At midday, somewhere faraway from hustle and bustle Yun Dao city a small dilapidated wooden pavilion surrounded by bamboo forest a young man with dark emerald color hanfu sit comfortably while sipping his wine, the man has an exceptionally beautiful face, as if the god took his time to carves every each of the men face flawlessly, he crosses his leg to another while gazing to the distance with a blank expression, his simple yet graceful move make him look like an immortal from the painting, beautiful but distant.
Not long after a middle-aged man arrives, although he already in early fifty he still looks very handsome although his face is too stern and cold devoid any touch of warmth is people saw this they might though this man on the way to kill his arch-enemy.
The middle-aged man's expression deepens when he saw the young man, a trace of melancholy filled his eyes just for a second before disappeared completely.
The middle-aged man sits across the young man, he seizes up the young man for a second then he asks: "Are you, Lu Xin?"
The young man glance at the middle age man indifferently "Are you Sanguan Jin Sheng?" he retorted in the same manner.
The two men have similar countenance and the same attitude is easy to guessed they are related however the atmosphere around them feel so heavy and tensed it doesn't feel like a meeting between father and son at all. Sanguan Jin Shen furrows his eyebrows he not expect he would be greeted with a cold welcome.
It was certain in Sangun Jin Sheng that his ex-wife must be the reason behind his long-forgotten som hostile. If only Hei Shen people hear his reason they would say that just how their Lord normally greets everyone, except you are the madam.
Zhao Li Xin did not even bother to raised from his seat, he leans his head on his fist lazily while his other hand lifts the winecup, it's hard for him to pretend to be excited, although he feel weird for not feel anything when he meet Sanguan Jin Sheng personally using his 'son' identity.
He doesn't detest his father or longing for a father figure he wonders if he ever wishes to have a father at all.
Normally sanguan Jin Sheng would not accept this type of behavior especially from his own son but he reminds himself that he needs this wretched son of him. He swallows his irritation as he maintained his sad expression "Do you blame me for what happened to you and your mother?"
"Why?" he sips his wine indifferently.
Sanguan Jin Sheng clenched his fist, his son obviously holding a grudge towards him, but the truth is Zhao Li Xin is not angry he honestly didn't know why Sanguan Jin Sheng needs affirmation. So what if he blamed him or not what difference it would make?
"At that time your mother suddenly run away from home, I don't know why she did that to me, I've tried to search for her all these years – I thought she was dead but I guessed she just hiding from me…" he looks down in grief seemingly hurt and broken heart, he does portray as a grieving husband.
"Maybe because you slaughtered all of her family, you do not even spare a five years old kid" Zhao Li Xin sneers coldly "If I was sanguan Mu Yi I will hide too" he quipped.
Sanguan Jin Sheng faces scrunched he seems forgot about that "That because they try to harm sanguan family they make me cuckold and even persuaded your mother to leave me, how could I spare them after they humiliated me and my family!" he justified his cruel decision so righteously he easily turns the situation make himself as a victim, how pathetic.
"So is their fault…" Zhao Li Xin calmly asks, he straightens his posture then put down the winecup on the table gently. His placid expression make Sangun Jin Sheng nervous. He realizes he can't read his son's minds at all, he can't understand what Zhao Li Xin thinking right now, his son is to calm, too quiet it make him warry.
If he could choose he rather have Zhao Li Xin angry or scolded him for giving up his responsibility, this is not what he imagined when he meets his son.
"Lu Xin why don't you go back with me, I will repay all my mistake and if you want I could give a courtyard for your mother too" Sanguan Jin Sheng pleaded sincerely, no matter what he needs to bring Zhao Li Xin home, other things could handle later.
"Sanguan Mu Yi has passed away" Zhao Li Xin casually said.
"What, why?" Sanguan Jin Sheng stunned but he doesn't feel sad he just surprised and relieved.
"She's sick…" he perfunctorily said.
"Oh…too bad" he is looking down without making a word, he looks dejected, but Zhao Li Xin doubts it his dear father might just calculate his next move. Suddenly sanguan Jin sheng lift his head "I owed you too much, I hope you came home with me, your grandfather and grandmother missed you very much"
Zhao Li Xin amazes at how good his acting is, if he is a normal person he would feel touch with sanguan Jin Sheng words, Zhao Li Xin must give him applauded for his great acting, with his talent he not far behind from all the concubines at the royal harem.
'Well done!'
Sanguan Jin Sheng expects a flash of joy in Zhao Li Xin's eyes but unfortunately, he got nothing. Once again he feel anxious with Zhao Li Xin's mild reaction, can at least he show disgust if he against the idea to return to sanguan manor however Zhao Li Xin remains unperturbed his finger tapped on the table in a monotone sounds as he contemplates his decision.
Is there any reunion like them? Sanguan Wu Ci was vexed The atmosphere is lukewarm and distant no one would believe that this was a reunion of father and son after decades of separation, it's more appropriated to say It's more like a business meeting between stranger.
"I'll think about it…." Zhao Li Xin let out a long exhale then raised from his seat.
Knowing Zhao Li Xin is not easy to coaxed he change his maneuver "WAIT! do you know about the sanguan family, do you know how powerful the sanguan family is? our strength is only less from the royal family, if you come with me I will make you as the sanguan family young master and I could give you all fame and glory that you could only dream off!" he said confidently.
He believes no sane man would resist this opportunity, no matter how much Zhao Li Xin hated him he is sure he will not let this chance slip away.
Zhao Li Xin raised his eyebrows slightly, fame and glory? Really? He expects more shrewdness from his biological father, he hopes this only a misshape no one stupid father, what happens if this stupidity affects his children, maybe having no kids is not a bad idea.
He gives Sanguan Jin Sheng a perfunctory gaze "I stay at golden swallow inn if you need anything just send someone there" he sauntered without waiting for Sanguan Jin Sheng reply, he doesn't want to waste anymore time, he rather cultivated or teased his beautiful wife than talking with his old man.
Sanguan Jin Sheng tightens his jaw, this is the first time he ever looks down by someone it's even more embarrassing because this is his own Son he did not expect his son will be so aloof and arrogant.
However he is sure that Zhao Li Xin only pretends not to care, he refuses to believe that Zhao Li Xin is not shaken by the sanguan family wealth and power, he is sure Zhao Li Xin already know about the Sanguan family if not why does he agree to meet him today.
He also believes the reason Zhao Li Xin aloofness is because he has a bigger agenda, perhaps he waiting for Sanguan Jin sheng to offer something more. Because he is the son from a previous marriage and has no maternal family is normal for Zhao Li Xin to be careful when he planned to return to the Sanguan family, Sanguan Jin Sheng sneers inwardly as if he had seen through his deceit.
Pride is a dangerous thing because it didn't feel wrong why anyone cannot feel proud for their achievement, that's why Marcus the king has warned Lory and Lucas over and over again for pride is like a weed it creeps into your soul it make you overlook your fault and overestimated your succeed.
If only Sanguan Jin Sheng realizes that through all the conversation he always put himself as a third person. He never calls Sanguan Mu Yi 'mother' and he shows no hatred towards what happened in the past, he regards Zhao Li Xin attitude as a pretext never cross his mind 'what if' Zhao Li Xin is not pretending, what if he said is true if only he put aside his pride he might come up with better plan sadly the reality can't be more different.
Zhao Li Xin arrived in the secluded place he takes off the dark green robes and drops the new green robes to the ground casually, a second later Mong Ki appear with folded black robes in his hands then knowingly help his Lord wear his usual dark robes.
The robe is a special robe because it's the only robes that would not be burned when he used his immortal flame also Zhao Li Xin has a tendency uncomfortable with changes, once he is comfortable in one circ.u.mstance he rarely changed it unless is unavoidable, that also the reason all his manor have similar interior especially his bedroom and study room it literally the same.
Although he becomes more flexible after he met Lory, living with lory is like playing a roller coaster is only he know what roller coaster is, every day is a surprise for him in a good way and a bad way but whatever it is as long she was there he will not complain.
Bei Li Yan suddenly lands smoothly on the ground then he approaches Zhao Li Xin with cheeky smile bloom on his feminine face "How is it, Milord?"
"Disappointing" Zhao Li Xin grumble.
Bei Li Yan stunned "Really, he is the patriarch of the Sanguan family how could he be disappointing?"
Zhao Li Xin didn't answer, he fixed his collar then he wears his gold mask and takes along strides without giving a sign. as they used to him the loyal subordinated moves along with him.
"I believe he offers you something, what is it?" Bei Li Yan curiously asked.
"He wants me to stay at Sanguan manor and revive my position as a young master and give a chance to gains fame and glory" he sarcastically said.
Bei Li Yan drops his jaw "That's it? why would you need fame and glory?" Zhao Li Xin already has too much fame and glory for a lifetime!
well is not Sanguan Jin sheng fault since he didn't know yet that Lu Xin is Zhao Li Xin, yes, our Lord used the same name when he infiltrated Sacred mountain peak, he is the type of person who used the same password for all his online logins because he is too lazy to find other names.
"Hm," Zhao Li Xin responds with a simple hum.
"What a disappointment" Bei Li Yan snort in disdain.