Seeing her liking it, Ling Yucheng smiled gently, his voice exceptionally soft.
"If you like it, that's good. These were all designed by top designers from China, unique and absolutely exquisite.
If there's anything you want to change, or if you have any ideas, just say so, and I'll have the designer make the adjustments."
Gong Zhijing continued to flip through, her eyes growing weary. She had no further suggestions.
These were all styles and designs she favored: elegant, grand, dignified, and classical, each piece incredibly beautiful.
However, according to her preference, she leaned more towards simpler styles, so she chose those that were not as ornate.
The first set was a deep red, ancient Chinese style Hanfu. It only had patterns on the sash, collar, and hem.
The headpiece, however, was very ornate and exquisite, with a golden phoenix holding a jade bead, lifelike.
The second set was a vibrant red with green trim, embroidered with golden patterns. The skirt featured a design of dragon and phoenix, exuding grandeur and magnificence.
The third set was a shimmering wedding gown, red with embroidered auspicious clouds,璎珞 (yīngluò - a type of jade ornament), and a霞披 (xiápī - a ceremonial scarf worn by women in ancient China). The skirt was very long, and the phoenix motif on it was majestic and extraordinary.
...
After repeatedly viewing them, she finally selected five sets she liked.
After choosing the traditional ones, Gong Zhijing thought that since they were for wedding photos, she also selected a few wedding dresses.
Pure white, incredibly dreamy, representing pure love, also a good choice.
After choosing, Gong Zhijing handed the tablet back to Ling Yucheng and asked expectantly, "When do we start shooting?"
Ling Yucheng looked at her expectant eyes and smiled, "Anytime. I'll arrange for the makeup artist and photographer to come to the house. The traditional ones can be shot at the old residence. For the wedding photos, you can choose the location yourself."
Gong Zhijing happily picked up her phone and began searching for scenic spots.
Ling Yucheng watched her dotingly from the side.
Seeing the young couple happy, Gong Ye was also genuinely pleased from the bottom of his heart.
However, being alone, he felt a touch of melancholy.
If his wife were still alive, they would surely be this sweet as well.
Although Gong Zhijing was immersed in her joy, she still noticed her father's expression.
Immediately, she put down her phone and said with a smile, "Dad, why don't you take photos with us!"
Gong Ye naturally refused.
"How can that be? Why would I join in the fun of you taking wedding photos?"
"It's fine, we'll bring Leyou along then!"
Gong Ye didn't agree, nor did he say he wouldn't. He just sat there in silence, lost in his own thoughts.
He recalled what his daughter had said, asking him to find someone new.
He had initially thought it was just his own business, but now he realized it was more than just his own.
His daughter cared about his feelings and was always thinking of him. If this continued, it would greatly affect his daughter's life.
However, it didn't seem right for him to look for someone new.
His heart no longer had room for anyone else. How could he possibly delay someone else's life?
Perhaps, he should make some plans for his remaining years.
If he had a choice, he wished his latter half of life could be spent in a secluded place, isolated from the world.
A place without conflict, without killing, without love and hate.
Gong Zhijing stared excitedly at her phone, oblivious to Gong Ye's pensive mood.
After everything was settled, Gong Zhijing and Ling Yucheng decided to return to the old residence the day after tomorrow.
However, early the next morning, Gong Ye left without saying goodbye, leaving only a message for Gong Zhijing, saying he had something to attend to.
But he would return before Ling Yucheng went to the Gong family to propose.
When Gong Zhijing saw the message, she didn't think much of it, assuming her father had suddenly received another mission.
Meanwhile, Gong Ye drove his car directly out of Kyoto and, using navigation, headed to a very remote village.
But his destination was not in this village, but on the mountain behind it.
Deep in the mountains stood an ancient temple, where resided a monk and a Taoist priest.
He had once been arranged by the state to live there for half a month when he was experiencing psychological distress.
During that time, he was enlightened by the eminent monk and guided by the Taoist priest, and gradually recovered from his despondency.
Those half a month were the most peaceful and comfortable days he had ever spent.
Every day he had nothing to worry about, his body felt light, as if he had been completely emptied.
After two days of driving, and then nearly a day of trekking through mountains and waters, Gong Ye, relying on his astonishing memory, found the ancient temple hidden deep in the mountains.
The ancient temple was built beneath a hundred-year-old tree.
It was divided into two parts.
The small room in the front was divided into left and right, each housing a different deity.
Gong Ye found it quite unbelievable when he first saw it.
Behind the small temple was a courtyard, with four small rooms around it. This was where they lived.
Although he had spent a day traversing the mountains, Gong Ye showed no signs of fatigue.
As he stood at the entrance of the small temple, the sun was just setting, its afterglow falling on his face. His expression was blank, and he stepped inside.
The room was empty, save for the unique scent of incense burning in the censer.
Gong Ye paused for a moment, then walked into the backyard.
At the stone table in the backyard, two figures, one fat and one thin, were eating.
"You eat meat every day and are still so thin, you'll starve to death,"
"I eat a lot and exercise a lot. Who's like you, just chanting after eating? No wonder you're not fat."
...
As usual, the sound of bickering.
These two quarreled every day, yet they had lived together for many years.
Counting carefully, over twenty years had passed.
They were in their fifties or sixties back then, and now they must be in their seventies or eighties.
Gong Ye had originally thought that if they had passed away, he would move in. He hadn't expected the two of them to still be alive and well.
The fat monk noticed him first and was startled.
Here, where no one was seen and no bodies were found, it was just him and the thin Taoist. If a third person appeared, it would be a ghost or a demon.
"What kind of demon are you, daring to appear in the temple? You have quite the audacity!"
Gong Ye was somewhat speechless, and his expression turned cold.
Fortunately, the thin Taoist priest was not visually impaired and recognized Gong Ye at a glance.
The scar on his face was easy to remember.
"It's you. Why are you back? Twenty years have passed, and you've become even more composed."
The fat monk squinted, "You know this evil spirit?"
"Open your eyes and look clearly!"
The Taoist priest rolled his eyes in exasperation and walked forward, calling out, "A guest has arrived, let's eat first."
Gong Ye did not refuse and sat down at the stone table with them.
The three of them ate a meal, and by then it was dark. Gong Ye naturally stayed the night.
Sitting in the courtyard, feeling the breeze, Gong Ye explained his purpose.
"My family's and country's grudges have been avenged. I have no more attachments. I hope the two seniors will take me in."
"No."
"Impossible!"
The monk and the Taoist priest spoke almost simultaneously.
Gong Ye frowned and asked, "Why?"