Special 1: Death Anniversary

Today was the first death anniversary of Jiang Jinyan’s mother. Last year, he had also stood in front of her grave with the blazing sun shining down on him like this, despair and helplessness crawling up his spine. He had felt so angry, so desperate and aggrieved at everything; her mother’s selfishness who chose death as the last resort to run away, his father’s nonchalance and also his own miserable situation. It was as if he had been abandoned by the whole world. At that moment, Jiang Jinyan really thought that he wouldn’t be able to regain happiness anymore.

In a blink of an eye, one year passed and everything suddenly changed for the better. 

“What’s wrong?” Shi Nian asked from beside him. “You’re suddenly in a daze. Is the sun too strong for you?” 

Jiang Jinyan blinked and gave the worried girl a smile, taking her hand gently in his. “No, just thinking of something in the past.” Turning to face Guan Xiaoxiao’s photograph, Jiang Jinyan could finally let go of the burden that had been weighing on him. Letting out a sigh, he said to the grave. “Mother, I’m here again. This time, I brought your daughter-in-law with me. How is she? Pretty, right?”

Shi Nian flushed crimson. She discreetly pinched Jiang Jinyan’s arm and took a deep bow. “H—Hello Auntie, you look so young and beautiful! This is our first meeting and I’m very glad that I am able to see you this year. My name is Shi Nian and…I—I am dating your son. Please take care of me!”

Jiang Jinyan leaned down to whisper in her ears, lightly teasing. “Why don’t you tell her that we are engaged?” He touched the ring on her finger, spinning it to draw her attention. 

Shi Nian inhaled deeply and forced herself to remain proper and courteous. “He’s right, we—we were engaged a few weeks ago. Being able to date Jinyan is one of the greatest things that have happened in my life. Auntie, you have no idea how long I have been waiting for him.” Shi Nian turned to Jiang Jinyan with a smile and spotted the man with a surprised look on his face. Squeezing his hand, she said wholeheartedly. “Thank you so much for giving birth to the most important man in my life, Auntie. I am very grateful to you.”

Jiang Jinyan felt his throat choked up. He couldn’t resist hugging Shi Nian and nuzzling his nose into her hair, taking comfort in her scent.

“Jinyan…” Shi Nian tried to push him away to no avail, the man just didn’t budge at all. “We…We are in front of your mother!”

Instead of letting go, Jiang Jinyan let out a laugh and directed his eyes toward Guan Xiaoxiao’s brightly smiling face in the black and white photograph.

Mother, did you see this?

I used to ask exactly for what reason I was born. I thought that no one would care about me, that I would live my whole life surrounded by loneliness and pain that you left me. But right now, I am taking my first step toward the light.

And it’s all because of her. Your daughter-in-law is amazing, huh?

Shi Nian’s eyes darted around in panic and she strived to change the topic. “W—Where’s Uncle Jiang? He still hasn’t come up yet?” A sigh of relief escaped Shi Nian’s lips when Jiang Jinyan finally let go. 

“Don’t mind him, I’m sure he won’t come up as long as we’re still here.” Jiang Jinyan pulled her ahead. “You have sent your greetings, right? Let’s go back first. There’s still a few boxes we haven’t unpacked yet. It makes our house seem messy.”

“Wait—” Shi Nian stared at him helplessly and said to the grave. “Goodbye Auntie! We will visit you again later!”

The two went away whilst joking and bickering, their laughter echoed throughout the empty space, bringing with it an unusual sense of peace and tranquillity. 

A few minutes later, a lone figure was seen approaching, clad in black business suit with a large bouquet of roses in his hand. The gust blew and ruffled his hair, revealing a face that still looked as handsome and mature although with gray hairs on his temple. Jiang Huocheng made his way step by step, firm and slow, until he finally stood in front of Guan Xiaoxiao’s grave, his hand holding the bouquet trembling ever so slightly. 

“Xiaoxiao…” He said in a hoarse voice. “I’m here. I’ve made you wait for so long, haven’t I?”

***

Special 2: Little Apple

Secretary Deng Chuqian diligently reported the CEO’s schedule one by one. “In half an hour, you will have lunch with Chairman Kang from Korea. At 4 pm, there’s a regular meeting regarding our newest land project with the engineers on site. Then at 6 pm, there’s a business conference you have to attend online. After that, you’re done for the day, Sir.”

Jiang Huocheng hummed, his expression hardly changed as he read the documents. Sensing Deng Chuqian not moving, he finally took his eyes off the tablet. “What’s wrong?”

“Err…that, CEO Jiang. If I may ask,” The corner of Secretary Deng’s mouth twitched. “What is that on your lap?”

“This?” Jiang Huocheng glanced down toward the soundly sleeping cat with its belly up, sprawled on his lap. He gently kneaded the cat’s light pink paw pads, making its nose twitch adorably. “It’s Little Apple.”

“L—Little Apple?” Deng Chuqian exerted all of his effort not to show a strange expression. The image of his stern and serious boss with a sleeping cat was…quite a bizarre sight.

“My son’s pet. He’s busy moving in with his fiancée so I’m helping him look after it for a while.” Jiang Huocheng grumbled with a reluctant look.

But…it didn’t seem like he was reluctant to do so? Deng Chuqian wondered. However he knew better than to say it in front of his moody boss thus the only thing he did was to compliment the cat’s beauty and elegance. Well, it seemed to work though because he sensed Jiang Huocheng’s mood lighten somehow.

Sighing helplessly, Deng Chuqian excused himself. 

Half an hour later, he didn’t spot Jiang Huocheng coming out of his office. Confused, he made a direct call through the office line. “Hello, CEO Jiang? The time for your appointment has come. You will be late if you don’t depart anytime soon.”

“Secretary Deng.” Jiang Huocheng’s voice sounded lower and deeper than usual.

“Yes?” Secretary Deng’s heart sank, he assumed that something had happened to his boss again. His health had always been fragile so Secretary Deng must be alert and wary at all times because Jiang Huocheng wasn’t one who would take care of his own health. “Did something happen, CEO Jiang?”

“That…” A pause. “How do you get up without waking up the cat?”

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A/N: Tonight, last chapter of MDG!