When he wasn't busy with military affairs, Ling Chengrong often looked at the videos and photos that Song Xia had taken of his youngest son. In many of the videos, his youngest son would look up and ask him when his father would come back. Usually, Song Xia would reply that his father was a great hero who had to protect the world and would be back soon.
Upon hearing these answers, the youngest son's eyes were filled with admiration and respect, and he even declared with great ambition that he would become a great hero like him in the future.
Children's feelings are pure and innocent. When they say they like someone, they really mean it. So every time Ling Chengrong sees this, he feels guilty.
After marrying Song Xia, he didn't go home often, and every time he did, he spent the most time with Wen Bang and Wen Ying, showing them the utmost patience and tenderness.
I used to think that these two children were pitiful because they lost their mother at a young age, and that as their father, I should give them the greatest care. But what about Song Xia and Wen Ye? Even if they have husbands and fathers, what difference does it make whether they have them or not? In fact, the contrast makes them feel even more lost and sad.
Countless times in the dead of night, he could recall Wenye's expectant and cautious gaze, but he had no patience for this youngest son, and his few words were always criticisms of his immaturity.
But a child who was only five years old when he was abducted, how could he understand so much, how could he need to be sensible? Shouldn't children be loved and cared for?
Ling Chengrong's eyes reddened. Wenye had always been unusually dependent on and adoring of him since childhood, but when Wenye was in danger, he turned away. He couldn't imagine how much he had hurt Wenye at that moment, so much so that even after losing his memory, he still remembered that scene.
"I'm so sorry." Ling Chengrong's voice choked with emotion.
Song Xia listened in silence. She believed that Ling Chengrong was truly repentant at this moment. After all, for a marshal in such a high position to bow his head like this and to risk his life alone on Wuxing showed that he had really realized his mistake.
But she couldn't forgive on behalf of her son. With her around in this life, Ye'er grew up safely, but what about the previous life? How miserable Ye'er's life was in the previous life?
“You don’t need to apologize to me. After all, it was me who insisted on marrying you back then. How you feel about me is not important. I am an adult and can take responsibility for my actions. It’s just that Ye’er, not only you, but I also feel sorry for him.”
Ling Chengrong's face paled again; these words were tantamount to saying that marrying him back then was a mistake.
Indeed, he failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband and did not give Song Xia enough love and care, so it is understandable that Song Xia gave up on him.
"You must have had a tough time finding Ye'er back then. I remember you didn't have any fighting skills."
Just by thinking about it casually, Ling Chengrong knew the hardships involved. He had trained since childhood, and after joining the military, he had never slacked off in his training, which is why he had his current combat strength.
But what about Song Xia? A woman with no background, yet she was able to enter and exit underground fighting arenas in a short period of time. In such a cannibalistic place, what kind of perseverance does it take to survive and grow continuously?
"It's not that I had no foundation at all. When I was a child, I had someone teach me some self-defense techniques. But after I married you, I stopped using them. I was lucky to have obtained a martial arts manual."
"No matter what kind of martial arts manual it is, I don't believe that anyone can master it in a short time without unwavering perseverance. Song Xia, thank you for your hard work and for protecting Wenye as he grows up safely."
Song Xia sighed softly, "Ye'er is also my child. How can I bear to let her wander alone in a pirate's den?"
These words caused Ling Chengrong another pang of pain in his heart. Song Xia shrugged: "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's alright. Besides, what you said was right. It was my fault that I caused all of this and failed to make amends in time. I know it's too late for anything I say or do now. I just want to do my best for you and your child for the rest of my life."
Song Xia paused for a moment and then advised, "Don't go down the same old path. Wenbang and Wenying need you too. Don't try to please one side at the expense of the other."
"No, I came with their permission, and they are very much looking forward to me taking you back."
“If you have the chance in the future, you can go and see them, but we will not go back to settle down with you.”
"It's all up to you."
Song Xia had once resented and hated, but after so many years, she had come to terms with it. The order of life is different, the importance is different, and the result is naturally different. From Ling Chengrong's perspective, he was actually not bad.
He gave her enough honor as the Marshal's wife and fulfilled her wish to marry him. But how could a federal marshal be so perfect in every way?
Even the five fingers are of different lengths, and it's inevitable that a person will be biased. Moreover, the situation at the time was indeed unexpected for Ling Chengrong. Who could have imagined that his loyal subordinate would turn out to be a traitor?
However, how Ling Chengrong will make amends in the future is his own problem. Whether Ye'er and I should accept it is another matter. In this life, there are not many perfect things. Most of the time, there are regrets. Just like Luo Ge, he never expected that his long-standing knot in his heart would have such an outcome, even worse than hers.
"He's here. He'll take you to the hotel." Song Xia saw him off halfway, then nodded to Ling Chengrong.
"Can we have dinner together tomorrow?"
"Probably not, you know I've been very busy lately. Is there anything you want to say to Ye'er? I can pass it on to him."
Ling Chengrong thought for a moment and then shook his head: "I still want to apologize to him in person."
"Whatever you like. By the way, Ye'er's name is now Song Ye, not Ling Wenye. Don't call him by the wrong name when we meet in the future."
"good."
For some reason, Ling Chengrong's back was still straight at this moment, but Song Xia saw a trace of loneliness in it. When she got home, Song Ye had already come downstairs.
"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? Noodles or wontons?"
"I don't have much of an appetite, Mom. Please don't bother."
"I'm not busy. I went to bed so late last night. I just woke up and I should eat something. Let's have noodles. I'm craving some too."
This time, Song Ye didn't refute anymore. Instead, he peeled garlic on the side. Seeing that Song Xia didn't intend to bring it up, he asked, "Was the person who came just now Marshal Ling Chengrong?"
"Yes, that is, your father."
Song Ye pursed his lips: "Now that the Federation has just collapsed, he should be very busy."
"I didn't ask, but since he came, it means he has everything under control. Ye'er, he came specifically to see you. When do you plan to meet him?"
"I don't know, Mom. I'm conflicted."
"Since he's hesitant for now, let's meet him and see how determined he is."
"Hmm," Song Ye replied softly, and then didn't discuss the topic further.
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