Return

Inside the confines of the restaurant, a lively atmosphere filled the air as Sheng Jun and his subordinates indulged in the feast laid out before them. 

As the waiters brought dish after dish to their table, Sheng Jun expressed his gratitude with a polite smile, his eyes brightened with anticipation at the sight of the foods before him. Finally, he had some real food to eat, he couldn't help but recall how he had stored a large amount of candies for Sheng Ba, but end up eating it instead, managing to fill his stomach somehow during his time at the cave. Reminding himself to purchase another set of candies for Sheng Ba and silently store some real food for future emergencies, Sheng Jun made a mental note.

As the hours passed, everyone's stomachs bulged, nearing the point of bursting. "That was good" Sheng Jun remarked casually, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

As the happy atmosphere of the feast dissipated, Sheng Jun's expression grew serious, his thoughts turning to the weighty matter at hand. With a solemn demeanor, he turned towards Qinyu and the others from the intelligence team, his voice carrying a grave tone.

"Has my parents been informed of my 'death'?" he inquired, his concern palpable. The mere thought of his parents grappling with the news of his supposed demise filled him with a deep sense of unease.

Receiving an affirmative answer from his subordinates, Sheng Jun's frown deepened as his heart sank. He had hoped for them to delay informing his parents until his body was found, but it seemed his wishes were unrealistic. A month was a significant amount of time, and it would have been a miracle for them not to be notified.

With a heavy sigh, Sheng Jun decided to depart, gesturing for everyone to return to their usual workplace. Qinyu swiftly enveloped him and the protection team into the shadows, and they began their journey towards Suotuo City. Though traveling by shadow was slower than flying, it still offered a swifter pace than running, ensuring they would reach their destination in a day or two.

…

Standing before the imposing mansion, Sheng Jun felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. He paced back and forth awkwardly, his mind racing with thoughts of how he would greet his parents after his unexpected resurrection. It was a scenario he had never prepared for, never imagining that he would one day really die.

With a deep breath, Sheng Jun steeled his resolve and approached the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He raised a hand to knock, his movements hesitant and uncertain. Despite his apprehension, he knew that facing his parents in person was the right thing to do.

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing a brown-haired man with weary eyes. The dark circles beneath his gaze spoke volumes of the sleepless nights he had endured in Sheng Jun's absence. As their eyes met, the man's expression shifted from confusion to shock, disbelief written plainly on his face.

"Hi Dad, it's me, Sheng Jun" Sheng Jun blurted out awkwardly, waving his hands in a nervous gesture. Instantly, he cursed himself for his lack of eloquence, wishing he could have come up with a better greeting. Before he could dwell on his shortcomings, however, he was enveloped in a sudden hug, the warmth of his father's embrace washing away his doubts and fears.

"My son… you are alive?" Sheng Fu's voice trembled with emotion as tears welled in his eyes. The sight of Sheng Jun standing before him felt almost surreal as if it were a dream borne of his exhaustion and longing. "This…could this be a dream?" he murmured to himself, his doubts clouding his mind as he gazed at Sheng Jun with disbelief.

"I'm alive, Dad," Sheng Jun replied softly, his own heart heavy with a mixture of warmth and guilt as he returned his father's embrace. After a moment of shared relief, Sheng Fu led him inside.

As they made their way upstairs, Sheng Fu broke the tense silence with a heavy sigh. "Everyone thought you were dead… especially your mother" he explained, his voice tinged with sadness. "She didn't take the news very well...It's better for you to see it for yourself"

Sheng Jun followed his father silently, his heart weighing heavily with apprehension at the thought of facing his mother's grief. Yet as they approached her room, he was greeted by the sight of his younger sister, Sheng Ba, bounding out with joy.

"Brother Jun, you're finally back!" Sheng Ba exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with delight as she threw herself into his arms, her small frame filled with excitement. Amidst her eager chatter, she reached for the bag of candies he always carried with him.

With a sigh of relief, Sheng Jun retrieved the candies and handed them to his sister, her innocence serving as a balm to his troubled heart. It became evident that she had not been informed of his supposed death, a fact that comforted him greatly. As she indulged in her treats, Sheng Ba's innocent voice cut through the air, her concern for their mother palpable.

"Brother Jun! Something happened to Mommy, she has become sick! Did you come here to give Mommy her medicine?" she asked, her voice laced with worry as she looked up at him with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Hearing his little sister's words, Sheng Jun's heart sank. "Sick?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt, but his father's pained expression spoke volumes, prompting Sheng Jun to follow silently as his father gestured for him to do so, instructing Sheng Ba to play elsewhere for the time being.

Entering the room, Sheng Jun's eyes fell upon his mother, her white hair framing her face as she stared blankly out the window. The vibrant spark that once illuminated her blue eyes had dimmed, leaving them dull and empty.

"She... has become like this after hearing the news of your death and her failure to convince Xiao Hongjun to..." His father's voice trembled with sorrow as he explained how his mother had become like this. The words caught in his throat, choked by the weight of his anguish. "After she became like this, the only time we can get a reaction from her is when Xiao Ba and Xiao Hongjun come to visit," he continued, tears glistening in his eyes.

Sheng Fu's trembling voice and pained expression revealed the depth of his anguish. It pained him to see the love of his life, the woman who had stood by his side through thick and thin, reduced to such a state of despair. And yet, despite his grief, Sheng Fu blamed himself for their suffering, burdened by the guilt of his failure as a father and a husband. Not only was he unable to protect his son but he was also unable to protect his wife who was right in front of him.

As he observed his father's trembling form, Sheng Jun's heart swelled with empathy and regret. He longed to ease his father's burden, to offer solace amid their shared pain. With a gentle touch, he placed a comforting hand on his father's back, offering a silent gesture of support.

"I'm sorry, Dad. It's not your fault," Sheng Jun murmured, his voice filled with genuine remorse. He wished he could find the right words to console his father.

Sheng Fu shook his head slowly, his eyes reflecting a deep well of sorrow. "You don't have to comfort me, Xiao Jun. I know I have been a failure of a father" he confessed, his voice heavy with self-condemnation. The weight of his perceived shortcomings bore down upon him, suffocating him with remorse.

"I couldn't give you the best life and starting point you could have as a spirit master" Sheng Fu continued, his tone tinged with regret. "Not only could I not help you, but I even lived off your success" he admitted, his words laced with shame.

Despite the comforts of their material wealth, Sheng Fu couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of hopelessness as a father. If only he had been better if Sheng Jun had been given a higher starting point, perhaps their circumstances would have been different. The burden of his regrets and the endless "what ifs" weighed heavily on Sheng Fu's mind, leaving him feeling powerless and unworthy.

Sheng Fu's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a strong grip on his shoulders, drawing his attention to his son's unwavering gaze. Sheng Jun's eyes held a firmness that commanded attention, his voice resonating with a conviction that cut through the weight of guilt and shame that burdened Sheng Fu's heart.

"You were the best father I could have asked for, don't think otherwise!" Sheng Jun declared, his words ringing with sincerity. "We may not have had all the wealth in the world, nor did we live in comfort and luxury, but you gave us everything I could have asked for in my childhood"

With each word, Sheng Jun's voice grew stronger, his conviction unwavering. "The way you loved and cared for us, the way you always put us first, and the way you risked your own safety just to put a piece of meat on our table, me, Hongjun, and Sheng Ba couldn't have asked for a better father!" His words carried the weight of years of gratitude and affection, each syllable imbued with the depth of his appreciation.

"The times during my childhood, living together with you and my family, were the happiest years of my life!" Sheng Jun continued, his voice steady and unwavering. "It is because of you that I became the person I am today, so please never doubt yourself ever again!"

It was clear to Sheng Jun that his father's sacrifices and love had shaped him into the person he is today. His family had always been his priority, the driving force behind his determination and resilience. He had worked tirelessly, not just for the sake of Shrek Academy and honoring his teacher, but to provide his loved ones with a better life, a life of luxury and comfort, free from the struggles of their past. He hadn't realized that his father would feel this way about the luxuries he had provided.

As Sheng Fu remained stunned into silence by his son's heartfelt words, tears threatened to overflow from his eyes once again. He stood motionless, his emotions overwhelming him as he processed the depth of Sheng Jun's love and appreciation.

At that moment, Sheng Yu, who had been gazing absently out the window, suddenly turned her head towards the source of the voices. "Xiao… Jun?" she whispered, her voice tinged with confusion and hope.

Witnessing his mother's reaction, Sheng Jun felt a deep pang of pain and guilt grip his heart. Had he made a mistake by not revealing his resurrection ability to them? Regret flooded his being as he realized the unintended consequences of his secrecy. He had always approached things from a logical standpoint, failing to consider the emotional impact of his decisions, just like the incident with Bai Chenxiang. Now, his secrecy had caused pain to those he cared about the most in his life.

Slowly, Sheng Jun redirected his attention to his mother, approaching her with hesitant steps. Kneeling before her, he felt his throat tighten with emotion. "Mom, I'm back... Please, I'm sorry I made you worry so much. So please, come back to us" he pleaded, his voice trembling with raw emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes, marking the first time in six years that he had allowed himself to display such vulnerability. Despite his efforts to maintain a facade of strength and leadership for his subordinates, junior brothers, and sisters, he couldn't suppress his emotions any longer. His mother's condition weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't bear the thought that he was the cause of her suffering.

As tears streamed down Sheng Jun's face, gentle hands reached out to cup his cheeks, wiping away his tears. Looking up, he met his mother's gaze, her dull eyes slowly regaining their former light. "Xiao Jun...?" she whispered softly, her voice filled with disbelief.

Feeling his mother's hands on his face, Sheng Jun grasped them tightly, his tears still flowing freely. "Yes, Mom, it's me" he affirmed, his voice choked with emotion as he continued to apologize.

As the light returned to her eyes, Sheng Yu's tears began to flow anew, her heart overflowing with a mix of joy and relief. "My baby! You're alive!" she exclaimed through her tears, enveloping him in a tight hug. She then quickly checked him for any signs of injury, sighing in relief when she found none.

Suddenly, they were both enveloped in another hug, this time by Sheng Fu, who had approached them tearfully. Overwhelmed with happiness, he held them close, unable to express the depth of his relief in words. His son had returned alive, and his wife had recovered, it felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Sheng Yu, embraced by her husband, couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in her heart as she continued to apologize for becoming like this and causing him to worry. Her words were tinged with sorrow and remorse, her voice choked with emotion.

At that moment, the door creaked open, and a small head popped out from behind it. Sheng Ba, curious to see what was happening, peeked into the room. Upon noticing her parents and brother locked in an emotional embrace, she joined in happily, her innocent smile lighting up the room, oblivious to the events that had transpired. Together, they remained locked in an embrace for a long time, surrounded by tears of joy and heartfelt apologies.