Jiang Cheng had no concept of a "grandfather" in his mind, simply because he had never met his grandfather. In fact, he had never met any of Jiang Dejun's family members. He was born in Taipei and lived with his maternal grandfather until he was 8, after which he moved to the mainland and lived in Shanghai for the next 10 years. In all those 18 years, the figure of a paternal "grandfather" never featured in his life.
However, Jiang Dejun had mentioned that when Jiang Cheng was born, his great uncle and aunt had visited him. Also, when he was one, Jiang Dejun took him and Gao Linlan back to Beijing to meet the family, but that visit ended unhappily for some reasons.
Jiang Cheng had no memory of this, and over those 18 years, his family never discussed their Beijing relatives, so the "Jiang family of Beijing" felt very foreign to him, almost like strangers. And that old man… if it weren't for the news of his imminent demise, Jiang Dejun probably wouldn't have taken him to Beijing to see him.
"What kind of person is Grandfather?" On the plane flying to Beijing the next day, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but ask Jiang Dejun. Perhaps because of a really bad past relationship, Gao Linlan didn't accompany them; it was just the father and son returning to Beijing.
Jiang Dejun, who had been deep in thought, looked at Jiang Cheng with eyes filled with deep sorrow and said hoarsely, "Your grandfather is an extremely serious person, intolerant of any dissent. He has always been autocratic."
Frowning, Jiang Cheng said, "Sounds like Grandfather was very dominant. No one in the family could probably refute him."
Nodding, Jiang Dejun sighed and said, "No one was allowed to contradict him. You just had to obey, as he believed he was always right…"
"So... Dad, what was your childhood like?" Jiang Cheng cautiously asked, imagining his father's childhood under a figure who seemed like an old-time warlord or dictator.
"When I was a kid, it felt like our home was a military camp. Everything had to follow strict rules, and the slightest transgression would lead to reprimand or even beatings if you resisted… But back then, it was like this in almost every household, so it didn't feel wrong. As I grew up and learned more, I started to resent the household rules. I saw other families becoming more relaxed and democratic, but ours remained the same. This made me feel more rebellious and eager to leave that place." Jiang Dejun spoke slowly, his eyes full of memories.
Jiang Cheng didn't respond, just quietly digesting what he had heard.
"Wanting to leave home, I chose to attend university far from Beijing, in Shanghai. There I met your mother and… well, you probably know the rest. Your grandfather disapproved of our relationship, partly because of some past grievances between our families. He demanded I break it off with your mother, threatening to disown me if I refused…" Jiang Dejun's eyes began to redden again as he continued, "In a moment of anger, recalling the injustices of my childhood, I defiantly left home and married your mother in Taiwan."
"What happened after that, Dad?" Jiang Cheng asked, "And you've mentioned that Grandma died when I was just over a year old. We've paid respects to her every year, but you've never talked about her. What kind of person was she?"
"Your grandmother was the kindest person in the world!" Jiang Dejun said, his eyes growing even redder, "She never raised her voice or showed anger in front of others. She was always kind to people. When your grandfather was in a bad mood, he'd take it out on her, and she never retorted, just silently bearing it. She was also incredibly protective of us kids. Whenever your grandfather punished us, she would secretly cry. That's why she always meant much more to me than your grandfather. Do you know why I never went back home?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head.
"I've regretted leaving, after all, he's my father. He might have been unkind to me, but I couldn't be unfilial. So, when you turned one, I took you and your mother back, thinking enough time had passed to settle things. But…"
Jiang Dejun laughed bitterly, "I was too optimistic. I thought if I could let go of the past, so could he. But reality proved me wrong. He was relentless, didn't even let us through the front door!"
"Ah?!" Jiang Cheng gasped. This was too extreme. No wonder Jiang Dejun, usually a gentle man, was stubborn about not returning home for so many years. The unseen grandfather seemed excessively harsh. Is pride really more important than kinship?
"But there's more!" Jiang Dejun continued, tears streaming down his face, "I could tolerate how he treated me, but what he did next was unforgivable. After we were turned away at the door, no one cared except for your grandmother. She couldn't bear it. The long-suppressed emotions and a sudden outburst led to a serious illness. In less than three months, she passed away…"
Pausing to compose himself, he continued, "A child should be by his mother's sickbed. But your grandfather… he didn't inform me when she was ill and didn't even tell me when she died. He even forbade my elder brother and aunt from telling me! If it weren't for my brother secretly informing me, I wouldn't have been able to attend her funeral. Because of this, I can never forgive him!"
Jiang Cheng was speechless, finding it hard to believe such a selfish person could exist. To treat one's wife and child with such heartlessness, what could possibly be more important in his heart?
Seeing his father silently weeping, Jiang Cheng felt a surge of resentment towards the grandfather he had never met.
"But he's still my father, your grandfather. Now that he's on his deathbed, if we don't go, it would be truly unfilial. That's why when your uncle called yesterday, I decided we must go back to Beijing to see him one last time," Jiang Dejun said slowly.
Nodding, Jiang Cheng understood and began to anticipate the trip to Beijing. He wanted to stand by the old man's bed and earnestly ask, "How could you be so heartless? Have you never regretted it?"
But is the truth that simple?
The plane soon landed in Beijing.
Upon disembarking, they were met by a prepared car and a man in his sixties dressed in black who respectfully bowed to them, "Fifth Master, Young Master Cheng, you've arrived!"
Jiang Cheng was surprised, and Jiang Dejun, somewhat resignedly, said, "Although I don't like to admit it, your grandfather was very successful in other respects. By my age, he had made a vast fortune on his own. Also, our Jiang family was once a great clan, and this is one manifestation of that. Chen Bo has been with our family for a long time, taking care of my siblings and me since we were young."
He then turned to the elderly man, "Chen Bo, it's been many years. How have you been?"
The old man replied, "Still healthy, thank you for your concern, Fifth Master. It's been many years since we last met, and you've become even more composed."
Jiang Dejun chuckled, "Just a few years older. At my age, one can't act as impulsively as in youth. But why haven't you retired? Won't the old man let you go?"
Chen Bo smiled, "The master once suggested it, and the eldest master also inquired. But I've belonged to the Jiang family all my life; there's no talk of retirement for me."
Jiang Dejun shook his head, "What era are we living in that you still cling to these old thoughts?"
Chen Bo replied, "Some traditions are beyond the influence of external views. But let's not delay, Fifth Master. You and Young Master Cheng should hurry home. The master has been waiting a long time, and the eldest master must be anxious too."
After placing the luggage in the trunk, Jiang Dejun and Jiang Cheng got into the car, which then slowly started moving.
Although filled with numerous questions, Jiang Cheng didn't press further, seeing neither Jiang Dejun nor Chen Bo seemed inclined to talk.
The ride was silent.
Jiang Cheng wasn't familiar with Beijing, and it seemed the car didn't head into the city but along an outer ring road for a long while before turning onto a less busy road. The driver increased speed, and after about forty minutes, they arrived at the foot of a mountain range stretching north and south.
"This is Yuquan Mountain. Our old family house is here," Jiang Dejun explained to Jiang Cheng.
Yuquan Mountain, located west of the Summer Palace and a few miles from Beijing, had always been favored by rulers throughout history due to its scenic location near water and its proximity to the city. Emperors built palaces here, though many were destroyed in wars. After the establishment of the People's Republic, some were restored for residential use.
Since the early days of the People's Republic, Yuquan Mountain has been an important residence for party and state leaders. Deng, Liu, and Ye all lived here for extended periods, and many elder revolutionaries chose it as a retirement place.
After passing a mountain road and a large gate, the car stopped. Two armed police soldiers stood at the gate, checking passes and verifying everyone's identity cards with a thoroughness that impressed Jiang Cheng, hinting at the significance of this place.
What kind of entity was the Jiang family?
Once cleared, the car entered, driving past lush trees on both sides before stopping in front of a classical two-story building. This was just one of many such buildings, each set far apart from the others. The driver, familiar with the place, parked outside one of them.
"Get out, Fifth Master, Young Master Cheng. The eldest master is waiting inside," Chen Bo said, stepping out first and opening the door for Jiang Cheng and Jiang Dejun, then taking their luggage as the car drove away.
As they approached the gate, a military-dressed man in his thirties, with a robust build and striking features, approached. Notably, he wore the rank of a senior colonel.
In the People's Republic, military promotions follow strict regulations, with mandatory service years at each level. Advancing from captain to major is a significant hurdle, with many transferring to civilian roles if they can't advance. From major to senior colonel also requires many years and sufficient merits.
During wartime, it wasn't unusual to see senior colonels and even majors in their twenties or thirties, but in peacetime, it was much rarer, with most advancing only after turning forty. A young senior colonel like the one in front of Jiang Cheng was a rare sight.
"You are... Xiao Peng?! I didn't expect you to grow up so much, and you've even become a senior colonel. You've really made something of yourself!" Jiang Dejun said, recognizing the young man.
"You flatter me! It's been over a decade since I last saw you, Uncle. You still have the same charm," the young man replied.
"What charm can a man in his forties have?" Jiang Dejun laughed, "But it's incredible how much you've changed from the somewhat naive kid you used to be. You've really grown up."
Jiang Peng laughed, then noticing Jiang Cheng, he said to Jiang Dejun, "Uncle, this must be Cousin Jiang Cheng. He looks very promising!"
Jiang Dejun introduced Jiang Cheng, "Cheng, this is your elder cousin Jiang Peng, the eldest son of your great uncle. He's made it to senior colonel at a young age. You two should get to know each other."
After shaking hands, Jiang Cheng smiled, "Nice to meet you, Brother. You're the impressive one!"
Jiang Peng laughed at the compliment.
Just then, another man hurried out from inside, calling out before even reaching them, "Little Five, you're finally back! Your brother has missed you!"
Jiang Dejun visibly reacted and hurried to meet the man, saying, "Big Brother, I'm back!"
Jiang Cheng now saw the newcomer clearly: a man in his fifties, tall and robust, bearing a resemblance to Jiang Peng. This must be Jiang Peng's father, Jiang Dejun's elder brother, and Jiang Cheng's great uncle, the Jiang Dejun's mentioned Jiang Deping.
The brothers, not having seen each other for years, were now tearful and holding hands tightly. "Little Brother, you're finally back!"
"Big Brother, I…" Overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing his elder brother, Jiang Dejun was at a loss for words.
Jiang Cheng heard Jiang Deping say to him, " I was there when you were born . You've grown up so much!"
"Great Uncle, nice to meet you!" Jiang Cheng greeted respectfully.
"Good, good!" Jiang Deping laughed heartily, "You look likable, a good kid!"
He then suggested they go inside, "You must be tired from the journey. Let's go in."
"But... Big Brother, how is Dad?" Jiang Dejun suddenly asked.
Jiang Deping's smile faded, and he sighed, "He's in bad shape, sometimes lucid, sometimes unconscious. It looks like it could be any day now. You should see him yourself."
Nodding slowly, Jiang Cheng saw Jiang Dejun's hand clench tightly…