Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

That evening, Lingye and Tongrui were having dinner in the hospital room when Zhenghui unexpectedly showed up for a visit. Tongrui had just picked up a piece of succulent braised pork with her chopsticks and was feeding it to Lingye; she was so embarrassed her cheeks flushed a deep red.

Lingye remained stoic and indifferent, not showing any signs of emotion. All he did was set down his chopsticks and ask, "Uncle Zhengrui, why are you here?"

Zhengrui looked at the two of them. With a bland smile, he replied, "I'm here to see you, of course, Lingye. I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it, Uncle?"

"I…" Zhengrui hesitated, glancing at Tongrui. "Why don't you come for a stroll with me?"

Evidently, Uncle Zhengrui wanted to speak to him privately. Lingye got down from the bed and draped a coat over his shoulders. "Tongrui, go ahead and finish dinner."

Tongrui nodded. "Come back soon, alright? The food won't be as good once it gets cold."

Lingye gently stroked her hair. "Okay." He followed Zhengrui out of the room to the hospital's back garden. His uncle's brow was deeply furrowed, and he had not said a word the entire time.

Lingye reiterated, "Uncle Zhengrui, what is it? Just tell me straight up."

Zhengrui stopped in his tracks, his eyes betraying his anguish and internal struggle. "Lingye, I've thought about this for a long, long time. I've even considered asking someone else to tell you, but I figured I may as well do it myself."

"Tell me? Tell me what?"

Instead of answering, Zhengrui merely nodded somberly, leading Lingye to a more secluded spot in the garden. Once he was sure there was no one around, Zhengrui drew a deep breath and said resolutely, "Lingye, Tongrui…Tongrui is my daughter."

Lingye was stunned into immobility for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Uncle Zhengrui, don't be ridiculous." He shook his head and turned to leave, but Zhengrui continued, "I know you don't believe me, but her mother, Lan Jing, was definitely pregnant with my child back then."

Lingye's hands slowly clenched at his sides. His voice was very cold as he asked, "I see. Why are you so sure that Rui is your daughter, though?"

"I've had an investigation done. Mu Guangqing had Type A blood; so did Lan Jing. But Tongrui's blood type is AB. I'm sure you understand the implications of this."

fists balled up even tighter, the knuckles

him steadily. "My

the spot, unable to

All of this is my fault, Lingye…it's the result of my sins in the past. I…" Zhengrui's shame and guilt overcame him, and

closed his eyes tightly. He recalled that Tongrui had mentioned his uncle seemed very familiar the first time she met

Rui…really be Uncle

case, then what did that mean for himself and Rui in terms of familial relationship? That would make them

that Tongrui was his cousin. His tone of voice was several degrees chillier when

Zhengrui's voice faltered, then

and distinct. "Rui and I are already officially husband and wife. I don't care whose daughter she is; it doesn't change the fact that she is my wife. If you're here today to tell me you want

grave, that's not an issue. It's just that…I'm afraid of what might happen if anyone else were to

all you need to do is preserve this secret. Whatever else comes along is none of your business. Rui is my wife, and I'll keep her safe." Lingye turned and left, his

the end, he was unable to refrain from asking, "If…if one day her identity comes to light and your relationship is thrust into the spotlight, what about public opinion and the inevitable talk? Will you still protect

forget that. I wouldn't devote my life to people I don't care about. The ones whom I love, I'll protect with every fiber of my being." Lingye's voice was aloof and

betrayed a hint of sadness mixed with some consolation. "You're much braver and better

the love of his life back in the day. Now, twenty years later, he was still a coward,

there as dusk fell, gripping his cane as the tears finally

…

dinner. She looked at Lingye's food and frowned; it was already stone-cold.

Tongrui was about to put on her coat and

took you so long? What did Uncle Zhengrui need to speak to

"Just guy stuff."

immediately killed Tongrui's interest in the matter. Guy stuff…that was

dinner's cold now. I'll heat it up for you." She was about to stand up when Lingye caught hold of her wrist. "It's

ate a