Later that night, Fang Duobing's mother sat him down for a heart-to-heart conversation, her eyes filled with concern. "Fang Duobing, I've noticed how much you care for Li Lianhua. Are you in love with him?"
Fang Duobing's expression turned serious as he shook his head. "No, Mother. Li Lianhua is just a friend," he replied firmly, though his heart betrayed a different sentiment.
His mother studied him for a moment before gently urging him, "If you do have feelings for him, there's no shame in admitting it, my dear. Love is a beautiful thing."
Fang Duobing remained resolute. "I assure you, Mother, there's nothing more than friendship between us," he insisted, though the turmoil in his heart told a different story, "and... he's already in love with someone else," he admitted, his voice filled with resignation.
"And who might that be?" she pressed, but Fang Duobing remained silent, unable to bring himself to utter the name.
"You wasted so many years pining for Li Xiangyi, and now you're willing to let go of someone who truly cares for you? When will you learn to seize happiness for yourself?" she chastised, her disappointment evident in her tone.
Fang Duobing remained silent, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He knew his mother was right, but he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and uncertainty.
"I just don't want to complicate things," he finally confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Li Lianhua deserves someone who can give him their whole heart."
His mother sighed, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Love is never simple, my dear. But sometimes, it's worth fighting for," she said gently, her words carrying the weight of wisdom born from experience.
Fang Duobing's mother could sense his inner turmoil and pressed on, her concern evident in her voice. "But what about your own happiness, Fang? Don't you deserve a chance at love too?"
"I don't know," Fang Duobing replied, frustration creeping into his tone. "All I know is that I can't risk ruining our friendship by confessing my feelings."
His mother shook her head, her eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and exasperation. "You can't live your life in fear, Fang. Sometimes, you have to take a chance, even if it means risking everything."
"I've already lost enough," Fang Duobing muttered bitterly, his emotions bubbling to the surface. "I won't lose anymore."
With that, he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back. "I'm done talking about this," he declared, his voice laced with frustration. "I need some time alone."
And with that, Fang Duobing stormed out of the room, leaving his mother behind with a heavy heart and unanswered questions lingering in the air.
As Fang Duobing stormed out, his mother's gaze shifted, and she noticed Li Lianhua standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
The Next Morning,
"Madam, there's news! Li Lianhua's face, it's plastered all over the village! He's been added to the Blade List!"
Fang Duobing's heart skipped a beat at the shocking revelation. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang into action, fueled by a surge of determination and concern. "Prepare the horses," he commanded, his voice resolute. "I must go to Baichuan Academy at once."
On the other side,
Li Lianhua entered the breakfast hall with a weary expression, his thoughts still clouded with the revelations of the previous night. Despite his inner turmoil, he greeted Fang Duobing's mother with a polite smile and took a seat at the table.
"Good morning, Madam," he greeted, his voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Fang Duobing's mother returned the greeting with warmth, her eyes filled with concern as she observed Li Lianhua's demeanor. "Good morning, Li Lianhua. I hope you slept well. How are you feeling today?"
"I am much better. Thank you." Li Lianhua said and glanced around the breakfast hall, his gaze searching for Fang Duobing. "Where is Fang Duobing? I didn't see him this morning."
His mother replied with a gentle smile, "Oh, he went to the Baichuan Academy for some errands. He should be back soon."
Li Lianhua offered a small nod in response, masking the turmoil within him as he began to partake in the breakfast spread before him. Despite the pleasant surroundings and the delicious food, his mind remained preoccupied with the weight of his recent discoveries.
"Li Lianhua," Fang Duobing's mother began, "Are you disgusted that my son likes men?"
Li Lianhua shook his head, his expression gentle. "No, not at all. Times have changed, and love comes in many forms."
After finishing breakfast, Li Lianhua wandered into the garden. The peaceful surroundings helped calm his mind, but he couldn't shake off the worry about Fang Duobing's reaction when he returned.
Lost in his thoughts amid the blossoming flowers, Li Lianhua was surprised by the gentle footsteps of Fang Duobing's mother. She held a wooden box, her face serene yet hinting at something important.
Li Lianhua's eyes widened as Fang Duobing's mother revealed the contents of the wooden box. Inside were carefully preserved portraits of Li Xiangyi, the leader of the Sigu Sect.
"Fang Duobing fell in love with him," she explained softly. "The moment he saw Li Xiangyi, his heart was captured. Fang Duobing wrote him a heartfelt letter, pouring out his emotions, but he never revealed his identity."
She then handed Li Lianhua a letter from Li Xiangyi. "This is the letter Li Xiangyi wrote to Fang Duobing, asking him to meet," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Li Lianhua carefully unfolded the letter, feeling a mixture of curiosity and sympathy for Fang Duobing. As he read Li Xiangyi's heartfelt words, he couldn't help but be moved by the depth of emotion expressed within.
"It's... it's beautiful," Li Lianhua whispered, his voice betraying his emotions. "To think Fang Duobing held onto this all these years..."
Fang Duobing's mother nodded solemnly. "Yes, he treasured it deeply. But there were other letters... I'm not sure where they are now. He kept this one close, as if it held the weight of his entire world."
"So, why did he not take these letter to Li Xiangyi," Li Lianhua said softly, his voice tinged with sadness.
"He went to the Sigu Sect to meet him," Fang Duobing's mother revealed, her voice wavering with emotion. "But I'll never forget the night he returned, tears staining his cheeks. He held me tightly, but he wouldn't say a word about what had transpired. He pleaded with me never to bring it up again."
Li Lianhua listened intently, feeling a surge of empathy for Fang Duobing and the pain he must have endured. "He must have been devastated," Li Lianhua said softly, imagining the heartache Fang Duobing must have felt on that night.
Fang Duobing's mother nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. "Yes, he was never the same after that. I could see the pain etched in his eyes, but he never spoke of it again. It was as if a part of him had been lost forever."
"And then... then there were rumors," Fang Duobing's mother continued, her voice faltering. "Rumors of Li Xiangyi's affections turning towards Qiao Wan Mian, the lady of the Sigu Sect."
Li Lianhua could only imagine the devastation that news must have brought to Fang Duobing. To see the object of his affection drawn to another, to watch his hopes and dreams shatter before his eyes—it was a pain beyond measure.
"He left, then," Fang Duobing's mother went on, her voice now barely a whisper. "For several years, he disappeared to meditate, to train, to become stronger. And when he finally returned, he was a changed man."
"When he heard about Li Xiangyi's death, he refused to believe it," she said, her words choked with emotion. "He scoured the shores of the East Sea, searching tirelessly for his beloved's body, hoping against hope that he would find him and grant him the dignified farewell he deserved."
Li Lianhua felt a lump form in his throat as he imagined Fang Duobing's solitary quest, his heart heavy with sorrow for the man who had endured such profound loss.
Fang Duobing's mother wipe away her tears with a bittersweet smile, her laughter tinged with sadness. She apologized for her display of emotion, urging Li Lianhua not to mention their conversation to Fang Duobing.
Before she departed, she offered a heartfelt plea. "If you don't harbor any feelings for Fang Duobing, please keep your distance. I can't bear to see my son suffer again. It took him years to recover from those painful memories."
Li Lianhua nodded solemnly, his heart heavy with the weight of her words and as he looked down at the letter he had written, he understood the gravity of his own feelings, knowing that he was the one Fang Duobing had loved all along.
As Li Lianhua sifted through Fang Duobing's belongings, his fingers brushed against a broken jade pendant. One of its stones was missing, leaving an empty space amidst the intricate design. A spark of recognition ignited within him as went to the room he was resting and reached into his own belongings and retrieved a matching jewel.
To his surprise, the stone fit perfectly into the pendant's empty slot, completing the once broken piece. As he held it in his hands, memories flooded back to him, reminding him of the person to whom he had given this pendant—the same person who had been exchanging love letters with him.
With trembling hands, Li Lianhua discovered a hidden key nestled within the box. His gaze drifted to a locked drawer nearby, and as he inserted the key, his heart raced with anticipation. With a click, the drawer opened, revealing a sight that overwhelmed him.
"This... this is my sword," he whispered, his voice choked with tears as he traced the intricate patterns etched into the blade. It was more than just a weapon; it was a part of him, a symbol of his strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Holding it again after so long stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him, leaving him feeling both vulnerable and empowered.
"Why did Qiao Mian lie to me?" Li Lianhua pondered, his thoughts consumed by memories of the love he shared with Qiao Wan Mian, the promises they made. "Was it all a lie? I have to go and ask her."
To be continued...