While at the same time, Jing Wei Jin went inside the room. Though he didn't want to face Pan Hong, still to some point he wasn't able to deny the facts his younger brother stated.
"You finally got time to visit me now?" Feeling the presence of him in the room already, it didn't take time for Pan Hong to realize it. His eyes were still looking out at the window, staring at the sunny day that the spring season was bringing but his words were all directed to Jing Wei Jin.
And he knew it as well. "I never had plans to visit you in the first place. I was just passing by when I heard servants talking about that you are being childish in taking medicines. So I just came to ask – Did old age struck you hard? Your attitude is making you look senile now." Jing Wei Jin said as tucking his hands inside the pocket, he entered the room with a lack of warmth in his attitude.
Pan Hong turned to look at the man as well. Though there seemed no doubt that he held the boys dear to his heart, he has never been the person to show it at front. "It might not be the old age that took me off-guard but someone's betrayal." He said and it was not hard to tell which betrayal he was talking about.
Jing Wei Jin looked at him but didn't say anything. He understood the context he was talking about but never meant to comment his thoughts on it as he knew what he did years back requires no explanation to prove it right.
Though the old man waited to hear his words, he never got to hear them. Without putting much thought into his words, Jing Wei Jing walked to the side table beside the bed to pull out the drawer.
"It's already time for you to take the medicines. Let's not bother other boys to cater to your childish demands again. Since I am here let me help you with it." He said as getting the medicine box he walked to the old man before peeling the tablets out for him. "Here, take this with water." He said as forwarding the glass of water, he handed him the pills.
Pan Hong looked at him with a gaze that looked pricky but Wei Jin didn't mind it. Taking the pills accordingly, he gulped it down with water before handing the glass back to the man to ask, "Do you think you did the right thing five years back?"
Jing Wei Jin chuckled lightly as giving a short glance his way, he turned around to walk back to keep the glass on the table. Then turning again with a playful look, he asked back in place of replying, "Do you see the regret on my face? If yes then let me know I would also ask the doctors to come to check your eyesight. After all, I can't leave you to get blind slowly and slowly."
"Wei Jin! I trusted you. Never thought that you would backstab me" Pan Hong yelled, his voice coming out in a shaky tone letting people know that how weak he has gotten in a few days.
Jing Wei Jin didn't care. "Backstabbed you! Are you sure I did that?"
"You!!"
"When a pawn of your hand starts having the mind of his own, it's not called backstabbing. Rather it's a notification that comes to let you know that you could no longer use it on your own will. And what I did five years back was just that notification to you." He said and his words only made the old man feel defeated.
"You think that I used you as a pawn. I took you as my son." Pan Hong defended his stance. But he knew none of his reasons could defend it righteously.
Jing Wei Jin looked at him and shook his head. "No doubt you took us as your son. But who says one can't use their own son for their selfish motives; can't use him to do the sins for which he might never be able to forgive himself? Who said so? If there is any, let me know. I will make them meet you to break their delusions."
"Wei Jin!" Pan Hong felt a sharp dagger piercing his heart. But there was nothing he could do in it since he knew that he might have done the sin to ruin the boy's trust in him. He never wanted that but still, he has done it, causing a deep regret in the heart from which he could never recover. "I never wanted it like that, Wei Jin. Have some faith in me! If you have ever said that you have fallen for that woman, I would have not forced you. I would have …"
"Of course, I knew. You would have not forced me. You would have definitely not forced me." Wei Jin said and his words showed a light of hope to the old man but the very next second that ray of hope turned in the depths of darkness when heard him completing his thoughts. "Instead, you would have asked me to return and would have sent another man to do the job."
"Wei Jin, I would have never done that. You should have believed me for once to reveal. I have …"
"Belief in others is no longer in my books. The profession in which we are indulged asks us to keep our alertness on all instances. Isn't that one thing you taught me very well." Jin Wei Jin might have done wrong to not believe the man. But he knew when that one is at stake, he could not bear to take the chance. Neither five years back nor even today. "Anyway, I had enough time today. I will take my leave first. You can enjoy your time alone then." He said and moving on his steps nonchalantly, soon reached the door to exit.
But just when he was about to walk out from the wooden frame, his steps paused as he slightly looked over his shoulders to announce. "Uncle Pan, this might be the last time I came to visit you in the room. So don't bully the boys asking them to call me here. Neither they would have guts to call me here nor I would be thoughtful enough to show you my second visit."
He said and then straightforwardly walked out of the room, leaving the man yearning alone.
Pan Hong didn't know what he said to Wei Jin earlier would have been the reality or not. He was not sure if he would have let that command slide off after knowing his love for that woman or not.
But he was sure that if even in the past he knew that his one order would have taken the dear boy away from him, he would have thought twice before supporting Qinrou in her motives. He would have thought twice to not feel the regret he was feeling today.
Maybe he has been too reckless before, but now he could no longer turn it back to where it was before.. He could no longer undo the thing even if he wants to.