Meng Wan was surprised that Jiang Yu's first words were this, and tears immediately rolled down her cheeks.
She gritted her teeth, trying to make her voice sound as steady as possible.
"Yes, they treat me very well, don't worry."
Meng Wan forced a smile, raised her hand, and wiped away her tears, but new tears still rolled down uncontrollably.
“We’ve made it worthwhile for Wanwan.” Jiang Yu’s eyes were filled with relief when she heard Meng Wan’s words.
"Aunt Jiang, you are very important to me. I love you very much, do you know that?" Meng Wan, who was usually reluctant to express her feelings, was eager to tell Jiang Yu how she felt.
“I know, I’ve always known. I love you so much, I love Niannian so much too. But I’m sorry, Auntie has to go and be with your Uncle Yan. He’s been waiting for me for two years. He’s waiting for me, and I have to go and be with him…”
"What about Yan Nian?"
"You'll be here every year."
“It’s different, Auntie.” Meng Wan was unusually anxious.
Jiang Yu didn't have the strength to refute, she just stared at her, her gaze gentle, but without a trace of the fear of a dying person. More than anything... was her reluctance to part with her two children and the relief of impending liberation.
Looking at her, Meng Wan couldn't bring herself to say anything to persuade her to stay. How was this any different from kidnapping her?
“You are strong and resilient. Although you don’t talk much, you are a gentle child. With you by my side every year, I feel very at ease.”
Jiang Yu spoke slowly and deliberately, but still tried her best to finish her sentences.
"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have gone astray long ago." Meng Wan blinked, forcing a smile, but it was filled with endless bitterness.
"No, it won't happen." Jiang Yu's head swayed slightly. She no longer had the strength to explain why, but her eyes were full of certainty as she looked at Meng Wan.
"Wanwan..."
“Please speak,” Meng Wan said, leaning closer to listen.
"Call me Mom."
The tears that had been so hard to hold back started rolling down again. Meng Wan opened and closed her mouth, and it took her a long time to find her voice.
"mom……"
Throughout her childhood, which lacked both paternal and maternal love, it was the Yan couple who patiently guided her to become a better person. Regardless of one's perspective, this title is entirely appropriate.
"Next time you visit us, call Uncle Yan 'Dad' too. He'll be very happy."
Meng Wan held her hand tightly and nodded. She sniffed, her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, a rare look of vulnerability on her face.
"Smile more, our Wanwan is so beautiful..."
"Okay." Meng Wan agreed to everything without blinking, trying to memorize Jiang Yu's appearance.
Jiang Yu's voice grew softer and softer. She didn't want to let go, but she also knew that time was running out.
"I'll go call Yan Nian."
This time, Jiang Yu did not refute it.
The same scene filled Yan Nian with mixed emotions. He held back his tears, his mouth opening and closing, but because he had so much to say, he didn't know which sentence to utter first.
He wanted to say, "I'm sorry, I was too selfish," and he also wanted to complain about why Jiang Yu couldn't be stronger for him.
"I'm sorry..." But as soon as she opened her mouth, she still apologized.
He was like a child who had done something wrong, afraid that Jiang Yu would blame him for keeping her trapped for two years, and afraid that his cowardice and escapism would disappoint Jiang Yu.
“It’s because Mommy isn’t strong enough, baby.” A tear rolled down Jiang Yu’s cheek. She raised her hand, wanting to touch Yan Nian’s face again.
She was already extremely beautiful, and the lack of sunlight over the years made her skin so white that her veins were clearly visible.
Yan Nian inherited her beauty; their peach blossom eyes are almost identical, and their drooping corners make them look especially pitiful.
Yan Nian held her hand and pressed it against his face; it was cool and devoid of warmth. Like Meng Wan, he tried to warm Jiang Yu with his own body heat, but it was all in vain.
Jiang Yu looked at her child. She knew all about how hard Yan Nian had worked these past two years. Even if Yan Nian only told her the good things, a 16-year-old child facing sudden family upheaval and having to shoulder the responsibility of the entire company…
Her child, amidst the sudden changes of the night, did not complain or become despondent, but instead tried his best to live. She was very proud.
“We are really amazing every year. Mom is very proud, extremely proud.”
"Mmm." Yan Nian's voice was full of grievance.
“Wanwan is a good girl, you must treat her well. You’ve already done very well, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The inheritance we left is enough for you to live comfortably. Mom loves you very much and has never blamed you…”
Jiang Yu's tone became urgent, and Yan Nian nodded, tears rolling down between their fingers.
The machine started beeping, and Yan Nian held Jiang Yu's hand tightly.
"Mom...Mom, please talk to me a little longer...Mom..." Yan Nian cried like a helpless child.
He shook his head desperately, tears blurring his vision. He could only vaguely see Jiang Yu smiling and staring intently at Yan Nian.
"Your father and I love you very much. You two must take good care of yourselves..."
For two years, Jiang Yu listened to her two children tell her about their lives. She knew that even without her, the two children would be doing well.
Those were the two children she had watched grow up; no one loved them more than she did.
The rain shower will pass quickly. In a world without them, as long as the two children can support each other and keep going, no pain will last forever, and no difficulty will be insurmountable...
So, God, please, let all the love and warmth in the world be bestowed upon these two children...
The machine beeped, and Jiang Yu slowly closed her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks and soaked into her pillow.
The voices of Chen Xiong, Meng Wan, and Yan Nian gradually faded away.
She stood by the bridge, the light gradually shrinking, but she was not afraid.
Jiang Yu grasped the hand of the person next to her, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Waiting for you, no amount of time is too long."
"The children are very sad..." Jiang Yu looked with some reluctance at the place where the light was about to disappear.
"The children will do very well."
Jiang Yu turned around, and the last glimmer of light dissipated.
Two years have passed, and she was finally taken in her lover's hand again, walking towards their shared path. This time, she did not look back.
Everyone has their own path. Their path has come to an end, but they will become stars to guide children and help them walk longer on this path called 'life'.
The wave on the machine screen turned into a straight line. Chen Xiong endured the pain in his heart, ruthlessly pulled Jiang Yu's hand out of Yan Nian's hand, and then pulled out the needles one by one. Finally, he slowly covered the white cloth.
Yan Nian did not stop him, but just sat blankly in the chair, his expression empty.
Meng Wan exhaled and haphazardly wiped her face.
She walked to Yan Nian's side and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Wanwan, what should we do... Daddy took Mommy away too..."
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