The azure sky was shrouded in dark clouds, carrying the ominous pressure of a storm looming on the horizon.
Jinling, one of Hua Nation’s new first-tier cities, was far more developed than Jiangnan. This land held the blood and stories of countless ancestors buried deep beneath its modernity.
Inside a private ward at Jinhua Hospital.
An elderly man with a hunched figure stood leaning on a cane by the window, gazing out at the gloomy, overcast sky. His voice was faint as he asked, “How much longer?”
By the bedside, a man glanced at the frail woman lying under the covers and replied softly, “Qianyun just messaged. They’ve arrived and are taking the elevator up.”
“I’m sure Huan’er will be happy knowing her child has returned.”
Huan’er—that was the name of the woman lying on the bed. Her appearance bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Zhao, about seventy percent. The parts of her body visible outside the blanket were visibly frail and thin.
Just then, footsteps echoed quietly from the hallway. The door to the ward was gently pushed open, and two young men stepped in.
Ye Qianyun first looked toward the old man, then introduced the youth beside him, “This is Grandpa.”
“Grandpa, this is Jiang Zhao.”
Ye Ping’an, who had been standing by the window, slowly turned around. His cloudy eyes met Jiang Zhao’s youthful face. Though calm, his presence gave off a subtle yet intimidating pressure. Jiang Zhao, under the gaze of the elderly man, felt an inexplicable tension rise in his chest.
Ye Qianyun chuckled, “Grandpa’s eyes do seem scary, right? He used to be a regimental commander back in the day. Survived real battles with real bullets.”
Ye Long, who had been sitting by the bed, stood up and walked over. He patted Jiang Zhao’s shoulder and said with a gentle smile, “No need to be nervous. You’re part of this family too. Go spend time with your mother. We’ll have lunch together at home later.”
Then the three of them exchanged glances and left the ward.
After they exited, Jiang Zhao slowly walked to the bedside and looked down at the woman lying there, his thoughts in turmoil.
After everything that happened with the Jiang family, it was hard for him to still believe in family ties. But the person in front of him—his biological mother—had done nothing wrong.
While Jiang Zhao was lost in thought, he noticed a small wooden box sitting on the cabinet beside the bed. The lid was open, revealing several letters stained with mud and water.
He stepped forward and picked one up. Line after line of delicate handwriting came into view, and the content caught him off guard.
“March 29th. My child is about to be born today. I plan to name him Jiang Zhao. I hope he grows up warm like the sun.”
“April 1st. My child was born, but Chennan has been acting strange lately, making me feel uneasy.”
The third letter’s date jumped directly to mid-May.
“May 17th. While working today, I happened to see Jiang Chennan hugging another woman on the street. Something feels off. I just hope little Zhao and I can stay safe…”
“Happy early birthday, my child.”
Reading that last line, Jiang Zhao felt his heart sink.
Only three letters, yet they held so much information.
Combined with what he knew of his mother’s situation, it wasn’t hard to guess what had happened. She must’ve confronted Jiang Chennan about his affair, and in return, he had her silenced—leaving her in a coma to this day.
Just twelve short words, yet Jiang Zhao felt a warmth he had never experienced before. It was the kind of familial love that had eluded him his entire life. Even though it came twenty years late, it still burned fiercely in his heart.
He put the letters back into the wooden box, sat down in the chair beside the bed, and gently took her hand. Choking back his grief, he said softly, “…Mom.”
Just that one word caused a slight fluctuation on the heart monitor nearby—but no one noticed.
Soon after, Jiang Zhao left the hospital with his uncle and grandfather, riding together in a car headed for the Ye family home. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
After a long silence in the car, Ye Ping’an broke it first. He turned to Jiang Zhao and said gently, “Actually, after your mother left home, I stayed in contact with her. Before you were born, I arranged a marriage for you. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”
Jiang Zhao was about to refuse when Ye Qianyun tugged at his sleeve, discreetly shaking his head—signaling him not to decline so hastily.
Though puzzled, Jiang Zhao held back from saying anything.
The car sped down the road and finally pulled up in front of a quiet courtyard house near the outskirts of town.
It wasn’t the luxurious mansion Jiang Zhao had imagined—just a plain, humble courtyard.
After getting out, Ye Qianyun leaned toward him and whispered, “The family you’re betrothed to is Grandpa’s old war buddy. If you reject them outright, it could damage our families’ relationship. If you really don’t like her, you can get to know her first and then turn it down, saying you’re incompatible.”
The girl in question was, naturally, Jiang Zhao’s fiancée—Tang Guo, the daughter of the prestigious Tang family in Jinling, known as a highly accomplished young woman.
…
At the same time, back in Jiangnan City, Biyu Bay Villa.
After Jiang Zhao left, the entire villa felt empty and quiet.
In the bedroom, Qin Lingxue lay on the bed alone, tightly hugging the giant teddy bear in her arms. Her mood looked far from cheerful.
She stared at the quiet bedroom. Jiang Zhao had only been gone half a day, yet she already felt lonely.
Grumbling, she bit down on the bear’s ear.
Damn Jiang Zhao… why aren’t you back yet…