Vol. 2 - Chapter 10 - Father and Son

“Cock-a-doodle-doo…”

The loud crowing of a rooster echoed through Yuhang County.

Da Ming lay in bed, slowly opening his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo…”

Outside the window, the rooster’s crow pierced the morning air, announcing the break of dawn.

Da Ming’s gaze flickered slightly. He sat up in bed, a trace of exhaustion on his face.

His mind was a complete mess. He couldn’t even remember when he had fallen asleep.

But he vaguely recalled hearing the night watchman’s clappers echoing in the distance.

And after that… nothing.

“Hoo…”

Da Ming took a deep breath, trying to clear the chaos in his head.

He raised his calloused hands and rubbed his face.

Time to fetch water.

Yesterday, after butchering the pig and cooking, the household water jar had been emptied.

Da Ming got out of bed, slipped on his cloth shoes, and pushed the door open, still feeling a little weary.

Creaaak…

The wooden door slowly swung open.

Da Ming paused, momentarily stunned by the sight of the person standing outside.

“…Dad.”

Forcing a slightly stiff, honest smile, he greeted.

Chen Ye stood outside, dressed in a white robe, his back facing the door.

At the sound of Da Ming’s voice, Chen Ye turned around, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

“You’re up?”

“Come, take a walk with me.”

Da Ming blinked in surprise, scratching his head before responding with a simple, “Mm.”

Chen Ye took a step forward, walking toward the orphanage’s entrance.

Da Ming followed closely behind.

Outside, a thin layer of mist lingered on the streets.

Chen Ye remained silent as he walked along the street, heading toward the morning market.

Da Ming, his head slightly lowered, trailed behind.

It was the 30th of the twelfth month—New Year’s Eve.

Yet, a few food stalls were still open at the morning market.

Chen Ye scanned the market before stopping at a wonton stall.

Taking a seat on the wooden bench, he said lightly, “Sit.”

“We’ve walked quite a bit. You must be hungry.”

Da Ming grinned sheepishly and sat down beside Chen Ye.

“I’m alright.”

“Boss, twenty bowls of wontons.”

Chen Ye called out.

“T-Twenty bowls?!”

The wonton vendor froze on the spot, staring in disbelief.

“Just bring them.” Chen Ye replied calmly.

The vendor gave Chen Ye and Da Ming a once-over. Seeing Da Ming’s large frame, he instantly understood.

“Alright! Please wait a moment.”

The vendor scooped up fresh wontons dusted with flour and dropped them into the boiling pot.

A light, fragrant aroma soon filled the air.

Chen Ye glanced at Da Ming with a smile. “Remember this place?”

“This is where you had wontons with me for the first time—before you got kidnapped.”

“It’s been so long, the vendor probably doesn’t even remember us.”

Da Ming scratched his head, embarrassed.

“I still remember,” he muttered. “I broke two of the vendor’s bowls…”

“Hahaha! That’s right!”

Chen Ye couldn’t help but laugh. “You broke two of his bowls.”

“Thinking back now, it feels like just yesterday.”

His voice carried a tinge of nostalgia.

A touch of loneliness flickered in his eyes.

Two years…

Had passed in the blink of an eye.

“Gentlemen! Your wontons—enjoy. I’ll bring more shortly.”

The vendor placed two steaming bowls of wontons on the wooden table.

Chen Ye pulled two pairs of chopsticks from the bamboo holder and handed one to Da Ming.

Steam curled up from the bowls, tiny green scallions sprinkled on top, delicate white wontons floating in the broth.

“You only ate three bowls of rice last night. You must be starving by now.”

Chen Ye blew on his piping hot wonton and chuckled.

Da Ming grinned but lowered his head, staring at the wontons.

Strangely enough…

He didn’t feel hungry.

Instead, there was a burning sensation deep in his stomach, as if a fire was raging inside him.

“Eat.” Chen Ye popped a wonton into his mouth.

“Mm!”

Da Ming followed suit, picking up a wonton and stuffing it into his mouth.

The soft, flavorful wonton slid over his tongue, but as he chewed, it felt like chewing wax.

The delicious taste that usually filled his senses was now absent.

The two ate in silence.

Chen Ye swallowed a wonton and took a sip of broth before speaking lightly, “Something on your mind?”

Da Ming snapped out of his daze. His smile turned stiff, and he avoided Chen Ye’s gaze.

“N-No… nothing…”

Chen Ye tapped his chopsticks against Da Ming’s bowl. “I’m almost done, but you’ve barely touched yours.”

“If something’s bothering you, tell me.”

Da Ming lowered his gaze.

Sure enough, most of his wontons were still floating in the bowl, while Chen Ye’s was nearly empty.

“Da Ming, you were the first child to follow me. You’ve always been the most obedient one. If something’s troubling you, tell me. I may just be an orphanage director, not someone with great influence. But at least I can try to help you.”

Chen Ye finished the last wonton in his bowl and took a sip of soup.

“Gentlemen, here are your next bowls of wontons!”

The vendor placed another two bowls on the table.

Listening to Chen Ye’s gentle voice, Da Ming’s eyes turned red.

He lowered his head, staring at the steaming bowl.

His fingers trembled slightly as he nudged a wonton with his chopsticks.

“Dad…”

His voice was a little shaky.

“Yesterday, I saved a girl.”

“She was really beautiful. And I don’t know why but…”

“I…”

“I keep thinking about her.”

As he spoke, a flush of embarrassment spread across his honest face.

Chen Ye held up his bowl of wontons and chuckled.

“Do you know which family she belongs to? I haven’t been in Yuhang County for too long, but the neighbors know me well enough to vouch for my character.”

“If you truly like her, I can go and keep the proposal for you.”

Warmth spread through Da Ming’s chest.

He grinned, stammering, “N-No… it’s not that…”

For a long time, he fumbled for words, failing to form a complete sentence.

Finally, in a slightly dejected voice, he muttered, “I… I don’t even know where she lives.”

“I don’t know her name.”

“I… I was in such a hurry yesterday that I forgot to ask her.”

“All I know… is that she’s really beautiful.”

As soon as he said it, his face turned as red as a monkey’s bottom.

Embarrassed, he lowered his head.

Chen Ye held his chopsticks in one hand and his bowl in the other, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Da Ming.”

“I always thought you were the most honest one out of all the kids.”

“Never expected you to be so easily swayed by appearances.”

Da Ming grinned, scratching his head.

With a chuckle, he muttered, “Everyone has an appreciation for beauty.”

Chen Ye paused mid-sip, then burst into laughter.

“Well said! This sentence is not wrong."

Seeing Chen Ye laughing heartily, Da Ming also grinned foolishly.

"But, Da Ming..."

Chen Ye's expression turned serious.

"The Dawu Dynasty is vast, and this world is even bigger."

"The person you met yesterday—if you miss the chance, it will be difficult to meet her again."

"You may like her a lot, you may even want to marry her."

"But you must understand that sometimes, missing someone means there was never any fate between you in the first place."

"You have to keep moving forward."

"Falling into one-sided love... can be terrifying."

Chen Ye put down his bowl and chopsticks, looking at Da Ming seriously.

Da Ming's foolish smile froze. His expression gradually stiffened, and the smile faded from his face.

Lowering his head, he stared blankly at the bloated wontons floating in his bowl.

A faint ache welled up in his chest.

But then, Chen Ye suddenly changed his tone.

"However, Da Ming..."

"If you do find her, if you like her, and she likes you back..."

"Then I'll go propose for you."

"No matter if she’s a princess of the dynasty or the beloved daughter of a grandmaster."

"I will make the trip for you."

"And if they refuse to let her go, I'll put a sword to their throat."

Da Ming's body jolted, and he looked up abruptly.

Chen Ye gazed at him warmly.

"Dad..."

Da Ming called out in a low voice, his eyes tinged with red.

Chen Ye reached out and ruffled Da Ming’s coarse hair with a smile.

"Come on, eat up."

"There are still more than ten bowls of wontons waiting for you."

Da Ming chuckled foolishly and nodded vigorously.

He lifted the bowl and devoured the now-bloated wontons in big mouthfuls.

Chen Ye watched Da Ming wolf down his food, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Feelings—if only one side harbors them, they will only turn into unrequited love.

Da Ming had taken a liking to that Princess Jiangzhu, but she might not feel the same about Da Ming.

All he could do was guide him.

Besides...

Zhang Long’s eldest daughter was already Da Ming’s betrothed.

Zhang Long had put in a lot of effort for Da Ming.

Both emotionally and morally, Da Ming couldn’t betray that.