expected that her husband's death would be such a blow to her that she would lose all will to live.
For two years, the three tried various methods, but none of them could awaken even a trace of Jiang Yu's will to live.
In the silence, Yan Nian suddenly stood up. Without saying a word, he went straight up to the second floor, as if his soul had been ripped out, like a walking corpse, and almost tripped on the stairs.
Meng Wan subconsciously stood up, but Chen Xiong grabbed her. He shook his head, "Let him stay with his mother for a while. He's been running away for two years; it's time for him to make a decision."
Meng Wan gritted her teeth, "Is it possible to wake Aunt Jiang up again?"
"Yes, but once he wakes up, there's no chance of reversing it." Chen Xiong wiped his face, staring at the medicine box on the table, his eyes red-rimmed.
The sun set early, and after a few muffled claps of thunder, a torrential downpour began, so fast and dense that it gave no one time to react.
The room was brightly lit, and the food was repeatedly heated and cooled, but no one had an appetite.
Yan Nian was still in the room, while Meng Wan and Chen Xiong remained seated on the sofa, motionless, like two statues.
Suddenly, Yan Nian rushed out in a panic.
"Master, my mom... my mom's heart rate has dropped again!"
Chen Xiong didn't dare to delay, and Meng Wan, fearing he might fall, stayed by his side to support him.
Chen Xiong pressed his lips tightly together and inserted the needles one by one into Jiang Yu's skin. Yan Nian's eyes were red, and she didn't blink, as if she was afraid that Jiang Yu would disappear into thin air at any moment.
“Yan Nian…” Meng Wan’s voice was a little hoarse.
Upon hearing Meng Wan's voice, Yan Nian stiffly turned his head to look at her.
At that moment, he looked like a dog that had been abandoned, his eyes filled with confusion and helplessness, which made Meng Wan's heart ache.
She opened her arms and pulled Yan Nian into her embrace.
Yan Nian buried his head in her shoulder and neck, and Meng Wan could clearly feel the dampness on her shoulder. Yan Nian's body trembled slightly as he tried his best to suppress his sobs.
Meng Wan pursed her lips tightly, tears welling in her eyes as if they were about to spill over at any moment.
She gently patted Yan Nian's back, again and again...
But this time, they didn't see a miracle. When Chen Xiong looked at them, the two knew they had to make a decision today.
Meng Wan held Yan Nian's hand, offering him silent support.
She can't say things like "I'm here for you" because your parents are irreplaceable in his heart, and no one can make the choice for him.
Yan Nian had to take this step, and all she needed to do was stay by his side. She was the promise she made—that he could see her whenever he needed her, whenever he was helpless.
"Master, I'm counting on you."
Yan Nian clenched his teeth, his voice trembling, and unconsciously tightened his grip on Meng Wan's hand, making it hurt. But Meng Wan didn't complain at all, and didn't even try to break free.
Chen Xiong stopped his needlework and, upon closer inspection, noticed that his hand was trembling slightly.
He glanced at the butler, who understood and stepped forward to close the door, cutting off Yan Nian and Meng Wan's view.
Seeing this, Chen Xiong closed his eyes, then opened them again, his eyes filled with determination.
Quick, accurate, and ruthless! Every time Chen Xiong inserted a needle, Jiang Yu would react slightly.
First, he moved his fingers, then suddenly raised his hand and put it down again, and then his eyelids trembled slightly.
With the last thrust, he actually opened his eyes.
Her eyes were empty and lifeless, but Chen Xiong remained calm and slowly pulled the needle out.
"Jiang Yu, can you hear me?" Chen Xiong lowered his voice and called her name again and again.
Perhaps Chen Xiong's call had an effect, for Jiang Yu's gaze slowly began to focus. Her lips moved slightly, as if she were saying something.
Chen Xiong didn't hear clearly, so he leaned down and put his ear close.
"Uncle Chen..." The voice was very soft, but it brought tears to Chen Xiong's eyes.
"Hey, good boy." Chen Xiong smiled, but tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably.
"You've suffered, our little fish, you've endured two years of hardship. You've worked so hard." Chen Xiong's cloudy eyes revealed an unconcealable heartache.
"The two children... I'm sorry to trouble you."
“It’s no trouble at all, not at all. They are so well-behaved and sensible. It’s actually me, this old man, who has caused them a lot of trouble.” Chen Xiong wiped away his tears and couldn’t say anything else.
"Both children are outside. I'll let them in."
The moment Jiang Yu opened her eyes, her life had already begun its countdown.
"Wanwan...come in." Jiang Yu spoke slowly and softly, and Chen Xiong had to lean close to hear her.
Nevertheless, he immediately understood what Jiang Yu meant.
"Alright, I'll let Wanwan in right away." He didn't hesitate, looked at the butler, and the two went out together.
"Master, how is it!" The two of them stared intently at him.
"Wanwan, come in." Chen Xiong patted Meng Wan on the shoulder.
Meng Wan swallowed hard, knowing that time was of the essence, and didn't dare to ask any more questions before going straight inside.
Yan Nian was so nervous that he forgot to loosen their clasped hands. It was only when Meng Wan gently patted the back of his hand that he suddenly let go, as if waking from a dream.
The door closed again, and Yan Nian stood stiffly at the door like a child who had done something wrong, like an abandoned puppy.
Chen Xiong paced back and forth with his back to Yan Nian, trying to distract himself and not dare to break down at this moment.
Inside the room, Meng Wan's steps were somewhat stiff. She walked towards Jiang Yu step by step, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Wanwan..." Jiang Yu's voice was very soft, but she should have been full of energy.
"Yes, Auntie, I'm here." Meng Wan took a deep breath and held back her tears.
She held Jiang Yu's hand; it was icy cold, lacking any warmth a normal person should have. Meng Wan covered Jiang Yu's hand, trying to transfer some of her own warmth to her.
Jiang Yu smiled gently, her eyes and brows softening.
“That’s wonderful, Wanwan has a wonderful family.”
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