Chapter 769 - 768: Here to Pick Someone Up
"Dad, please help my family. I promise to be filial to you in the future!" Jin Lixia squeezed out a few tears and pleaded.
At the same time, she felt a bit annoyed. Could this father-in-law be doing it on purpose? He did nothing when he was eating and living for free at their house, but as soon as he was kicked out, he made a comeback!
Even though she knew the father-in-law didn’t do it on purpose, kneeling here to beg still left a bit of resentment in her heart.
Jiang Mingzhong sighed and, upon understanding the reason, didn’t want to say anything more.
Just then, someone knocked on the door outside, and Jiang Xin, who had been standing in the hallway, rushed down the steps through the yard to open it.
When the door opened, there stood a few men in military uniforms outside.
"Hello, we are from the 272 Air Force Affiliated Hospital. Is Doctor Jiang home?" One of the men asked politely.
Jiang Xin nodded and turned to say, "Godfather, it’s people from the 272 Air Force Affiliated Hospital."
Upon hearing the term ’godfather,’ Jiang Fei turned abruptly to look at Jiang Xin, with suspicion in his eyes.
Jiang Mingzhong was slightly surprised, "Come in."
Jiang Xin quickly invited them inside.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fei and Jin Lixia stood up promptly without waiting for Jiang Mingzhong to say anything. They couldn’t let outsiders see them in such an embarrassing situation.
Jiang Mingzhong did not comment on this.
Once inside, the leading soldier, a major, said courteously to Jiang Mingzhong, "You must be Elder Jiang. Due to a change in the patient’s condition, our director hopes you can come for a consultation as soon as possible. We hope you can oblige!"
This was an Association task taken by Jiang Mingzhong. The 272 Hospital knew the person taking the task was an esteemed old doctor and had long awaited his expertise. Unexpectedly, before the consultation time arrived, the patient’s condition changed, forcing them to request Jiang Mingzhong earlier.
Hearing this, Jiang Mingzhong immediately nodded, "I’ll go with you now. Jiang Xin, get my things."
"Alright!" Jiang Xin hurried into the house to collect the items.
Jiang Xin quickly packed everything up and stood beside Jiang Mingzhong.
Jiang Mingzhong walked to the door, paused, looked back at Jiang Fei, who was staring at him eagerly, and said, "Go back; your father is already dead. He died in the big river at Rixin Park."
Jiang Fei was stunned by these words, suddenly recalling the rumors of an old man jumping into the river during that period. He had considered the possibility but dared not think too much about it. Now, Jiang Mingzhong’s words made him tremble inside and his face turn pale.
Jin Lixia, however, didn’t take it to heart and only showed slight confusion at Jiang Mingzhong’s words. All she knew was that Jiang Mingzhong wasn’t willing to go back with them, and she was instantly furious.
"Dad, you’re so heartless. This is your own son. You ignore him and instead care for some adopted child who’s only interested in your current status and position!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xin’s face turned bright red with anger. However, his long-standing meekness prevented him from directly confronting the aggressive Jin Lixia. He gritted his teeth and glared at her.
Jiang Fei also came to his senses, and especially the previous term ’godfather’ gave him a feeling of being robbed of something.
"Dad, I’m your real son. Only I will take care of you in your old age. You have to think clearly!"
"Yeah, Dad, you’re abandoning your own son and taking in some nobody. Are you really so heartless?" Jin Lixia said angrily.
Her father’s evaluation must not go wrong this time, and it was just a matter of a word from Jiang Mingzhong. Yet, he didn’t even care about his biological son.
Feeling very upset, Jiang Xin, usually reluctant to speak, said, "My godfather has to go for a consultation now, so please leave!"
Perhaps it was this statement that completely infuriated Jiang Fei. He stepped forward and pointed at Jiang Xin’s nose, cursing, "What are you? Just an adopted wild child, and you dare to call my dad godfather!"
Jiang Mingzhong stepped over and blocked in front of Jiang Xin. This boy never retaliated when hit, and he worried that he might suffer a loss.
Seeing this action from his father, Jiang Fei felt deeply hurt. Just who was the real son here? Was he that confused in his old age?
"Get in the car first," Jiang Mingzhong said to Jiang Xin.
Jiang Xin lowered his head, dejected, and took Jiang Mingzhong’s belongings to the car.
The soldiers exchanged glances, feeling awkward to witness such family strife when they came to invite him.
However, they were also puzzled. This Jiang Fei seemed to be Elder Jiang’s son, so why was the atmosphere so cold?
Jiang Mingzhong himself felt troubled, as it was embarrassing for outsiders to witness all this, but what could he do when the pair continued to fight?
"When you expelled me, our bond was severed. It was Jiang Xin who saved me from the river. Without Jiang Xin, I’d long be a bloated corpse. Even without jumping into the river, I was destitute, without even a place to stay, and would have starved. Now you want me to come back just to help you?"
Jiang Mingzhong thought that it was better for him to be aware of these things, or perhaps he was aware and just hadn’t taken it to heart, or delved deeper. Now that he said it, it’s something to ponder.
Driving him out undoubtedly meant driving him to death.
Jiang Fei initially only suspected, but now upon hearing this, his face turned deathly pale. So the person who jumped into the river really was his father!
Jin Lixia also fell silent, her face looking unpleasant. She glanced at the soldiers and saw that they were looking at her with contempt and disgust, making her feel utterly ashamed.
With Jiang Mingzhong and the others standing at the door, Jiang Fei and Jin Lixia couldn’t linger in the yard any longer and followed them out. Jiang Fei’s steps were unsteady, and he repeatedly wondered what he would have done if his father had indeed died back then.
Watching Jiang Mingzhong get into the car, Jin Lixia was anxious. If she couldn’t stop this now, it would really be too late.
Jin Lixia felt that her father-in-law had such a grand air being picked up by military people, but she couldn’t share in that demeanor, which made her particularly worried.
"Jiang Fei, hurry and beg your dad!" Jin Lixia nudged Jiang Fei’s waist and whispered.
Jiang Fei was dazed and completely ignored Jin Lixia, who was glaring. Before she could say anything else, Jiang Mingzhong had already driven away.
After Jiang Mingzhong left, Jiang Fei wavered and still ignored Jin Lixia, turning around but not knowing where to go.
Jiang Mingzhong, sitting in the car, also felt uncomfortable, remaining silent. Once he got out of the car, he took a deep breath and gathered himself again.
The child is grown now and has his own path to follow. He had protected him as much as he could and intervened as much as he could. From now on, he didn’t want to worry about Jiang Fei anymore.
