Chapter 841: Giving Away Erbao (1)

The deep magnetic voice fell by his ear, Jiang Yisheng’s smile gradually became bitter, and a faint blush appeared at the corner of his eyes.

He bit his lip, trying hard to hide the choke in his voice, "I don’t need your concession."

Ji Mingqian’s deep eyes darkened slightly, his voice lowered, "Alright, if you lose, I’ll still buy you candied haws."

After he finished speaking, the silence resumed on the other end of the phone.

Tears fell unexpectedly, Jiang Yisheng raised a hand to wipe them away haphazardly, moved his lips, but couldn’t make a sound.

"If you lose the necklace, you’ll have to bear the consequences." Ji Mingqian threatened with a false fierceness.

Jiang Yisheng responded with a hoarse "hmm," fearing that speaking further would cause his barely restrained tears to fall again.

"By the way, can I have Erbao?" Ji Mingqian’s eyes were misty, his deep voice revealing no emotion.

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s well-fed and chubby, I won’t let it suffer."

At least this way, his time on set wouldn’t be so hard to endure.

His answer, as always, was a single word, "Okay."

The conversation seemed to have reached its end, and both fell into silence simultaneously.

Looking at the gloomy sky, Jiang Yisheng felt an increasing ache in his heart, "Let’s hang up."

"Okay."

With those words, Ji Mingqian felt all his strength leave his body, he pressed his hand against the railing, his knuckles turning white.

Hanging up the phone, Ji Mingqian lowered his hand, his gaze unfocused as he looked at the distant scenery.

He didn’t know how long it was before he erased the bleakness from his face, turned around, and once again wore that casual smile.

He walked back into the room and saw Ye Jiuliang and the others hadn’t left yet.

"Even though I find you really annoying, I’m grudgingly giving you a chance today." He raised his eyes to look at Li Mochan, a cold smile on his lips.

"Have a drink?"

Li Mochan fixed his gaze on him, nodding lightly.

Ji Mingqian smiled, tilting his head, his eyes leisurely swept over to Ye Jiuliang meeting her worried gaze, "Ajiu, why are you looking at me like that, don’t worry, I won’t do anything rash."

He had said that enduring a lifetime was no mere talk.

"Oh, by the way, he’s giving Erbao to me, remember to send it over to me, okay?"

Ye Jiuliang hesitated for a moment, seeing his forced smile, she didn’t expose his vulnerability, "Alright, I’ll bring it to you tomorrow."

The two exchanged a smile, Ji Mingqian walked over, patting her on the shoulder, "Don’t worry, I’m fine."

After dropping Ye Jiuliang home, Li Mochan went out alone.

When Veya came downstairs, she saw only Ajiu in the living room, and casually asked, "Xiaojiu, why are you here alone, where’s Ahan?"

They had just gone out together, why did only she come back?

"He has something to attend to." Ye Jiuliang, holding a piece of pastry, teased Erbao, speaking gently.

"Aunt, there’s something I want to tell you."

Just as she sat down, Veya looked at her, puzzled, "Hmm?"

"It’s about giving Erbao to Aqian." Ye Jiuliang stated it plainly.

Upon hearing this, Veya froze, looking troubled.

"But... Erbao was raised by Asheng, giving Erbao to..." she stopped mid-sentence.

Ye Jiuliang couldn’t directly say that Jiang Yisheng had agreed, fearing it might arouse suspicion.

The situation was already bad enough; saying more would only make things worse.

"Aunt, why don’t you call Asheng and ask him?"

Veya hesitated, "But..."

It was hard enough to persuade him to go to the island to rest, would bringing this up again cause him to be unable to let go?

"Aunt, think about it, Asheng is surely not in a good mood right now, I know your difficulties, but some things can’t be forced overnight, it’s always better to make things clear." Ye Jiuliang gently advised her.

Veya looked at her, hesitated for a long while, but in the end, nodded.

"You’re right, alright, I’ll give him a call." Saying that, she took out her phone and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered, the hoarse voice making Veya doubt she dialed the wrong number.

"Mom, is there something you need?"

Lost for a few seconds, Veya found her voice, her eyes tinged with urgency, "Asheng, what’s up with your voice, haven’t you rested well these days, or has the injury worsened?"

"Mom, I’m fine." Jiang Yisheng coughed lightly, the cough wrenching Veya’s heart unexpectedly.

After all, he was her own son, to say she wasn’t heartbroken would be a lie.

Recalling the purpose of the call, Veya organized her words, "Asheng, there’s something I want to ask you about, are you okay with giving Erbao to Mingqian?"

"Give it to him," Jiang Yisheng said without hesitation.

Veya was stunned, a bit surprised at how straightforward he was.

Erbao had been raised by him since birth, his feelings for Erbao were deep; he used to take it with him when he traveled, and now he’s readily giving Erbao away.

"Asheng, are you..." She couldn’t finish her words, finding it hard to speak, fearing she might bring up painful memories for him.

Understanding her worry, Jiang Yisheng said calmly, "Mom, I won’t forget what I promised Dad, don’t worry about me."

Veya was speechless, feeling a deep sense of guilt.

She spoke softly, "I understand, Asheng, take good care of yourself, I’ll visit you in a while."

Jiang Yisheng agreed and then hung up.

"Aunt, how did it go, did Asheng agree?" Ye Jiuliang asked as if she didn’t already know.

Veya nodded, her eyes carrying a touch of sorrow.

"Since Asheng agreed, I’ll take Erbao to Mingqian tomorrow," Ye Jiuliang said.

Veya agreed, "I’ll go pack Erbao’s things."

Saying that, she got up and headed upstairs.

Ye Jiuliang reached out and petted Erbao’s fluffy head, "Erbao, how about going to see Aqian tomorrow, okay?"

"Woof woof woof..." As if understanding her words, Erbao howled.

...

The next day, Ye Jiuliang delivered Erbao to Ji Mingqian’s place, where he was packing his luggage.

"Woof woof woof..."

Seeing Ji Mingqian, Erbao was as excited as a child, charging towards him with its round head and clumsy body.

Ji Mingqian squatted down, reached out and brought Erbao into an embrace, his distinct hands gently scratching its head.

"Erbao, you’ve gotten fatter again."

Erbao rubbed its head against his hand and barked a few times in protest, "Woof woof woof..."

It isn’t fat, just pleasantly round.

Ji Mingqian caught sight of the crystal bell on its ankle, his thoughts involuntarily drifting back to the memories of Feng Group.

That was his second meeting since Jiangyue Restaurant.

"Aqian."

The clear and cold voice brought his attention back, Ji Mingqian regained his focus and looked up at her.

"What is it?"

Ye Jiuliang glanced at the luggage beside them, "Are you leaving today?"

Ji Mingqian nodded, "I have to join the crew in a couple of days, need to go over there and meet the director and the team first."