Chapter 23

Next Morning,

A new pleasing day began, the birds chriped and Ling slowly opened his eyes.

"A very happy birthday He Ling." He said to himself as he smiled and came out of his bed. Opening the curatians and looking at the clear sky made him feel more happy.

"Finally the day has come to meet Pa and..." Ling said and then looked at the photo of him and Xian together, in his table which was clicked just yesterday, "To know about you fianlly.."

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Then he left his room with towel and went to the bathroom, after doing his morning routine he started making breakfast for them.

" Noodles and pancakes are just perfect for today." He said as he placed the food on the dining table and then went towards Xian's room to wake him up.

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"Xian! Wake up! It's past 8 now!" He said as he knocked at the door but didn't get nay response.

He continued knocking and calling but didn't hear any noise or movement which made him a bit worried.

"Xian if you won't open then I will brag into your room--" He said and twisted the doorknob and with a click the door opened.

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"He never left his door open before..." Ling thought and with a heavy heart and trembling hands he opened the door fully, and the sence inside made his heart shrink within seconds.

Xian wasn't there, the bed was cold and in the same condition as yesterday.

On the table there was a small note,

"Goodbye Ling..." He read the note and felt a lump on the thoart.

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Keeping the note in his pocket, he went back to the dinning table and started eating his food but with every bite, the pain in his throat increased, his heart felt so heavy that even his breathing hitched.

*clack* His bowl of rice fell on the ground and so did his tears started falling nonstop.

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He cried and cried while holding onto his heart,

"Why does it hurt so much! I already knew he would leave sooner or later...so why...am I feeling this way..."

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The rest of the day went all gloomy, as Ling didn't move around or do anything but just daydream.

He kept sleeping until he felt a certain warmth in his face and a familiar scent touching his nose.

Ling slowly opened his eyes and when his eyes could finally recognize the person before him, he jumped form bed.

"Pa!" Ling shouted as he hugged him tightly.

"Lingling, Happy Birthday my child." Ling's father said in his warm voice and patted his head.

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"Pa...you are fianlly back..I missed you so much." Ling said as tears again flowed down his eyes but this time his father was there to wipe them.

"I missed you too, Lingling, my child don't cry now. Okay, if you cry on your birthday, you will cry for the whole year, you know that, right?"

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"Doesn't matter this are tears of happiness." Ling said as he smiled while his father laughed at his words.

"I thought after so many years, my son would become tougher with the city life but turns out you are still the same country bumpkin and a big softie, aren't you?"

"Well, whose son do you think I am?" Ling asked as he crossed his arms and smiled.

"Maybe of the handsome man standing beside you." His father said copying his action.

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"More like an old man. Go and rest, I will go and prepare food for you." Ling said as he stood from his bed.

"No need to do all that, rather let's start preparing a feast, afterall it's your 18th birthday today."

"Pa, why do you need a feast for just 2 of us? And you have just returned don't tire your old bones." Ling said and received a flick in his forehead.

.

"Who said I am old? I am just 40 now."

"Yeah Yeah, just 40. I am so sorry your Majesty. Now would you please rest a bit before jumping to the kitchen and spend some time with this poor son of yours who has been waiting for you for the last 3 years." Ling said as he bowed towards him.

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"Such a dramatic boy just like your mother. Come here." His father said as he sat on the sofa and patted the seat beside his.

"Hehe, right you can start from your love story, it's been long since I last heard it." Ling said as he sat beside him while hugging his pillow.

"You are metting your father so long and this is the first thing you want to hear?"

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"Yes, your story is the only reason I believe in love and fate. Or else the stories in book and movies only raise my expectations." Ling said as he smiled,

"My son, not everyone's story has a happy ending, not everyone is lucky when it comes to love but if your heart tells you it's worth fighting for then do it. Follow your heart and you shall never regret." His father said as he patted his head while Ling just nodded his head.

"Now where was I..yeah so when we meet again...."

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"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday Dear Lingling, Happy Birthday to you~" His father sang the song while bringing a small cake out of the chicken along with candles in it.

"And I thought I will be the one surprising him...I wish safety and good health to my family." Ling thought as he smiled and wished before blowing his candles.

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"Pa, when did you get the time to get this cake?"

"I made it myself before leaving and the rest of the decoration I did here only. Now cut the cake and tell me how it is."

Ling smiled and ate a slice of the cake, as soon as the sweet and warm taste filled his mouth, his tears fell down.

"Does it tatse so bad that you started crying?"

"No...it just tastes so good that I can't stop crying." Ling said as he laughed and his father just hugged him and patted his back gently.

"Pa, I love you...be with me forever okay."

Ling said and before his father could answer him, someone knocked at their door and few seconds later the door was opened and--