Chapter 1291: The Fallen Gifted Son

Then Elder Sima pointed to the river water a few hundred meters from the Fang family house, "I’ll take a walk by the river and come over later."

His expression was calm and indifferent as he walked towards the river, hands clasped behind his back, unhurriedly.

Xiao Wen and Gu Qiaoqiao exchanged a glance.

Neither staying nor leaving seemed right—if they left, they wouldn’t know when the woman in the courtyard would leave, but if they stayed, it didn’t seem appropriate either.

While they hesitated, the crying in the courtyard had stopped, but the woman’s choked voice could still be faintly heard, "...Third Brother, we’re not young anymore. How many more twenty years do we have in life?"

After a moment, Fang Liang’s voice came, calm but with a hint of restrained pain, "Dandan, ultimately, I’ve wronged you."

"No, Third Brother, it’s not you who wronged me, it’s me being too stubborn."

"It’s my fault. Living like this, I’ve burdened my father and implicated you as well."

Fang Liang’s voice carried a faint sadness and an almost imperceptible trace of despair.

"Third Brother, don’t say that. Saying it is like stabbing a knife into my heart; with you well, Uncle Fang’s life holds hope, his days have prospects; with you well, my love has an anchor... woo woo..."

"Alas..." Fang Liang sighed deeply, "Dandan, we’ve known each other for over thirty years now."

"Yes, over thirty years." The woman’s choked voice sounded muffled.

"Dandan, you should hate me. You shouldn’t waste your time like this anymore; it’s not worth it. I’m a coward, afraid to face life, my father, even you. Such a Third Brother is not worth waiting a lifetime for."

Fang Liang’s voice was forlorn and desolate.

This was a side of him that Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen had never seen.

"Third Brother, you are not me; you have no right to decide for me. You’re not a coward; in my eyes and heart, you’re the best."

"Dandan, I know what kind of person I am. I really don’t deserve this from you. Listen to your mother—she has worried too much for you in this lifetime..."

Fang Liang’s voice paused, then he continued calmly, "I heard from my father that man is excellent—steady and kind, successful in his career. Importantly, he will stand in front of you to protect you in times of danger. If you’re sick, he’ll carry you to the hospital; when you both grow old, you’ll walk together in the park, supporting each other..."

Though his voice was calm, it carried with it a bitterness and cruelty only he could understand.

"Third Brother, stop saying that. Each word is a knife stabbing into my heart!"

The woman’s voice had become tearful.

Fang Liang seemed unaffected, his voice continued, "Tell me, what else can I do for you besides dragging you down? I can’t do anything a husband should do."

"I don’t need you to do those things, Third Brother, truly, I need nothing from you. I’ve waited so many years; at sixteen, I wanted to marry you. You should know my heart."

Yet Fang Liang said no more; all that remained was the sound of Dandan’s suppressed sobs.

Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen exchanged a nervous glance, not expecting that Fang Liang had a childhood love who had waited for him until now, unmarried.

Xiao Wen pouted, seemingly displeased with Fang Liang, and whispered, "Qiaoqiao, I admit Brother Fang is an amazing person, but I think he’s too proud. There are many people in this world who are missing limbs, but don’t they still have children and live their lives? The heavens won’t doom any sparrow, and there’s divine grace. Brother Fang sometimes just underestimates himself. He appears proud and indifferent, but inside, he must be very insecure."

Gu Qiaoqiao was silent for a moment but didn’t quite agree with Xiao Wen, "Sister Xiao Wen, maybe we’ll never understand the feeling of a once-proud person falling into the dust."

Xiao Wen said no more.

She looked distantly at the Fang family’s courtyard.

In her heart, she also knew Gu Qiaoqiao’s words made sense. If Fang Liang were an ordinary person, it might just be as it is, but looking at the current state of his household and where the family resides, it’s clear what kind of life he once led in his youth.

What’s more, Fang Liang is an exceptionally outstanding person, both externally and internally.

At this moment, in the Fang family’s courtyard, Fang Liang’s voice, calm and indifferent, suddenly rang out, "Dandan, I have guests arriving this morning. Please go back, and don’t come again."

"Third Brother!"

"I’m serious!"

Fang Liang’s voice carried a note of finality.

Because he knew that continuing like this wouldn’t do good for either of them; he had already delayed her youth and didn’t want to waste any more of her future.

If he did, even in death, his heart wouldn’t be at peace.

"Third Brother, I’m leaving, but I want you to know I have only loved you in this life. I have only ever loved you; I won’t marry another with this heart. It wouldn’t be fair to me or him... I’m leaving..."

As she spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen exchanged a look; where they stood wasn’t exactly at the gate, but neither was it far. So they quickly walked in another direction, their steps brisk, and in the blink of an eye, they turned the corner. Then they glanced back in time to hear the Fang family’s door creak open, and a woman walked out.

Though the distance was a bit, Gu Qiaoqiao managed to catch a clear look at her appearance.

She was indeed not young anymore.

Her skin was fair, but there were fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and her delicate brows were gently furrowed, as if shrouded in a mist.

Her eyes, however, were very clear.

Having just cried, her eyes were a bit swollen, but this didn’t detract from her beauty.

Because of her age, that beauty carried a unique charm, making her very captivating.

So this was Fang Liang’s childhood sweetheart!

It’s truly incredible; they’ve known each other for more than thirty years.

Yet they still linger like this.

Gu Qiaoqiao shook her head slightly, sighing inwardly at the poignant situation.

After closing the door, the woman stood dumbfounded at the entrance for about three minutes, then wiped away the remaining tears from her face. Straightening her back, she turned and walked in another direction.

The midday sun shone behind her, appearing bright and warm, yet her silhouette exuded unparalleled loneliness and bleakness.

Gu Qiaoqiao and Xiao Wen glanced at each other, unsure what to do at that moment.

"Qiaoqiao, do you think if we go in now, Brother Fang will still be heartbroken?" Xiao Wen asked hesitantly.