Chapter 153: Three Wishes

The Jin family hired the finest doctors for Jin Nana.
Jin Nana’s physical condition improved significantly.
During this period, Jiang Yao and He Yunqing came to the hospital to accompany Jin Nana whenever they had free time. They told her jokes and pushed her around the hospital grounds in a wheelchair to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
Jin Nana also transitioned from crying every day to occasionally wearing a smile on her face.
Jiang Yao could see that Jin Nana was growing increasingly dependent on He Yunqing.
Whenever He Yunqing’s figure was absent for even half a day, Jin Nana would grow visibly anxious.
Half a month later, Jin Nana was discharged and returned to the Jin household.
Inside the Jin family study, Jiang Yao stood straight before Elder Jin.
Elder Jin looked down at Jiang Yao from top to bottom. "Why have you come to see me?"
"Is what you said before still counting?"
Elder Jin lit a cigarette. "I have been able to make a prominent name for myself in the business world for so many years not only by relying on ruthless tactics, but also by keeping my word."
Mentioning trustworthiness reminded Jiang Yao of his betrayal of her mother, and she could not help but feel a sense of irony.
Her expression was not lost on Elder Jin. Without changing his demeanor, he continued, "Since you have come around and are willing to acknowledge me as your father, naturally I will not treat you unfairly. In the future—"
"I think you have misunderstood," Jiang Yao interrupted him.
"Misunderstood?" Elder Jin looked at Jiang Yao in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"
"I did not come to talk to you about that matter." Jiang Yao said, taking the Go piece that Elder Jin had once given her out of her pocket and placing it on the desk before him. "You said this could grant me one wish."
"That's right. Have you figured out what wish you want now?" Elder Jin stubbed out the cigarette in his hand. "Do you want me to help you be with He Yunqing?"
"No, I am well aware of my current identity as Cheng Yanchi's fiancée, so I will not make such a request of you."
"Then you are asking me to help the Cheng family?"
"No, I am also well aware of the Cheng family's current situation; I have no reason to make you throw away your money for nothing."

"Then what is it?"
Jiang Yao hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I have three wishes."
Elder Jin's face darkened as he gently tapped his fingers against the desk. "Three? Although a bit greedy, go ahead and let me hear them."
"First," Jiang Yao clenched her fists, "I know you hold a grudge against He Yunqing because of what happened that night at Spring Breeze Ten Miles, but you must also understand that Nana was implicated by me because of this. Therefore, if one day He Yunqing comes to you and asks to be with Nana and take care of her for the rest of his life, please grant your permission."
Elder Jin looked at Jiang Yao in astonishment. "Do you know what you're saying? You are asking me to let He Yunqing and Nana be together?"
"Yes, you heard correctly."
Elder Jin chuckled dryly. "Don't you like He Yunqing? Are you willing to watch him be with someone else?"
"I do like him, and I can tell you that I like him now and I will still like him in the future, but he and I are destined not to be together. Most importantly, Nana is genuinely happy when she is with him, and Nana... she is my sister."
Elder Jin pondered in silence for a moment. "Very well, I can grant you this wish."
"Second," Jiang Yao paused, "you also know He Yunqing's current predicament. I want to ask you to lend a helping hand, just by investing in a single drama. A person who carries light within him like that should not be allowed to fade away in such obscurity."
Elder Jin did not hesitate regarding this wish. "That is easy to arrange. As long as Yunqing is willing to be my son-in-law, naturally we will all be family in the future. Besides, Yunqing is capable, so I won't lose out by investing in his projects. Tell me your third wish."
Jiang Yao took a deep breath. "The third wish might be somewhat difficult. Chen Shu, the one who harmed Nana... the law will punish him, and I know you will surely pull some strings and use your resources and connections behind the scenes. I can understand a father's protective heart, but no matter what you intend to do, please spare his life. Can you do that?"
"Hmph!" Elder Jin suddenly slammed his hand down on the desk. "You are pleading for that brute? You are using the wish I gave you to save that brute? Don't forget, he is the one who drove Nana to this state! If I let a person like that off, wouldn't I be doing a disservice to the suffering Nana endured? All my years of building my standing here would have been for nothing!"
"Sparing his life is not out of any hope that he might turn over a new leaf; it is to save another life."
"Whose life?"
"His mother, Aunt Qin." Jiang Yao saw Aunt Qin's despairing look flash before her eyes again. "Aunt Qin has already lost one son. If she were to lose another, she would likely have no reason left to live. It was her son who committed the wrong, but Aunt Qin has always lived her life honestly and diligently.
"You should know that Aunt Qin's eldest son died for me. This is what I owe her."
Regarding Chen Shu, Elder Jin originally had his own plans.
Yet since Jiang Yao had come to plead with him in person, he naturally knew that the Chen family had a debt of gratitude toward Jiang Yao.
After all, as Jiang Yao's biological father, a kindness shown to her meant a kindness shown to him.

Elder Jin lit another cigarette, sinking into a deep silence amidst the rising wisps of smoke.
"Dad... Father..." Jiang Yao forced the word out with difficulty.
"What did you call me?" Through the haze of smoke, Elder Jin's shrewd eyes fixed on Jiang Yao.
Jiang Yao lowered her eyelids in silence. "Didn't you already hear it?"
"You are actually willing to acknowledge me as your father for the sake of the Chen family?" Elder Jin gave a soft scoff.
"No, I call you this of my own free will," Jiang Yao said slowly, "but this is the only time I will ever call you this. I have stated my wishes, and whether you choose to help me fulfill them is entirely up to you. I suddenly just wanted to try what it feels like to call someone 'Dad,' to try it just like Nana does."
"Then you've tried it. What does it feel like?"
A trace of paternal affection finally surfaced in Elder Jin's gaze.
"I envy Nana very much, but I am not her." A sharp sting rose at the bridge of Jiang Yao's nose.
"From now on, you can always call me Father."
Jiang Yao bowed respectfully to Elder Jin. "As you know, people are always greedy. Once you call someone that too often, you become greedy and start imagining many things that do not belong to you."
Elder Jin's expression turned serious once more. Looking at the stubborn demeanor of the daughter before him, he let out a long sigh.
Jiang Yao was very much like Jin Nana; after all, they were sisters.
Yet they were also different. Jin Nana certainly did not possess Jiang Yao's stubborn and difficult temper; Jin Nana's favorite thing to do was to hook her arm through his and act coquettishly.
Elder Jin had Jin Nana completely figured out, but when it came to this daughter, Jiang Yao, he was entirely at his wit's end.
"Fine, I promise you then."