"Looking at the stars, I realize, everyone must die. It’s just the matter of dying early or late, right?"

Jian Yufei leaned on his shoulder, too lazy to do anything.

"Hmm, right."

"It’s not sad that people die, the sad thing is that those who are alive remain trapped in grief, unable to escape the shadow of death, and thus lose many days of happiness. Do you agree?"

Jian Yufei stared at him with confusion.

"What’s up with you today? You’re acting strange, did something happen?"

Ruan Tianling chuckled, "Nothing much, just a good subordinate passed away."

"Oh? Who?" Jian Yufei lifted her head.

"You don’t know him. He left behind a child, a girl. The child is very sad, we don’t know how to comfort her."

Feeling somewhat troubled, Jian Yufei said, "Bring that child over tomorrow, I’ll take care of her. By the way, how did her father die?"

"He died of illness."

Jian Yufei breathed a sigh of relief.

She was worried he was killed during a mission.

Even though Ruan Tianling’s line of work is dangerous, she still hoped there would be no casualties.

"Bring the child here tomorrow. You all are not good at consoling others, I’ll do it."

Ruan Tianling tilted his head, "How will you console her?"

"Of course, by taking good care of her and cheering her up."

"Hmm, and how do you plan to cheer her up?"

"I haven’t figured it out yet. I’ll decide once I meet her."

"The child is deeply saddened, and no one can console her. I think you probably won’t be able to either."

Jian Yufei nodded sadly, "That’s for sure. What about her mother?"

"She doesn’t have a mother."

"With her only father gone, she must be incredibly sad. But you can’t just let her wallow in sadness forever. Even without family, she must continue living."

Ruan Tianling suddenly gripped her hand tightly, "You’re right, even if family leaves us, we must keep living."

Jian Yufei smiled, not daring to speak recklessly.

After all, it’s easy to talk when you’re not the one facing it.

If it happened to her, she’d be very sad too.

Ruan Tianling held her close and suddenly said, "I suddenly remembered a quote from a famous person."

"What is it?"

"He said, apart from physical pain and pangs of conscience, all suffering is imagined."

Jian Yufei snorted, "That famous person is really cold-hearted."

Ruan Tianling’s eyes flickered, "I think so too."

The two chatted for quite a while—

Eventually, Jian Yufei fell asleep leaning on him.

Ruan Tianling gently touched her face, his gaze deepened.

Nangong Ruyue’s death is something he can hide temporarily, but not forever.

Besides, he can only keep it from her for a couple of days.

On the day Nangong Ruyue is buried, he won’t be able to continue hiding it.

Otherwise, her mother and daughter would miss their final farewell.

He really doesn’t know how to reveal this cruel truth."

...

The next day, Ruan Tianling stayed home with Jian Yufei.

He cared for her attentively, making her feel quite happy.

Ruan Tianling just wanted to fill her heart with his love.

This way, she wouldn’t be so sad and upset.

He kept it hidden with great effort, forbidding everyone in the villa to reveal anything to her, but one person slipped up.

And that person was Mo Lan. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

In Xiao Zexin’s room—

Jian Yufei was meticulously washing her father’s face and hands.