After Being Abducted by the General

chapter 93

The yellow soil covered the coffins, and the three young ladies of the Chu family were helped back inside because they were too heartbroken.

Yang Zhongfa's eyes turned red, and he walked silently to Chu Hechao's side, bowing slightly. "General... take care."

Chu Hechao had stubble on his chin, and he nodded expressionlessly.

Compared to the three young ladies, Chu Hechao appeared truly indifferent. He didn't show any signs of sadness or shed a single tear. The deceased didn't seem like his parents but rather two strangers.

His demeanor led people to describe him as heartless, but Yang Zhongfa knew that the general wasn't unaffected or free from pain. He simply kept it all inside, not showing it to the world.

Yang Zhongfa hesitated to speak but eventually left with the others, giving the space to the general.

After they had walked a distance, Yang Zhongfa couldn't help but turn back for a glance.

Yuan Li stood beside Chu Hechao, gently patting his back. The image of them standing together seemed harmonious, something that an outsider couldn't interfere with.

For a brief moment, Yang Zhongfa felt a sense of daze but quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look any longer.

Thankfully, Lord Yuan was still there... He sighed in his heart, hoping that Lord Yuan could comfort the general.

With no one around, Chu Hechao lifted his robe and knelt in front of the tombstone, his back straight like a tall, lonely stone carving.

Yuan Li knelt beside him, lighting the paper money in front of the grave.

The flames surged high, and Yuan Li looked at the tombstone with a complex gaze.

He had only spent less than two months with Chu Wang and his wife, but they had offered him much help. They had treated him kindly, taking care of him like a nephew of their own.

Just a few days ago, they had still been contemplating how to explain and convince them about the matter between them when they returned. Yuan Li had even tidied up their rooms and made the beds for them.

They had planned how they would spend their days together, but now they were gone.

Such is the impermanence of life.

Yuan Li finished burning the paper, and the sky grew dark. A dusky hue enveloped everything as the sun began to set.

"Let's go back," Yuan Li turned to look at the man and whispered softly.

Chu Hechao remained silent, still kneeling, his posture unwavering. The ashes of the burnt paper money flew over his head and between his eyebrows. Even the ashes of the paper money seemed reluctant to leave him, but his parents in the grave had departed so heartlessly.

Chu Hechao didn't speak, and the surroundings fell into a silence interrupted only by the crackling of the burning paper.

Yuan Li spoke again, "Ciye."

Chu Hechao responded hoarsely, "Okay."

He stood up, his knees covered in damp soil. Chu Hechao glanced at the grave for a moment, his eyes slightly moist, and then turned to leave with Yuan Li.

When they returned to the estate, the last remnants of daylight had vanished.

Yuan Li had Lin Tian bring his bedding into Chu Hechao's room and said, "The general hasn't been well these past two days. I'll sleep in the same room for now to keep an eye on him."

No one felt that anything was amiss with those words. Lin Tian nodded and said, "My Lord, let me bring in another bed for you."

Yuan Li nodded in agreement.