Miss Truth-Chapter 686: Side Story One: Su Fu - (End) _2

In front of Su Fu, the maid said that neither this nor that was acceptable, and after hemming and hawing for quite a while, she had no choice but to say, "Each has its own merits."

Xiao Song furrowed his brow in consternation, looking at Su Fu with eyes brimming with tears, on the verge of crying, he pouted and asked, "Do you like us?"

Facing three adorable children carved of pink jade, how could Su Fu say no? He could only nod his head.

"Uncle Qingsong says, Mother is waiting for a husband who is better looking than Father, and then she will take us and remarry," Xiao Song proclaimed shockingly, scaring the three maids so much their faces turned pale.

One of the maids quickly came forward to explain to Su Fu, "Please forgive us, esteemed guest, children speak without thinking, children speak without thinking..." then she turned to beg Xiao Song, "Young master, let’s go back, please..."

Ruoruo burst into tears with a sob, looking at Su Fu and said, "I don’t like you anymore, wuwu, Brother, will we never see Father again?"

Xiao Song’s second brother rubbed his chubby bun-like face, and asked in confusion, "What does remarry mean?"

Su Fu felt extremely embarrassed; he had felt very comfortable interacting with the Princess of Jinyang because she was slightly older than the three children, and she was naturally a quiet and sensible little girl, not given to wild and bewildering thoughts like these.

"To remarry means... he will become our Father from then on." Xiao Song himself did not seem to understand the meaning of remarriage, imagining it to be as simple as changing fathers.

Xiao Song’s second brother nodded in understanding, then turned to Su Fu and asked, "Then, do you like our mother?"

"Young master, please come back to the back courtyard with me," the maid couldn’t help but cry.

This minute they had a new father, and who knows how many other issues might arise later; their good days were over, how could they not cry?

After watching the several tearful maids cry for a while, Xiao Song nodded his precious head and stood up, taking Ruoruo’s small hand, and said, "Don’t cry, Sister, later Brother will catch little frogs for you."

Ruoruo’s sobs followed as they walked out, whimpering, "But I still want Father."

Xiao Song’s second brother hurriedly followed, grabbing Xiao Song’s other hand, and said, "Brother, aren’t we going to care about our new Father?"

Su Fu’s icy facade cracked, his expression filled with amazement, these three... were they really children? It was enough that they knew so much at such a young age, but what was all this rambling about?

Once the tumultuous children left, the room suddenly felt eerily quiet.

Su Fu gazed down at the water in front of him, which was no longer steaming hot, and reached out to hold the cup. He didn’t know since when, he had stopped eating anything handled by others, stopped drinking water passed by others... At first, it was just caution against being abandoned after being used, until now it had become an unconscious habit.

He forced himself to take a sip.

Suddenly, his ears perked up; he heard those familiar footsteps, the hand holding the cup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops.

Those footsteps, too familiar; in the past, he could only feel at ease after hearing them outside the walls of the Xiao Estate.

The footsteps stopped in front of the gatehouse.

"Pharmacist Su." The voice was as cold and clear as ever.

Su Fu suddenly felt the emptiness in his heart fill up; during the years apart, it seemed that what he missed was just the way she uttered those three words.

Against the light, Su Fu saw a mature and beautiful woman, more enchanting than before, her expression still not very expressive, but with a faint smile, captivating enough to tug at his heartstrings.

"Lady Xian Liang." Su Fu rose to his feet, and bowed slightly.

Ran Yan’s smile grew a bit wider, "I’ve just dealt with those two boys, sorry to be late. Shall we talk in the hall?"

Su Fu nodded.

The path in the garden was narrow, and they were mere inches apart, him able to smell the faint milky scent mixed with her light orchid fragrance.

"I heard you were injured that year, was it serious?" Su Fu rarely took the initiative to start a conversation.

Ran Yan replied, "It wasn’t a serious injury, and by chance I ended up saving the Ninth Prince, who is now the Crown Prince. Because of that, I’ve been well looked after."

Su Fu had no obligation to protect her, and Ran Yan knew if she told the truth, he would feel guilty, so she hid some things. After being with Xiao Song for a long time, she also gradually learned how to deal with matters.

The two of them traveled in silence, just like before, quiet but not awkward.

Seated in the hall, Ran Yan asked, "I heard that you and the Princess of Jinyang..."

"I sent her back today. I just saw that her days were numbered and took her to see the great mountains and rivers," Su Fu interrupted Ran Yan. Ran Yan was already someone else’s wife, and he didn’t know what the use was in explaining all this. He simply didn’t want her to misunderstand.

Their conversation once again fell silent.

In the past, Su Fu liked this quiet and peaceful feeling, and he still does, but for some reason, he always wanted to say something to her. Yet, when it came down to it, there was only silence.

Ran Yan glanced at the sky and said, "It’s almost noon. I’ve eaten your barbecued meat before, but you haven’t tasted the food I’ve made, right? It’s been many years since we last met, so let me host you once."

Su Fu saw her stand up and stood up to stop her, "No need, I have some urgent matters."

Ran Yan’s tranquil eyes seemed to see through his lie in an instant.

She approached Su Fu, "You seem to have stayed the same, but I have changed a lot over these years. You still can’t lie, but now I can."

Su Fu stared at her face, which was only inches away. Other than once in Yingmei Temple in Suzhou, they had never been this close, and he felt his heartbeat like the thunder, roaring, leaving his mind blank.

He barely managed to pull his thoughts back when he felt a pair of hands on his waist. His eyes slightly widened in disbelief as he looked down at Ran Yan, who was hugging him. After a moment of hesitation, he extended his trembling hands gently placing them on her back.

This was not an ambiguous embrace, and it didn’t last long, just a gentle touch, so natural, as if they were simply old friends who hadn’t seen each other for many years, sharing a hug upon meeting.

"Thank you, Ah Yan," Su Fu’s voice was low and melodious.

At this moment, he felt fulfilled. She was still here, still that Ran Shiqi. He suddenly understood that not only did he and Ran Yan share a similar presence, but their searches were also equally alike.

Home is where the heart is at peace.

It’s just that Su Fu never understood his own heart, while Ran Yan had a clear goal.

"No matter where you are, I will be in Chang’an," Ran Yan’s eyes slightly teared up, but she smiled gently at Su Fu. This was the promise and agreement between friends.

Su Fu understood, feeling both empty and full in his heart.

Upon leaving Xiao’s mansion, for the first time, Su Fu walked at half his normal pace towards the outskirts of the city. How he wished he could stay for the meal personally made by Ran Yan, but he didn’t dare, afraid of lingering feelings, afraid of missing her.

This gentle embrace and that sentence were the most Ran Yan could offer him. He suddenly recalled the poem Liu Qingsong recited in the forest upon his arrival.

When humans do not meet, they move like the stars Shēn and Shāng.

...

Human partings, you and I, ah, are just like those stars Shēn and Shāng, one in the east, one in the west, one rising the other setting, never to meet.

...

Tomorrow separated by mountains high, the affairs of life doubly vast.

Once parted today, they would be separated by mountain heights and distant waters, with life’s affairs so vast, the future uncertain.

No matter how the world changes, high mountains and long rivers notwithstanding, never meeting again, but Ah Yan, with your words, my heart is at peace!

Su Fu mounted his horse, slowly leaving the city.

Looking back at Chang’an’s tall city walls, a brilliant smile blossomed on his face, and he rode off gracefully. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)