She should accompany Old Jiang now. He had sacrificed too much for her. When she was young, she broke off her engagement, but Old Jiang had waited for her for many years, treating Xiangyang as his own son even without their own children. She owed him too much, and if there was a next life, she hoped to make it up to him.
Her cold fingers caressed her son’s face, which completely inherited his father’s features: thick eyebrows, penetrating eyes, and thin lips. She just hoped he wouldn’t be as heartless as his father, as it would cause Jing Xin to suffer.
They say those nearing death become clear-minded, understanding that love and hate are ultimately meaningless. That heartless man had never come to see her, and she could wait no longer. What would it have changed even if he had come?
Reaching under her pillow, she took her son’s hand and placed a small ring in his palm. Xiangyang understood her intention, took Jing Xin’s hand, and slipped the ring onto her finger. No vows, no promises, no kiss—just like that, he had claimed her for life. He didn’t even glance at her, quickly turning back to his mother with a worried look.
Jing Xin’s heart was in turmoil, beating wildly as if about to burst. She curled her fingers around the cold ring in her palm, warming it with her body heat.
The next day, while she was in class, the door was slammed open, and Jiang Xiangyang rushed in. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out, leaving the rest of the classroom stunned, especially Shan Shan, who was confused about Jing Xin’s involvement with him instead of Wang Luozhou.
Jiang Xiangyang’s face looked terrible; his abrupt action indicated something had happened to his mother. Jing Xin followed, asking softly, “Xiangyang, what’s wrong?”
“Come to the hospital with me now. My mother’s condition suddenly deteriorated. She vomited a lot of blood half an hour ago and passed out. I’m afraid she won’t make it,” he said quickly, turning away and walking fast, unwilling to linger on the details.
His hurried departure made Jing Xin’s heart ache.
