My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Chapter 290 - A Fragile Health

Secretary Si had always been swift and efficient. As soon as he came, the doctor's complaint became useless. Moreover, the person whom the doctor thought would be her number one supporter didn't even try to hold Jiang Jinyan back. Looking at the docile yet supporting Shi Nian, the doctor gnashed her teeth, hating that iron couldn't become steel.

Shi Nian returned to school at noon while Jiang Jinyan went to the airport with Si Zhening. Together, they flew on Jiang Huocheng's private plane directly to the island.

It was a little beautiful island in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by silver sand, crystal clear beach and cloudless blue sky. Lines of coconut trees were planted along the path and a few picturesque, elegant and antique wooden cottages built along the shore. A few distance away, there stood a lone, three storey pure white building that looked kind of out of place.

The private plane landed on the long and spacious runway, a bunch of bodyguards and staff were already waiting there. 

Jiang Jinyan looked out of the window and saw Secretary Deng Chuqian there. The man's face didn't look particularly good which made him sneer quietly.

"Young Master Jiang, we have arrived." Si Zhening pushed forward the wheelchair and bowed.

Jiang Jinyan hummed. He took out the earbuds and messaged Shi Nian, telling the girl that he had arrived safe and sound. Only then did he climb onto the wheelchair with Si Zhening's help.

"Young Master Jiang…" Secretary Deng stepped forward as they got off the plane, his eyes inadvertently fell on Jiang Jinyan's legs, shock and apprehension was visible on his face.

If this was Jiang Jinyan a few weeks ago, he might have already lost his temper and felt humiliated to death. But now, his face didn't change when he nodded. "Secretary Deng, long time no see."

Deng Chuqian snapped out of his thoughts and bowed his head, his eyes didn't stray anymore. "It's very nice to see you, Young Master Jiang. I hope you have been well." He was already in his fifties, just a few years younger than Jiang Huocheng. However, he already had grey hairs all over his head and deep wrinkles on his face. With a hunched back and thin figure, he looked much older than his actual age.

The bodyguards were muscular and stern, all wore black suits and black glasses with earpiece speakers in their ears. Guided by those people along the road, the atmosphere felt exceedingly heavy and solemn. Well, most of it could be attributed to Jiang Jinyan's gloomy expression anyway.

Everyone had heard that Jiang Huocheng only had one son. However, they had never met him before nor did he attend any business parties or socialize with other young masters his age. The only thing they knew was that the relationship between father and son had been strained for years and lately, the young master had gotten into a car accident and crippled his leg. Thus, nobody dared to blatantly look at him like Deng Chuqian did.

"Where's my father?" The man's voice was quiet and even, yet it caused cold sweat to break out on their backs. For them, Jiang Jinyan was like an unpredictable bomb thus no one dared to say anything, discreetly handing the hot potato to Deng Chuqian.

"Hahaha…" Deng Chuqian laughed awkwardly. "That…CEO Jiang has been very busy these past few days so he's resting right now."

The corner of Jiang Jinyan's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "It will be dinner time soon but he's still sleeping?"

"Yes, yes. You know that our business partners are mostly foreigners thus our working hours are a bit different." 

They left the terminal and found a black Jeep in front. It was a huge car that could accommodate eight people at most. Two bodyguards took the driver seat and passenger seat while Deng Chuqian, Jiang Jinyan and Si Zhening sat on the back seat. Deng Chuqian tried to break the heavy atmosphere, speaking in a light tone. "Young Master must have been tired after such a long journey. We have emptied the west cottage for you. Please rest first—"

"The Jiang Huocheng I know will definitely show his face if he knows I am here." Jiang Jinyan turned to him, his eyes brooding. "Take me to my father. Right now."

Deng Chuqian grimaced. However, his face didn't look like he would yield anytime soon. "Ah, that—"

"Secretary Deng, I advise you to act otherwise." Si Zhening smiled lightly, polite and courteous as usual. "No matter what, Young Master is CEO Jiang's son. You have no right to hinder him from meeting his father. Or else," His eyes flashed in a glint. "Do you want us to go through the law?"

"Secretary Si!" Deng Chuqian massaged his brows, frustrated. "I never meant that. But it's CEO Jiang's order…"

Jiang Jinyan silently stared at him, his fists clenched above his knees.

"Fine." Deng Chuqian spat out in surrender. "We will go to CEO Jiang first then."

The Jeep made a turn away from the wooden cottage toward the white building behind it. Deng Chuqian made some calls along the way and when they arrived in front of the building, there were two people in white coats that were waiting for them. Both were males, one of them looked to be in his forties with deep features, forest green eyes and blonde hair while the younger man had Asian features, appearing in his twenties.

"Welcome, Young Master Jiang." The foreigner doctor unexpectedly spoke in fluent Chinese. His smile was wide and friendly. Upon seeing Jiang Jinyan, he stepped in to give him a hug. "Oh my, look at you. You have grown to be such a handsome man. You can't imagine how heartbroken I am to hear about your accident."

Jiang Jinyan shrunk from the man's touch, a frown on his face. "...Do you know me?"

"Of course!" The man smiled and took no notice of Jiang Jinyan's alienation. A hint of nostalgia on his face. "I am the one who delivered you here. Oh! I am also the one who held you first before everyone did." He broke out into loud guffaws and only stopped when the younger man behind him coughed.

He stepped forward and bowed. "Young Master Jiang, it's an honor to meet you. My name is Cai Mingzhe and I am Doctor Darren Walker's assistant."

Jiang Jinyan looked at Doctor Walker, dazed. 

So, Xu Binchen was right. Nineteen years ago, he was indeed born here.

Along the way, Doctor Darren was the one who chatted nonstop. Cai Mingzhe was a serious and reticent man to begin with while Jiang Jinyan…he was even worse. If they were just ordinary strangers, he wouldn't even give them any attention.

Deng Chuqian and Si Zhening silently trailed behind him, not making any sound.

They rode on the elevator to the third floor. The heavy scent of disinfectant rushed into Jiang Jinyan's nose, reawakening some memories that he'd better forget. When he came to his senses, his palms were clammy with sweat and his throat felt dry.

Doctor Walker could talk about anything. The island's beauty, his leisure life here, how Jiang Huocheng funded his research and Cai Mingzhe's scholarship, as well as how Jiang Jinyan was such a wrinkly tiny baby that would cry everytime Jiang Huocheng put him down.

Jiang Jinyan stayed silent. It was unknown whether he really listened or not. In the end, he couldn't bear it anymore and asked. "What happened to my father? He can't even come out to receive me. Is…" His eyelashes trembled ever so slightly. "Is he very sick?"

In Jiang Jinyan's mind, Jiang Huocheng had always been a formidable, steadfast and invincible man. He single handedly brought Jiang Corporation to its glory today, it was a feat that not anyone could replicate. Even when he was in his fifties, he was still a very handsome man. Maturity made him look more attractive instead, akin to aging wine that tasted more intoxicating as time passed. He was tall and fit, his features were deep and chiseled, and there was unspeakable woe between his brows that added to a hint of mystery to his charm. 

He looked like a man with a story that all women wanted to conquer.

It was hard to imagine such a man could ever collapse.

"It's no big deal." Doctor Walker smiled comfortingly. "He's just over exhausted. He has always had a fragile health so only some nourishment and a lot of rest is needed."

Jiang Jinyan repeated, incredulous. "A fragile health…?"

"Yes." Doctor Walker sighed, unaware of the turmoil in Jiang Jinyan's heart. "I have already warned him numerous times but he just doesn't listen. A patient with a history of heart attack has to maintain a healthy diet and regular rest. I have never seen such a stubborn man like him. He works around the clock like he never gets tired."

Jiang Jinyan's heart stuttered and his breath hitched on his throat. What did he say? Heart…attack?

Before Jiang Jinyan realized it, they had already arrived in front of a double door. Doctor Walker scanned his work pass and gestured for him. "Go on. I have just injected him with a dose of medicine so he's kind of drowsy right now. But you shouldn't have to wait long. He might wake up before dinner."

Jiang Jinyan's heart almost leapt to his throat. He wanted to tell Si Zhening to give him some time to calm himself but he hadn't opened his mouth yet when the man had pushed him in.

In the next second, the room unfolded in front of his eyes.

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A/N: oh, Jiang Jinyan finally knows! QAQ