At the sound of "Daddy," still carrying a trace of babyish sweetness, tears instantly streamed down Zhao Yuansong's face, and his heart seemed to melt.
Zhao Yuansong was not normally a sentimental man, but today he seemed especially emotional. Perhaps he had been away from home too long and missed them too much.
"Yes!"
Zhao Yuansong answered and rushed forward, gathering the child, who tried to dodge him, into his arms and lifting him up.
In that moment, all his troubles and grudges, all wealth and glory, fell far away.
The child struggled briefly in the man's arms, then burst into laughter as the beard tickled his face and neck.
"Before you left last time, you said that when you returned, everything you'd done would be forgiven, and wealth and glory would be waiting for you. I don't want your wealth and glory, but now that you're back, does that mean you won't leave again?"
The woman drew close to him and spoke softly, her voice tinged with plaintive resentment. Zhao Yuansong only kept shaking his head.
"I won't leave. I won't leave. I don't want to leave anymore..."
Zhao Yuansong could not recall much in detail just then, much as people sometimes seemed to lose many of their memories in dreams. All he knew was that the grudges of the Rivers and Lakes and the court's threats and temptations meant nothing to him now.
His excitement finally eased a little, and the family of three shared a tender reunion in the room. Though the child was still somewhat afraid of Zhao Yuansong, he was already more than content.
How was his parents' health? How had things been at home these past two years?
These were the questions that had always weighed on Zhao Yuansong, and his deepest obsession.
Zhao