Chapter 76 (End of Text)
Jiang Qiheng had always been in good health, and he was soon transferred from a public hospital to his own private hospital. The day after the transfer, he asked to see Lu Mingxiao and Jiang Huaiyu.
Jiang Lan, who had been by his side the whole time, hesitated somewhat upon hearing this.
Jiang Qiheng smiled and said, "Are you afraid I'll say something unpleasant to Huaiyu again?"
Jiang Lan smiled awkwardly, not denying it, but said, "Dad, you've just recovered, and I'm afraid those two mischievous monkeys will make you angry."
“Huaiyu isn’t a mischievous monkey…” Jiang Qiheng sighed deeply, “During the rescue, I don’t know if it was because of the anesthesia, but I saw your mother. She still looked young and beautiful…”
“She said that if I can’t manage the family affairs, then I shouldn’t. If I keep causing trouble for her two grandsons, she will take me away.”
Jiang Lan: ...
Jiang Qiheng smiled and patted Jiang Lan's hand: "I also wanted to go with your mother, but when I thought about how my little girl would have no one to rely on after I left, I said, Qiqi, wait for me for a few more years!"
Having likely experienced a brush with death, the melancholy in Jiang Qiheng's eyes had faded considerably. His white hair shimmered faintly in the morning light, and his expression was one of peace.
At this moment, he didn't look like the dignified, powerful patriarch of a wealthy family who dominated the business world, but just an ordinary old father who loved his daughter.
Jiang Lan gently leaned on his lap and nodded: "Then I'll have them come over this afternoon."
...
After receiving the call, Lu Mingxiao told Jiang Lan that they would be there at noon so he could cook lunch for the old man and show his filial piety.
Jiang Qiheng was pleased, but then gave a slightly awkward snort: "He cooked because I softened my attitude towards Huaiyu, so he's willing to show me kindness too, right? That brat..."
Lu Mingxiao really thought so.
"The old man had a brush with death, and he's seen through a lot of things now. He's finally matured." Lu Mingxiao parked the car, got out with the insulated food container, and took Jiang Huaiyu's hand as they walked towards the elevator. "He wants to see you today. He won't say anything unpleasant, will he?"
Jiang Huaiyu wasn't sure either, only saying, "Probably not."
"If he apologizes to you, will you forgive him?"
"I don't know," Jiang Huaiyu said. "I probably won't forgive him, because that would be unfair to my past self who was disappointed in me. But I won't make things too ugly for him. After all, he is my mother's father. I don't want to put my mother in a difficult position."
Lu Mingxiao put his arm around his shoulder, turned his head and kissed his forehead: "My little fish baby is so well-behaved and kind."
Jiang Huaiyu chuckled and nudged him, saying, "Take it easy for a bit later. The old man is getting on in years, and his heart, which was just saved, can't handle any more stimulation."
"Yes, ma'am."
As noon approached, Jiang Qiheng began frequently picking up his watch from the table to check the time. He thought no one would notice his little actions, but he checked it three or four times in ten minutes, which was too obvious. Jiang Lan found the old man a bit funny and was about to send a message to the two children to urge them when the door to the ward was pushed open.
Lu Mingxiao came in first, carrying a thermos: "Grandpa, Xiaoyu and I came to see you. How are you feeling today?"
Jiang Qiheng: ...
For some reason, having died once, he suddenly didn't like this kid anymore. He didn't look like his girl at all, but looked just like that brat Song Jingliang.
“Today was alright…” Jiang Qiheng peeked behind him.
Jiang Huaiyu wore a long gray camel hair coat over a black turtleneck sweater and a silver decorative chain. When she met Jiang Qiheng's gaze, he felt a little uncomfortable, but still nodded politely: "We've come to see you."
He didn't call him "grandfather," which was exactly what Jiang Qiheng expected.
The old man didn't say anything, but gestured for the two children to sit down.
Lu Mingxiao handed the thermos to the caregiver, who quickly set out lunch for Jiang Qiheng. He ate while chatting with the two children.
Most of the time, he and Lu Mingxiao talked, while Jiang Huaiyu rarely spoke.
Jiang Qiheng glanced at Jiang Huaiyu out of the corner of his eye.
He hadn't seen Jiang Huaiyu for almost four years. Young people grow up quickly, and now he looked like a man, with a noble and gentle demeanor, and a calm and composed air about him.
These two children, one calm and aloof, the other flamboyant and adventurous, complement each other perfectly. If they could take over the burden of the Jiang family together, it wouldn't be a bad thing if the two brothers worked together.
Lu Mingxiao was peeling an apple. After he finished, he naturally cut off a piece with a knife, stuck it with a toothpick, and handed it to Jiang Huaiyu's mouth: "It's quite sweet, have a taste."
Jiang Huaiyu subtly nudged his shin to make him watch his step, then took the toothpick from his hand: "Thank you."
Lu Mingxiao coughed and handed the apple with a piece missing to Jiang Qiheng: "Grandpa, have an apple."
Jiang Qiheng: ...
Are you suggesting that he, a guy with dentures, should hold a whole apple and eat it?
Jiang Huaiyu couldn't stand it anymore, so she took the apple and went to find a small plate to cut it into pieces.
Looking at that tall and slender figure, Jiang Qiheng said to Lu Mingxiao, "You and Huaiyu seem to have a good relationship."
“Hmm.” Lu Mingxiao shrugged. “He’s smart, insightful, sentimental, and capable. I’m quite happy to be with him…”
Jiang Qiheng nodded: "That's good. You brothers should get along well and support each other in the future."
Lu Mingxiao smiled and said, "Then I'll have him manage the Jiang family business for me from now on."
Jiang Qiheng sensed his probing and glanced at him: "Do as you please, but don't blame me for not warning you, Huaiyu may not be willing to get involved in Jiang's affairs."
It was all his fault.
Logically speaking, given Jiang Huaiyu's personality, he shouldn't be involved in the Jiang family's affairs anymore. However, things haven't gone according to plan. Lu Mingxiao and Jiang Huaiyu are not just "brothers," but also lovers with a close and trusting relationship. It's just that the old man can't know about this.
Jiang Huaiyu returned with a plate of sliced apples and placed it on the table next to Jiang Qiheng.
The two sat for a while longer before Lu Mingxiao said he had an online meeting at the company that afternoon and took his leave with Jiang Huaiyu.
Jiang Huaiyu stood up: "Take care."
Lu Mingxiao held his wrist, and the two walked to the door. Jiang Qiheng, who was leaning against the bed, suddenly spoke:
"Huaiyu!"
Jiang Huaiyu paused, turning to look at the old man.
Jiang Qiheng's withered lips moved slightly. His eyes were cloudy due to old age, unlike the clear and wise eyes that Jiang Huaiyu remembered.
His maternal grandfather remained in his childhood memories, but he also accepted Mr. Jiang's apology.
Jiang Huaiyu didn't say anything, just nodded slightly.
Many things didn't need to be explained. Jiang Qiheng relaxed his tense body and waved to the two children.
...
After leaving the hospital, the two did not drive back immediately. Instead, they held hands and went to a small park near the hospital. They walked aimlessly and occasionally saw patients in hospital gowns taking a walk there.
Lu Mingxiao took Jiang Huaiyu's hand and kissed it: "What are you thinking about?"
“I’m thinking, all my wishes for this year have come true.” Jiang Huaiyu squinted her eyes, took his hand and shook it: “Mr. Jiang and I are just fine like this.”
Even though he would never call him grandpa again, the bitterness and grievances he had always felt and could not face finally vanished at this moment.
That's good.
Lu Mingxiao raised his hand and squeezed his hand tightly: "Yes, it's not for anyone else, but the most important thing is for you to get over that hurdle in your heart. Congratulations, Jiang Xiaoyu, from now on your path will be smooth and radiant!"
Jiang Huaiyu burst out laughing.
He has claimed the sun for himself; how could he not shine brilliantly?
But speaking of the road ahead...
Jiang Huaiyu asked, "Are you still planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"
Lu Mingxiao hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly: "Our company is at a critical juncture, and I can't leave it alone, so I'll put it aside for now and wait until things are on track in a couple of years."
The answer was exactly what Jiang Huaiyu expected. After thinking for a moment, she firmly stated, "I plan to pursue a master's degree. For the company to truly develop and establish itself, technological advancement and attracting new, outstanding members are of paramount importance. Moreover, for us, the value of a network of connections far exceeds the value of courses and academic qualifications..."
He thought Lu Mingxiao would be reluctant to part, since one was going to pursue further studies and the other was going to focus on his career, which meant that the two would have to separate again after a short time together.
But Lu Mingxiao only gave him a light kiss.
The warmth of their lips touched briefly before parting. Jiang Huaiyu froze for a moment, then her ears burned red, and she completely forgot what she was about to say: "Lu Mingxiao, I'm being serious with you, how come... there are people everywhere here."
"Shall we go back to Yuexi Mountain and continue?" Lu Mingxiao pulled him away from the small park: "I paid for almost half a month's accommodation."
Jiang Huaiyu was a little unsure of his meaning: "What did I just say?"
“I heard everything…” Lu Mingxiao squeezed his palm: “Don’t worry about your studies, I’ll take care of things at the company.”
Jiang Huaiyu was somewhat surprised: "I thought..."
"Did you think I would react like I did four years ago, getting all worked up at the mere mention of separation?" Lu Mingxiao chuckled, but a hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes. "Back then, I was young, wasn't I? I thought that people who liked each other should be together every day. Plus, Fahai forced us apart, so it was inevitable that I would feel resistant."
Jiang Huaiyu asked, "And now?"
“Now…” Lu Mingxiao opened the car door for him: “You have your own considerations, your own plans are equally important. We’re separating temporarily for a better future, and most importantly…”
What is it?
"I am part of the future you've planned."
Jiang Huaiyu got into the car, sat in the passenger seat, and watched Lu Mingxiao walk around the front of the car.
Lu Mingxiao's appearance hadn't changed much since they first met, except that the youthful arrogance in his eyes had matured into a restrained sharpness, concealing all his aggression.
His shoulders are broader, and his figure is taller and more upright. The boy has grown into a man.
A very charming man.
Time marches on, but Jiang Huaiyu will always remember the bright sunshine in the small courtyard in the north. The boy would rinse his hair with a hose, and water droplets would roll down his brow bone. He would look up and smile brightly, like the blazing summer sun.
"Jiang Xiaoyu, come here!"
The voice in his memory overlapped with the voice a few decibels lower beside him, and Jiang Huaiyu came back to his senses. Lu Mingxiao was looking at him, a gentle smile in his deep eyes: "What are you thinking about? So serious?"
"Miss you."
Lu Mingxiao raised an eyebrow: "You're already missing me even before we've broken up?"
“No, it’s the you that I haven’t seen for so long.” Jiang Huaiyu chuckled and took Lu Mingxiao’s hand: “Brother Xiao, let’s go back to the courtyard. I want to build a snowman with you again.”
Lu Mingxiao was slightly taken aback.
A moment later, he smiled, took Jiang Huaiyu's hand, and kissed his ring finger.
"Yes, young master."
Author's Note:
[Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers] The main story is finished! The epilogue set ten years later will be updated tomorrow! [Heart]
(I'll take a day off if I don't update tomorrow because my mouth is getting more and more swollen today. It's really bad now and a bit scary. I need to go to the hospital tomorrow. [crying emoji])
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