Shen Zhao felt a mix of emotions. He had once regarded Shen Xiaobao as a dispensable son, but now reality had dealt him a heavy blow. He awkwardly accepted the pastries from Shen Xiaobao's hand.
Shen Xiaobao didn't pester Shen Zhao, but instead tugged at Qiao Zhen's sleeve and shook it gently, "Mother, when will we arrive in Pingcheng?"
Qiao Zhen helped Shen Xiaobao sit properly and patiently said to him, "Sit still, be careful in the carriage. The ride is bumpy, you might fall. Be careful when you eat too, what if you choke?"
Shen Xiaobao nodded, somewhat bewildered. He was still too young, and even though he was very intelligent for his age, he couldn't quite understand what Qiao Zhen was saying. He could only guess at the gist of what she was saying from some of her words, such as "sit still" and "be careful."
After Qiao Zhen and Shen Zhao arrived in Pingcheng and settled everything, she went to find Shen Zhao when Xiao Bao was asleep. "Whether you want to leave or stay, I respect your decision. You don't need to worry about Xiao Bao. With you here, he has another father; without you, he has me as his mother."
The implication was clear: leave if you want, we don't need him here. But Shen Zhao understood perfectly.
He felt he couldn't be calm and collected with Qiao Zhen yet; the pent-up emotions in his heart couldn't be eased in a short time. Taking advantage of the moonlight still shining on his mask, he raised his hand and pulled off the golden mask. "If one day I really let go of the past and come back to find you and your son, is that alright?"
Qiao Zhen looked at the scars on his face and involuntarily raised her hand to touch them. The uneven texture under her fingertips made her heart ache, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Okay."
A single, crisp word. "Just wait until you've seen through the past before deciding whether to come looking for us, mother and son. If you return, I hope it's what your heart desires." Her voice trembled slightly. "If you don't return, then we are destined to be apart in this life."
"Okay." Shen Zhao smiled and leaned forward to give Qiao Zhen a loose hug.
He left overnight.
Qiao Zhen didn't mention Shen Zhao again. Xiao Bao seemed to know that his father had left again, and he was very sensible enough not to ask any more questions. It was precisely because he was too sensible that Qiao Zhen always felt sorry for him.
Xiao Ling: [Host, are you really not going to start any torture? Or is this one torturing him?]
Chu Chu: [I'm a little confused too.]
Xiao Ling: [The system hasn't received any pain points from Shen Zhao, only emotional fluctuations. There are ups and downs, but the fluctuations are always very small. Is he suppressing his emotions?]
Qiao Zhen smiled lazily. "He's learning to let go, trying to see through the past."
(Private message) Chu Chu: [I think Zhenzhen really doesn't want to date Shen Zhao anymore.]
(Private message) Xiao Ling, unashamed, asked: "Why? They all persevered until this world."
(Private Window) Chu Chu: [I felt something was off about Zhenzhen before, but after thinking about it carefully, I understand now. Zhenzhen is very narrow-minded when it comes to relationships, and she's also obsessed with looks. Shen Zhao disfigured himself for Cheng Yao'er, stepping on two landmines. Especially Zhenzhen's late-night antics; she becomes unconventional around midnight, with all sorts of negative emotions flooding her mind. I suspect she still thinks Shen Zhao's feelings for her aren't unique. Shen Zhao is doomed.]
(Through the small window) Xiao Ling muttered thoughtfully, "That's really unfortunate..."
(Private window) Chuchu: [What?]
(Private message) Xiao Ling: [It's nothing, go comfort the host.]
The year after Shen Zhao left.
Guerlain married the owner of the Anlai Inn in Pingcheng. She was good at managing money and was a true proprietress.
Qiao Zhen also added an old nanny, a maid, and a strong young servant to the courtyard. The servant and the maid were a couple introduced by Jiao Lan. The couple were both hardworking and grateful.
Xiao Bao is four years old. Occasionally, when he is half asleep, he will ask Qiao Zhen, "Where is Daddy?"
How did Qiao Zhen answer?
"Father, he's not happy. He's going out to play for a long time. He'll come back when he's happy."
The fifth year since Shen Zhao left.
Shen Xiaobao seemed to have forgotten that he had a father.
Qiao Zhen also intentionally avoided mentioning Shen Zhao.
Everyone tacitly agreed to pretend that Shen Zhao didn't exist, and Jiao Lan certainly wouldn't mention it.
Fifteen years have passed in the blink of an eye. Qiao Zhen is now a woman in her thirties. A monk in a cassock returns with Shen Zhao's ashes.
Shen Zhao contracted an illness while away from home and wanted to return to see his mother and son, but the illness struck suddenly and, coupled with the exhaustion of his journey, he passed away on the way.
Qiao Zhen didn't hide this matter. Jiao Lan wanted to comfort Qiao Zhen. Although Qiao Zhen felt a little sad, she wouldn't be discouraged and instead comforted Jiao Lan.
However, Shen Xiaobao's condition was quite serious. He cried a lot and was sick for more than half a month. Fortunately, he pulled through. He still had Qiao Zhen and his mother.
Oh, he also has a wife now, named Huifang, who is a well-known embroiderer in Pingcheng. She is gentle and always consults with him on everything.
After Shen Xiaobao had her own child, Qiao Zhen finished making arrangements for her affairs and then passed away.
This is the only world where she died during the mission so far.
Xiao Ling: [Host, Chu Chu, we'll meet again someday... Goodbye.]
What…?
Before Qiao Zhen could ask any questions, everything went black, and all her consciousness vanished.
When she woke up, she found the surroundings somewhat familiar. She sat up and moved her stiff limbs. "Where am I? We're back?!"
Chu Chu stood on Qiao Zhen's shoulder, looking completely bewildered. "Yeah, what's wrong?"
Xiao Ling: [Excoecoo? ??? How come I'm still in your head?]
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