Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Jiang Mantian instructed De An to stop the car at the foot of the mountain, telling him to wait there while he climbed the winding mountain stairs alone to the sea-view villa.

As expected, he found Jiang Heng on the villa’s glass cliff-side observation deck.

Jiang Heng stood like a statue on the observation platform, surrounded by a scattering of cigarette butts at his feet, showing his turbulent mood.

Jiang Mantian said nothing, quietly walking up to Jiang Heng, reaching out to take the cigarette that was burning halfway between Jiang Heng’s fingers.

Extinguishing the cigarette in an outdoor ashtray filled with pebbles, Jiang Mantian then took off his suit jacket and draped it over Jiang Heng. ”The sea breeze is strong, don’t catch a cold.”

The high-quality suit jacket blocked the sea breeze, and Jiang Heng immediately felt much warmer.

From childhood to adulthood, Jiang Mantian had always been his haven and guide. If he got hurt, Jiang Mantian would help heal him; if he made mistakes, Jiang Mantian would steer him onto the right path.

How could he not be his real father?

Thinking of this, Jiang Heng’s heart felt a bitter ache.

He looked down at the man who was three to four centimeters shorter than himself, and in a low voice, called out: ”Dad.”

”You useless thing.” Jiang Mantian wasn’t mocking Jiang Heng, just expressing his disappointment at seeing his son’s desolate expression.

Jiang Heng didn’t refute.

Jiang Mantian stood beside Jiang Heng and said, ”I noticed Bai Xuan’s cowardice and treachery even on your wedding day, and I warned you clearly. But you were stubborn, preferring to play dumb rather than open your eyes and see her true nature.”

”But matters of the heart, like drinking water, one knows the temperature oneself. You’re the type who won’t turn back until you hit a wall; I knew that telling you more wouldn’t help. Facing reality on your own is more effective, so I let you be.”

Jiang Mantian had long anticipated this day, it was only a matter of time.

When he heard from De An about Jiang Heng locking Bai Xuan in the bunker in a fit of rage, he wasn’t surprised.

Jiang Mantian wouldn’t disparage Bai Xuan, since she was once someone Jiang Heng genuinely loved. Surely there were qualities he admired in her.

Jiang Mantian only felt it wasn’t worth it for Jiang Heng.

”Jiang Heng, the strongest cage isn’t made of concrete and steel, but the prison in your heart.” Pointing at Jiang Heng’s chest, Jiang Mantian told him, ”For the sake of a hypocritical and cowardly woman, to fight against yourself, it isn’t worth it.”

”To forgive others is gracious, to forgive oneself is magnanimous. Ah Heng, you must move on.”

Listening to his father’s earnest advice, Jiang Heng felt both a bitter ache and distress.

He gazed at the moonlit, shimmering sea surface, and said hoarsely, ”Dad, I’m not sad because of Bai Xuan.”

Jiang Mantian was slightly surprised, ”Then why do you look so sorrowful?”

The last time Jiang Heng was this saddened was the night he learned Bai Xuan had a terminal illness. What had happened today to bring him despair again?

Jiang Heng said to himself, ”Grandfather actually liked his grandson; he just didn’t like me. Because I’m not really Jiang Heng, right?”

Upon hearing this, the eyes of Jiang Mantian that usually seemed wise and calm, showed a rare trace of panic.

Suppressing his inner unease, Jiang Mantian’s voice was unsteady as he asked Jiang Heng, ”How did you find out?”

”Bai Xuan told me.”

Jiang Mantian frowned, Bai Xuan?

How did she know?

At this point, digging into how Bai Xuan found out wasn’t important.

Jiang Mantian was more concerned about Jiang Heng’s feelings.

Staring at Jiang Heng’s reddened eyes, Jiang Mantian finally understood the source of Jiang Heng’s turmoil.

”You are indeed my adopted son.” With both hands on the railing, listening to the sound of the waves crashing below, Jiang Mantian told Jiang Heng: ”My son was one of the first hostages brutally murdered by Rashomon, and you were one of the hostages they abandoned while retreating.”

”Because no one came to claim you, I decided to adopt you.”

To silence the endless gossip from the Jiang Family, Jiang Mantian didn’t publicly announce Jiang Heng’s death. He hypnotized Jiang Heng’s memory, brought him back to the Jiang Family, using deception to transform him into another Jiang Heng.

In a way, the Jiang Heng standing in front did indeed steal the life of the real Jiang Heng.

Hearing Jiang Mantian reveal the truth, Jiang Heng finally believed Bai Xuan was right. ”In that case, I’m indeed not your biological son. I stole Jiang Heng’s life, his wealth; my presence has completely replaced the traces of Jiang Heng. I’m a despicable thief, no wonder Grandfather doesn’t like me.”