Chapter 104: Song Jing's Departure
"Hmm?" He Yushen murmured in acknowledgment.
Both Nan Yi and He Yushen, seeing Song Jing in this state, were at a loss for words.
"Let's go inside," suggested Song Jing.
The two of them silently followed Song Jing and the ever-silent Yan An into the house.
Nan Yi's gaze settled on the baby in Song Jing's arms.
Once they were seated, He Yushen looked at the baby in Song Jing's arms a few times, opening his mouth as if wanting to say something but hesitating.
"When did this happen?" He Yushen's deep voice inquired.
Gone were the traces of bitterness and vanity on Song Jing; all that remained was a face full of tenderness.
His eyes, full of a gentle smile, gazed down lovingly at the baby in his embrace.
"Last week," Yan An, who had been silent all along, spoke up, his voice noticeably raspy.
In fact, Yan An had also lost a considerable amount of weight. However, next to the starkly emaciated Song Jing, his changes went almost unnoticed.
Especially his eyes—they looked devoid of hope, showing signs of weariness and a certain emptiness. Only when looking at Song Jing did a glint of life briefly appear.
"What happened to your health?" He Yushen probed further.
This time, Yan An remained silent, opening his mouth slightly before turning his gaze to the gentle-faced Song Jing.
"Shen ge, would you like to hold him?" Without addressing He Yushen's query, Song Jing offered the baby he held to him.
He Yushen hesitated for a moment, taking the baby, noticeably smaller than the one they had at home, from Song Jing.
Nan Yi, driven by curiosity, moved closer. He Yushen, cradling the baby, tilted him towards Nan Yi to reveal a face still somewhat wrinkled beneath the blanket.
Song Jing kept smiling, watching the two bond closely with the baby.
Since entering, Yan An had been slightly turning his face to look at the omega beside him. Beneath the table, he reached out to grasp the withered, slender wrist, sliding his fingers down until their hands intertwined tightly.
Song Jing turned to him, offering a purely sweet smile.
Song Jing gave a reassuring squeeze to their interlocked fingers before lifting his head to look at Nan Yi.
With pale lips, he softly uttered, "Shen ge, Nan Yi, I'm sorry."
His apology was genuine. Nan Yi blinked in surprise, while He Yushen simply looked up slightly.
"Nan Yi, I apologize for my past actions."
Song Jing looked intently into Nan Yi's eyes, who seemed a bit dazed in response.
He whispered, "It's alright."
Nan Yi genuinely didn't mind anymore. If he could forgive Nan Zhai Min and Xu Fang, why not Song Jing, considering his current state...
Despite being in the room for some time, Nan Yi still couldn't believe how emaciated Song Jing had become.
Once a spirited young man, now he resembled a candle at its end.
"Mr. Nan truly is gentle!"
Song Jing remarked softly, his voice tinged with both admiration and a hint of bewilderment.
"Yan An, what's going on?" He Yushen pressed.
"Don't ask him; I'll explain," Song Jing said, reaching out to take the baby from He Yushen's arms.
"It's bone cancer. I used to feel occasional pain but didn't think much of it. If it weren't for the sudden weight loss, I might've continued to believe I was perfectly healthy," Song Jing's voice was hushed, and every word seemed to sap his strength.
Nan Yi's pupils constricted in shock, struggling to believe the revelation, but given his position, he found it hard to comment.
He Yushen's reaction was less pronounced than Nan Yi's, yet he still furrowed his brows.
"Why aren't you in a hospital? With Yan An's vast wealth as a third-generation heir, can't he afford the treatment for bone cancer?"
"Shen ge, don't blame Yan An. I kept it from him," Song Jing's voice was gentle, evoking a pang of sympathy in the listener.
"I might not have much time left. To leave Yan An with a lasting memory and to... see you one more time, I'm content."
He Yushen silently observed Song Jing, whose face lit up with joy despite the dire situation.
Yan An's expression stiffened, gripping Song Jing's hand as if torn between letting go and holding on.
He hadn't expected that after all this time, Song Jing still harbored such feelings for He Yushen.
Yan An's initial sorrow seemed somewhat self-indulgent in comparison. His gaze became distant, lost in thought.
Faced with Song Jing's candid words, Nan Yi couldn't even find a reason to be jealous.
But he wasn't jealous. Seeing Song Jing in this frail state, having once saved He Yushen, all Nan Yi felt was a sense of regret for such a young omega.
After a prolonged silence, He Yushen said, "I'll find a doctor for you."
He Yushen reached for his phone, but Song Jing quickly intervened.
"Shen ge, there's no need. We have doctors at home, and Yan An has consulted them."
Throughout the day, Song Jing maintained a cheerful demeanor, displaying no evident fear of his impending fate.
But who isn't afraid of death?
The baby in his arms was barely a week old, the ever-worried Yan An by his side, the elderly He Yushen beside him, and his aging father, steward Song.
Nan Yi realized that as long as these individuals were present, Song Jing would never willingly depart.
Yet in the face of destiny, no amount of reluctance can alter the inevitable.
"Little Jing, it's time to take the baby upstairs for a nap. Don't sit too long."
A deep, aged voice resonated, belonging to Butler Song, whom they hadn't seen at the old mansion yesterday.
"Young master and young madam, you've arrived."
Butler Song laid his eyes on Nan Yi and He Yu Shen.
He Yu Shen gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
"Please take a seat. I'll take Xiao Jing upstairs."
Yan An gently assisted Song Jing, who was holding onto someone, leading him slowly to the second floor.
Butler Song did not follow. He left some private time for the two young individuals.
Nan Yi glanced at the alpha beside her, placing her hand over his and leaning her head gently against him.
"Uncle Song, how much longer for Xiao Jing?" He Yu Shen inquired.
A fleeting shade of sadness crossed Butler Song's eyes, his voice raspy and choked, "The doctor said, half a month."
Nan Yi abruptly lifted her head while He Yu Shen remained silent.
"Let's go home," He Yu Shen rose, taking Nan Yi's hand. His face betrayed no emotion, maintaining its usual expression.
However, the grip on Nan Yi's hand was a bit tighter than usual.
Both walked in silence, not engaging in conversation, slowly making their way from Yan An's living room to the main entrance.
The situation with Song Jing was both sudden and heavy.
Once home, He Yu Shen never mentioned Song Jing in front of Nan Yi, and she never brought it up either.
But from time to time, they would visit Yan An's home, even bringing Xiao Bao to see Song Jing.
The brief half month passed quickly. The smile on Yan An's face became rarer, and sometimes it took Song Jing's coaxing for a long while before Yan An could muster a forced smile.
Every time Nan Yi and He Yu Shen visited Song Jing, there would be a bunch of bright red roses in front of his recliner.
Song Jing managed to hold on for more than the initial prognosis of half a month, gaining an extra dozen or so days.
The day after Yan An and his baby's one-month celebration, they departed forever.
On the day Song Jing was laid to rest in the mountains, rain fell from the heavens.
He Zhang supported Ling Ran, while He Yu Shen held Nan Yi, who cradled He Si Yi.
Butler Song shed murky tears. Everyone wore faces of sorrow, except for Yan An, who stood trance-like by the grave, holding his crying baby.
The rain grew heavier, and the baby in Yan An's arms was taken away by Butler Song from the burial ground, followed by everyone else.
Yan An, dressed in a black suit with a white flower pinned on, pulled out a bunch of roses from his pocket.
He bent down, leaning close to the gravestone, and whispered a few words.
The sound of his voice was drowned out by the rain and carried away by the wind. No one heard, it was a sweet nothing meant only for them.