Zhang Fang’s words brought tears to Zhang Xiang’s eyes, and he cried as he crouched down, extending his trembling hand to stroke his son’s face, choked with emotion as he said, “It’s good that you realize your mistakes. Father believes you sincerely regret it and will change for the better in the future.”
Faced with such overwhelming paternal love, Zhang Fang felt a surge of complex emotions. Even though he knew this was just a game experience, at that moment, he found it hard to treat everything before him as virtual.
Zhang Fang reached out and grasped the hand of the prime minister, their hands tight together as if their hearts were linked too.
Tears streamed down his face, and after a long while of sobbing, Zhang Fang finally spoke, “Father, I don’t want to die.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang’s expression darkened, and he solemnly promised Zhang Fang, “Father will not let you die! Nor will I allow you to be exiled!”
“Father, I will accept exile! I will definitely become a better person!” Zhang Fang understood that just keeping his life was a blessing. As long as he was alive, there was hope!
This declaration shocked Zhang Xiang so much that he momentarily forgot to respond.
He gazed intensely at his son, and after a moment, Zhang Xiang finally spoke softly, “But that means exile! You’ll have to leave the capital and toil at the borders. You won’t be able to bear the hardships of the journey!”
Zhang Fang’s expression was extraordinarily serious as he told Zhang Xiang, “I know. This is all my own doing, and I deserve it. I also don’t want to leave you, Father, but without enduring hardships and going through difficulties, how can I grow and learn to become a person of worth?”
“Fang’er…”
Zhang Xiang opened his mouth, wanting to persuade his son, but he found himself at a loss for words. What Zhang Fang said was entirely reasonable and what Zhang Xiang had always hoped his son would understand. But the child was his heart! How could a parent not feel pain knowing their beloved was going to suffer?
Seeing Zhang Xiang’s expression, Zhang Fang understood that his father was reluctant to let him go into exile. He didn’t wish to burden Zhang Xiang with more emotional pain and continued, “Father, I will definitely live well and make you proud! I want to make Mother feel comforted from the underworld!”
Zhang Xiang became overwhelmed with tears, leaning forward to press his forehead against Zhang Fang’s, as they both embraced and cried together.
Their son finally understood, yet Zhang Xiang felt no happiness—only pain in his heart. “A son’s journey can stretch for thousands of miles. How can a parent not worry? Especially in exile, which means suffering!”
Zhang Fang tried to lighten the mood, changing the topic, “Father, I’m very hungry.”
Zhang Xiang immediately released him, hastily wiping away his tears, and picked up the chopsticks to personally serve his son food.
Whatever Zhang Xiang fed him, Zhang Fang ate with delight, even cheerfully saying, “It’s delicious! But this dish can’t compare to the longevity noodles you make! Father, I want to eat the longevity noodles you prepare.”
Since Madam Zhang passed away, on the original character’s birthday, Zhang Xiang would personally cook a bowl of longevity noodles for him. One year, when the floods in Jiangnan were severe, Zhang Xiang couldn’t come home to cook for the original character, which led to resentment and rebellion on the original character’s part. Even after that, when Zhang Xiang prepared longevity noodles, the original character would refuse to eat.
These memories haunted Zhang Fang’s dreams at night. Watching the relationship between the father and son evolve, Zhang Fang felt helpless as an observer.
Zhang Xiang nodded through his tears and whispered, “After I return, I will cook longevity noodles for you!”
His hand trembled as he held the chopsticks. He made an effort to control himself and handed a fried meatball to Zhang Fang’s mouth.
Zhang Fang smiled, his face full of satisfaction as he devoured the food, his beautiful eyes shining as he looked at Zhang Xiang.
One was laughing, the other crying, and Zhang Xiang’s heart ached intensely.
“Father, you should eat too.” Zhang Fang didn’t focus solely on himself but extended the dish of fried meatballs to Zhang Xiang.
Tears streamed down Zhang Xiang’s face, but he forced a smile and shook his head, “You eat, Father won’t.”
While speaking, he picked up another fried meatball and fed it to Zhang Fang.
The prison cell was filled with warmth. Zhang Xiang kept feeding Zhang Fang until he was full, after which Zhang Fang told him to stop. Then, he took the chopsticks from Zhang Xiang’s hand, picking up a piece of meat and reaching out to feed it to him.
Zhang Xiang opened his mouth, crying as he ate the piece of meat.
Recalling the past, this was how the father-son duo was when Zhang Fang was young. At that time, Zhang Xiang’s position wasn’t that high, but he had already become a trusted aide during his rise. He was busy vying for power, but returning home to be with his wife and children was when he felt the most relaxed. Back then, whenever his son had something he loved to eat, he would bring it to his mouth for a taste.
This warmth reappeared today, and Zhang Xiang should have been happy. However, soon his son would be exiled, and the thought of being separated by thousands of miles and his son suffering outside filled his heart with deep sorrow.
Zhang Fang smiled as he continued to feed Zhang Xiang.
Zhang Xiang silently accepted his son’s filial piety, gazing at him with loving yet sorrowful eyes.
Even after feeling stuffed, Zhang Xiang never rejected his son’s offerings. It wasn’t until all the food was finished that Zhang Fang put down his chopsticks, took Zhang Xiang’s hand, and softly said, “Father, I’ve been too late to understand. I’m sorry for creating trouble for you these past few years.”
The tears that had already subsided suddenly poured out again. Zhang Xiang held Zhang Fang’s hand tightly and shook his head, saying, “It’s not too late at all. I know that your nature is not bad. As long as you change for the better, I will wait for you to come back.”
No matter how his child changed in the outside world, in a parent’s heart, they would always remember the most kind and lovable side of their child.
Even if Zhang Fang stayed outside forever and could never return to the capital, Zhang Xiang planned to go to the borders to find his son after he retired.
“Alright! Father, wait for me. I will definitely return in a dignified manner! I will make you proud! After I leave the capital, please take care of yourself! I will take good care of myself too!”
With a naturally good appearance and having shed all his previous angst, Zhang Fang smiled like a spring day, radiant and beautiful.
Zhang Xiang hung his head, sobbing, blaming himself for being too busy with government affairs to spend time educating and caring for his son. Because of this, the child made a significant mistake and faced the fate of exile and separation from his father.