Although it's already the new century, the Jiang family still follows the ancient method of determining seniority, with sons ranked by age. Jiang Dejun mentioned that he has an uncle in the family with three sons, making a total of five brothers in Jiang Dejun's generation. Being the youngest, Jiang Dejun is referred to as "Old Five" or "Fifth Son" by family members, while some of the elders call him "Fifth Master."
Jiang Dejun himself has four siblings, making five including him, with Jiang Deping being the eldest. Jiang Cheng has three aunts. According to what he heard, these aunts married into well-to-do families, and their relationship with their siblings was good. However, due to past events, they had minimal contact over the years. Now, with their father critically ill, even Jiang Dejun has returned, and naturally, they would too.
The three aunts are very kind people. They showed great affection and care for Jiang Cheng upon meeting him, mentioning that they had visited him when he was born. Jiang Cheng felt especially warm because of their care.
However, it's apparent that the aunts have overly gentle personalities and lack decisiveness. Over the years, they never went against their father's wishes unless Jiang Deping took the lead. It seems the strict upbringing in the Jiang family entirely suppressed their will, likely also explaining why they accepted arranged marriages without protest.
The more Jiang Cheng learned about these matters, the more dissatisfied he felt with his never-before-seen grandfather.
How could one treat their own children this way? Completely sacrificing their personal happiness. Were they just pawns for the family's advancement in his eyes?
Whether in his past life as Jiang Cheng or now, he had always encountered people willing to sacrifice everything for their loved ones. He had never seen someone as selfish and depriving of happiness as his grandfather, only hearing about such people in films and dramas. He never expected to encounter such a person in reality, and that person to be his own grandfather!
Jiang Cheng didn't know whether to feel angry or ashamed.
Fortunately, Jiang Cheng was about to meet this "grandfather" soon. He had made up his mind to confront the old man: "After doing so many wrongs to your own family, don't you feel any shame?"
But is the truth really that simple?
In the afternoon, after lunch, the family decided to visit the old man.
Led by Jiang Deping, they walked into the main house in the backyard, where a nurse in his thirties immediately greeted them.
"The chief just fell asleep. Please keep your voices down…"
Jiang Deping nodded in acknowledgment, and they quietly entered the room.
The room was air-conditioned with a dehumidifier running. Although the temperature wasn't very high, Jiang Cheng felt somewhat hot upon entering, especially after having just eaten.
The room was simply furnished, with two tables, one with a cup and a plate of fruit and the other covered with various medical instruments. Then there was the single hospital bed, where an old man lay under a blanket, breathing weakly and laboriously through his nose.
"Keep your voices down, don't wake the old man…"
Jiang Deping whispered, leading Jiang Cheng and Jiang Dejun to the bedside. Under the soft glow of a bedside lamp, Jiang Cheng got a clear look at his grandfather.
The old man was tall and once robust, but now emaciated from illness. His skin was wrinkled and spotted with age. Despite the pained expression and the yellow, almost purplish complexion, his sharp facial contours indicated he was not one to be trifled with. Even in sleep, his brows were furrowed as if bearing immense pain.
This was his grandfather.
Jiang Cheng sighed inwardly.
From what his father had shared and what he now observed, his grandfather must have been a person of significant authority and a forceful character. But no matter how powerful, now near his end, he lay on a hospital bed like any ordinary old man, quietly waiting for death.
Yet, Jiang Cheng admired the old man's tenacity. The furrowed brows indicated he was enduring no ordinary pain, but even in sleep, he refused to moan, showing his incredible resilience.
Jiang Cheng, in both his past and current life, had never encountered such a person; he knew he couldn't do the same.
However, judging by the old man's complexion, Jiang Cheng could tell he was at the end of his life, barely clinging on. Based on his past life experience, he knew this was the end stage; he'd seen a similar complexion in the mirror during his final days.
In more mystical terms, this was the "shadow of death."
The three stood quietly by the bed. But from Jiang Dejun's heavy breathing and clenched fists, Jiang Cheng could sense his father's turmoil.
Jiang Cheng understood him. After decades of conflict, they were reunited at the brink of death, and a lifetime of grievances was about to be settled. Anyone would be emotionally charged.
Perhaps sensing their presence, the old man soon woke up and immediately noticed the three beside his bed, his cloudy eyes fixed on Jiang Dejun.
"You've come back."
His voice was soft and weak from illness but clear; his tone was casual, as if making small talk.
Jiang Dejun took a deep breath, steadying his surging emotions before replying, "Yes, I've come back."
The old man nodded slightly, "Hmm, I figured you'd come back these couple of days." He then directed Chen Bo, who had been standing by, "Ah He, help me sit up."
Chen Bo hesitated, "Master, your body…"
"I don't want to lie down while talking to them." The old man's voice remained calm but carried an undeniable authority.
Jiang Cheng inwardly praised: What a stubborn old man!
"Yes." Chen Bo reluctantly proceeded to help the old man sit up and placed a cushion behind his back.
It was clear the old man was struggling to sit up straight, his hands revealing his pain.
"Did you bring your wife this time?"
Shaking his head, Jiang Dejun replied, "No."
The old man sighed lightly, "It's a pity. I wanted to meet that Gao girl. It seems I won't have the chance."
Jiang Dejun's tone held a mix of sadness and anger, "I brought her once, and you refused to see us."
"Now discussing this has no meaning." The old man shook his head, unwilling to dwell on the past. He then turned to Jiang Cheng, "You're Jiang Cheng?"
"Yes."
After scrutinizing him briefly, the old man nodded, "I'm your grandfather."
"I know, Grandfather."
"Hmm." Pleased by the title, the old man's lips curled into a slight smile, "A good child."
Jiang Deping added, "Father, Cheng has achieved a lot. Though he's just come of age, he's already a renowned author."
"Oh?" The old man seemed interested, "What kind of books?"
Jiang Cheng took over the conversation, briefly introducing his three books: a historical narrative called "[Stories About The Ming Dynasty]," a martial arts novel titled "[Kunlun]," and a fantasy novel similar to "The Legend of Shushan Swordsmen" called "[Zhu Xian]."
The old man looked at him approvingly and chuckled, "Not bad, a true seed of the old Jiang family."
Slightly puzzled, Jiang Cheng furrowed his brows.
The old man continued, addressing Jiang Dejun, "Did you tell him about our family's matters and what he needs to do now that he's of age?"
Jiang Cheng shook his head lightly.
Frowning, the old man asked Jiang Dejun, "You didn't tell him?"
Jiang Dejun smiled bitterly, as if mocking, "I didn't want to talk about those things."
The old man nodded in understanding, "No wonder, you were never interested in family affairs. Well, I'll tell him myself."
He then instructed Chen Bo, "Take me to the courtyard; I'd like some tea."
"But, Master…" Chen Bo hesitated, but the old man waved him off, "Just do it!"
"Yes, Master!" Chen Bo reluctantly went to prepare.
Jiang Deping seemed anxious, "Father, it's too cold outside; your body can't handle it!"
"I know my own body. Don't worry, today's not the day I die." The old man's tone was as resolute as ever.
Jiang Dejun commented quietly, "You haven't changed at all, still as stubborn."
"Disappointed?" The old man asked with interest.
Shaking his head, Jiang Dejun replied, "No, I know you. You're someone who will never change."
"You're the same, inheriting my stubbornness!" the old man retorted, "Anyway, talking about this is pointless now. I know you've always resented me for not letting you see your mother for the last time. Now that you're here, go and pay respects to her. Eldest, take everyone else."
"Yes, Father." Jiang Deping respectfully agreed, turning to Jiang Dejun, "Let's go, Little Five. Let's visit Mother."
Jiang Dejun, with a complex look, glanced at the old man and then told Jiang Cheng to stay with his grandfather before leaving with Jiang Deping.
Suddenly, the room was left with just the two of them.
Jiang Cheng silently observed the old man. Despite the questions he had prepared earlier, he found himself at a loss for words and stood quietly.
The old man didn't speak either, his deep gaze never leaving Jiang Cheng, concealing whatever thoughts he had.
After a while, Chen Bo came in with a wheelchair laden with clothes, respectfully announcing, "Master, everything is ready."
"Good." The old man nodded and allowed Chen Bo to help him dress and move to the wheelchair, covering his legs with a blanket and placing a hand warmer beneath it.
Once ready, the old man said to Jiang Cheng, "Come with me."
Chen Bo slowly pushed the wheelchair out, with Jiang Cheng following. They headed to the courtyard.
There, a tea table and several rattan chairs had been added, with tea utensils and a bottle of tea leaves on the table. The nurse Jiang Cheng had seen earlier was now tending to a small stove with a kettle of boiling water.
Chen Bo positioned the old man by the tea table and gestured for Jiang Cheng to take a seat.
Jiang Cheng, without hesitation, sat down under the old man's watchful eyes.
The old man pointed to the tea leaves and said, "I've heard you're skilled at making tea. Why don't you prepare this pot?"
The nurse had just finished boiling the water and placed the kettle on the table before bowing to the old man and quietly retreating.
Jiang Cheng didn't refuse, as tea-making was one of his strengths.
He opened the bottle of tea leaves but frowned upon seeing the contents.
"What's wrong? Can't you brew this type of tea?" the old man inquired.
"No," Jiang Cheng shook his head, "I can, but this type of tea isn't suitable for gongfu tea."
"Doesn't matter, I just want to taste your tea." The old man said casually.
Nodding, Jiang Cheng poured a small amount of tea leaves from the bottle, selecting three of the best, then took a 300ml teacup and placed the leaves inside. He gently lifted the kettle and slowly poured boiling water into the cup.
After filling it nine-tenths full, Jiang Cheng set the kettle down, waiting a moment for the leaves to unfurl. The green leaves settled at the bottom of the cup, creating an appealing sight.
He presented the cup to the old man and said softly, "Please taste, Kuding tea."
With the old man's story unfolding and his meeting with Jiang Cheng, the narrative hints at deep-seated family dynamics and unresolved issues, setting the stage for more complex developments.