Chapter 252 It’s too late now
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nTime slowly clicked as the sun set in the distance. The clear sky above is now transitioning with rays of redness as a black Mercedes parks in front of the Ji Mansion and the driver side door opens.
nZhang Yong steps out of the car and walks to the other side to open the back door. As his figure nears the door, it was suddenly open, but slowly.
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"Chairman.
"
nHe quickly but gently pulls the door open to help Old man Ji out of the car.
nOld man Ji stretch his arm out and stops Zhang Yong from further advancing. He slowly gets out of the car and looks up at Ji Mansion.
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"I can still get out of the car by myself. Don't make any suspicious movement that will alert the workers here and Jingxu.
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"Mm.
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nZhang Yong could only nod his head and stand on the side. Staring at the man who has aged in front of him, memories of the past flash in his mind.
nThe brave and strong soldier from back then has grown old.... and he is glad to have to grown old with that man.
nAfter the young miss came to visit and left to Imperial Military Hospital, an urgent call came from Ji Corps. They had to leave the mansion to the company, only to find out that the other Ji members are slowly advancing in the dark.
nIf the old man doesn't persuade Yue Ling into taking over the business.....
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"Zhang Yong.
"
nHearing his name called, Zhang Yong broke out of his thoughts. He looks to Old man Ji and sees that the old man was already in front of the mansion.
nWith a sigh, he closes the car door and walks over to old man Ji.
nAs they enter the Ji mansion, Housekeeper Hu greeted them at the door. Old man Ji nod his head to the man, then he looks around the house.
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"Where is Jingxu?
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nHousekeeper Hu smiles to the man,
"The young master is in his room.
"
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"Mm..
"
nOld man Ji didnt stay downstairs for long, he needed to go to his study room. There were some important matters he needed to discuss with Zhang Yong.
nWhen old man Ji took his first step on the second floor, he couldnt help but feel something was out of place. He just couldnt figure out what it was.
nHis head turn to the right of the hallway. Looking at Jingxu's room, he sees the door closed. Usually the boy only closes the door when he is either studying or sleeping. Thinking of how the school semester is coming to an end, Jingxu must be studying.
nWithout much thinking, he looks away and continues on to his study room. As he nears the door, another throbbing pain erupted in his heart.
nThe space between his brow crease into three lines . He stares at the door and couldn't bring himself to enter the room.
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"Chairman, what is it?
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nZhang Yong's voice from behind brings Old man Ji back from the unknown feeling inside of him. He shook his head and force a chuckle.
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"Ha ha, this one was just thinking.
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nIgnoring that tight pain in his chest, he turns the door knob and opens the door.
nDarkness engulf his view as the blinds to the windows were kept shut. No light came into the room. From behind Zhang Yong takes a step to the side to turn the switch for the lights on.
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"Ahhhh—!!!
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nGrandfather Ji suddenly gasp in surprise and Zhang Yong yelp in shock. Both old men stare unblinkingly at the the scary black figure sitting on the floor at the end of the study room.
nSlowly moving forward, old man Ji used his 'qinggong' to silence his steps. Like a soldier creeping up on his enemy's base, his moves were quiet and swift. As he nears the scary black figure, he sighed and his body loosen. He pat his heart and glares at the figure.
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"Jingxu, why are you in here and sitting like that? You almost gave yeye a heart attack.
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"...
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nSitting on the floor, Jingxu never moved from his position. His head lowered and he stare down at his lap like a sleeping drunk man in the alley.
nOld man Ji frown when he didnt hear a response from the boy. He takes a few steps forward and squat down.
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"Jingxu? Are you sleeping?
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"Why...
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nHearing the low mumble from the boy, Old man Ji's heart relaxed even more. Nothing is wrong with the boy. He stretch a hand out to pat the boy on the head and he smiles.
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"Why? Because yeye does not want you to sleep on the floor. What if you catch a—
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"Why....?
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nBefore the old man could finish his words, Jingxu's head slowly lift up and he stare straight into his grandfathers eyes with his red eyes.
nSeeing the shade of red in the boys eyes, old man Ji was struck with worrieness. Both his hands grab the boy by the shoulders and he gently shook him.
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"Jingxu, what happened? Did something happen to you? Tell yeye, yeye will make sure that person perish from the word!
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"...
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nJingxu did not say a word but stare at his grandfather like a person whose soul had already left his body. As he continue to stare at the old man, he finally came to realize how much the old man who took him in has grown.
nWrinkles he had not notice before can be seen. Even the once gray hair had become white....
nThe old man..... when did he become this old.....
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"Jingxu?
"
nOld man Ji was now worried. Never has he seen Jingxu act this way before. Usually the boy was always loud and picking fights with him. Even when he saw Jingxu at the hospital, the boy did not act this way. He gently shook the boy again.
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"Jingxu?
"
nHearing the worry tone in the old man's voice, Jingxu's bottom lip tremble and a single tear slowly slid down from his left eye.
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"Why would you keep it a secret from us.....
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nSeeing the tear fall from his grandson's eyes, old man Ji swore it was as if his heart had stopped beating. He pat the boy on the head and he smiles a faint smile.
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"What secret? What are you talking a—
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nBefore he could finish his own words, his eyes without paying attention looked down to Jingxu's hand. It was then that all words he wanted to say stuck at his throat.
nDidn't he put the paper away? How did Jingxu find it?
nHe slowly reach for the paper, but then he stops himself. His eyes slowly close and he takes a deep breath.
nThis isn't how he wanted neither Yue Ling or Jingxu to find out...
nHe opened his eyes again, he looks at Jingxu and he pats the boy on the head again.
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"Yeye is sorry.
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nHearing the words, Jingxu stare in disbelief at the old man next to him. He had hoped everything was a lie. Why cant this be a dream? If it is, please let him wake up from it right now.
nHowever, the longer he stare at his grandfather, tears began to fall one after another. Soon, his expression became disheveled, nothing like the handsome young man he is. His quiet sob turned into a dreadful wail.
nStanding at the door, Zhang Yong couldnt hold his tears in and he silently cried with Jingxu. He is already in so much pain knowing that the man who gave him a second chance in life is leaving this world.. Now seeing Jingxu this way, he knows the boy is in even more pain than he is....
nOld man Ji looks at Jingxu and he felt that god was not being fair to him and his grandkids.
nThis was the reason why he didnt want to tell Yue Ling and Jingxu about his illness. After he saw Yue Ling cry in darkness for Shin, he didn't want either of his grandkids to cry for him.
nHowever... it's too late now.....
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"Yeye does not have much time left...
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nHearing the words, Jingxu lower his head and clench his fist as he cries over the dreadful news.
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"Does Jie know?
"
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"Only Zhang Yong and you.
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nJingxu abruptly glares at Zhang Yong for keeping this hidden, but seeing the old man crying, Jingxu couldnt bring himself to be angry. Knowing his grandfather, the man must have told him to not say anything.
nHe looks at his grandfather and without any words, he stands up and rush out the door.
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"Jingxu!
"
nHowever, before he could even move, old man Ji grabs him by the hand. He stare at the old man with his red eyes as tears continue to fall.
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"Why? Why?! Jie has the rights to know!
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nOld man Ji lower his head and shook his head. As much as he wants to tell his granddaughter, what will he say? He is her only blood relative left in this world who cares about her... To tell her that he is dying, how much pain will that bring to her?
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nHe lift his head and looks at the crying Jingxu. How his heart ache so much for his two grandkids. Who will be their elder once he leaves? Who will look after them and guide them in life? Who will protect them?
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"I will tell her when the time is right. Promise me, you will not say anything to her.
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nJingxu clench his fist tighter and turn his head away from his grandfather. His lips press tightly together and he looks back at the old man.
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"Fine, but if you don't tell her soon, I will.
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nWithout waiting for a response from the old man, Jingxu shook his arm away from his grandfather. He then turns to leave the room.
nHe had only agreed because he respects the old man. If it wasn't for that line of respect, he would have crossed it and tell his Jie.....
nEntering his room, he did not turn the lights on, but closed the door and leaned against it. His body slowly fall to the floor and he continue to sob in silence.
n'Jie...'
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