Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2290 - 2226: Especially Tormenting

Releasing a heavy breath, Meng Xinian said, "The truth is, Old Yang is unable to consume anything. I was unaware of this until he arrived at the camp this time; he has developed a bizarre illness that has become quite critical. To spare his wife and Officer Yang from unnecessary grief, he deceived them by claiming he could still manage rice soup and fruit. In reality, he cannot swallow a single drop of liquid or a morsel of food."

Chiang Xiao gasped, "How can he survive like that?"

"He can't," Meng Xinian replied. "Old Yang admitted himself that his days are likely numbered. He is currently being kept alive through glucose injections. He only moved here because he didn't want to terrify or burden his daughter-in-law at home during his final moments."

That was the exact reason he had resorted to stealing that tomato.

Old Yang had been desperate for the taste of a tomato, even though eating it would inevitably lead to a violent bout of vomiting.

Meng Xinian hadn't mentioned this to Chiang Xiao earlier because he assumed her items needed to be digested to provide any benefit.

If Old Yang was unable to eat or drink, what use would they be?

Chiang Xiao was stunned, never having suspected the situation was so dire.

She froze for a moment before recalling her earlier interaction. "But... I just gave Old Yang a piece of green bean cake, and he ate it without any trouble."

"What? He actually ate it?"

Meng Xinian’s expression shifted instantly. He threw open the door and bolted out of the room.

Feeling a sense of unease, Chiang Xiao hurried after him.

Meng Xinian burst into the adjacent room to find Old Yang standing near the window.

The elderly man appeared perfectly calm, showing none of the signs of illness Meng Xinian had feared.

"Old Yang?" Meng Xinian’s voice wavered slightly.

Old Yang turned around, his gaze shifting from Meng Xinian to Chiang Xiao. His eyes were rimmed with red and his lips trembled. After a long pause, he whispered, "Young Meng, I ate it, and it stayed down." He held up a single finger. "I finished a whole piece."

Suddenly, Meng Xinian’s eyes grew misty.

Nearby, Mother Yang sat weeping as she wiped her face.

"You stubborn old man, always pretending to go upstairs to drink the soup I made, only to dump it in the garden. Did you think I didn't see? I decided that if you couldn't eat, I wouldn't either. I figured whenever God was ready for us, we would just go together..."

She had been aware of his secret all along.

The recent days had been an agonizing ordeal for both of them.

"Old Zhang, don't talk such nonsense..."

Watching them, Chiang Xiao felt as though a heavy weight was pressing against her chest, making it difficult to breathe or even cry.

She wondered if destiny had steered her here specifically to rescue this devoted couple.

Furthermore, this meant Tyrant Meng would be spared a permanent scar on his soul.

If he had discovered later that her food could have saved Old Yang, and he hadn't brought her here in time, the guilt would have destroyed him.

He would have spent the rest of his life in self-reproach.

"I'm heading to the roof to gather some vegetables. Big Master, can I take whatever I want?" She took a steadying breath and added playfully, "I don't want to be a vegetable thief like Tyrant Meng."

Old Yang looked at her with a smile. "Of course. The entire garden is yours."

This young girl was truly remarkable.

Chiang Xiao tugged on Meng Xinian's sleeve. "I need some manual labor. Come on, help me pick them."

She felt it was best to give the two elders some private time together.

Meng Xinian followed her to the rooftop in silence.

The sun had already begun to set, but there was still enough light to see. The vegetable garden was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, casting long, dancing shadows across the vines and leaves.