AMLFS Chapter 68

Chapter 69: Zhao Fangye, May You Be Safe

Chapter 69: Zhao Fangye, May You Be Safe

Emerging from Song Zigen’s courtyard, Zhao Fangye’s thoughts churned.

Song Zigen’s words echoed in his mind.

Regarding the matter of going to Hanzhou, Zhao Fangye had kept it hidden from Song Huaixi from beginning to end.

He thought that was best for him, presumptuously wanting to arrange everything in advance.

But he had uniquely forgotten the feelings of the person who most deserved to know.

Composing himself, Zhao Fangye’s thoughts cleared. He headed towards Song Huaixi’s courtyard.

Song Huaixi woke up from his nap to find Zhao Fangye sitting by his bedside.

His sleepiness vanished instantly. He was pleasantly surprised, as he hadn’t seen Zhao Fangye during the day in quite some time.

He quickly propped himself up from the bed and threw himself into Zhao Fangye’s arms: “Zhao Fangye! Why are you still here today! Can you spend the whole day with me again?”

The thought of spending a long time with Zhao Fangye made Song Huaixi’s face beam with joy.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Fangye’s heart was touched.

Just these few days of busyness had made Song Huaixi so attached to him. How could Song Huaixi peacefully wait in the Song Mansion while he was in Hanzhou?

He had oversimplified things, thinking he could decide everything for him.

Holding him around the waist, Zhao Fangye cupped his face in his hands. His eyes filled with tenderness: “Get up quickly to wash, eat, and have breakfast. I have something to discuss with you after your meal.”

Upon hearing this, Song Huaixi immediately asked: “What is it?”

This was the first time Zhao Fangye wanted to discuss something with him. Song Huaixi’s curiosity was immediately piqued.

Was he going to take him on a picnic? Or was he going to give him a gift? Or…?

Song Huaixi couldn’t guess, but his heart was full of anticipation.

His movements in dressing and washing were very quick. Soon, he was neatly dressed and sitting beside the table.

A pair of round, large eyes stared intently at Zhao Fangye, as if he couldn’t wait to know what it was.

Seeing his appearance, Zhao Fangye reached out and touched his eyes.

His heart filled with pity and reluctance. He knew that the words he was about to say would surely make the corners of those eyes turn red.

Withdrawing his hand, Zhao Fangye placed a bowl of chicken congee in front of him and chuckled: “Why are you looking at me? Eat first.”

“Okay.”

Song Huaixi was unusually well-behaved, because Zhao Fangye said he would tell him something after breakfast. So Song Huaixi finished his breakfast earnestly.

Seeing him eating so hastily, Zhao Fangye spoke to stop him.

But it did not affect Song Huaixi’s eating speed at all.

Placing the empty bowl on the table, Song Huaixi blinked his eyes.

He tugged at Zhao Fangye’s sleeve: “I’m finished eating, Zhao Fangye, what do you want to say? Tell me quickly!”

The smile on Zhao Fangye’s face faded slightly. He reached out to him: “Come here.”

Seeing that he wanted to hold him, Song Huaixi immediately threw himself into his arms affectionately. His heart anticipated even more what Zhao Fangye was about to say.

His lips couldn’t help but curl up.

Lost in happiness, Song Huaixi did not notice the subtle changes in Zhao Fangye’s expression.

Zhao Fangye’s pale eyes met his expectant eyes, and somewhere in his heart, he suddenly hesitated.

He couldn’t bear to see those pure eyes filled with tears.

Closing his eyes, Zhao Fangye remembered Song Zigen’s words again. Instead of letting Song Huaixi be saddened upon learning the truth without his comfort, it was better to comfort him now while he could still hold him.

Gazing into those eyes, Zhao Fangye opened his mouth: “Huaixi, I will be setting off for Hanzhou tomorrow to provide disaster relief. This trip may take a long time.”

“Hanzhou?”

Song Huaixi’s originally excited face suddenly became blank: “What is that place?”

He had never traveled far. He had only ever been to the Song Mansion, the Ning Wang Mansion, and the capital. As for Hanzhou and the world, they were too abstract for him.

“Hanzhou is a bit far from the capital. It takes about a month and a half to get there by express carriage on the main road.”

Zhao Fangye interlocked his hands with his, explaining to him slowly: “Some things have happened in Hanzhou. The people there are struggling. They don’t have enough to eat or wear, and many are sick. Many people are dying every day. I have to go there to oversee the situation.”

Song Huaixi seemed to understand, but he knew that he probably wouldn’t see Zhao Fangye for a long time.

His heart felt suddenly empty.

The cheerful expression on his face just now was now somewhat dim. Grabbing Zhao Fangye’s hand, he lowered his head and said slowly, “Will many people die? They’re so pitiful…”

Not knowing how to express the urgency of the disaster victims, Song Huaixi thought for a moment and looked at him, saying, “Do they also need you as much as I do?”

Zhao Fangye was stunned by his words, and a slight bitterness rose in his heart.

He took his hand and kissed it lightly on his lips: “No, Huaixi. They don’t need me like you do. But I have to go, can you understand?”

These words made Song Huaixi’s low mood a little better, and he could feel Zhao Fangye’s determination. Song Huaixi rested his head on his chest.

His voice was muffled: “Then I won’t see you for a long time. Will you miss me?”

“Of course.”

“That’s good!” Hearing these words, Song Huaixi looked up again, but his voice clearly changed: “I’ll miss you too!”

Zhao Fangye gently stroked his slightly red eyes, feeling a little heartache: “Huaixi, I’ll be back as soon as possible. I’ll write to you from Hanzhou, don’t cry.”

The originally somewhat frustrated emotions were relieved a little. Although he was reluctant to part with Zhao Fangye, Song Huaixi was not as sad and crying as he had imagined.

Instead, he was somewhat calm, which was very different from what Zhao Fangye had expected.

“Okay then.”

Song Huaixi held his fingers, his eyelashes wet with tears, and lowered his head without looking at him: “Then I’ll lend you to them. You have to come back quickly, I’ll miss you.”

These words were like a dull knife, stabbing into Zhao Fangye’s heart. Song Huaixi was truly sensible to the point of being lovable.

Holding him in his arms, Zhao Fangye whispered a promise: “I’ll be back soon, I won’t make Huaixi wait long.”

“Okay.” Song Huaixi buried his head on his shoulder and replied softly.

After a while, his emotions calmed down.

Song Huaixi got up from him and ran into the house, rummaging through the chests and cabinets.

Zhao Fangye thought he had hidden in the house to cry secretly.

He got up and followed him into the house.

Song Huaixi opened a wooden box. Zhao Fangye had seen the things inside. They were all his favorite little trinkets, including some valuable ones.

He had even used them to bribe the divine doctor last time.

He usually carefully cherished them.

But now he didn’t care about that. His movements were urgent as he rummaged through the box, throwing things aside, letting them pile up at his feet.

“What are you looking for?”

Zhao Fangye squatted down beside him, tilting his head to look at his anxious face.

“Wait a minute, I’ll find it soon.” Song Huaixi muttered as he searched, “It’s right here, why is it gone?”

Zhao Fangye patiently waited on the side. Suddenly, Song Huaixi called out in surprise, “Found it!”

“Found it!!” Song Huaixi immediately took the thing in his hand and hung it around Zhao Fangye’s neck.

A slightly heavy object hung on Zhao Fangye’s chest.

Picking it up, he saw that it was a jadeite of good quality, with a cute little rabbit engraved on the front and his birthdate on the back.

“What is this?” Zhao Fangye held the jade pendant and looked at Song Huaixi beside him.

“This is what my mother asked for from the temple for me. It’s for you!”

Song Huaixi looked at him with reluctance in his eyes, leaned into his arms and said, “Every time my father goes on a long trip, my mother asks for a peace talisman for him. I don’t have one, but this can also keep you safe.”

Song Huaixi looked up at him: “Zhao Fangye, may you be safe.”

Looking at Song Huaixi in front of him, a burning heat flowed through Zhao Fangye’s heart. He couldn’t help but squeeze the pendant and kiss his lips.

Pale eyes gazing at him, Zhao Fangye thought to himself: Silly boy, a peace pendant engraved with your birthdate will only protect the person whose birthdate it is.

However, you are my peace pendant.