My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Chapter 86 - A Machine That Know No Fatigue

After Jiang Jinyan was born, Jiang Huocheng was afraid that it would be too hard for her to raise the baby alone, thus he hired a nanny for her while his work remained the same, even so busier.

That year, China underwent a huge financial crisis.

The energy prices on global markets rose, leading to an increase in the rate of global inflation. Guan Empire, which was a company that delved in real estate and properties, became one of the most affected by this crisis. The property prices fell and the value of the assets collapsed. Guan Empire's foundation went through another huge earthquake after the death of Chairman Guan.

Jiang Huocheng was so busy that he could only sleep for two or three hours a day and the hours beside it were spent on working. That was also the time when Guan Xiaoxiao was the most fragile. No, at first, she was still sensible.

Everytime Jiang Huocheng phoned her, apologizing that he couldn't return home any sooner, she would say, "It's okay. The company is more important. Don't worry, Jinyan and I are okay. We miss you very much."

Jiang Huocheng loved his wife very much, that's why, he would try his best to set an hour of time to chat with his little family. But then, the work became more and more chaotic. One hour turned to half an hour, then fifteen minutes until the end, Jiang Huocheng couldn't even turn on his personal cell phone anymore.

It was the nanny who managed to reach him with much difficulty, even taking the time to find him in the company. When he saw the tearful woman, Jiang Huocheng's heart sank.

"What's wrong?" He asked urgently.

"Madam," The nanny sobbed, tears ran down her cheeks. "Something happened to Madam."

It was when Guan Xiaoxiao was hospitalized that Jiang Huocheng learned that there's a disease called postpartum depression. It turned out, Guan Xiaoxiao wasn't okay. She hadn't been okay at all. She had just learned to hide her sadness and grief, suppressing it so much that she almost broke down.

Jiang Huocheng felt very guilty, especially when he held his wife's hand that was much skinnier than before. He discovered that Guan Xiaoxiao needed him, needed his company and needed his time. Thus, Jiang Huocheng expended twice the effort. He would often burn midnight oil and squeezed some time to return to accompany Guan Xiaoxiao until she was asleep then returned to the company in the middle of the night.

He was like a robot, a machine that knew no fatigue. His work efficiency was high and the company was gradually pushed out of the line of crisis with much difficulty. However, Jiang Huocheng developed a bad habit because of it; insomnia. He often didn't sleep for two or three days so it was hard to fall asleep after that.

As study would say, sleep deprivation led to moodiness and irritability. He was originally a gentle, firm and patient man and a loving husband but one day, problems arose. He was enduring a dull headache for days and Guan Xiaoxiao threw another tantrum, accusing that, "You aren't the same anymore! You don't love me the same! Tell me, do you have anyone outside?!"

Jiang Huocheng lost his temper in that instant. He could understand if Guan Xiaoxiao needed him, but he couldn't tolerate the lack of trust between them. So, in a fit of anger, he threw the phone he was holding to the floor, his eyes penetratingly cold. "So, that's what you have always thought about me. Very well, Guan Xiaoxiao."

Then, Jiang Huocheng went to grab his coat and car key, intending to spend a night outside to calm his head down.

Guan Xiaoxiao panicked. Seeing that Jiang Huocheng was leaving, she ran to hold him back. "No, no…Huocheng, it's my fault. It's my fault okay?"

But Jiang Huocheng felt hurt. His head hurt and his heart ached even more. He felt that he couldn't stay here any longer or else he was going to say something he would regret. Thus, he resolutely brushed Guan Xiaoxiao's hands off and only left a curt sentence before leaving, "Sleep well."

Guan Xiaoxiao's hands hung limply beside her, her eyes filled with unshed tears. The bright and pure gaze of hers turned dull and blank as she stared at the closed door in disbelief as if she couldn't believe that Jiang Huocheng would leave her.

In a timely manner, Jiang Jinyan—who was only less than a year old that time—cried, his cries were very loud and powerful, slamming into her eardrums, startling her heartbeats. The nanny approached carefully. "Madam, little young master wants you."

Guan Xiaoxiao was still staring blankly at the door, not even giving any reaction. Baby Jinyan cried even harder, his face turned as red as a tomato, it was heartbreaking to hear. "Madam…"

"Shut up!" Guan Xiaoxiao grabbed her hair and screamed. "Shut up! Make him shut up!"

Instead, little Jinyan cried even harder as if he knew how sad his mother was. Upon receiving Jiang Huocheng's rejection, Guan Xiaoxiao had almost collapsed already. With the baby crying beside her ears, it was like a hammer that pummeled onto her head again and again. Very unbearable.

Guan Xiaoxiao became hysterical as she screamed and smashed the things inside the house. The frightened nanny huddled in the corner as she tried to soothe little Jinyan to no avail. The more little Jinyan cried, the more agitated Guan Xiaoxiao became and the more Guan Xiaoxiao smashed things in rampageous sounds, the more it frightened the baby. It was an endless toxic cycle.

The teary nanny had no choice and tried to call Jiang Huocheng, pleading for him to return.

But Jiang Huocheng's cell phone was turned off. Its screen cracked like cobwebs, having slid under the sofa after being thrown by his owner in a fit of anger.

On the other hand, Jiang Huocheng was sent into the hospital the same night.

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A/N: Guys, don't be too paranoid okay? Jiang Huocheng is innocent QAQ he really love his wife and son, definitely not a bastard (guarantee 100%)