My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

The room was decorated in an elegant and sophisticated style, mainly dominated by brown and cream color. The curtain was drawn, showing the breathtaking scenery of the sun setting and tranquil beach, the combination of bursting streaks of golden, purple and dark blue was simply captivating.

However, as soon as he entered, Jiang Jinyan's eyes instantly focused on the man lying on the bed, unable to look away. The man looked much older than he remembered him to be. Streaks of white hair colored his temple and his eyebrows were perpetually frowning as if he was having a nightmare.

The hands that laid on his side were thin and dry, looking especially frail and sickly.

He looked…nothing like the man Jiang Jinyan knew.

Secretary Si pushed him to Jiang Huocheng's bedside and bowed. "Young Master Jiang, I will stay outside if you need me." He also nodded toward Doctor Walker. "Excuse me, Doctor."

"Ah yes." Doctor Walker snapped out of his thoughts and returned his smile. "Go on ahead."

The meticulously dressed man turned and walked away and Doctor Walker's eyes followed his back until he disappeared behind the door. His eyes were unreadable, kind of the mixture of confusion, astonishment and bafflement.

Jiang Jinyan discreetly pinched his thigh and used the pain to clear his mind. "Doctor Walker…" He said in a strained voice. "You said that my father has a history of heart attack?"

"That's right." Doctor Walker finally sensed that something was off. However, it was already too late by that time. He could only brace himself and continue. "He has already contracted the symptoms of heart attack as early as eighteen years ago."

Seeing Jiang Jinyan's increasingly somber face, the blonde man hurriedly added, "But don't worry, the symptoms are always mild and curable with medicine and a healthy lifestyle. It's only your father who suddenly got crazy two months ago and suddenly buried himself in work like there's no tomorrow. You should berate him harder when he wakes up."

Two months ago?

A scene popped up in Jiang Jinyan's mind, one that caused his breathing to halt. Two months ago…was it the time when he said that they didn't have to meet each other again, that if Jiang Huocheng forced him further, then all he could get was Jiang Jinyan's corpse? Was that why he worked himself until he collapsed?

Jiang Jinyan took a deep breath, each movement caused his heart to ache like never before.

"Are you okay?" Doctor Walker crouched down and looked at him worriedly. His deep forest green eyes exuded genuine concern. "I've told you not to worry. As long as he doesn't pull all nighters again, he will be able to live healthily until one thousand years. I promise!"

Jiang Jinyan's nails sunk into his palm and the pain sobered him up. A bit. "Doctor Walker, there's something I want to ask you." It's crazy, totally crazy, Jiang Jinyan knew. He wasn't the kind of person who would ask this to the person they had just met a few minutes ago.

Maybe because the doctor was someone who knew their family inside out or maybe because Jiang Jinyan could sense nothing but kindness and sincerity from his eyes.

"My mother…" He said with hesitation. "Do you think my mother's death is my father's fault?"

At first, Doctor Walker showed a shocked expression, then it gradually morphed to helplessness and finally, sadness. "Young Master Jiang, have you always been thinking about this?"

Jiang Jinyan hung his head low, silent.

The only sound in the room was the rhythmic beep from the heart rate monitor as well as Jiang Huocheng's deep breathing.

All these while, he couldn't help but blame Jiang Huocheng. If he was there, would Guan Xiaoxiao have suffered less? If he was there, would she still be alive right now? 

If Jiang Huocheng was there for them, was it possible for him to have an ideal family?

Excellent father, beautiful and elegant mother…

Maybe…maybe he would even have a brother or sister.

"Young Master Jiang," Doctor Walker pinched his brows, exasperated. "I don't really know how to explain it to you. What I can say is…they have their own share of suffering. Did Madam Jiang suffer? Yes, she definitely did. But CEO Jiang also suffers. The torment and agony he feels didn't lose to you or your mother."

Doctor Walker patted his shoulder. "CEO Jiang loves both of you very much. Trust me."

Jiang Jinyan averted his eyes and it halted on the photo frame standing on the nightstand. There were three people there and the location was precisely the hospital room they were in now although it was Guan Xiaoxiao who was sitting on the bed. Her hair messy, face pale with dark circles below her eyes. She looked haggard and exhausted. But there was a wide, blissful smile on her face and the eyes which looked directly into the camera exuded happiness that couldn't be faked. One that Jiang Jinyan had never seen before.

Beside her was the younger Jiang Huocheng, the corner of his eyes were red and there were tear streaks on his cheek. He had one arm around Guan Xiaoxiao while the other was hugging a small bundle of cloth. The man's expression was extremely soft as he gazed down at the baby in his arms. 

It was so…beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

Doctor Walker followed Jiang Jinyan's line of sight and exclaimed softly. "This photo…it was taken on the day you were born." The man couldn't help but chuckle. "Your mother had a slight complication during the labor and I recalled your father cried so much that he almost flooded the floor with his tears."

"But in the end…she managed to push you out with her own strength." He finished softly, a smile on his lips as he reminisced about the past.

Silence stretched between them once again. Doctor Walker was almost sure that he wouldn't get any response when Jiang Jinyan said quietly. "…I have never seen this photo before."

"Ha, I knew it! Your father is such an awkward and shy man. He's the type who will silently do everything for you without you knowing." Doctor Walker chortled and stretched his body. "So, whatever conflict you guys have, I hope you can solve it as soon as possible."

"Young Master Jiang…you guys only have each other as family so I hope there will be no more regrets."

Jiang Jinyan didn't even realize when Doctor Walker stepped out of the room nor was he aware how long he had been sitting there, staring at Jiang Huocheng's broad palm and calloused fingers, the green veins were prominent. The man's skin didn't even look elastic and supple anymore. He already had age spots and wrinkles everywhere.

Jiang Jinyan silently buried his face into his palm, his breathing came out harsh.

After a long time, the fingers by the bedside twitched slightly. Jiang Huocheng slowly opened his eyes and it only took a few seconds for him to discern his surroundings. Sighing, he was ready to get up and flung the IV drip away when he sensed another presence in the room.

Shock couldn't even describe what Jiang Huocheng was feeling. "…Jinyan?"

"You…" Jiang Huocheng was…yes, he was flabbergasted. Panicked even. "Why are you here? Did Walker call you? No, it is impossible…"

"Why don't you tell me…?" Jiang Jinyan's voice started as a whisper before his tone gradually rose into a hoarse growl. "Why don't you ever tell me anything at all?! Do you intend to hide it forever?!"

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A/N: Yes, give it to him Jinyan! QAQ they both deserve this