Chapter 48 Father and Daughter Reunion
In the evening, you lie wearily in bed, sorting through the information you received during the day.
So much happened today: the fleeing Bu Liren, the company's living mechs, the Dan Ding Si's chronic illness, the suspicious Dragon Master... These things exploded in your mind. You tried to sort out the connections between them, but found that they were just fragments that could not be connected into a complete line.
If you can't figure it out after thinking for a long time, you might as well just clear your mind and stare blankly at the ceiling.
Suddenly, a message popped up: Huaiyan was inviting you to a small gathering.
You quickly replied to him, then got up to change your clothes, took the gifts you had bought, and headed to your destination.
Huaiyan chose a secluded courtyard where he could see the artificial moon over Luofu Mountain.
When you arrived, Huaiyan was brewing tea, and the aroma of tea filled the air as soon as you entered.
"Father," you called out sweetly. Even though you were hundreds of years old, you still unconsciously acted like a child when you met him.
"Good child, come and sit down."
You place the gift you bought on the table, and then sit down next to him.
"I brought you some gifts. Knowing that you like tea, I bought you some top-quality Lin Yuan Chun from Luofu."
"Since you're already here, why bring a gift?"
Huaiyan said there was no need to spend money, but his hands honestly opened the packaging to find out what was inside.
You introduce the names and uses of the gifts to him one by one, including many specialties from Pinocchio.
"Thank you for your trouble."
These items weren't particularly expensive, but each one touched his heart.
The biological child understands him best.
"Come and try the tea your father brewed. It's the jasmine tea you loved as a child."
Huaiyan calmly pours you a cup of fragrant flower tea, the taste of which instantly evokes your childhood memories.
When you were little, you always complained that traditional tea was too bitter and refused to drink it no matter what. You even boasted that if you were going to drink tea, you should drink the "Immortal's Happy Tea".
Later, Huaiyan brought jasmine tea, a local specialty, from Yaoqing. This tea, when brewed, retains the fragrance of tea leaves while also having a hint of sweetness, perfectly matching your taste.
Since then, you've fallen in love with this tea. When Huaiyan takes you to banquets, he'll specially arrange a pot of jasmine tea for you to cleanse your palate.
As you get older, you gradually have to learn to attend various social occasions like an adult, and you are forced to drink so-called proper tea to maintain adult dignity.
These teas are often bitter, no longer the sweet and delicious children's tea.
Gradually, you get used to the bitter taste of tea and lose the innocence of childhood.
Jasmine tea is not only a childhood memory, but also represents Huaiyan's special affection for you.
In his heart, you will always be his child, the daughter he will protect with all his might.
As you reminisced, you took a sip of tea. The aroma was delicate with a hint of sweetness, a flavor that took some getting used to for someone accustomed to bitterness.
But as you savor it slowly, the familiar jasmine fragrance lingers on your lips and teeth, and childhood memories are gently told through the tea.
Amidst the fragrant steam of tea, you chat with Huaiyan about everyday matters, concealing centuries of longing and yearning in each simple word.
You recount your travel experiences and insights, a mix of sweat and tears, sweetness and pain.
His eyes held an unconcealable heartache. How many growing pains were hidden in his seemingly casual words? In those places he couldn't see, how much suffering had you endured, how many tears had you shed?
You should have lived a peaceful and smooth life, or inherited his mantle and shone brightly in the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, or joined the Cloud Cavalry to protect your home and country, or freely explored and found the meaning of life.
No matter which path you choose, he will be there to protect you and give you the confidence to start over at any time.
As a leader, he shouldn't have buried talent. But as a father, all he hoped for was for his children to be safe and sound.
“Good child, you have suffered so much…” Huaiyan gently stroked your hand, where there were still scars that had not yet faded.
The moment those words were spoken, you completely broke down. Years of pent-up frustration erupted, turning into silent tears that dripped onto the back of your hand, one after another.
Huaiyan saw it all and felt a pang of pain in his heart.
He is not a good father. He was not there when his daughter needed him most, but when she didn't need him, he shamelessly sought to make his presence felt.
The general's status gave him power, but it also bound him. He could only watch helplessly as you were imprisoned in a cold, damp dungeon, and because of your close relationship with him, you were not even allowed to see him.
The prison was bitterly cold. His poor child had just escaped death, and now he would have to spend a hundred years in a dark and dreary prison.
Not long after his release from prison, he left her alone to wander the vast universe, slowly mending her broken heart and letting time heal her emotional wounds.
Blame him for not being firm enough, for misjudging people, for lacking ability...
His children should have been soaring like free birds, not wandering aimlessly with hearts full of wounds.
When emotions ran high, Huaiyan turned her face away and secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
After a while, you composed yourself, wiped away your tears with a tissue, and said some lighthearted words to ease the atmosphere.
Then you mentioned Yun Li and asked about her out of curiosity.
When the topic of children came up, the atmosphere became less heavy.
Huaiyan followed up on your topic and talked about Yunli's origins, and told some interesting stories about her childhood, saying that this girl is exactly like you when you were a child.
"I also think she's a bit like me." She and Yanqing are exactly like you and Jingyuan, except you're not as boisterous as her and know how to be gentle and coquettish.
"That child keeps talking about wanting to see you. We'll arrange for you to have a formal meeting when the opportunity arises."
"good."
After talking about Yunli, you then talked about your life on the train and mentioned the train crew who treated you like family.
"The deeds of the nameless man are widely known, and seeing is believing. He is indeed as faithful and reliable as the rumors suggest."
"Although they have different personalities, they are all loyal practitioners of 'pioneering'. During the time we traveled together, they gave me a lot of inspiration and food for thought, from which I benefited greatly." When you mention the train crew, the corners of your mouth involuntarily turn up.
"It seems you've met a wonderful group of people. I'm very happy that you're starting a new life." Huaiyan saw your genuine smile and felt a sense of relief.
That's good, at least his child is no longer alone.
Speaking of the train crew, one cannot help but mention Danheng—the reincarnation of your ex-husband.
Huaiyan subtly inquired about your relationship with Danheng, testing your attitude towards Danheng.
Danfeng made a big mistake back then, causing you to be implicated and imprisoned. How could he not hold a grudge against him?
What's more, this man is dead and you still can't forget him, leaving all the pain to you, the living one.
Seeing you crying every day breaks his heart.
If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have been soft-hearted and agreed to the marriage.
As the reincarnation of Danfeng, Danheng naturally suffered the wrath of the enemy.
Even though Danheng called himself an unknown guest, the burden of the Dragon Lord always followed him.
Will he repeat Danfeng's mistake? Nobody knows.
Moreover, the internal affairs of the Chiming sect are inherently complex and have never been a good match.
He doesn't want you to get hurt again, and he doesn't want to see you heartbroken again.
You know that Huaiyan has reservations about Danheng, and only says that she has feelings for him, but has not confessed her feelings.
"Do you know what he's been through? Silly child, you've already hit a wall once, why do you want to hit it again?" Huaiyan said, exasperated.
"Of course I know, but in this life he is already a free and nameless person. Danfeng's sins should not be borne by him."
“As long as he is still the reincarnation of Lord Yinyue, he will never be able to escape the destiny of the Dragon Lord.” Huaiyan calmly stated the truth.
"I know." How could you not know these things? But emotions are never controlled by reason.
Huaiyan saw that you spoke up for Danheng in every way, as if you had returned to the time when you pleaded for Danfeng.
So be it. Even if you live forever, how many years will remain for you?
He can't persuade you, and he can't keep your heart.
He wanted to see just what kind of skill this Lord Yinyue possessed that had bewitched his daughter.
With this in mind, Huaiyan began to plan how to meet this "son-in-law".
As night deepened, the teapot was filled again and again.
The father and daughter opened their hearts and poured out their century-long longing for each other.
The night watchman's gong and drum sounded in the quiet night, startling a flock of gulls and egrets, reminding you that it was getting late.
After finishing the last cup of tea, Huaiyan got up and saw you to the front door.
He watched you disappear into the night, feeling somewhat lost and forlorn.
When will we meet again?
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