She could imagine the grief on his face, walking fast, not wanting her to see. Even without seeing, her heart was with him, deeply feeling his pain.
Jing Xin ran to catch up, holding his hand from behind, hoping to transmit her strength to him.
In the hospital, Jiang’s mother had just awakened from a coma, extremely weak, her lips moving silently.
Jiang Xiangyang leaned close, softly saying, “Xiangyang Jingxin. Together for a lifetime.”
Sadness surged in his heart; he felt unfilial for not fulfilling his mother’s wish. She had always wanted to see him marry Jingxin. He had planned to wait until her condition improved to address this, but now it seemed hopeless. Sorrow welled up in his heart, choking him.
Grasping Jingxin’s hand, they knelt beside his mother’s bed. He whispered, “Mom, I promise I will live well with Jingxin, and we will take care of each other.” Jingxin nodded.
Jiang’s mother smiled radiantly, reminding Jingxin of their first meeting in the cemetery. She smiled softly at Jingxin, her eyes full of warmth. Uncontrollably emotional after holding back for so long, a tear rolled down Jingxin’s cheek.
Jingxin approached Jiang’s mother, holding her hand. In a weak voice, she whispered, “I’m leaving. Take care of Xiangyang. Help him resolve the hatred with his father. Don’t let him live in pain. Promise me, okay?” Her voice was broken.
Jingxin cried, “Mom, I promise. I will take care of him and make him happy.”
Jiang’s mother nodded, placing Jingxin and Xiangyang’s hands together, holding them for a long time. A tear formed in her eye, hesitating to fall.
In that moment, perhaps she was waiting for the man who had wronged her for a lifetime, but he would not come. Whether love existed or not, it would drift away.
Her final thought extinguished; it was time to go. She silently mouthed, “You must be happy.”
A sharp beep sounded, a green line extending endlessly. Jingxin thought it was the trace of angels coming to take her to heaven.
A white sheet covered her mother’s face, and as doctors and nurses left, a caregiver came to wheel her away. Jiang Xiangyang silently watched.
