[Bonus Chapter 2] Not Waiting (Part 2)

Who knows that the fallen petals yearn to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water has no intention of lingering over the fallen petals?

Tang Feng was a thoughtful man. Ever since returning from the Mid-Autumn Festival, although he had been punished, he felt it was worth it. Now, whenever he had free time, Tang Feng would lean on the windowsill and gaze at the bright moon, just like Zhou Ziliang had done that day, watching the moon's phases and the clouds in the sky. Liu Yiwan noticed Tang Feng's change and had an inexplicable feeling. She moved closer to Tang Feng and asked, "Young Master, do you have someone you like?" Upon hearing this, Tang Feng's face visibly turned red. He stammered, unable to give a coherent answer, and pushed Liu Yiwan away, saying, "No... don't guess!"

"Young Master, tell me, who is this person?" Liu Yiwan was indeed quite curious about this person. Tang Feng rarely left his home and could count his friends on one hand. For his young master to be interested in this person, he must be a formidable character. However, Tang Feng shook his head vigorously, sat on the bed with his knees drawn up to his chest, buried his face in his arms, and stared intently at Liu Yiwan, only his eyes showing. Seeing Tang Feng's "I'd rather die than tell" attitude, Liu Yiwan shrugged. Oh well, he couldn't force him to tell. He didn't want to push too hard and his young master would cry again.

Spring came and autumn went, cold came and heat went, and three years passed in the blink of an eye. Tang Feng was still the same as before, timid and afraid of trouble, and dared not go out. Every day he listened to the interesting things Zhang Mobai brought him.

"Feng'er, pack your things and come with me to the Zhou residence." Every morning, Tang Feng would go to pay his respects to Tang Zhaonan as usual, but this morning, Tang Zhaonan kept Tang Feng behind. "You may not know your Uncle Zhou very well. He's been at the border for years, so we haven't been in touch much. But he's back these past few days, so you'll have to come with me! I heard his son is here too."

Tang Feng felt that the best thing he had ever done in his life was going to the Zhou residence with his father, because he saw Zhou Ziliang there. The boy who had saved him years ago had grown into a handsome young man with a hint of coldness in his eyes. Tang Feng's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly. He stepped forward and stammered as he introduced himself, "Ziliang... do you remember me?"

"You are..." Zhou Ziliang frowned, but quickly replied politely, "Sorry, we haven't met before! I don't quite remember." Tang Feng remembered. He hadn't told Zhou Ziliang his name back then, and because Lu Changyuan had dirtied his face, Zhou Ziliang probably hadn't even seen what he looked like. Tang Feng tugged at his sleeve, forcing a smile. "No...it's okay, my name is Tang Feng." Zhou Ziliang nodded but didn't say anything more. The meal was rather tasteless. Tang Feng put down his chopsticks, staring at Zhou Ziliang who was still eating, thinking to himself, "It doesn't matter if he forgets. There's plenty of time in the future. I've already waited three years; what's one more?"

In fact, he was afraid...

Because Zhou Ziliang, whom he liked, seemed to genuinely dislike him, even hate him, Tang Feng sat on the bed, hugging his knees. It had rained for several days in Xiling, and perhaps he had caught a chill late at night; Tang Feng had a fever. Zhang Mobai sat beside the bed, holding a bowl of medicine, unsure how to begin. Zhang Mobai was the first to know about Tang Feng's endless unrequited love. After understanding the situation, he felt this relationship had no future. But given Tang Feng's current state, Zhang Mobai dared not tell him. Seeing the tear stains still on Tang Feng's cheeks, Zhang Mobai felt a pang of heartache. "Little brother, if there really is no response... let's put it aside for now!"

Tang Feng shook his head but remained silent. The room was eerily quiet. Zhang Mobai scooped a spoonful of medicine and fed it to Tang Feng. After swallowing, Tang Feng suddenly sat up with a start, which startled Zhang Mobai. "Mobai, do you think... if I beg Father, I can be with Ziliang?" Zhang Mobai looked at Tang Feng, not daring to discourage him while he was still ill. "I guess... I think so!" "Then I'll beg Father tomorrow. As long as I can be with Ziliang, whether he likes me or not isn't that important..." Tang Feng said to himself. If it weren't for the forced smile on his face, Zhang Mobai would have actually believed him. "Little brother... don't be like this, you don't have to..." Before Zhang Mobai could finish speaking, Tang Feng threw himself into his arms. "Mobai... I like him so much, but why can't I get a response? Why does he hate me so much? I haven't done anything!" Zhang Mobai patted Tang Feng's back to comfort him. "Don't cry, we won't cry. Tomorrow I'll go with you to talk to your uncle. If you marry into the Marquis's mansion and he mistreats you, I'll skin him alive."

After Tang Feng recovered, Tang Zhaonan learned about Tang Feng's feelings for Zhou Ziliang through Zhang Mobai's subtle probing. Tang Zhaonan didn't think it was a problem; firstly, the child was of marriageable age and it was time to find a family; secondly, Zhou Ziliang was Zhou Wuhai's son, and the two families were already on good terms, so this would be a double blessing. "If you really like Zhou Ziliang, then I'll go ask your Uncle Zhou."

"Father... I want to go too," Tang Feng said tentatively in a low voice, head down, afraid that Tang Zhaonan would disagree.

Upon arriving at the Zhou family home, Zhou Wuhai, upon learning Tang Zhaonan's purpose, hesitated. "I don't mind on my end, but... I might need to ask about the children." "Ask what? Whose marriage isn't arranged by parents and matchmakers? Xiao Feng is such a good child, and yet he got to choose him?" Madam Zhou seemed to be a friend of Tang Feng's mother, and ever since Tang Feng's first visit to the Zhou residence, she had shown him great favor. Hearing Madam Zhou's words, Tang Feng felt more confident. He fumbled for the jade pendant at his waist, waiting for Zhou Ziliang to arrive. The short time, barely enough for an incense stick to burn, felt incredibly agonizing to Tang Feng, as if he were awaiting a verdict.

"Father, Mother, Uncle Tang," Zhou Ziliang greeted as he entered. Seeing him, Madam Zhou didn't mince words and said directly, "Ziliang, you and Xiaofeng are the right age. Although Xiaofeng is a bit timid and frail, she is well-mannered and knowledgeable. Your Uncle Tang has chosen a date to propose marriage today, so I've made the decision for you. We'll choose an auspicious day for you two to get married."

"I won't!" Zhou Ziliang, kneeling below, squinted at Tang Feng. Having spent years accompanying his father during military training, Zhou Ziliang's eyes were like those of a hawk, piercing through Tang Feng. "Zi... Ziliang, if you don't like it... it's okay, I..." Tang Feng could clearly feel the hint of hatred in Zhou Ziliang's eyes as he stared at him.

"What do you mean, 'I won't'!" Madam Zhou slammed her hand on the table, startling everyone around her. "I'm telling you, I'm not discussing this with you. This is settled, don't you dare mess with me!"

That rejection felt like a chill in March, sending a cold shiver down Tang Feng's spine. He remembered how Zhou Ziliang had gently asked him if he was hurt, but now he seemed like a completely different person. Tang Feng unconsciously took a few steps back, only to be stopped by Madam Zhou. "It's alright, Xiao Feng. Your aunt will take care of things for you. Don't be afraid. Tomorrow we'll go to the Emperor to ask for a marriage decree. Then, this boy won't dare disobey." Madam Zhou's words, however warm, couldn't pull Tang Feng back from his reverie. He had learned in his youth that "seeing" was not truly seeing. Seeing was still separate from seeing, and seeing could not be attained. "The fallen flower longs to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water has no affection for the fallen flower. Those who can return are naturally not you. Those who cannot return are not you, but who else? I long lament the return of spring, but find it nowhere, unaware that it has turned and entered this place." Little did he know that every word he spoke would later be etched upon him. A tear slid down Tang Feng's cheek. If it was fate, could he defy destiny?