Chapter 91: 091 Embrace comfort, Fifth Master reappears with a slick move (2 updates)
Tang Wan walked to the window, where all she could see were fields of withered grass, desolate and haunting.
"What did Dr. Zhou say? Youāre not having any health issues, are you?" If Jiang Jinsang fell ill, she truly didnāt know how she would explain it to the Jiang Family.
"Iām fine. Did someone give you a hard time?" Jiang Jinsang turned his head to look at her, naturally referring to He Anās parents.
Tang Wan raised an eyebrow, always feeling like he seemed to know everything.
Jiang Jinsang explained, "I saw you going into the elevator with them just now."
"So you saw. Those were He Anās parents. They hope that I can say a few good words for He An or write a letter of understanding when I testify in court in the future. How would they give me a hard time?" Tang Wan laughed lightly, "Itās just that too many things have happened recently, and Iām a bit tired."
"Grandfather still doesnāt want to have surgery. At his age, heās still causing scenes in the hospital."
"Heās somewhat well-known in Pingjiang, always cherished his reputation. Now that heās older, he seems to have stopped caring about his image."
Her arm rested on the window ledge, barely concealing her fatigue.
"Maybe I could talk to Grandpa Tang about his situation and persuade him."
"He likes you a lot. You might actually be able to make him listen to you."
Jiang Jinsang pursed his lips, "All the other things are in the past, thinking about them is pointless now."
"I understand that, itās just..." So much had happened, to pretend it didnāt affect her would be a lie.
"You think too much, and itās wearing you out. Maybe I have a way to help you relax."
"What?" Tang Wan turned to look at him quizzically.
It is human nature to seek knowledge, and seeing him silent made Tang Wan instinctively lean closer, her face skeptical, always feeling like he knew everything, including some effective ways to alleviate fatigue.
She leaned closer still.
And in that electrifying moment,
Jiang Jinsang suddenly reached out with a swift yet gentle movement and embraced her.
Taken aback, like thunder exploding, Tang Wanās breath deepened, her heartbeat accelerated, thumping so rapidly it felt like pulsating drums in her ears, sending shivers down her spine.
Their clothes rustled softly, and the surrounding air seemed to thin, making breathing difficult. The weather was a bit cool, everyone was wearing layers, but vaguely...
Tang Wan felt her limbs heating up with his body temperature.
Her body instinctively struggled.
"Donāt move." His breath was warm and close.
Like sparks landing on skin, the heat tensed her body.
The sudden tenderness was disarming; Tang Wan stiffened, unsure how to act, only managing to whisper in a hushed voice, "Fifth Master?"
"Youāre just too tense, and thereās no one to lean on. Actually..." His voice, already soothing and sweet, flowed into her ears, seemingly searching for a way into the depths of her heart.
"You could try relying more on others."
His words were tender, laced with a hint of indulgence, as if he were smoothing her ruffled feathers.
The hug lasted only a few seconds. Having said his piece, he let go and looked down at her. "Feel any better now?"
Tang Wanās face flushed, her heart raced, and her mind was in turmoil.
At this moment, she indeed stopped thinking about all those chaotic matters, because...
Her entire heart and vision were filled with nothing but him.
...
Jiang Cuo and Jiang Jiu were already quite close but were hidden from view. They were completely stunned by the scene.
Such smooth moves! Thatās your way of relaxing? Just admit it if you want to take advantage of someone.
**
The two of them returned to the hospital room one after the other, during the rest period when the hospital was very quiet. Old Tang was wearing reading glasses, reclining and reading a book by the bed, while Jiangjiang was asleep next to him.
"You came back together?" Old Tang laughed, his smile inscrutable.
"Grandpa, we..."
"Surely just bumped into each other on the way. The Hospital is only so big, I get the picture." The old manās laughter was rather unkind.
Wanwan, having already been unsettled by that hug that seemed like a simple comfort between friends, was now still so agitated her heart was beating irregularly. Teased by her own grandfather, she felt even more flushed and flustered.
"Iāll go out and get some hot water." Wanwan said, picking up the thermos and heading outside.
Old Tang put down his book. He also liked to tease at times, but he hadnāt seen her blush before. Why was she so shy today?
"Old Tang, why donāt you want to have the surgery?" Jinsang asked, as he checked on Jiangjiangās condition, and tidily tucked in his blanket on the side.
"At my age, Iāve lived enough. Besides, how long I can live is already destined. Surgery canāt guarantee a pain-free life thereafter; I donāt want to suffer through that."
"I heard from a nurse, itās highly likely that youāll need to go out of town for the surgery. What a hassle!" The old man was philosophical about life and death. "Iād suffer, and the children would be burdened with the trouble."
"So, who sent you to be the persuader?"
"Nobody," Jinsang chuckled lightly, "You say that, but..."
"Donāt you want to be in good health, to see your granddaughter get married and have children, to see four generations under one roof?"
Old Tang took off his reading glasses and smiled, "Whatās the use of just me wanting that? Youāve been in Pingjiang for quite some time now, when are you planning to go back?"
"Do you want me to leave?"
"How could that be? Iād be delighted for you to settle down at my place, but thatās just not possible." He chuckled lightly. "Beijing is far from here. Who knows how long it would be until we meet again."
"Actually, seeing me could be quite easy..."
Jinsang, rubbing his fingers, added, "If you agree to the surgery, once youāre in Beijing, you can see me whenever you want."
A spark of sharpness suddenly appeared in Old Tangās eyes:
Does that mean Wanwan and he could still have a chance?
When Tang Wan returned, the old man directly said, "Wanwan, call Doctor Zhou for me; I want to discuss the surgery."
"You agree?" Tang Wan unconsciously glanced at Jinsang. What on earth had he said to her grandpa that made him agree to the surgery?
Upon receiving the call, Yunxian was overjoyed, "Whatās with your grandpa? Why did he suddenly decide on surgery?"
If the old man didnāt agree, Yunxian had truly considered using anesthesia to drag him into the operating room.
"Perhaps Fifth Master Jiang said something, Iām not really sure." Tang Wan was equally baffled.
"Jinsang..." Yunxian frowned.
How could his old man like him so much?
Maybe... tonight Iāll go the Hospital and talk to the old man, and acknowledge him as my godson.
**
Later in the evening, the Jiang Family called Tang Wan, presumably having heard from Jinsang that the old man might go to Beijing for surgery.
"... You just come over without reservation; say directly if you need any help, donāt be polite with me." The caller was Mrs. Jiang.
"Thank you, Auntie, but thereās nothing we need help with at the moment."
"You dad will probably have to come over too, right? Where will you stay? Considering the time before and after surgery, itās not a short period; you surely canāt all stay in the Hospital the whole time."
"We havenāt decided yet. Weāll need to talk it over with my dad before making a decision."
"Why not just come and stay at our place? Weāve got no one at home, Iām all alone, and itās quite lonely!"
"..."
The father and son in the living room each raised an eyebrow: No one at home? What were they, then?
One of them looked slyly at his father and whispered, "Mom says sheās lonely."
The man across just raised the corner of his eye and murmured, "Someone who can even lose his wife has the nerve to tease me?"