Chapter 40 — I’m not in the habit of giving people second chances.
“By the way, Brother, I almost forgot—how did the jam sell?”
Along the way, with outsiders present, he had not dared to ask. Returning home, they were busy putting things away, tending the fire, and preparing meals, so he still knew nothing.
“It sold very well, Uncle. You’d never guess how much Father sold a jar for, and they even ordered a hundred jars to be picked up from home tomorrow!”
At the mention of this, Da Baozi immediately brightened, turning to Ling Jingpeng with excitement.
Ling Jingxuan shook his head helplessly. Lifting a portion of twice-cooked pork, he grabbed a scallion pancake and gave Ling Wen a look that silently said, “Here, this one’s for you,” then stepped out. After all, there was still another “important person” in the house.
“How much per jar?”
“Hehe… one tael of silver!”
“What…”
The uncle and nephew’s voices echoed back and forth. Ling Jingxuan, carrying the dishes, chuckled softly and shook his head, turning his back to push open the slightly ajar door with his hip. The instant he entered, the smile on his face had no time to fade—it met the burning, unrestrained gaze of the man inside. He had overheard everything that had happened outside, and now, seeing him smile from the heart, Yan Shengrui’s chest thumped violently, his eyes fixated with near-starved intensity.
Perhaps it was the heat in his gaze, for Ling Jingxuan quickly tempered his smile, replacing it with a cool, detached expression. He crouched to place two large bowls on the small stool in front of him, then, without any hesitation, rested his hand on the pulse of Yan Shengrui’s right wrist.
“The recovery of one trained in martial arts is indeed remarkable. You are no longer in serious danger. Injuries always require some days of rest, and the bruising in your head will gradually fade. By then, your memories will return.”
Within him flowed a deep, robust vitality. Though he did not know if it was the famed inner force, it was undeniable that his healing had been far faster than ordinary.
“You intend to send me away?”
The moment Ling Jingxuan withdrew his hand, Yan Shengrui grabbed his wrist in return, his peach-blossom eyes unwavering, sharp and intent. He was no fool. From the beginning, Ling Jingxuan’s attitude toward him had been distant, cold, and detached. Coupled with what he overheard from the eldest child—that once his body recovered, Ling Jingxuan would make him leave—the memory gaps had left him unable to know why he had been abandoned for five whole years.
But after these past few days, his heart told him the truth: he wanted to stay in this home. He wanted to remain beside him and the children. As the man of the household, as a part of this family, he would share the burden of this home and protect them, ensuring that none would dare to bully them again.
Lowering his gaze to the wrist gripped tightly in the man’s hand, Ling Jingxuan noted that this time the force had been carefully controlled—not enough to cause pain, yet impossible to break free from with ease. He noticed it, but had no intention of accepting such consideration.
“You and I share no ties. I saved your life and asked for no repayment. Now that your injuries are nearly healed, your departure is simply inevitable.”
His voice was cold, leaving no room for sentiment. Yan Shengrui frowned reflexively and replied in an equally chilly tone, “So—no ties at all? Then where did your two children come from?”
His handsome face was proud and domineering, radiating naked arrogance and forcefulness. Memory could vanish, yet some things were innate. The moment the words left his mouth, even Yan Shengrui himself was startled. No one knew better than he did that he had never intended to say them. Now it was done—this would only push them further apart.
As expected, a killing chill utterly unbefitting a common villager surged from Ling Jingxuan’s slender body. Meeting Yan Shengrui’s remorseful gaze, Ling Jingxuan resolutely pried his fingers away one by one. Rising to his feet, he looked down at him from above, mockery and murderous intent crawling through his eyes.
“First, the children are mine. They have nothing to do with you—not a single copper coin’s worth. Second, there is no bond of affection or marriage between us. At most, it was a single night of fleeting dew—what ties are there to speak of? Third, anyone who dares set their sights on my children—I will take their life. I do not care who you are, what exalted status you hold. If you deny me peace, I will deny you a future.”
“Your injuries will heal in no more than seven days. When that time comes, leave of your own accord. This humble dwelling cannot accommodate a great Buddha such as yourself.”
With that, Ling Jingxuan turned away coldly, offering no room for negotiation. Yet as his hand reached for the door, Yan Shengrui’s voice—heavy with regret—rang out behind him.
“I apologize. I meant no offense. Whether or not we share affection or marriage, whether it was but a single night, there is one thing you can never deny—they are my sons as well. Of course, I have no intention of taking them from you. I am merely stating a fact.
“Jingxuan, having lost all memory of the past, I cannot know what truly happened between us, nor why I abandoned you and the children, causing you to suffer humiliation for five long years. I am sorry. If it is possible, please grant me one more chance. I wish to stay and help you care for the children.”
Setting aside the original owner’s suffering, and the truth of Yan Shengrui’s memory loss, he was at this moment undeniably affectionate and sincere. His words succeeded in halting Ling Jingxuan’s steps.
“I accept your apology. As for the chance you seek—regrettably, I have never been accustomed to granting others such things.”
However, in this world, there are all kinds of outcomes, except for “what ifs.” With that, Ling Jingxuan opened the door and walked out. Whether it was love or marriage, it had never been part of his plan.
“I will make you change your mind, Ling Jingxuan!”
A long, long time later, a deep, resolute murmur echoed through the room. Those captivating peach-blossom eyes reflected a dazzling brilliance, as if victory were already in hand, and everything would fall into his grasp. Having lost his memory, he made decisions purely on instinct—never imagining that one day, when his memories returned, would the lofty Prince Rui regret this near‑humble plea?
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal. A little support goes a long way! If you’d like to help me keep creating, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/lazyhermitgal
