706: When the end comes

When the end comes

Ming Zhi Yi looked around. "Where is he?"

"He… walked around the mountain and has not returned yet."

"Oh. That's alright. After all, he just lost his favorite toy today, so of course, he will be upset. Prepare tea for me." Well, it's not like his son could rebel against him now.

"Yes, Master."

A little while later, by twilight, Lu Jin returned to the mansion. 

His coat and hair were wet due to the light drizzle of the rain. 

"Master." Lu Jin's butler walked forward and handed him a new coat. 

Lu Jin accepted and asked for his father. 

He was led to the study. He entered the room with an expressionless face.

"Father." His voice was weak and hoarse.

Ming Zhi Yi was drinking his favorite warm tea. 

"Have some tea. Are you trying to make yourself sick? We only lost Gunan. It is not the end of the world. Cheer up."

Lu Jin was silent. He sat in front of his father and took the warm tea that Butler Qian prepared.

Ming Zhi Yi observed him closely. 

"So, did you come looking for me to express your anger and deep resentment in having your toy taken away?"

After taking a sip, Lu Jin put down his teacup. No emotion passed his eyes, as if they were dead. 

He was so unusually calm that it surprised Ming Zhi Yi.

Lu Jin opened his mouth.

"Father… Gunan looked up to you and respected you like his own father."

"I know."

"His only wish was to be approved by you, for you to look at him with appreciation."

His father nodded in satisfaction. "Yeah, most of the servants under me are supposed to be like that."

"He sincerely wished to stay by your side and even did the dirty work for you."

"He is originally a person with dirty hands. Having more dirt on it doesn't make a difference. And you say sincerely? If I do not have what I have right now, how can I make any person be sincere with me?"

Lu Jin looked up to meet his father's eyes. "Father. Gunan and I are sincere. No matter what you have done, we will always follow you. Gunan must have left. But please, do not forget him. "

Ming Zhi Yi just listened to him while watching every movement of his face with hawk-like eyes. 

Lu Jin continued speaking. "Like how you never forgot mother, the woman you killed."

The air stilled.

The man's eyes slowly changed. 

If his son showed a hint of rebellion or betrayal, then Ming Zhi Yi would be forced to use his hand against Lu Jin. 

"Indeed, I heard that you came to know about it. Are you going to rebel against me now?"

Silence.

"I killed your mother using Gunan, so what? Is it my fault? Who was it that pushed my hand to do that anyway?" Ming Zhi Yi's eyes had a hint of craziness.

Lu Jin knew that he had pressed a button which made Ming Zhi Yi lose his composure. 

But it no longer mattered.

"Father, that is what I am saying. Please think of Gunan the way you remember mother as well."

Ming Zhi Yi was stunned. He then covered his face and laughed. 

Oh, his son really thought highly of that filthy slave! 

"You are comparing Gunan to Lu Fanrong? Haha! Lu Jin, oh, Lu Jin, poor you." 

He shook his head while laughing. 

That Gunan was nothing at all like Lu Fanrong.

How could a filthy bastard be compared to that person? 

That person...was irreplaceable to him, while Gunan was just an overly delusional slave who could be replaced by anyone. 

Thus, Ming Zhi Yi found Lu Jin's priorities funny. 

"Lu Jin, I hope that this will be a good lesson to you. Treasure your people according to their uses. If they don't have a use anymore, then you have to throw them away. Or else, how would you survive?"

Lu Jin was silent. 

His father's point of view was already distorted beyond saving. There was no point in telling him of his own views. 

Lu Jin continued speaking of his own feelings. 

"Father, like Gunan and the rest of your loyal people, I will always stay by your side. I have already made up my mind since I was young to follow you even if it is towards hell."

Ming Zhi Yi raised his brows. "Heh? Now, isn't this really surprising? I thought that you were mad at me for throwing away Gunan."

Lu Jin did not answer. 

Yes, he was mad. Furious. 

Hateful over everything.

He hated how his life, Gunan's life, and his father's life circulated in that one sickening word.

Lu Jin closed his eyes and refused to let his heart be swayed any further. 

Be calm… Be calm.

He opened his eyes again. 

His eyes were still as water.

"Father, tell me how I can help you."

Ming Zhi Yi observed him silently for a long time and chuckled. 

He knew his son clearly. If he was truly upset to the point of revenge at that slave's death, then he would not be so calm now.0

His son had truly surprised him. He was prepared to whip hard if his son showed a hint of rebellion due to Gunan's death, but it seemed like he had grown up.

Ming Zhi Yi had no idea what was truly going on in his son's head now, but he liked how he was now anyway. He liked this side of Lu Jin where he did not spend his feelings on useless things.

"Alright. Since you are so eager, then I will tell you your next mission now. But are you really sure you don't need time to grieve over your lost toy?"

Lu Jin lowered his eyes. "...There is no need. I can start the mission anytime."

Ming Zhi Yi laughed. 

Lu Jin was a lot more pleasant in his eyes now.

As expected, he did the right thing.

Lu Jin remained silent.

This was not the time to grieve.

He would grieve only when the end came.

.....

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