Ling Li only had Su Jingyang in his eyes, he didn't pay attention to the people next to him. Suddenly being pulled out at this time, he felt a little confused.

However, when he saw Ming Zhan's face clearly, his eyes began widened and his tear-stained lips trembled uncontrollably. The memories buried in his mind from those years long ago surged like a flood!

Ling Li suddenly thought of something, and his shocked expression became at a loss again. He wanted to get his hands out of Ming Zhan's grip, but in vain, he tried too hard.

"Please... let me go." Ling Li's voice was very low, and he continued to try pulling his hands away. His wrist felt like it was about to be broken by Ming Zhan.

Seeing Ling Li's resistance, Ming Zhan's eyes filled with sullenness. He stared at him for a moment before his cold eyes swept towards Ah-Xuan who was being held by Su Jingyang.

Ah-Xuan was also looking at him, his big black eyes full of curiosity.

Ling Li noticed Ming Zhan's line of sight and his breathing became unsteady, his body was tight. He really never thought that he'd meet this person again, not to mention in such unprepared circumstances. He had discovered Ah-Xuan's existence... Ah-Xuan's features looked too similar to this person's, now that he'd seen him, it could be hidden no longer.

Ling Li knew this person's identity, so he was very flustered. He was afraid that he would blame him for having an heir secretly and snatch the child away...

Ling Li's face lost all blood, and he didn't dare look directly at Ming Zhan.

Ming Zhan pinched his chin, forcing him to turn his head. He brought his face closer, and said to him with gritted teeth: "Don't you not love me at all? Then what do you mean by bearing my child?!!!"

Ling Li's light brown eyes filled with tears and he finally looked at him, his lips moved, and he whispered with difficulty: "I'm sorry..."

Ming Zhan's eyes suddenly sharpened, there was a hint of danger in his expression. He forcedly asked: "Sorry? What do you mean by sorry?"

Ling Li's eyelashes trembled uneasily twice. Just now, when Ming Zhan asked, Ling Li thought he was blaming him for giving birth to Ah-Xuan without authorization, but at that moment he finally realized that Ming Zhan's expression was wrong. Ling Li couldn't figure out what he meant, he didn't dare talk nonsense for a while.

The two stood in a stalemate like this, Su Jingyang looked at the situation and felt very nervous, his mouth moved, about to call Ling Li's name, when Ah-Xuan suddenly broke away from his grip and ran towards Ming Zhan, Su Jingyang didn't react in time to stop him.

Ah-Xuan shouted at Ming Zhan: "You let go of my dad!¹"

Ming Zhan looked away from Ling Li's face and turned his eyes to Ah-Xuan's figure. Ah-Xuan struggled to hold Ling Li's arm and pull him away. It seemed he thought Ling Li was being bullied and wanted to save him.

Ming Zhan was taken aback and finally loosened his shackles on Ling Li a bit. Ling Li quickly squatted down and circled Ah-Xuan into his arms, his pale face and expressionless.

Ming Zhan also knelt on one knee, his eyes softened unconsciously as he looked at the small face that was very similar to his.

He touched Ah-Xuan's little head and asked, "You order me let him go, yet do you know who I am?"

Ah-Xuan looked at his face, his small mouth moved, he was confused about what's happening. He subconsciously turned his head and looked at Ling Li, "Dad..."

"Ah-Li?" Ming Zhan's eyes swept towards Ling Li, the expression on his face suddenly became harsher, and his tone of voice was extremely low: "The child asked you a question."

Ling Li couldn't help but look back at Su Jingyang who was full of worry not far behind him. His throat was sore and he squeezed the child in his arms, he could only say a few moments later: "Ah-Xuan, he... is your father."

Ming Zhan held Ah-Xuan's soft little hand and saw his face full of confusion, he curled up his lips and smiled, his eyes bright, and his voice indescribably gentle: " Your name is Ah-Xuan?"

Ah-Xuan tilted his head to look at him, biting his lower lip and saying nothing.

Ming Zhan smiled again, "Ah-Xuan, call me father."

Ah-Xuan seemed to be a little embarrassed. He blushed and hid in Ling Li's arms. Ming Zhan's mouth remained slightly cocked. He didn't get mad until Ling Li got to his feet holding Ah-Xuan, saying hesitantly: "Then... we won't bother you anymore, let's say our goodbyes first." Ming Zhan's expression changed in an instant.

"—Farewell?!" Ming Zhan's face seemed to be covered with dark thunderclouds, his expression was cold and terrifying. He stared at Ling Li, whose eyes were pointed to the ground, his tone was full of anger, "Why are you leaving? ? You should stay here honestly, you're not allowed to go anywhere! ! !"

Ling Li shrank from his roar and buried his face in Ah-Xuan's neck with a pale face.

Su Jingyang finally couldn't help it when he saw this scene, he took a few strides and grabbed Ling Li's trembling body. Ling Li felt Su Jingyang's temperature and looked back at him, his heart churning with discomfort.

Su Jingyang said to Ming Zhan with scorching eyes: "This nobleman, Ah-Li doesn't want to stay, it's not good to force others."

Ming Zhan turned his eyes to Rong Ci, and said word by word: "City Lord Rong, take your man and go away."

Rong Ci, who had been silent for a while, shook his head, "I dare not offend him, milord, please do not embarrass me."

Su Jingyang knew that he was helping him, but still couldn't help sighing in his heart. You've already offended me so much!

"Ah-Li, let's go." Su Jingyang was about to turn around and leave with his arms around Ling Li. Suddenly, nearly twenty or thirty guards he didn't see come appear, each had a solemn expression on their faces as they surrounded them in the corridor; the front, back, left, and right escape routes were all blocked.

Su Jingyang was dumbfounded, what to do if he doesn't know how to martial arts!? Subconsciously, he looked at Rong Ci. Rong Ci swept his eyes around a few times, he frowned slightly, when he looked at Ming Zhan, his eyes were full of vigour, "Milord, what does this mean?"

Ming Zhan's face was gloomy, he coldly said: "I don't want to have a dispute with you, and I believe you don't have this heart as well. You can take your person away, but my person must stay."

Before Rong Ci could say anything, Su Jingyang said angrily: "You're so difficult for a stalwart man!"

Su Jingyang vaguely knew about the past between Ling Li and this person. Although he didn't know exactly what happened, Su Jingyang could feel that Ling Li was actually a little resistant and afraid of this person. Su Jingyang couldn't leave Ling Li behind.

"Well, Ah-Li, I'll give you two choices." Ming Zhan glanced at Su Jingyang and then looked at Ling Li, "One; you stay with Ah-Xuan, two; the person next to you stays."

Ling Li's complexion got worse, Su Jingyang was also cursing in his heart: sinister, sinister, really sinister. This guy could see at a glance that he was close to Ah-Li and used this to threaten him in broad daylight.

Ling Li didn't hesitate and said in a quiet voice: "I'll stay with the child, you let them go."

Rong Ci was obviously a little cautious of this young man, Su Jingyang also vaguely guessed that his identity wasn't simple, after seeing Ling Li compromising, he immediately said: "The three of us, both me and Ah-Li will stay!"

Rong Ci finally stayed as well. He and Su Jingyang were arranged in the east garden, while Ling Li and Ah-Xuan were arranged in the west garden. Mingzhan was also residing inside, Su Jingyang tried to break through twice but was stopped by the guards.

Su Jingyang still wandered around and refused to leave. He was walking back and forth with his arms crossed, rubbing his chin with one hand, and looking back inadvertently, only to find that Rong Ci was standing behind him, his time of arrival unknown.

Seeing his dark eyes looking straight over, the unspeakable uneasiness inside Su Jingyang's heart began to spread again.

Why did you yell at him yesterday, and told him to let it go?

... and and and! Su Jingyang suddenly remembered another incident, and the embarrassment in his heart immediately disappeared. It was replaced by anger from being deceived. He ran over and asked Rong Ci: "Why did you lie to me?"

Several times before, he nakedly expressed his admiration for City Lord Rong, and every time this guy was there, he must've been treating his obliviousness as a comedy show! Damn it!

Rong Ci glanced at him and asked strangely: "When did I lie to you?"

Hearing his deliberate ignorance, Su Jingyang became even angrier: "You're the City Lord of Rongcheng!"

Seeing his fuming appearance, the slight curve on the tail of Rong Ci's eyes became stained with a faint smile, he asked, "Think about it, didn't I already tell you that I'm the City Lord? You didn't believe it yourself."

".................." Grandma, there does seem to be such a thing.

Su Jingyang looked at him in disbelief and asked: "You're crazy, if you're City Lord, then why do you still say bad things about the City Lord?!"

Rong Ci said plausibly: "Why do you mean bad things? I am self-effacing."

"You humble yourself, you ghost!" Su Jingyang had nothing to say to him, and then thought, "Eh? No, right? What about Mu Rong, is her name is also a lie? What's her identity?"

"She's called Rong Hua, saint of the Rong family."

"You got me, Rong Hua! You're so dead!" Su Jingyang snorted from his nose. Rong Hua deliberately mentions the City Lord in front of him several times, saying that the City Lord likes his type, and asking him to marry the City Lord. It turned out not to be a joke, but words with deep meaning! Su Jingyang recalled that time, only to feel that he was really played miserably by the two of them! ! !

Su Jingyang's chest tightened and he got short of breath, he turned around and walked to his room, adorned not far away behind him. As soon as Su Jingyang entered his room, he turned around and closed the door, shutting out Rong Ci who was about to go in with him together.

After a while, Rong Ci's voice came from outside, "Hey, Su Jingyang, didn't you say that you love the City Lord to death?"

Pick the kettle that is not boiling!² Su Jingyang leaned over the door and said coldly: "You also said that Lord City Lord wouldn't want me falling in love with him."

"...I think," Rong Ci's nice voice suddenly became a little unnatural, "...He wanted to, he lied to you before."

Su Jingyang remained cold and said, "Tell him, I don't want to."

Su Jingyang heard the outside fall silent, and his heart suddenly felt weak. He also remained silent for a moment, his tone was slow before turning around and turning his back against the door to address the person outside: "Let me tell you the truth. Although I yell at you and hate you, I often admire you in my heart. You're actually quite good overall with the exception of your poisonous mouth. The problem is that I won't stay here in the future. It's impossible for me and you, your persistence is ultimately meaningless..."

"Su Jingyang, do what you do to go home in the future, I'll never stop you. Just stay with me for as long as you can."

Knowing Rong Ci, Su Jingyang had always suspected that his anomalies had been discovered- and he must've guessed something from the content of his turmoil yesterday, so he said this.

But Su Jingyang was still determined not to be fooled: "I don't want it, I don't want it, go away." After speaking, he covered his ears and sat at the table, refusing to communicate with him.

Su Jingyang still knew himself a little. He was really afraid that he would be foolishly deceived by Rong Ci, and wouldn't be able to leave by then.

——Go home, go home, he must go home, absolutely can't be delayed by falling in love! ! !

The next day, Su Jingyang was finally able to see Ling Li and Ah-Xuan. At that time, Ah-Xuan held a small bow and arrow, Ming Zhan squatted down and patiently taught him how to use it. After several treatments, Ah-Xuan still hadn't recovered completely, but one wouldn't be able to see any flaws. Ming Zhan probably hadn't found any, unable to tell that Ah-Xuan had been in a special situation before.

Su Jingyang took advantage of the father and son cultivating feelings. He pulled on Ling Li's sleeves and wanted to go out to talk. Ling Li's feet had moved just a step. Ming Zhan seemed to have eyes behind his back, he said indifferently without turning his head: "Ah-Li, where are you going."

It was obviously a question, but it was said in a commanding tone, it inevitably made people feel creepy.

Ling Li grasped Su Jingyang's hand tightly before saying, "I want to say a few words to Jingyang."

Ming Zhan stood up and turned around. He was dressed in a dark blue brocade and his eyes were as dark as night. He glanced at Su Jingyang and looked at Ling Li with an unclear mood, "Ah-Li, what can't you say in front of me?"

Ling Li looked stunned, he then shook his head and whispered: "Nothing."

Ming Zhan smiled, "That's good."

"......" Su Jingyang looked aggrieved and panicked. This person's desire to control was really terrifying. Was it possible that he wanted Ah-Li stuck to his side in the future without any privacy? ? ! But Ah-Li was obviously unwilling!

Su Jingyang raised his head and was about to argue a few words, but Ling Li secretly pinched him in the palm of his hand, beckoning him to stop talking. Su Jingyang had to swallow this breath. He turned his head and saw Ling Li's frowning brows, he was very depressed.

Su Jingyang remembered that Ling Li said at the time that he and Ah-Xuan's biological father met because he had to pay off Liu Yue's gambling debts, then they separated after some misunderstanding. Ling Li didn't say what the misunderstanding was.

Now it seems that this young man didn't hold merely simple intentions towards Ah-Li.

Su Jingyang stayed with Ling Li for a while, every move was done under Ming Zhan's gaze, surrounded by guards, they had to speak carefully, and couldn't ask each other anything. There's still a huge puzzle in his heart, that was, the identity of this nobleman...

After Su Jingyang returned, he held back for a long time from subconsciously wanting to find Rong Ci to solve the confusion. Rong Ci knew that person, he must know.

But I let him go, and it seems a bit strange to just take the initiative to find him...

Su Jingyang had to swallow back all his doubts into his stomach. He didn't know if it was because he wanted to know too much. After a few days of enduring it, Su Jingyang felt that his stomach hurt.

Rong Ci saw that his face was wrinkled all day long, thinking he was uncomfortable. He finally stopped him to ask Su Jingyang who had been avoiding him all day long, Su Jingyang said it was fine, he then pushed him away and ran out of sight.

Su Jingyang spent a few days wandering around the courtyard without Rong Ci. When he got up early that morning, there was a burst of boundless emptiness in his heart. He couldn't figure it out, and ran to find Ling Li and said a few words, instead of walking around, he went back to his room.

Su Jingyang sat on the stool for a while, but he always felt as if nails were poking him from the stool. He stood up and walked back and forth in the room several times, but that strange feeling that lingered in his heart still couldn't dissipate. In the end, he simply ran to find someone, borrowed took a rag and started to... sanitize the room all over.

After wiping the table and chairs, he wiped the bed frame and the screen. If it weren't for the carpet on the floor, he might've even attempted to wipe the floor.

After working for most of the day, there was really nothing left for him to wipe. He was so tired that he was out of breath, he dropped the rag, sat cross-legged on the ground, touched his forehead, and said to himself, "Was my brain burnt crisp? Who am I, where am I, what am I doing..."

This kind of awkward feeling lasted until the evening. He didn't eat dinner, climbed onto the bed, laid down, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

It might've been because he exerted himself too much today, he fell asleep shortly after lying next to the pillow.

Until the latter half of the night... Su Jingyang seemed to be suddenly slammed with a hammer on the head. He suddenly woke up, sitting straight up like a corpse. A burst of bone-chilling cold spread from his head to his toes.

Today is the five-day period.

He fell asleep, he didn't dream, he didn't catch a glimpse of the man.

Su Jingyang's head kept humming, he lifted the quilt frantically, almost jumping and crawling towards the table where the candlelight still hadn't been extinguished, spreading out his trembling hands.

——The red mole on the palm of his hand unexpectedly darkened.

Su Jingyang's expression looked like he had died thousands of times in an instant. He staggered back a few steps with horror, his body suddenly lost his strength, and he fell heavily on the ground.

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Notes:

1- Said shouted but no exclamation marks so I just added one.

2- Means to always say things that shouldn't be said, every word pierces the flaws of others, making everyone unhappy

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