After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash-Chapter 354 - 15: Longing and Fleeting Years (Part 15)
Wen Jiao’s heart shattered into powder, and she was too saddened to speak, yet she still mustered the final bit of her strength to nod.
Shen Zhaoli’s eyebrows and eyes softened as he held Wen Jiao in his arms, leaving no space between them.
"Then, let’s think together, when dad comes back, what should we prepare for him, is that okay?"
"Okay..." Wen Jiao said, "Bian Yue and I will take leave, we will not go to the company during this time."
"Mm, don’t worry about the matters at the Wen Group; I will handle them all. During this time, you just need to take good care of dad."
Wen Jiao closed her eyes, her tears dropping onto Shen Zhaoli’s neck, warm with a hint of saltiness.
After a very long time, Wen Jiao said, "Zhaoli, actually, letting go is much harder than holding on."
Emotions flickered in Shen Zhaoli’s eyes.
He gently patted Wen Jiao’s back, eyes filled with touched emotions, and after a while, Shen Zhaoli said, "Jiaojiao, I’ve always known that."
When Wen Yongwei returned, his health kept deteriorating.
The time he was awake became shorter and shorter, and the longest moment he was lucid each day was barely a tenth.
At times like these, Wen Yongwei would chat with Wen Jiao.
They spoke of very simple family matters, about Wen Jiao’s childhood, about Wen Jiao’s mother.
"Your mom was a very beautiful woman. The happiest day of my life was when I married her. After she was gone... I just thought, as long as I brought you up and you could live well, I would have lived up to her. Then, when I pass on, she wouldn’t blame me."
A smile of happiness appeared on Wen Yongwei’s face. He probably saw images of the past, those images that captured all of his lifelong desires and fulfillment.
The moisture in Wen Jiao’s eyes began to diffuse again.
Tears fell as she choked up, "Dad... don’t talk about these things anymore, it scares me."
Wen Yongwei caressed Wen Jiao’s hair, his eyes filled with a deep and intense tenderness, carrying a profound reluctance. "When will Zhaoli return?"
Wen Jiao replied that it would be a while; recently, there were many matters at the Wen Group, and Shen Zhaoli was handling it all by himself.
After a pause, Wen Jiao asked, "Dad, what did Zhaoli say to you at the hospital? Why did you agree to stay another night?"
"Zhaoli told me, your heart is pure, and you just want me to live. If I persist in wanting to leave the hospital now, it will sadden you. He said he would persuade you, he could make you change your mind." Wen Yongwei sighed lightly, "Jiaojiao, he truly loves you very much."
Wen Jiao knew.
She was also a person very content with her life.
And Wen Yongwei closed his eyes again, his voice growing weaker, "Jiaojiao, dad wants to rest a bit more, could you leave for a while?"
Reluctantly looking at Wen Yongwei, Wen Jiao smiled and said hoarsely, "Then you get a good rest, call me if you need anything."
When Shen Zhaoli came back that night, Wen Jiao was sitting on the windowsill, lost in thought.
Outside there was a hazy rain. When Shen Zhaoli arrived, he hadn’t locked his car; the black Bugatti Veyron stood in the courtyard, its high beams making the rain streaks very clear.
Wen Jiao watched intently until Shen Zhaoli came up behind her and tenderly embraced her.
His voice was soft and indulgent, "What are you looking at?"
Wen Jiao said, "Dad fell asleep, I was watching for when you would come back."
Shen Zhaoli lifted Wen Jiao and placed her on the bed.
He crouched down, grabbed a pair of slippers, and put them on Wen Jiao’s feet.
Wen Jiao looked down at him, and after a long while, she said, "Shen Zhaoli, you really do look good."
Shen Zhaoli smiled casually, his fox-like eyes carrying a carefree laugh, and said calmly, "If you really think it’s good, why not have a child? Whether it looks like you or me, it would be beautiful."
Wen Jiao smiled, "Okay."
Shen Zhaoli’s smile froze on his face.
He stared at Wen Jiao in shock for a long time, without speaking.
Wen Jiao still smiled, "Why are you silent? Wasn’t it you who said it? Let’s have a child, it’d be great if they looked like you or me."
Shen Zhaoli put the other slipper on Wen Jiao’s foot, his eyes reddening. When he looked up again, the redness at the corners of his eyes was deep, "Jiaojiao, do you really understand what having a child means?"
Wen Jiao understood.
What was there not to understand?
Every word she was saying now was the result of deep thought.
"I know what I’m saying, Shen Zhaoli, I want a child," said Wen Jiao. "The Wen Family’s house is too big, I always feel it’s too empty. Having a child would make it a lot better."
Shen Zhaoli stood up, he hugged Wen Jiao, stroking her hair with restraint. He said, "Jiaojiao, I can’t bear it."
Of the myriad sufferings in this world, to be alive is to inevitably endure them.
Shen Zhaoli wanted to avoid them as much as he could.
Especially...
"I know, the recent issues with your father have unsettled you, and that’s why you’re having these thoughts. Let’s wait a while, we will discuss this matter after some time passes. Jiaojiao, you’re still young..."
Wen Jiao couldn’t help but chuckle, "Then you’re even younger, Shen Zhaoli, you’re younger than me."
"In my eyes, Wen Jiao will always be a young girl, always."
While smiling, Wen Jiao’s tears started falling again.
The night’s rain grew heavier. Wen Jiao was held in Shen Zhaoli’s arms all night, unable to sleep.
She watched the rain outside the window, and several times she got out of bed and sneaked over to check on Wen Yongwei.
Only when she confirmed Wen Yongwei was still alive and sleeping peacefully, did Wen Jiao feel reassured and go back to sleep.
Every time, when she returned to the room, Shen Zhaoli would embrace her tightly once again after a moment.
Wen Jiao thought, it was nothing more than a subconscious action.
But she didn’t know that she wasn’t the only one who had stayed up all night.
In the following days, Wen Yongwei’s condition remained poor.
Bian Yue and Shen Jinci also came to see the old man.
Shen Jinci apologized to Wen Jiao with a light tone, but it was a rarity nonetheless. He said, "I’m sorry, I didn’t consider your feelings when I spoke at the hospital. Bian Yue has already scolded me."
Wen Jiao saw Bian Yue wink at her from the side.
No wonder the apology; it was like having a knife at his throat, he had no choice but to apologize.
Wen Jiao chuckled, very calm, "It’s alright, it’s just a trifle, big brother, you don’t have to worry, I was also... not very polite at that time."
When Shen Jinci and Bian Yue left, Wen Yongwei was very happy to see them out the door, and even asked if Xiaoxiao could come over next time.
Bian Yue said with a smile, "Xiaoxiao is packing up at home. He’s moving in tonight to live with you."
Wen Jiao was a bit surprised.
She escorted Bian Yue and Shen Jinci outside and then asked in a low voice, "Are you really letting Xiaoxiao come over?"
Shen Jinci said, "Bian Xiao wants to come, and Bian Yue and I respect his decision."
Hearing this, Wen Jiao spoke with difficulty, "I don’t know when my dad’s condition might worsen, I’m afraid it might frighten him..."
