Zhu Yuanzhang, who commanded the wind and rain, lived a long and arduous life.

He had seen that face of the City God statue for over a decade.

Even if it turns to ashes, I'll still recognize it.

There are many similar people in the world, but the bond of blood and kinship will never change.

No matter how many similar people stand together, he knows he can recognize his father at first glance.

I gazed at that face, and gazed at it, and gazed at it…

Uncontrollably.

It reminds me of those days, of all the little things I did with that person.

"Dad, I didn't get into a fight today!"

"Still talking nonsense? Zhu Ajiu from next door came over and told me that you beat his son so badly that his hand was bleeding. Come with me to apologize."

"No, I won't apologize, I did nothing wrong!"

"Regardless of right or wrong, hitting someone is wrong. There are many ways to deal with things besides violence. If you choose violence, then you are wrong."

"I'm not going! I'm going to talk to Mom! Mom, I hit that brat next door today, and Dad wants me to apologize. I did nothing wrong!"

“Ah? Shizhen, my son said he was right, and I also think he was right.”

“You… Chang Le, you spoil him too much, this won’t do… Xing Sheng will be spoiled by you from now on.”

"Spoil? I didn't spoil her, hmph! Anyway, I think Xingsheng is right."

"Well... okay, then he's not wrong."

 …

"Dad, look! These are gardenias I found for Mom. Aren't they pretty?"

“It’s beautiful, your mother will definitely like it. Cough cough… Um, where did you get these gardenias? Tell your father, and I’ll pick some for your mother later. I’ll take your mother there when I have time.”

 …

"Oh dear, Dad, I really can't read this book. I don't have the comprehension of the third son. Please don't make it difficult for me to study."

"You brat, do you think your father wants this? It's all because of your mother. She wants her son to be successful. If you have any complaints, talk to your mother. I'm too lazy to teach you if she changes her mind."

"This... Oh no, I'm doomed, Mother will definitely not agree."

 …

"Father, Mother, I'm going to the county town. I don't know when I'll be back. Please take care."

"Alright, you brat, go on! If you find it hard to make a living outside, come back to Zhu Family Village. Your mother and I will always be here, and we'll always be here. Don't worry about not being able to find us when you come back. Hmm? Chang Le, why are you crying?"

“I…I, Shizhen, you idiot, Xingsheng is leaving. He’s never left us before. I’m worried about him leaving.”

"Mom, it's alright, I will definitely come back for Chinese New Year this year!"

"Hmm... Xingsheng, take care on your journey. It's been cold lately, so remember to wear more clothes and stay indoors as much as possible. Also, remember to eat. No matter how tough things get, don't let your stomach suffer."

"Alright, let's go now, Mom and Dad, you two can go back now!"

 …

Scenes from my time with my parents kept flashing through my mind.

My father, in my memory, always urged me to do everything, afraid that he would make a mistake.

Sometimes when he made a mistake, his father would lecture him.

If he doesn't admit his mistake, he'll bring up his mother, Chang Le.

As long as he brings up his mother, and she's willing to back him up, then... no matter how his father tries to discipline him, he'll give up.

Dad seems to be very afraid of Mom.

But my mother said no, she said it was your father. He thought that I had dragged me down by marrying him, so he wanted to make it up to me. That's why he respected me in everything.

Your dad is an idiot, always bringing up the past. He doesn't even realize that so many years have passed. It's infuriating!

Mother always said that Father felt he owed her something, but as a boy, I thought Father was just afraid of Mother!

Scenes flashed by one after another.

Finally, the scene ends with the separation from the two elders.

He had clearly promised his parents that he would go back home for the New Year that day.

Can….

He failed.

In those war-torn years, ordinary people were utterly powerless in such times.

At all times, we are in a precarious situation, forced to accept whatever comes our way.

It's not that you can go back just because you want to.

When Yuan Ting finally fell and the world was at peace for a while, he returned immediately.

But what we saw in the end was the complete massacre of Zhu Family Village.

The villagers they once knew were dying one by one.

Even his own parents died tragically.

When Zhu Xingsheng learned all this, he felt like the sky was falling.

He had clearly promised the two elders that he would come back to see them.

Can….

That final farewell when I left home turned out to be the last time I saw her.

The fact that he failed to keep his promise became a lifelong regret for Zhu Xingsheng.

But now!

He saw his father, his real father!!

Zhu Xingsheng gazed at the City God, his eyes growing increasingly moist the longer he looked.

How many years has it been? How many years exactly?

Several years? Several decades?

Zhu Xingsheng had forgotten exactly how long it had been since he had seen that incredibly familiar face.

He also thought he was about to forget this face.

some days ago,

When Zhu Yuanzhang, the fourth son, told him that his father was still alive when he was critically ill, Zhu Xingsheng thought that his fourth son was joking, or even encouraging him to get through the illness.

Not true.

Can….

When Zhu Yuanzhang clearly stated his father's location, he was confused.

Could it be that Dad is really alive?

Zhu Xingsheng didn't hesitate for long. His life was coming to an end, and he could feel that he was about to die, so even if there was only a one percent chance of seeing his father, he would set sail.

I want to see my father, see how he looks, and how he's been doing all these years.

and also,

Most importantly, you need to apologize to your father.

He wanted to go back then, he really wanted to go back, but he never had the chance.

He was wrong.

Back then, I underestimated the helplessness one feels in chaotic times and overestimated my own abilities.

"Father, your son is unfilial, your son is unfilial..."

Zhu Xingsheng, tears streaming down his face, kept kowtowing to the City God.

He kowtowed more than a dozen times, and still wanted to kowtow again.

But then a disciple from Tianyun Temple walked up beside him.

"Are you looking for the abbot?"

A disciple of Tianyun Temple inquired.

Zhu Xingsheng paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

"Then please follow me."

The disciples of Tianyun Temple took a few steps forward and stopped, waiting for Zhu Xingsheng to follow.

Without hesitation, Zhu Xingsheng quickly stood up, wiped away his tears, and followed.

The disciples of Tianyun Temple led the way and quickly brought Zhu Xingsheng to the backyard.

"Please wait a moment, the abbot will be here shortly."

The disciples of Tianyun Temple respectfully finished speaking and then left.

In the vast backyard, only Zhu Xingsheng remained.

Zhu Xingsheng looked around curiously. Was this... the place where his father lived?

"Creak..."

Just then, a large gate in the backyard slowly opened.

Zhu Xingsheng looked over.

moment.

His eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid.

And right in front of him was his father, Zhu Changye, whom he felt had a lifelong regret.

Zhu Changye felt a mix of emotions when he saw his two sons.

He stared intently, intently.

He gazed at the two children's entire bodies.

"Xingsheng, you're getting old too."

Zhu Changye sighed.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhu Xingsheng could no longer maintain his composure: "Father, it really is you... it really is you."

"How have you been all these years...?"

His voice trembled.

They were afraid of what their father had said, because if they were not doing well, then it would be their sons' fault for being unfilial.

"Fortunately."

Zhu Changye stepped forward and gestured to compare his height with Zhu Xingsheng's: "You've really grown up, you're both taller than me now."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xingsheng, who had been feeling somewhat sentimental, was amused and said, "Of course."

“When I left you and Mother, I was only fifteen years old. I was just a little kid then, but I’m not like that now.”

Zhu Changye rolled his eyes: "He's still a little kid now."

Zhu Xingsheng was speechless.

He suddenly remembered a sentence his father had taught him: no matter how successful or impoverished you become in the future, in your father's and mother's eyes, you will always be a child.

"Yes, you are right."

"I really am a little one."

Zhu Xingsheng smiled knowingly.

Zhu Changye patted his son on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Let's go, Dad will make you some tea."

Zhu Xingsheng nodded: "Okay, Dad, I... cough cough..."

He wanted to speak, but a cough came out quite inappropriately.

Zhu Changye frowned slightly.

After thinking for a moment, she reached out to wipe away her son's cough.

Can….

But Zhu Xingsheng stopped him.

"Dad, no need, it's an old ailment."

“I know you are the City God and can cure my illness, but… there’s no need.”

Zhu Xingsheng shook his head with a bitter smile.

Zhu Changye looked at him, his eyes flickering.

half an hour.

Then he nodded.

"Let's go inside."

The father and son entered the room. Zhu Xingsheng originally wanted to make tea, since it was only natural for a son to make tea for his father, but Zhu Changye insisted on making it himself.

"Hey kid, stop soaking."

"Let your father do it. This is pre-Qingming Longjing tea; you won't be able to brew it properly."

Zhu Changye smiled and slowly brewed the tea.

Zhu Xingsheng smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Father."

After he finished speaking, the father and son fell silent.

In the large room, only the melodious sound of tea water falling into the bowl could be heard.

Soon,

Zhu Xingsheng took a deep breath, his gaze firm, as if he had made up his mind.

“Father, back then… I’m sorry to you and Mother. I said I would go back to see you two, but I didn’t keep my promise. I… I’m guilty.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changye paused for a moment while pouring tea, but then resumed his previous actions.

"Father knows that you had no choice back then, and Father doesn't blame you."

"It's your mother... If I meet your mother in the underworld, I will explain it to her."

Zhu Changye laughed.

He is becoming increasingly certain that his wife is still alive in the underworld. All he needs to do is find a suitable reason to persuade the King of Hell to bring his wife to meet him, or even to suggest that she has returned.

"By the way, what exactly happened when you went to the county town back then?"

Zhu Changye couldn't help but ask.

He could easily review the lives of his two sons through the Book of Good and Evil.

But he didn't dare.

Everyone has their dirty secrets, no matter how perfect they are. He was afraid that if he investigated, he would discover some of Erzi's dirty deeds that no one else knew about.

How will we face our two sons then?

So let's just listen to what the two sons have to say.

"Back then, I went to the county town to make money."

"But I'm not smart. I couldn't understand the books back then, and I didn't earn much money either."

Zhu Xingsheng sighed: "I am not as capable as the fourth son, who created the Ming Dynasty with his bare hands, nor as good at studying as the third son. I... Father, I am sorry. I think my existence is a disgrace to your bloodline."