You are my son, as you always have been

Distracted by his scattered thoughts, Chi Cheng barely noticed his father knock and enter his room. His expression brightened exuberantly the moment Feng Renxing greeted him with a warm smile.

Chi Cheng, seemingly tranced by the thrill of his secret affair with Han Xuelian, welcomed his father with an embrace. Feng Renxing cupped his son's face, pressing their foreheads together as an affectionate gesture before pulling away.

"Ah-Xin," Feng Renxing said softly, tucking a few of Chi Cheng's hair strands behind his ear. "Were you able to sleep well last night?"

"I did," Chi Cheng answered gleefully, twirling one of his earrings around his finger. "Although I feel very exhausted… my body aches."

"Oh?" Feng Renxing seated himself on the bed, his eyes teeming with interest. "What strenuous activities were you up to that made you so exhausted, my little Ah-Xin?"

Chuckling nervously, Chi Cheng feigned a reassuring smile while he waved a hand frantically.