Chapter 58 End of the text
When Liao Feng returned home, Ruan Xingfeng was still sitting on the sofa waiting for him, holding a tablet in his hand with a frown on his face, as if he had encountered some trouble.
He walked over and naturally hugged Ruan Xingfeng's waist and pulled him into his arms, and a warm breath hit his face. "What are you looking at? Are you in trouble?" He didn't look at Ruan Xingfeng's tablet screen, his eyes were always on Ruan Xingfeng's face.
"It's still a territorial dispute between the White Rabbit Tribe and the Black Rabbit Tribe." Ruan Xingfeng leaned into his arms, relaxed, and handed the tablet to him. "The White Rabbit Tribe's territory is lush with tender grass, but it's too small. The Black Rabbit Tribe's territory is vast but resource-poor. Now both sides want a large territory with good grass, and it's really hard to strike a balance."
He sighed softly, his fingertips unconsciously running across the map on the screen. "I suggested they develop agriculture, but few responded. The younger generation mostly chooses to work outside, and the elderly left behind have limited mobility. This conflict has plagued both tribes for many years."
Liao Feng rested his chin lightly on his shoulder, his eyes sweeping over the jagged boundaries of the territory on the map. After a moment of contemplation, his low voice rang in Ruan Xingfeng's ears:
"Instead of forcibly dividing the territory, it's better to foster a three-way collaboration. Let the Gray Rabbit Tribe coordinate, the White Rabbit Tribe provide high-quality grass seeds and planting techniques, and the Black Rabbit Tribe provide border land to establish a demonstration farm. As the leader of all the tribes, you will provide the initial capital, but it must be made clear that the Gray Rabbit Tribe is only responsible for coordination and supervision and must not interfere in operations."
Ruan Xingfeng's eyes flickered, and he tapped the border between the two tribes on the map. "How about we create a joint construction zone here? The White Rabbits will provide technical guidance, the Black Rabbits will provide labor, and we'll split the harvest 40% to 60%. As for the Gray Rabbits..." He raised his lips slightly, "Let them be responsible for quality control. This will give full play to their cautious and meticulous nature."
"A clever arrangement." Liao Feng pinched his fingers in appreciation. "But we need to set up an oversight mechanism. I suggest setting up a tripartite co-management committee, and you send a direct special envoy to conduct regular audits."
"That's exactly what I mean." Ruan Xingfeng pulled up the information of each tribe. "The White Rabbit Tribe excels at intensive farming, the Black Rabbit Tribe has an abundant labor force, and the Gray Rabbit Tribe values the spirit of contract the most. Allowing each tribe to play to its strengths is the fundamental solution." He quickly drafted a cooperation framework, clearly marking the rights and responsibilities of each party.
Liao Feng watched his focused profile and suddenly chuckled, "It seems my suggestion was unnecessary. Patriarch Ruan already had a plan in mind."
"No," Ruan Xingfeng turned to look at him, a sly glint in his eyes. "You reminded me. Instead of being a referee, it's better to be a promoter. Allowing all tribes to cooperate for mutual benefit and win-win results is more effective than forced mediation." He saved the plan and leaned back into Liao Feng's arms, relaxing. "Invite the Gray Rabbit Tribe leader to discuss it tomorrow. This plan will be more weighty."
The moonlight shines through the window lattice, casting their embracing figures on the wall. They continue to perfect the details in the night. The two powerful souls fit together at this moment, just like the cooperation that the black rabbit and the white rabbit are about to begin, finding the best balance in their differences.
On the other side of the city, the Song Family Ancestral Hall is deep and quiet.
Song Xuexi knelt on the cool bluestone, gazing up at the flickering candlelight. She didn't know how long she had been kneeling; her knees had long since grown numb, yet the restlessness within her heart remained, lingering like a shadow. She longed to get drunk like everyone else, but she was immune to alcohol, unable to get drunk even after a thousand drinks—a gift that had become the cruelest curse.
"Mom and Dad," she said softly, her voice remarkably clear in the empty ancestral hall, "I'm so upset."
The candlelight crackled, as if responding to her words.
"I don't know what it's like to like someone, but I know that missing someone... is really painful." Her fingertips unconsciously picked at the corner of her clothes. The usually free and unrestrained Song Xuexi was now as fragile as a lost child.
"I miss you so much. You protected the entire empire and were unsung heroes. But you..." Her voice trembled slightly, "but you never protected me once."
Memories came flooding back - birthday parties without her parents, parent-teacher conferences she was always absent from, and the days and nights she spent alone.
"You're always busy, busy building the frontier, busy developing new weapons, busy commanding battles. You've done so many great things, but you only... you only always forget me." She closed her eyes, a tear silently sliding down her cheeks, "forgetting that you have a daughter who cries, feels pain, and is afraid."
The evening breeze blew through the ancestral hall, ruffling the strands of hair across her forehead. This girl, immune to alcohol, was now consumed by memories, her heart aching. She remained kneeling upright, just as she had been taught since childhood—to be a strong daughter of the Song family.
Song Xuexi did live up to everyone's expectations and grew into a strong woman that everyone admired.
She spoke out for women's rights, fought for the dignity of the weak, and stood in front of everyone with a strong attitude. Over time, even she herself became accustomed to the role of protector, forgetting that beneath the armor, the heart also needs to be treated gently.
But in the dead of night when no one could see her, she let down all her guard.
After returning home exhausted, Song Xuexi fell asleep almost instantly upon landing on the bed. She curled up habitually, clutching a stuffed animal in her arms—this little-known habit was her last lingering desire for warmth deep within her heart.
Dreams came like a tide.
She first saw her parents—they stood before a sandbox shrouded in smoke, their backs as straight as pine trees, yet they never glanced back. The scene shifted, showing her grandparents guiding her in swordplay on the field, their words, "We, the children of the Song family, must strive for self-improvement," echoing in her ears.
Finally, a vague figure emerged from the depths of the fog. Song Xuexi walked forward, her heartbeat inexplicably accelerating.
The figure gradually became clear - it was Ruan Yuexin.
She was wearing a pure white dress, sitting on the edge of the bed they once shared, smiling with her eyes curved, and stretching out her arms towards her:
"Sister, hug me. I miss you so much."
At that moment, overwhelming grief dragged Song Xuexi out of her dream. She sat up abruptly, her chest heaving violently, her face damp with cold water. She reached out and touched it—tears.
Song Xuexi raised the corner of her mouth in self-mockery and turned to look out the window. It was four in the morning, the city was still asleep, but her heart was once again torn by memories.
Ruan Yuexin, her ex-wife. That three-year marriage was built on lies from the very beginning. When the truth was laid bare before her eyes, Song Xuexi chose to turn around and leave.
But reason can sever ties, but feelings cannot be easily withdrawn. The person she once cherished and cherished became the softest and most untouchable scar in her heart.
Before the dawn, Song Xuexi hugged herself tightly. At this moment, she was no longer the invincible female warrior, but just an ordinary person who was lost in her memories.
She really thought that she would never fall in love with someone, and she never thought that one day she would miss someone and cry. This was the thing she despised the most.
She got drunk all night longing for her love with Liao Feng and Xu Nuoyan. She thought she would never do this again, but now those words were like a slap in her face.
At this time, she received a friend request from an unknown person. When she clicked on it, she saw that the other party found her through her comment. Only then did she remember the comment she had posted a few days ago to find a partner.
Song Xuexi stared at the familiar city name on the screen for a moment, stunned. Ruan Yuexin's figure involuntarily appeared before her eyes. She smiled bitterly, cursing herself for still harboring such unrealistic expectations.
After passing the friend verification, she casually replied a few words before hurried off to work. In the days that followed, they maintained a casual but infrequent contact. He surprisingly matched her personality perfectly—he'd text her "Remember to eat dinner" when she worked late, and he'd also chime in with her when she complained about work.
Song Xuexi gradually grew accustomed to this ambiguous companionship, yet she always carefully maintained that boundary. Until one rainy night, she worked overtime until the early hours of the morning and returned home only to realize she had forgotten her keys. Standing in the cold hallway, she somehow dialed the phone number she had never made before.
"Hello?" A familiar voice came from the receiver, hoarse from just waking up.
Song Xuexi's fingers holding the phone stiffened instantly.
She listened to this voice for three whole years and recalled it over and over again in countless late nights.
"Yuexin?" she asked softly in disbelief.
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time, so long that Song Xuexi thought it was another vivid dream.
"Sister," Ruan Yuexin finally spoke, her voice choked with sobs, "I'm sorry, it's me. I just... I just want to get to know you again."
Raindrops pounded against the glass window, and Song Xuexi slowly squatted down against the cold wall. She should have been angry, should have hung up the phone immediately, and should have blocked the person who had deceived her again.
But she just sighed softly: "You know it's me?"
"I knew it the moment you passed the friend link." Ruan Yuexin's voice was very soft. "I recognized it was you from that comment at first glance."
Song Xuexi closed her eyes. It turned out that after all these twists and turns, none of them had truly left.
"Are you back?" Song Xuexi asked after taking a deep breath. Ruan Yuexin replied that she had just left the room. Song Xuexi hesitated for a long time and said, "Wait for me at the airport" before hanging up the phone.
On the other side, Ruan Yuexin was sitting at the airport waiting for Song Xuexi. She didn't know what would happen between them when Song Xuexi came, nor did she know what to say to her. She just wanted to see her.
Song Xuexi ran all the way over and saw Ruan Yuexin wearing a white dress and with waist-length hair, just like when they first met. She couldn't help but tear up. They also met for the first time at the airport.
Ruan Yuexin stood up and trotted to Song Xuexi's side. When she looked up at her, her eyes were red. Song Xuexi reached out and pulled her into her arms. Smelling the familiar fragrance on her body, her tears wet Ruan Yuexin's hair.
A few months later, everything was settled. The six of them held a small meeting when they were not busy. Song Xuexi did not tell the two of them that she and Ruan Yuexin had reconciled. They were wondering in their hearts who was worthy of Song Xuexi bringing out. After all, Ruan Yuexin was the only one who was brought out in the name of a partner, and then it became like that.
But they never expected that Song Xuexi, the most sober-minded among them who always said that a good cow never turns back, actually brought his ex-wife out... The person who scolded them a few days ago because they reconciled with their exes also reconciled with his ex.
"Don't they say that a good horse never turns back?" Liao Feng, who was scolded the most, couldn't stand it anymore and spoke first. The others also looked at Song Xuexi in unison. The private room instantly became quiet and the atmosphere began to change.
The Ruan siblings turned pale in an instant, and Xu Nuoyan and Liao Feng looked at her with the same scrutinizing gaze, while Ran Yian sat on the side, his eyes also looking at the show, as if these were just a joke of the younger generations to him.
After a long time, when they all thought that Song Xuexi was having an attack, she chuckled and said, "She is not grass, and I am not a herbivore that cannot eat grass. I understand you two. Falling in love with someone cannot be measured by anything. No matter what happened in the past, as long as she appears in front of me, I can forget everything and see nothing. My heart only beats for her, and she is the only one in my eyes." After that, she turned her head and looked at Ruan Yuexin with affection.
No wonder the three of them are good brothers. They have the same attitude towards feelings and are all a little affectionate, like they are in love. But these are not important. What is important is that their lovers are still by their side.
But Kirill was not so lucky. He used the method Liao Feng suggested, and their relationship eased but it was just an easing, without any progress. When he wanted to get closer, Li Mingyuan's eyes came back at him, and he had no way to move forward.
It was the same that day. They had another quarrel. Li Mingyuan smashed the coffee he brought in, stood up and said to him, "Kirill, are you annoying? I've told you so many times that we're over. I don't care who taught you these techniques to chase people, but they're useless to me. I'll never be able to let it go. I don't want you, I just want my name. You said you were 20 and naive at that time. Okay, I understand. Your ignorance is your business and has nothing to do with me. You can say that you hurt me because you were 20 and naive. I can also say that I've calmed down and don't need you anymore. Kirill, I, Li Mingyuan, will never be short of men around me. I won't even order some ducks. Just look at you. If you're brave enough, you can really jump off the 21st floor!"
He was completely infuriated by Kirill, and was tired of hearing him prove his love with death. He didn't want to argue with this man anymore, it was too tiring. He didn't need any so-called home, he wanted freedom, to live according to his own ideas. He could play in the club all night, or stay at home alone, but he couldn't sleep in the same bed with this damn man. He felt really sorry for himself who had been wronged in those years, and sorry for the brothers who loved him and spoiled him when he grew up.
Kirill lowered his head after being scolded by him, his wolf ears drooped, and his white hair now looked even older. He had already given face to Ran Yian and had conceded too much to Kirill. The so-called love in his heart faded away in these entanglements.
If he hadn't given face to Ran Yian, he would have sued this man and his elder brother long ago. But no matter what, this man was Ran Yian's uncle, so he had to give him the face he deserved. After all, if Ran Yian and Wu Yihan had fought, this matter would not have ended with their personal grudge.
Kirill's last hope was shattered. The 21st floor? If he jumped down, would Li Mingyuan forgive him?
This possibility gnawed at his sanity. Li Mingyuan was in a state of anger and did not see Kirill's resolute eyes. Li Mingyuan heard the sound of glass windows breaking and turned around to see that it was Kirill!
He was so scared that he ran over and grabbed Kirill's hand and shouted, "Are you fucking crazy? Are you really going to jump off the building? This is the 21st floor, not the second floor of your house. If you want to die, stay away from me!" His tone was still not very good, but the worry in his voice was obvious.
"If I really jump from here, will you forgive me?" Kirill looked up at him and asked while hanging in the air. Li Mingyuan didn't want to answer this boring question. He was thinking about pulling him up. He didn't want the news the next day to be a hot topic about a foreign president jumping off a building in his office.
"Don't even think about it. I will hate you even more if you dare to die. You have caused serious damage to my interests." He pulled the man up, panting. Kirill hugged his waist, and the man curled up in his arms. Kirill smiled but said nothing.
Some people have a sweet ending. They experience heartbreak and physical abuse, chase their wives, plan and finally reunite and hug each other. However, some people made mistakes in their youth and have not been able to get their wives for many years. No, his greatest wish is that Li Mingyuan allows him to get close. He will continue to pursue his lover no matter how much Li Mingyuan hates him.
The main text is finished, and the extra chapter should be released soon, so stay tuned, my dears.
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