Chapter 834: This Is My Own Choice (1)

"Madam, Young Master Mohan’s call still isn’t going through." Putting down the phone, Mama Ju walked over to report.

It’s strange that no one has answered since yesterday.

Madam Jiang moved her gaze away from the television, turned, and looked at her, "Keep calling. Mohan and the others are probably vacationing in a place with poor reception. Call a few more times."

After speaking, a soft noise came from the staircase.

"Be careful, just leave the luggage at the door."

"Yes, Madam."

Following the sound, Madam Jiang saw the servants moving two suitcases, with Veya coming down the stairs behind them.

She stood up, puzzled, "Veya, whose suitcases are these?"

"Mom, these are Asheng’s suitcases." Veya walked up to her, reaching out to support her, and softly said.

"Asheng’s?" The confusion on Madam Jiang’s face deepened, feeling more bewildered, "Why are you packing Asheng’s suitcases? He just woke up, and he’s still injured."

"Mom, don’t worry. Ahai suggested sending Asheng to the island we frequently visit for a while so he can recuperate." Knowing the old lady was anxious about Jiang Yisheng’s condition, Veya explained.

"Sending Asheng to the island to recuperate?" Madam Jiang furrowed her brows in displeasure, "Nonsense, that brat Jiang Hai is being ridiculous."

"Asheng was beaten and injured all over. He just managed to recover from a fever, and now he’s being sent away. What exactly is he trying to do?"

Can’t he recuperate at home?

With his injuries still unhealed, what if the turbulence on a plane worsens his condition?

"Mom, don’t get upset." Veya gently patted her back and softly soothed.

"How can I not be upset? Go call that brat Jiang Hai here. He won’t be able to send Asheng away without my permission. I need to ask him why he wants Asheng gone." Madam Jiang’s temper flared, her face turning sullen.

Veya looked helpless, knowing the old lady was protective of Asheng, but she couldn’t explain the reasons now.

Just then.

A weak voice suddenly spoke up, freeing Veya from the situation.

"Grandma."

Madam Jiang looked towards the staircase and saw Jiang Hai helping Jiang Yisheng down. Seeing his pale face made Madam Jiang’s heart ache for him.

"Your injuries aren’t healed yet. Why are you coming downstairs?" Madam Jiang hurried over, her tone softening.

"Grandma, it’s not related to Dad and Mom. I chose to go to the island for recuperation myself." Jiang Yisheng held her offered hand and forced a smile.

Madam Jiang glared angrily at Jiang Hai, "I don’t believe that. Be honest with Grandma, did your dad force you?"

Being singled out, Jiang Hai slightly lowered his head, silent and without words.

"No, really, Grandma." The pain on his back began to throb, and Jiang Yisheng bent his lips, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"If he didn’t force you, why do you want to leave? Can’t you recuperate at home?" Madam Jiang’s frown relaxed a bit, disapprovingly saying, "I told you, your injuries haven’t healed yet. All this coming and going will only worsen them."

The concern in the old lady’s furrowed brow echoed Jiang Hai’s earlier words in his mind.

Jiang Yisheng pressed his lips together, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, "Grandma, I haven’t been to the island in a long time. I know you’re worried about me, but I want some time alone. Please let me go."

Seeing his determination, Madam Jiang scrutinized him thoroughly and, after a pause, confirmed once more, "Your dad truly didn’t force you to leave?"

Jiang Yisheng nodded, "Grandma, this truly is my own decision."

Beside them, Veya lowered her head, tears blurring her vision.

"You and your father are really..." The anger on Madam Jiang’s face faded. She paused, and her words turned into a sigh.

"Sigh..."

"Fine, go if you want to, but you must promise Grandma to take good care of yourself, and call me every two days." Reluctantly, she tightened her grip on his hand, instructing.

Jiang Yisheng’s voice was hoarse as he nodded, gently hugging Madam Jiang, "Grandma, I’m leaving."

"Take care of yourself." Madam Jiang reminded again.

"Let’s go." Jiang Hai reached out to support him, softly saying.

Madam Jiang escorted them to the door, but Jiang Yisheng told her not to, "Grandma, the weather isn’t good outside, don’t see me off. I’ll call you when I arrive."

Madam Jiang nodded, "If you need anything, tell Grandma. If anyone bullies you, tell Grandma too. Grandma will stand up for you. Don’t keep everything bottled up inside."

"Okay." Jiang Yisheng curled his lips, turned around, the smile on his face fading.

On closer look, his eyes were filled with loneliness and sorrow.

The sky grey and hazy, the thick clouds weighed heavily, the cold wind rising, with a sense of impending storm.

The plane was parked on the lawn in the courtyard. After seeing Jiang Yisheng board, Jiang Hai and his wife lingered for a while.

Watching Jiang Yisheng, the couple hesitated several times, uncertain how to express themselves.

Finally, Jiang Yisheng spoke first, his forced smile causing Veya to ache, "Dad, Mom, go back. I’ll take good care of myself."

"Asheng, I’m sorry." Veya held onto his hand, afraid to hug him because of his injuries, her voice already tinged with tears, "Just consider this a time when Dad and Mom are being selfish. I’m sorry."

Jiang Yisheng lightly shook his head, his voice very soft, "Go back. It might rain soon."

Veya let go of his hand, Jiang Hai holding her, looking at Jiang Yisheng with complex emotions in his eyes; worry, guilt, but mostly heartache.

"Let’s go."

Veya nodded, raised her hand to wipe away tears from the corner of her eyes, and turned to leave with him.

Just as they were about to exit the plane, Jiang Yisheng’s voice sounded from behind, carrying a hint of pleading.

"Dad, if he comes, don’t make it hard for him."

Veya’s tears, which she had barely held in, began to fall once more, Jiang Hai’s grip on her shoulder tightening.

Without speaking, he merely nodded slightly.

Receiving the assurance, Jiang Yisheng breathed a sigh of relief, tugging the corners of his lips, icy tears beading like broken pearls, slipping down his cheeks before anything else.

Once Jiang Hai and his wife disembarked, the hatch slowly closed.

Jiang Yisheng wrapped his coat tighter around himself, the clothes being slightly oversized, made him appear even more slender.

As if just closing his eyes, the person would be right beside him.

Jiang Yisheng opened his eyes, and beside him was emptiness, the boundless solitude rushing in, threatening to engulf him.

The promises he made, in the end, he still failed them.

...

After seeing Jiang Yisheng off and returning to the bedroom, the tightly strung emotions within Veya finally snapped.

All the emotions collapsed at that moment. She buried herself in Jiang Hai’s embrace and began to wail uncontrollably.