Liu Hui was consumed entirely by guilt over Liang Jingyue; he drove the car at breakneck speed the entire way, returning to the farm where Liang Jingyue lived before noon.
Liu Hui parked the car deep within the woods beside the farm. He hesitated suddenly, pacing back and forth among the trees, strangely afraid to face Liang Jingyue.
With a grim resolution, Liu Hui finally decided he must confront her; he had to atone for the mistake he had made. Still, he dared not approach the main entrance of the farm. He leaped onto the roof and slipped into the room from above, creeping silently to the outside of Liang Jingyue’s room.
Peeking in through the window, Liu Hui saw that Liang Jingyue was asleep. A wave of relief washed over him. He quickly jumped through the window and stood silently by her bed.
Standing before Liang Jingyue’s bed, Liu Hui watched her in silence. Though thin, she remained exquisitely beautiful, yet a profound sorrow always shadowed her features; even in sleep, her brow was deeply furrowed, troubled by some unseen worry that wracked Liu Hui with heartache.
Liu Hui stood there dumbly by the bedside, gazing at Liang Jingyue as if he could never drink his fill of the sight. Memories of their sweet past together surfaced, only to be eclipsed by the beastly things he had done to her. His eyes began to well up.
An hour later, Liang Jingyue finally stirred awake. She slowly opened her eyes and found a man standing at the foot of her bed. Liang Jingyue blinked in surprise, about to cry out, when she rubbed her eyes, disbelieving what she saw. She had recognized the man standing there.
Liang Jingyue murmured, “Ahui, has my time finally come? To see you at this very moment. The way you look now… it’s exactly as you appeared that night.”
Hearing Liang Jingyue’s soft murmur, Liu Hui was overwhelmed with emotion, struck momentarily speechless, his entire body beginning to tremble.
Tears started to flow in Liang Jingyue’s eyes. She whispered, “Ahui… are you still angry with me?”
Liu Hui managed to force out, “Jingyue, are you still angry with me?”
Liang Jingyue spoke softly, “Ahui, how could I ever blame you? It was I who wronged you first…”
Emotion surging, Liu Hui stepped forward and grasped Liang Jingyue’s hand. “Jingyue, we’ve finally met again. I am so happy. We must never be separated again, alright?”
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Liang Jingyue flinched, immediately pulling her hand back. Her voice was hoarse as she asked, “Ahui… is this real? Am I dreaming?”
Liu Hui, his eyes red-rimmed, said, “Jingyue, this is real. You are not dreaming. I finally found you.”
Liang Jingyue stared at him blankly. “But I thought you wouldn’t forgive me, that you never wanted to see me again?”
Liu Hui replied, “Jingyue, I am sorry. Everything that happened that night was my fault. I shouldn't have treated you that way, nor should I have said those things. I apologize, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Liang Jingyue had waited so long to hear Liu Hui apologize, but now that the moment had truly arrived, she found herself at a loss for words.
Liu Hui pleaded, “Jingyue, will you forgive me?”
Liang Jingyue could hold back no longer and burst into wrenching sobs. Liu Hui sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her frail back.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Liang Jingyue suddenly lunged into Liu Hui’s embrace. “Ahui, do you know? I have longed for this day for so long. I was afraid I might die before I ever saw it…”
Liu Hui patted her back. “Jingyue, I am here now. We won’t be separated again, okay?”
Liang Jingyue paused, pulling away from his hold. “Ahui, haven’t you gotten married? What future can you possibly have with me?”
Liu Hui was momentarily struck by the memory of his marriage but quickly asserted with firm resolve, “Jingyue, rest assured! I have made my decision. We belong together. As for everything else, just leave it all to me.”
Liang Jingyue looked at him. “Ahui, I have a son…”
Liu Hui chuckled. “I know. His name is Xiaobao, right? Don't worry. Even though his father is gone, I will treat him as my own flesh and blood. I will never reject him.”
Liang Jingyue looked at Liu Hui again, bewildered, and after a pause, she said, “Who said Xiaobao’s father is gone?”
A cold dread washed over Liu Hui. He quickly asked, “Is Xiaobao’s father still alive?”
Liang Jingyue grew slightly shy. She explained, “Xiaobao’s father is alive. He is…”
Liu Hui’s heart pounded as he pressed, “Who is he? Are you still in contact?”
Liang Jingyue replied, “He is you!”
Liu Hui started in shock, afraid he had misheard. He asked, “Jingyue, what did you just say? You said Xiaobao’s father is me?”
Liang Jingyue lowered her head. “If not you, who else? You were so harsh to me that night…”
Liu Hui froze, then erupted into sheer ecstasy. He moved around the room, gesticulating wildly. For years, he, Hu Xian'er, and An Qi had been unable to conceive, and he had assumed fatherhood was still distant. To realize he already had such a grown child stunned him.
It was only then that Liu Hui recalled Xiaobao’s appearance. Xiaobao’s forehead bore a striking resemblance to his own lips, while his eyes, nose, and facial structure were very much like Liang Jingyue’s. It made sense now why he had felt such an immediate affinity for Xiaobao upon meeting him, effortlessly growing fond of the boy. They were father and son; the bond of blood had drawn them together on sight.
Just as Liu Hui was savoring his excitement, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a youthful voice, “Mom, it’s Xiaobao. Can I come in?”
Liu Hui stopped his celebration abruptly. Liang Jingyue looked embarrassed, glanced at Liu Hui, and said, “Xiaobao, the door isn't locked. Come in!”
Xiaobao entered, carrying a tray of food. “Mom, it’s time for lunch.” He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Liu Hui in the room.
“Oh! Uncle, why are you here? How did you get here?” Xiaobao asked curiously.
Liang Jingyue said, “Xiaobao, put the food down first. Let me introduce you. This is…”
Xiaobao set the tray down and smiled. “Mom, I know this uncle! He’s the one who helped me build the Great Wall yesterday! I told Grandpa, but he didn't believe me!”
Liang Jingyue shot a look at Liu Hui, who sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
Liang Jingyue hesitated for a moment, then announced, “Xiaobao, this is your father.”
Xiaobao jumped. “This uncle is Dad?”
Liang Jingyue nodded. “Xiaobao, he is your father! Go on, call him Dad.”
Liu Hui watched Xiaobao with eager expectation. Xiaobao tilted his head, studying Liu Hui. “Uncle, are you really my father?”
Liu Hui smiled warmly. “Xiaobao, I truly am your father.”
Xiaobao whispered softly, “Dad.” Overjoyed, Liu Hui swept Xiaobao up and spun around the room.
When Liu Hui set Xiaobao down, the boy asked curiously, “Dad, did you hear my heart’s wish, and that’s why you came back to help me build a real Great Wall, so I could grow up to be a real man and see you sooner?”
Liu Hui laughed. “That’s right, Xiaobao. Dad heard your wish, and that’s why I came back to see you.”
Xiaobao then asked, “Now that Dad is back, are you going to leave Mom and me again?”
Liu Hui lifted Xiaobao again, walked to Liang Jingyue’s bedside, and took her hand, smiling at Xiaobao. “Xiaobao, Jingyue, our family won’t be separated again, okay?”
Joy filled Liang Jingyue and Xiaobao, and before they could answer, a sharp voice cut in from the side: “Not a chance! Liu Hui, you heartless bastard! How dare you show your face here? Watch me break your dog… uh…”
Liu Hui jumped, turning to see an enraged Liang Bo. Liang Bo was holding a thick stick and swinging it violently toward Liu Hui.
Startled, Liu Hui quickly put Xiaobao down and dodged. Liang Bo’s strike missed, and he immediately lunged again, shouting, “Thief! Don’t run!”
Liu Hui cried out, “Uncle, please listen to my explanation…”
Liang Bo missed his second swing, and just as he prepared to bring the stick down a third time, he suddenly twisted his lower back. He clutched his waist, groaning in pain. Liang Jingyue cried out in alarm, “Dad, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Liu Hui rushed forward to help support Liang Bo, but Liang Bo glared at him. “Get lost! I don’t need support from a traitor like you.”
Liu Hui felt awkward. Liang Jingyue interjected, “Dad, don’t be angry yet. Let us explain everything slowly!”
Xiaobao, frightened by the scene, clung tightly to his mother’s hand. Liu Hui said gently, “Uncle, please sit down first. Let me see what’s wrong with your back.”
Liang Bo found a chair himself and sat down, muttering resentfully, “Get away, I don’t want your fake concern.”
Liang Jingyue pleaded, “Dad, can’t you just listen to us?”
Liang Bo huffed angrily, “Liu Hui, when I entrusted my daughter to you, you hadn't made your fortune yet, had you? Tell me, did we ever look down on you then? We let Jingyue go with you in good faith, only to find out you’re a beast in human clothing! What have you done to Jingyue? Are you even a man?”
Liu Hui responded, “Uncle, I apologize. I know I was wrong. I will treat Jingyue and Xiaobao well from now on. I will compensate them fully.”
Liang Bo raged, “You’ll compensate them well? You promised to treat Jingyue well before, look at the result…”
Liu Hui immediately assured him, “Uncle, please rest assured. I will correct every mistake I made before. I promise I will never mistreat the two of them again.”
Liang Bo demanded angrily, “Liu Hui, I ask you, how will you treat them? Don’t forget, you are already a married man…”
Liu Hui faltered, unsure how to answer. Liang Jingyue, having just been reunited with him in a state of extreme excitement, suddenly grasped the precariousness of her and Xiaobao’s future hearing her father’s question. Her emotions swung wildly, and her already fragile health suffered another shock. She let out a sharp cry and vomited a mouthful of blood.
“Jingyue!” “Daughter!” “Mom!”
Liu Hui, Liang Bo, and Xiaobao were all stunned and rushed forward.
Liang Jingyue looked at her father and said, “Dad, I was already so happy just to see Liu Hui today.”
Liang Bo urgently said, “Daughter, don’t agitate yourself! If you want to be with that scoundrel, I won’t interfere anymore! As long as you and the boy are happy.”
Liang Jingyue then turned to Liu Hui. “Ahui, can you promise to treat Xiaobao well?”
Liu Hui replied, “Jingyue, please be assured. I will treat him exceptionally well. I will fulfill my duties as a father.”
Only then did Liang Jingyue say, “Now I can rest easy.” With that, she fainted.
Liu Hui was terrified. He quickly tested for breath near her nostrils and realized Liang Jingyue had merely collapsed from the intense stimulation. Only then did he relax.
Liang Bo glanced at his unconscious daughter, then sighed, suddenly disheartened. “Xiaobao, let’s go out for a bit so this man—er, your father and mother—can have some time alone.”
Xiaobao, understanding the situation, sensibly left with Liang Bo. As he went, he glanced back at Liu Hui, who offered him a gentle smile.
Once Liang Bo and Xiaobao were gone, Liu Hui opened the phone that had remained powered off and immediately began contacting Desheng.
“Boss, you’re finally back online! I have urgent intelligence to report!” Desheng sounded desperate.
Liu Hui cut him off. “Desheng, we’ll discuss other matters later. Immediately dispatch two hover transport planes to my current location. Also, bring the most skilled doctors from the Starry Sky Terminal Illness Hospital, and pack some emergency medicine.”
Desheng swiftly operated the controls on a nearby console. He checked Liu Hui’s coordinates and gasped. “Boss, why are you in Argentina? Weren’t you always on the ‘Starry Sky City’?”
Liu Hui snapped, “Stop wasting time. Send the planes now. And be discreet; don’t let anyone find out.”
Though Desheng didn't understand the urgency, he immediately complied.
Liu Hui ended the call with Desheng, finally allowing himself a moment of ease. He stayed in the room, attending to Liang Jingyue, vowing silently over her sleeping form that he would make amends for all the suffering and hurt this woman had endured.
Two hours later, Liang Jingyue woke up again.
“Jingyue, I’m so relieved you’re alright,” Liu Hui said emotionally.
“Ahui,” Liang Jingyue murmured, deeply moved to see him watching over her the entire time.
“Jingyue… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have treated you that way back then,” Liu Hui apologized.
“It’s alright, I forgot long ago. Besides, you left me Xiaobao, didn’t you?” Liang Jingyue said tenderly.
Liang Jingyue gazed at him, then her expression turned puzzled. “Ahui, why are you still wearing those clothes? Aren’t those the ones you wore that night? They still have bloodstains. And… why do you look exactly the same as you did then?”
Liu Hui managed a bitter smile. “Jingyue, for you, the events of that night happened many years ago. But for me, that night happened just last evening.”
Liang Jingyue blinked, confused. “What do you mean, it happened last night?”
At this point, Liu Hui decided to hold nothing back. “Jingyue, I once possessed a miraculous white jade disc. That disc had the power to traverse time and space. Wei Chao brought it back from the future before giving it to me and then passing away.”
Liang Jingyue gasped. “You mean Wei Chao returned from the future?”
Liu Hui nodded. “Yes, Wei Chao came back from the future. That’s why he was so exceptional even as a child, earning the title ‘Financial Child Prodigy.’ Later, he came to the ‘Starry Sky City,’ handed me the white jade disc, and died.”
Liang Jingyue was shocked again. “Wei Chao is dead?”
Liu Hui affirmed, “Yes. Wei Chao died on the ‘Starry Sky City’ due to other complications. I grew weary of life there and left to travel. Yesterday afternoon, I happened upon Xiaobao playing by the seaside. We played for a while. Then, I saw your father, and then I saw you, and that’s when I learned Xiaobao was your child.”
“When I found out you had a child but didn’t know who the father was, I was consumed by pain and jealousy. So, I went to a bar in the small town ahead to drown my sorrows. I drank too much, lost my usual composure, and became completely irrational. When I left, I encountered local thugs attempting to extort me, and I killed them on the spot. Under the dual shock of discovering you had a child and being robbed, I used that white jade disc to travel back to that exact night.”
“In a haze, I returned to the room we shared in Bashan. Seeing you then, all my resentment exploded, and I committed those shameful acts and spoke those words that wounded both our hearts. When I sobered up, I instantly realized the grave crime I had committed last night. That’s why I rushed back here immediately, hoping to earn your forgiveness.”
Hearing Liu Hui’s tale, Liang Jingyue’s mouth fell wider and wider open. After a moment, she said, “No wonder you smelled heavily of alcohol and looked unkempt, seeming older than the Liu Hui of that time. You should have been severely injured then; you shouldn’t have had such high stamina.”
Liu Hui repeated, “Jingyue, I am truly sorry.”
Liang Jingyue paused, then asked, “Then where did you go after that? Why didn’t you come look for me right away?”
Liu Hui explained, “When I drove back to that night, I accidentally crashed into the car that the other me was driving. That previous me was on his way to that small room, intending to see you and resolve our differences. But when my current self hit him, the already badly injured version of me was knocked unconscious. Zhou Laosan, worried for my safety, took me to the villa area outside the city. By the next day, when I tried to find you, you were gone.”
Liang Jingyue sighed. “I thought you truly refused to forgive me, and I became disheartened. When I returned home the next morning, my father saw my state and asked what happened, and I told him everything.”
“My father is experienced; he immediately realized the extreme danger. Since I had deceived the State with a fake formula, if that came out, our entire family’s lives would be forfeit. Coupled with the fact that the State had seized the Han Tang Hospital from you, leaving you without support, my father made an immediate decision: he gathered the whole family and we fled, otherwise, we would have faced the State’s wrath.”