My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Chapter 5 - What Is The Difference From Death?

For the next few days, Jiang Jinyan spent his days in silence as if he had gone mute.

The only thing he was slightly happy about was how his father deliberately cleared his schedule just to accompany him. Yet not long after, he had to go back to work because the frequency of his phone calls and incoming mails intensified more and more that he didn't even have time to talk to his son.

Even as he left, his phone was still ringing crazily. Jiang Huocheng spoke hastily. "Can you manage alone? Father has paid for all the hospital fees, so tell the doctors and nurses if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, okay?"

Jiang Jinyan stared at his father's wrinkled face and nodded. "Okay, you go." It was his first sentence in three days.

After getting his son's confirmation, Jiang Huocheng left abruptly, his steps wide and long, his back contained no hesitation. Thus, Jiang Jinyan was left alone in the hospital room.

Fortunately there was Xiaxia. Even though she could only visit every two or three days, Jiang Jinyan was feeling quite happy. Because it showed that in this world, there was at least someone who would make him the priority.

Every time Wei Xiameng visited, she would bring a bunch of fruits and chicken soup.

The days passed by blandly and before he realized, almost two weeks had gone by.

Jiang Jinyan eyed his girlfriend's haggard face and her huge eyebags. And for the first time since waking up, he tried to lift his lips and muster a small smile. "It's okay, Xiaxia. You don't have to do this anymore."

He didn't know how his smile looked, but Wei Xiameng froze for a moment. Her head lowered, her shoulder length hair slid down and covered her face from his sight. In the next moment, she sniffled and forced a smile. "Then, I will listen to you."

The rims of her eyes reddened as she smiled.

Jiang Jinyan averted his gaze.

He was tired of seeing the heartache in everyone's eyes. It made him nauseous as he recalled the state of his disabled leg. He was too tired to cheer everyone up, acting like he could be strong enough to get through this.

"Jinyan…" Wei Xiameng grabbed his hand tightly, her voice choked between sobs. "I will always stay with you okay?"

Jiang Jinyan stared at the petite and pale fingers that were interlaced with his rough one. The warmth travelled from his hand up to his entire body before settling down in his heart. His smile became much more sincere. "En."

One person, he only needed one person. And it was more than enough.

A series of firm knocks swallowed what Wei Xiameng wanted to say. She wiped her tears away and said, "Actually, just now…I met Coach Yong downstairs."

Jiang Jinyan stiffened, the little warmth he had just felt was instantly doused in freezing cold water.

It was indeed Coach Yong outside. As long as he remembered, for eight years of being taught under him, Yong Jizhe had always been a fierce man. If he was late by one minute, he would be asked to run ten laps. Ten minutes, then he would be asked to mop the training center's floor.

Yong Jizhe was actually a veteran athlete who was reluctant to leave the field after he retired, thus he chose to be a coach instead. Many people strived to learn under him but only Jiang Jinyan…only he was the one who got Coach Yong's invitation.

It was clear to see that Coach Yong held a great expectation toward him. However, the greater it was, the heavier the disappointment would be. Everyone in the circle knew how much Coach Yong wanted to be in the Olympics, but in the end, he had to forfeit because of his family situation. Thus, Jiang Jinyan had never complained even if sometimes Coach Yong was too strict toward him.

He was so strict and solemn that Jiang Jinyan didn't know he could actually smile.

Like right now.

Wei Xiameng squeezed his hand. "I will leave the two of you alone."

She smiled in acknowledgement which Coach Yong returned with a brief nod.

After the two of them remained, the atmosphere turned heavy and awkward. Coach Yong was a man of few words, and as he stood there silently, the air of awkwardness was so intense that Jiang Jinyan could hear the sound of his gulping.

"Lad..." He sighed. "How are you?"

Jiang Jinyan lowered his eyes and the hands on his side clenched into fists.

The middle aged man stretched out his hand hesitantly and finally pat his shoulder two times. "Don't worry about the Olympics. Just focus on recuperating."

His words were light and encouraging, but how could Jiang Jinyan not know what he meant?

Just focus on recuperating. Ha…he sneered mockingly. In this lifetime, no matter how long he recuperated, he would never be able to come back anymore. Sometimes, once a chance was lost, you could never be able to grasp it again. No matter how hard you tried. No matter how much you sacrificed.

Everything…had been lost.

The sight of his leg burned his eyes, Jiang Jinyan lowered his head even more, focusing on the sewn pattern on his blanket as if it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

Coach Yong sighed. He truly didn't know how to cheer someone up. Pity ah…such a pity. He shook his head and smiled. "It's good that you are alive."

Their conversation was short. It was Coach Yong's last words before he left, and probably the last words he would ever say to Jiang Jinyan again. This meeting would probably be their last. Coach Yong would return to his job, while he…he had no idea what he should do from this moment onward.

He never said anything since the beginning, always stayed silent as he received everyone's blessing, saying that he was lucky to survive in such a terrifying car accident.

Jiang Jinyan scoffed bitterly.

This kind of life…what was the difference from being dead?