They stayed on the mountain until sunset, admiring the most beautiful twilight before returning home in the fading light.
On the way back, Ling Yucheng said, "I've had everything beautiful today recorded. If you want to share it, I'll arrange for people to take over the trending searches for the next few days. If not, we can keep it as a memento."
Gong Zhi Jing was in a wonderful mood. After a moment's thought, she replied, "I don't want to share it. Let's just look at it ourselves." At that moment, many years ago flashed through her mind. When she and Ling Yucheng grew old, they could look back at their proposal ceremony to reminisce about their youth. She found this to be a very happy thought.
Upon returning home, they found Xiao Le You sitting dejectedly on the sofa, while Gong Ye was trying his best to entertain her by practicing military boxing. Ling Le You, who hadn't seen her parents all day, had started to get fussy as darkness fell. Gong Ye had used every trick in the book to cheer her up, preventing her from crying. His gaze was cautious, his movements lacking their usual vigor, showing a touch of gentleness. He knew Ling Yucheng was proposing to their daughter today, and to allow the young couple to have a beautiful, private moment, he had gone to great lengths.
As the door opened, he almost collapsed to the ground, a flicker of hope appearing in his eyes. Seeing Ling Yucheng and his wife, he finally relaxed completely. It was damn tiring, coaxing this little ancestor was harder than him firing a submachine gun and killing people.
Having not seen her mother all afternoon, Ling Le You finally couldn't hold back her sobs when she saw Gong Zhi Jing. Gong Zhi Jing was heartbroken and quickly scooped her daughter into her arms, gently comforting her. Ling Yucheng then said to Gong Ye, "Dad, you've worked hard today."
Gong Ye wiped the sweat from his forehead and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing. As long as Zhi Jing is happy." Back in her mother's embrace, Ling Le You was incredibly aggrieved, her crying and hiccuping melting Gong Zhi Jing's heart. After a long time of holding and comforting her, and after feeding her, she finally managed to lull her to sleep.
That evening, to reward Gong Ye for his hard work in taking care of the baby, Ling Yucheng specially opened a bottle of fine red wine, planning to have a few drinks with his father-in-law. Before the wine could even be poured, Gong Ye grumbled, "I don't drink this foreign stuff. If you want to drink, get some Baijiu." Ling Yucheng naturally indulged his father-in-law and immediately opened another bottle of Baijiu. The two of them drank glass after glass, enjoying the moment.
Today, being a happy occasion, Gong Zhi Jing didn't stop them, letting them drink their fill. She only instructed Ou Ma to prepare hangover soup early. At the dinner table, Ling Yucheng revealed his plans. In a couple more days, they would all return to the old city. Gong Zhi Jing, along with Ling Le You, would move into the Gong family residence. Before school started, he intended to complete his wedding with Gong Zhi Jing. With over a month left before school, there was ample time to prepare everything.
Gong Ye readily agreed. He had only one daughter and naturally wished for her to marry well. After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, Gong Ye was slightly tipsy, his heart filled with emotion. His daughter had grown up in the blink of an eye, yet his memories of her remained frozen twenty years ago, when she was only four or five months old. He had missed all her growth, but fortunately, it wasn't too late to witness the happiest and most important moment of her life. He raised his wine glass to toast Ling Yucheng.
"Thank you for being her support when she needed it most!" When she was homeless and framed by the Xia Lin Feng couple, you appeared by her side and protected her! He knew everything, and he was satisfied with Ling Yucheng, and grateful. Ling Yucheng quickly raised his glass and stood up, not daring to let his father-in-law toast him. "Dad, you flatter me. This is all I should do." Despite his words, he was moved. Although he had already married his wife and had a child, his father-in-law's approval was still very important.
"I hope you will live well together and be happy forever." As long as his daughter was happy, he would have no regrets in this life. Gong Zhi Jing ate her food, and seeing how the conversation had progressed, she casually asked, "Dad, do you plan to remarry?" Gong Ye picked up his wine glass and drank it down, calmly eating his food. "No, in this life, there is only your mother." Gong Zhi Jing frowned and put down her chopsticks, trying to persuade him, "Dad, you're still young. You have decades ahead of you. I believe if Mom..." "Alright Zhi Jing, this is not something you need to worry about." Gong Ye's voice was cold, and it was the first time he had spoken to his daughter like this. Gong Zhi Jing's words abruptly stopped, and her eyes began to well up with tears. She didn't mean anything else, she just felt sorry for her father, who had suffered so much in his life and would be alone in his old age. As his daughter, no amount of companionship could replace a partner. Because only a partner could truly share one's heart.
Seeing his daughter's teary eyes, Gong Ye immediately felt distressed and flustered. "Dad didn't mean to speak to you like that. Don't cry..." Gong Zhi Jing choked out, "Dad, I just feel sorry for you being so lonely." "How can I be?" Gong Ye pretended to be relaxed. "I have a daughter, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. How can I be lonely?" Gong Zhi Jing remained silent, looking at him with pity. Gong Ye recalled the past, his voice suddenly becoming very gentle. "Your mother was so possessive. If I so much as glanced at another woman, she would get upset. If I were with someone else, how heartbroken would she be!" Gong Zhi Jing couldn't help but cry. She wanted to say: But Mom is already gone. There is no such person in the world anymore! Gong Ye gently stroked Gong Zhi Jing's head, softly wiping away her tears. "Good girl, don't cry. As long as you are well, Dad will be happy. When I die, I can face your mother with a clear conscience."
"Dad, what are you saying? I still need to have a grandson for you. You have to raise him and watch him inherit the glory of our Gong family!" Hearing him mention death, Gong Zhi Jing's heart grew panicked. She now understood. He loved her mother so deeply that it was etched into his bones and blood, leaving no room for anyone else. Gong Ye chuckled, "Don't worry, as much as I miss your mother, I won't go to see her so soon, because I still have a daughter to protect!" Gong Zhi Jing continuously wiped away her tears, eating her food without appetite, her tears falling uncontrollably into her bowl. She forced a smile and said to Gong Ye, "Dad, let's eat." Since he didn't want to, she wouldn't force it. She thought she needed to get pregnant with her second child as soon as possible. That way, with a grandson, her father would be happier and wouldn't be lonely.