Qing Nuo can only fail to regard those bloody wounds as wounds.

Qingnuo took me, pushing my feet, walking aimlessly on the horse path, from one end of the horse path to the other, and everyone was silent. The wind came gently, and the leaves on the ground flew around.

We walked to a narrow square. The big clock had already pointed to 11 PM. I was a bit tired, so I found a short chair and sat down. Here, close to the ocean side, the breeze was strong. Qingnuo stood facing the sea, gently holding me in his arms, shielding me from the wind.

I listened to his weak heartbeat, feeling his warmth, but I couldn't help thinking about Runshi. Where was he? Where had he gone? What was he thinking now? Why did Runshi, who always showed infinite tolerance towards his father, suddenly explode?

Everyone is just growing up with the heavy fate given to us in our own dark corners.

The lights on the square were dim for some reason, it was very dark around, very dark. This darkness was the best protection at this moment, protecting each other's expressions, eyes, and moods.

Someone said, "When you should laugh, there is no happiness; when you should cry, there are no tears; when you trust, there is no promise." That describes us, right?

"Little Pig, do you want a home?" Qingnuo suddenly asked.

I shook my head.

"What does your ideal home look like?" Qingnuo asked gently.

Just as I was about to speak, I was struck by something and couldn't open my mouth. The home in my dreams was not what Runshi gave me—a small carved box. It was a big, chubby baby, the gentle breeze blowing, me happily untying my hairband, him holding me, softly kissing me, then kissing the baby, opening the door to go to work. I stayed at home, comforting the baby while waiting for him to come home after work.

He was ambiguous and high-spirited, soft yet resilient. His face was Runshi... There was no place for Qingnuo in my home... none...

Qingnuo smiled: "You're still young, you might not be able to imagine your future home. I imagine my future home to be ancient and elegant, like my grandfather's house, with many bamboos planted in the yard, just like Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Slim green bamboos grow in clusters, rustling in the wind. The walls of the house are covered with creeping vines, and the fences around the yard are full of roses. There is a red swing, and you wear a light pink silk pajama standing underneath, holding our baby in your arms. I can even see the chubby face of our baby, very much like you. Every morning, you help me tie my tie with a smile, reminding me to come home early, and you wait for me at home. I happily kiss you, kiss the baby, and then go to work. You play with the baby at home, wait for me to come back from work, and we take a walk by the lake after dinner..."

Qingnuo stopped talking, looking up at the bright full moon, his eyes misty, filled with longing, and his handsome lips curved into a full smile.

"Just like that, getting old together slowly... That's all life asks for," Qingnuo's voice overflowed with longing.

I lowered my head, and there was an impulse to burst into tears, my heart twisting painfully, my chest aching. Qingnuo, Qingnuo, there is really no place for you in my heart. I cannot let go of Runshi. I love him, that righteous and cold-blooded King Yang Runshi.

Qingnuo's eyes were pure and clear like fire, clean and innocent. He smiled, lightly rubbing my hair with his nose.

But my hands were cold.

"Qingnuo, Qingnuo, I, I, I..." I began to stammer, the sound very distant, lacking any sense of reality. I didn't know what to say next.

Qingnuo chuckled gently: "Don't worry, I'm a pauper now, I'm going abroad to study law. Before we leave, you continue studying, learn whatever you want. I will study and work hard to earn money to support us two. After graduation, I will give you the best life possible. You don't have to work, just stay at home and do whatever you want, buy whatever you want, sleep whenever you want. If you like traveling, we will travel when we have enough money. When we are old, we will definitely travel around the world. Isn't that great?"

My tears could no longer be held back, streaming down my face. The sharp pain in my heart instantly spread from its hiding place. Qingnuo, Qingnuo, Qingnuo...

Runshi, I am willing to follow you to the ends of the earth. I cannot lose you, I cannot lose this woman who has already become part of my life. For you, I can give up everything except revenge.

Because of revenge, Runshi and I are destined to be separated by yin and yang, far apart.

Seeing my silence, Qingnuo continued calling Runshi's phone, still turned off.

Qingnuo fell silent for a moment, his facial features firm yet sad, lost in memories. "I know my brother needs peace now. His heart has been hurt too deeply. Don't think he is always carefree and high-spirited, appearing to care about nothing. Inside, he suffers more than anyone. His inner world is full of blood and tears."

"I started fighting with him since I was two years old. Back then, my dad would beat us to death every day. We fought almost every day, and he vented all his dissatisfaction with his marriage and life on us. My mom had no job, complained endlessly, and wanted to find a comfortable job drinking tea and reading newspapers. She ran around every day, leaving us completely neglected. When my brother and I were beaten to near-death every day, no one came to rescue us. The neighbors got tired of interfering. Since it happened every day, it became routine. He would beat us without reason, just for exercise. Look at how strong he is? Half of it is thanks to my brother and me. My brother is younger, but he always protected me. When my dad beat me, my brother would cover me, using his body to shield me. I lay beneath him, hearing the dull sounds of the belt or stick hitting him. I wanted to get up, let my dad hit me instead, but my brother held me down forcefully, enduring the beating while also pressing me down. I saw the veins bulging on his forehead, his lips bleeding..."

Qingnuo spoke softly, as if talking about someone else, calm and detached. But everyone listening was on edge, their wounds too deep. Qingnuo could only treat those bloody sorrows as necessities for survival, otherwise, how could he face these pains?

I learned about these things much later. They carefully hid everything from others.

Qingnuo's voice floated in the air, cold and distant: "Urination and defecation are dirty things, right? We didn't feel that way. We often wet ourselves during the beatings, but my dad wouldn't stop. Urinary incontinence is due to severe bodily injuries, unable to bear it, the central nervous system becomes numb, unable to control it. But my dad said we intentionally wet ourselves, scaring people. Ha ha! We were very obedient, never making a sound even when beaten to death. Who would urinate in front of others for no reason? My dad insisted we went to the bathroom before being beaten, isn't that funny? Even so, we would still wet ourselves by the end. It's uncontrollable. Seeing the floor wet with urine, my dad would get even angrier, beating harder until feces flowed everywhere."

"Often, my brother would lie on top of me, and I heard my dad beat him for a long time. I felt my brother's warm urine flow over me, and he continued to grit his teeth and endure. After some time, his feces would also flow down his thighs. In the end, he lost consciousness, but still protected me fiercely." Qingnuo spoke, with tears flowing in his voice.

My heart ached as if cut by a knife.

Qingnuo continued: "My brother has been severely damaged by life. He needs a warm woman to help him mend his heart gradually. But that person is not you, Little Pig. You're too young, you just foolishly demand, wanting to eat and drink. You don't understand, you're immature, prone to tantrums. You cannot soothe my brother's wounds, instead, you'll tear them wider."

My lips trembled slightly.

Time flows, and those heart-wrenching painful memories will gradually fade away. Runshi, will there be a day when you truly forget all this? Will there be?

I fell in love with the sun in his pupils. Who would have known that beneath his cheerful and sunny demeanor lay tears streaming down?

In the end, Qingnuo and I returned. Ouyang Rose had waited for Runshi at home for a long time. The night deepened, and we were sent back to the hotel by grandpa's driver.

Runshi's dad cried all night at grandpa's place. The tough man finally lost both his sons, none left. Runshi's rebellion was unexpected, and he couldn't bear it.

After Ouyang Rose left, grandpa just faintly said, "You go ahead, I'll educate Runshi. From now on, you're not allowed to hit him randomly. You've already beaten the children's hearts to pieces. Haven't you and your brothers ever been beaten? As children, you won awards sitting, and as adults, you knelt for awards. Neither your mother nor I ever hit you once. In the future, the bad habits you've learned in the army must stop. Beating children not only harms their bodies but also breaks their hearts. What have you gained?"

Runshi's dad still argued stubbornly, "As the saying goes, under the rod comes filial piety!"

Grandpa coldly laughed, "That's just outdated nonsense. Some fools actually take it as truth! In ancient times, they emphasized the authority of ministers, women, and husbands, rigid hierarchies that couldn't be crossed. Generation after generation endured under such oppressive environments because they dared not challenge traditions and authority, branded as heretics with no chance to翻身 (turn over). To those being beaten, outwardly they may seem filial, but inwardly they hate their parents. Self-esteem is beaten out of them, and these so-called 'filial' individuals are forced to submit. Do you gain satisfaction from this? Why not make the children obey willingly?"

Runshi's dad had no answer.

Grandpa paced to the window and said softly, "You obtained two treasures but didn't cherish them. Both Runshi and Qingnuo are exceptional talents, their knowledge, appearance, wisdom, and physical strength unmatched. Look at the sons of the people you know, is there even one comparable to these two? How about the sons of your five brothers? Your eldest brother's son is intelligent and brave, but spends all day playing with cars and fighting. Now, even with a job, he remains idle, nearly driving your eldest brother and sister-in-law crazy. If it weren't for your eldest brother's position, he'd be in jail by now. Your second brother's son has no ambition, only knowing how to eat, drink, and play. Your third brother's son's mind is all about girls, changing girlfriends like clothes. Your fourth brother's son is obsessed with money, scheming to scrape it up both outside and inside the house, even stealing treasures from my collection. Your fifth brother's son, well, when I said I would bankrupt myself to save Runshi, he jumped up in opposition, claiming his share of my inheritance which I refused. Since then, he hasn't visited."

Runshi's dad hung his head, sighing, not knowing what to say.

Grandpa sighed deeply, "If it weren't for Runshi and Qingnuo, our family would truly have no successors. Runshi is bold and meticulous, resourceful and strategic, kind-hearted and broad-minded. He treats his family, friends, and brothers perfectly, beyond reproach. Do you know how many tears this child has silently endured? Qingnuo is calculating, ruthless, compassionate, and gentle. In society, he is undoubtedly a leader. Fortunately, this child doesn't want much. He only wants Little Pig, wants a home. Other than that, he has no interest in money or status. If Qingnuo wanted the whole world, haha, you'd see bloodshed and chaos!"

Runshi's dad mumbled, "They're all weaker than me!"

Grandpa sneered, "Those two kids are generational inheritors, like me, having elevators to go up and down is better than stairs, like my father. Do you think the genes from you and Yu Xiulian could produce anything good?"

Runshi's dad lowered his head, mumbling quietly, "I did it for his own good. Could I just watch Runshi abandon such a great opportunity? Such a rare chance! That girl likes Runshi so much, she's beautiful, and her family situation is excellent. After Runshi marries her, he would immediately rise to the upper class, a dream opportunity few people can even imagine! I suppressed myself for a lifetime, hoping Runshi would climb to the top, achieving greatness!"

Grandpa, tired from sitting, leaned back in the wicker chair, speaking solemnly amidst the heavy clouds, "Everything must proceed slowly. Runshi is still young, he doesn't understand the severity of these matters. Pushing him is useless. Runshi is at the age where emotions begin to awaken, a person of character, sentimental and righteous. He likes Little Pig. Forcing him to give up Little Pig for Ouyang Rose is deliberately making things difficult for him. To suppress his feelings for Qingnuo, he struggled immensely, even kissing Little Pig in the garden that day as proof. He can't ignore her completely now. He can't let go, truly can't let go. If you keep pressuring him like this, it will push him further away. He tolerates you usually, but he will eventually turn against you. Love is like an iron net, once trapped, it's hard to escape. People caught in the web easily succumb to weakness, it's human nature. You must give Runshi time, let things happen naturally. Anyway, Little Pig will soon leave the country. They won't meet again for years. Once, when Qingnuo didn't come for dinner, Runshi took the opportunity to constantly question Little Pig at the dinner table, asking when she would return home to visit relatives? Was there a specific date? One year or two? Little Pig kept saying she didn't know, didn't know, didn't know. Runshi stopped asking, clearly very distressed. He didn't finish his meal and left. When putting on his shoes to leave, I saw this poor child's eyes brimming with tears."

Runshi's dad hurriedly said, "Then I'll tell Little Pig to leave the country quickly, don't delay Runshi."

Grandpa suddenly roared, "You dare! Little Pig has suffered enough. When Runshi and Qingnuo played basketball, she would just look at Runshi in the middle, not blinking her eyes. This child was extremely distressed, her chubby little hands fidgeting, either grabbing her clothes or the grass. When Runshi looked back, she pretended to look at the scenery. Sometimes when Runshi was indoors, she would gaze vacantly at his window in the yard. These two have done enough, endured enough, I'm truly impressed. If I were in their place, I might not have managed. If you dare to upset Little Pig again, just wait and see how I deal with you!"

Runshi's dad was scared speechless.

Grandpa's tone softened, "People and tea cool, after half a year or so, Runshi will slowly forget. He and Ouyang Rose are in the same school every day, close together. As the saying goes, proximity wins. Whether intentional or not, when Ouyang Rose conceives Runshi's child, the matter will be settled. Runshi's biggest characteristic is his willingness to take responsibility. Once Ouyang Rose has his child, Runshi will have no choice but to swallow his pride and marry her early, becoming a father and rising steadily. After that, we won't have to worry anymore. Relationships develop through friction and collisions, like the right hand and the left foot. Normally unnoticed, but once injured, the pain is unbearable. Son, in dealing with matters, use your brain, not your fists. If you force the children to rebel, what will you do then?"

The next evening, Runshi returned home. No one knew where he had been all night. Grandpa said Ouyang Rose was returning to Nanjing today, and he personally went to see her off. Runshi didn't say much, just followed grandpa to see her off.

Xiu Lian passed away soon after, and the days I spent with Qingnuo were countless.

One day, Mo Yuan suggested taking the three of us children to a seaside island with hot springs for a few days. He said he would leave after we returned, and he really left. Mo Yuan looked at me, reluctant to part, sighing continuously.

On the day of departure, Xiu Lian said she wasn't feeling well and wouldn't go with Mo Yuan.

So, the three of us set off.

Under the sunlight, seeing Runshi busily chatting with Qingnuo, my heart was content.

There were only a few more days left before we would no longer see each other, not knowing when we would meet again... Runshi, how can I obtain you, leaving alone?

An idea surfaced in my mind. I knew I must avenge myself before I leave. I don't know Qingnuo's thoughts, but Runshi will surely be furious. By the time I flee far away, I will already have deep enmity with Runshi due to a debt of gratitude.

How can love endure?

Runshi, wouldn't it be wonderful to truly possess you after my revenge? This passionate romantic moment will support me through my life, night after night. Without it, how could I survive?

Day after day, night after night...

Revenge and debt will cruelly tear apart Runshi, who was once inseparable from me. The blade cuts from my side, cutting myself, cutting his flesh. Once finished, we will truly separate, but both will be bloodied and torn.

Through life and death, we vowed to hold hands and grow old together.

Today's events, like water without a trace; tomorrow, who knows, we may no longer recognize each other…

The master is domineering, ladies, wipe your mouths, I'll do the same, hahaha~~

Today is April 15th, received manuscripts from public in-laws twice.

Updating the old public father tonight.