Draft

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After that day, they stuck together almost everyday. Su Jingyang took his two children to accompany Ling Li, and Ling Li would personally cook for Su Jingyang's three meals everyday, making his favorite meals and snacks. It was natural, like they've been doing this for as long as they could remember. Su Jingyang had always liked to eat the food he cooked, but he felt as if a scorpion was stinging his throat now. He couldn't bring himself to swallow it, it was an extremely uncomfortable feeling.

The time before their parting quickly passed by.

On the last day, they couldn't delay any longer. Ling Li bid farewell to Xu Mei and the others before setting off onto another road. Su Jingyang and Rong Ci accompanied him with their two children. That evening, Su Jingyang wanted to go with Ling Li and sleep together. During this period, Ling Li felt that he had occupied too much of Su Jingyang's time, he didn't allow him to stay overnight.

Rong Ci could easily see through Su Jingyang's thoughts, he kissed him and stroked his face before saying to him: "Alright, I know he's very important to you. Go if you want to go."

After hearing him say this, Su Jingyang decided to follow his own wishes and ran to find Ling Li. When Ling Li saw him coming, his expression became a little helpless, but he didn't make him go back.

This might be the last time they'll be able to sleep together. Su Jingyang thought he would have a lot of things to say to Ling Li, but he only felt like his chest was blocked. Even though there were a thousand words, he didn't know where he should start.

Su Jingyang used his arm as a pillow. After Ah-Xuan finished taking a bath, he went to bed and threw himself into his arms. Su Jingyang caught him, his nose filled with the unique and clean fragrance of the child.

Ah-Xuan seemed to be reluctant to let go. After rubbing his head against his chest for a while, he asked, "Uncle, will you visit us in the future?"

Su Jingyang touched his little head and said warmly: "If there's a chance... I'll go."

Ah-Xuan only paid attention to the last part, he immediately said happily: "Then me and my dad will wait for you in Jincheng, you can't break your promise."

Su Jingyang made a pinky promise with him, but thought sadly in his heart: If I don't have the chance, I won't be able to go.

Listening to the conversation between the two of them, Ling Li turned his head to look at Su Jingyang. Su Jingyang met his eyes and smiled, he asked, "Ah-Li, what do you want to say to me?"

Ling Li also came to the side, he stared at him silently for a moment before sighing, solemnly saying: "Jingyang, don't you remember what I said to you..."

Su Jingyang's eyes flashed, "What?"

Ling Li said: "You must cherish the present... even if you have to leave in the future, don't allow for any regrets."

Su Jingyang was taken aback and nodded, "I remember."

He had listened to Ling Li's words before, and he was indeed learning to cherish. It's just that no matter how much he and Ah-Li cherishes these moments, it won't stop them from feeling uncomfortable once they part. Then, in the future, once he's separated from Rong Ci, once he's separated from their children, how could it get any better? This could only be some psychological comfort.

Su Jingyang thought about it for a while, but still said to Ling Li: "Ah-Li, don't worry, I understand."

Ling Li looked at him quietly for a long time, he slightly bent the corners of his mouth, and patted his shoulder with a hand. His voice was very soft and light, "That's good, let's go to bed early."

Su Jingyang made a sound of agreement, the lights in the room were all snuffed, and in the darkness, Ah-Xuan's breathing gradually became even. Su Jingyang knew that Ling Li would be as sleepless as him tonight.

There were no imaginary conversations all night without stopping, the two of them lied face to face, motionless until the sky brightened. With the illumination of the slightly brighter light, two pairs of wide open eyes silently stared at each other. Ling Li's throat rolled, he grabbed Su Jingyang's hand and firmly clasped it, closing his eyes, and silently squeezing out two lines of tears.

After about the hour later, Ah-Xuan also woke up. The maids waiting outside filed in and began to wait for them, bathing them and changing their clothes.

Su Jingyang quickly packed up and sat down by the table. The maids were still tidying up Ling Li and Ah-Xuan's clothes as Su Jingyang stared at them in a daze.

Needless to say, Ah-Xuan already looked eight to night parts like Ming Zhan. After he changed his clothes, and put on his little boots, a little noble boy quickly came alive.

Ling Li was dressed in a red slanted-breasted wide-sleeved shirt embroidered with exquisite dark patterns. His full black hair was tied up with a hair crown, showing his handsome and delicate eyebrows, and white and smooth forehead. Touching the beautiful jade on his waist, he had no expression, just standing there with slightly spread arms while the maids arranged the skirts and sleeves of the dresses, the aura of elegance was completely natural.

Su Jingyang watched the whole thing absent-mindedly. He had the feeling that the person in front of him was a bit strange, he couldn't connect him with the always simple and kind Ah-Li from before, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he seemed like a completely different person.

But a hidden pearl was still is a pearl after all, even if it has been covered in dust for many years, there'll eventually be a day when his light will begin to bloom.

Su Jingyang stared at Ling Li's current appearance, thinking about what Ming Jiasheng said about Ling Li's future. He finally understood a little. Ah-Li was fated to take this road, and he was suitable for this road.

This was probably destined.

After everything was prepared, Su Jingyang and Rong Ci carried the children to the door. There was a luxurious and spacious carriage parked at the gate. The long line of carriages disguised from front to rear stood upright against the early morning breeze. Ling Li was surrounded by people, and everyone knelt and bowed in order.

Rong Ci glanced around and saw Ming Jiasheng standing with his entourage in the distance, looking straight at their group.

Before getting into the carriage, Ling Li paused, he suddenly turned around and hugged Su Jingyang before quickly letting go.

Ling Li looked at Su Jingyang with red eyes, saying in a low voice: "Jingyang, I'm leaving."

No matter how much you want want time to pass more slowly, this moment still arrived.

This the path he chose for himself, he doesn't regret, he has to bear it on his own, and walk forward firmly.

Su Jingyang's eyes were full of tears, he choked, "Ah-Li, Ah-Li..."

Su Jingyang clumsily wanted to grab his hand. Ling Li preceded his movements and held his hands tightly. There seemed to be a thousand words hidden in his eyes. He pursed his lips and didn't say anything. He kissed Ah-Yu and Ah-Xi with tears, quietly saying to Su Jingyang, "Take care."

Ling Li nodded lightly towards Rong Ci, he then looked at Su Jingyang for one last time, before decisively stopping himself and letting go. He withdrew his hand and turned around, taking Ah-Xuan into the carriage with him.

After getting in the carriage, Ah-Xuan poked his head out and reluctantly waved at Su Jingyang and Rong Ci, but Ling never looked back at them after getting in.

The long line began to move forward, Su Jingyang stood there, staring at them in a daze, feeling like his heart was hollowed out.

He knew that this time might not be just a goodbye, but instead a true farewell.

The carriage steadily moved forward, Ling Li closed his eyes for a long time, only to find that Ah-Xuan had been lying on his knees watching him.

Seeing that Ling Li could finally see him, Ah-Xuan tilted his head and asked in a low voice: "Daddy, what's wrong with you, do you not want to leave uncle behind?"

Ling Li was stunned when he met his son's caring eyes, he suddenly took him into his arms, tightly hugging him and stroking his hair while saying, "Daddy is fine."

Ah-Xuan leaped into his arms and comforted him softly, "I also feel bad about uncle, big brother Yi, Ah-Yu, and Ah-Xi, but Uncle promised to visit us in the future, so daddy, don't be sad."

Ling Li smiled bitterly when he heard his son's words.

Jingyang said that if there was a chance, but... there'll probably be no ifs soon.

After he enters the Palace to be with His Majesty, Jingyang will be able to return to his cherished home, he won't be able to show up in the future.

They weren't saying goodbye just now, because they'll never meet again.

Ling Li sighed lowly, hugging the child in his arms, he closed his eyes with slow breaths. His past had been cut off with his own hands. The road ahead of him was unknown and difficult. He'll fight to keep this life in the future and needed to protect Ah-Xuan well. Other than that, he had nothing else to ask for....

Nearly an hour after the carriage embarked on the road, it suddenly stopped without warning.

Ling Li initially thought that they were going to rest halfway, but soon realized that it wasn't the case. After the carriage stopped briefly, there was no movement outside, it was extremely quiet.

Ling Li was a little unclear, so he also remained silent. He finally couldn't help but whisper Song Hui softly. Song Hui was riding a horse by the side of his carriage, he shouldn't have left.

But after Ling Li whispered, no one responded.

The situation at the moment didn't look like something dangerous was encountered. Ling Li's weird feeling became more and more intense. He opened the curtain on the right and looked out, but only saw the horse that Song Hui was riding, there was no shadow of anyone!

Ling Li retracted his gaze, he sat upright with some uncertainty. It wasn't long before the curtains were suddenly parted by a pair of white and slender hands.

Ah-Xuan opened his eyes round and gave a soft hey, Ling Li hugged Ah-Xuan tightly, holding his breath subconsciously. His heart beat violently for unknown reasons.

As the curtain was lifted bit by bit, a face that he didn't expect in the slightest appeared in his sight. After identifying who he was, Ling Li felt his mind go blank, his tense face had become completely stunned.

He... couldn't believe it, he even wondered if he was dreaming.

The figure was upright and beautiful, wearing a golden hair crown, his whole body emphasized proudness and nobility, his dark eyes filled with dazzling brilliance. He smiled and stared at Ling Li, the people behind him were already kneeling on the ground.

Ah-Xuan's eyes were bright, he called out ecstatically, "Father!"

Ming Zhan's lips curled slightly, he stretched out a hand to Ling Li who was already frozen in place. His eyes stared deeply at him, and his voice was soothingly gentle, "Empress, I've come to escort you back to the Palace."

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