Chapter 961: Chapter 32: Brilliant Sparks, Only Deep Affection Cannot Be Forsaken [Finale]

Outside the door, Feng Yuning leaned against the door frame, listening to the conversations, her heart rippling slightly.

A meal, in the end, discussed the wedding arrangements roughly under the absence of "both parents."

Finally, when everyone was about seventy to eighty percent full, Yu Yuanshen took out a pack of cigarettes. It seemed quite habitual for him to smoke when discussing matters, but after glancing at Feng Yuning’s stomach, he held back.

Putting them back, he said, "Brother Chengxuan, let’s basically set things as discussed. Considering Sister-in-law Li’s feelings, Yuning will temporarily stay at our place. After the New Year, I’ll bring my parents to visit the Feng Family again. Please do some work with Sister-in-law Li. As for Uncle Feng... I’m sure with my parents’ presence, Uncle Feng might agree easier for the sake of face."

The marriage itself wasn’t much of an issue. Although Yu Yuanshen had been divorced, his character and family background were evident. Besides his wife, no one in the Feng Family would say much. The broader Feng Family wouldn’t have many objections either.

Feng Chengxuan wanted to smoke too, but looking at his daughter, he held back.

Nodding, he said, "Alright. As for societal issues, you don’t need to worry. Our third brother is in the internet business. I see you’re well-acquainted with Yun Fan, Ding Hui, and Yang Yue. I trust they can handle all internet-related news. Your company’s PR department is capable, and within the industry, you have a good reputation and ability; no one will say anything!"

In this regard, Yu Yuanshen had his confidence, so he smiled slightly without denying it.

However, when the topic reached its final stage, facing an issue they both had been avoiding... they exchanged a glance and awkwardly turned away.

How should they address each other?

Earlier, while discussing matters, calling each other Brother Chengxuan, Brother Yu was smooth without any objections.

But now that the serious discussions were over, this issue of identity had to be resolved, right?

Feng Chengxuan couldn’t possibly call his daughter "sister-in-law." The thought was too shocking for him to accept.

Likewise, Yu Yuanshen couldn’t call Feng Chengxuan "dad." They were brothers and friends for years, calling him dad would be insane, wouldn’t it?

Yu Yuanshen didn’t speak, coughed lightly, and picked up his teacup to drink tea.

Feng Chengxuan was at a loss, wanting to pick up another bite with his chopsticks, but feeling full enough, he sheepishly put them down.

For a moment, the atmosphere rippled awkwardly.

The awkwardness felt like moving a chunk of ice from the Arctic—nothing could be more awkward than this.

Feng Yuning sensed the atmosphere too. Her eyes turned, and with a speculative, awkward laugh, she said, "How about I call Uncle the ’Little Old Feng’ and you the ’Big Old Feng’?"

Feng Chengxuan was momentarily amused and annoyed by Feng Yuning.

With a suppressed face, Feng Chengxuan said, "Big Old Feng? Yuning! If you call your dad that, how do you plan to call your grandpa?"

The words overflowed with affection, and Feng Chengxuan’s love for Feng Yuning was heartfelt.

Undeniably, Feng Yuning’s nature had a lot to do with his indulgence growing up.

Feng Yuning couldn’t answer.

After a pause, Yu Yuanshen softly spoke up, "How about... I change my address then."

Hmm?

Feng Yuning and Feng Chengxuan both looked at him in surprise.

Yu Yuanshen cleared his throat and said seriously, "After all, it’s marriage. It doesn’t matter what others think but you’re Yuning’s father. Naturally, your emotional acceptance is different from others. The feelings of marrying off a beloved daughter, I can understand, and once our child is born, there will be an even deeper familial bond. So, I’ll change how I address you... I won’t change with the rest of the Feng Family, but for you, I will... Dad."

The subtle sound was like a stone skipping across the water, creating endless ripples.

Feng Chengxuan’s eyes moistened, and with a trembling voice, he looked at Yu Yuanshen, "Yuanshen, you..."

Yu Yuanshen smiled, feeling alright.

Perhaps some things reached this conclusion, as long as he wasn’t forced to change for the rest of the Feng Family, changing for Feng Chengxuan was acceptable.

As fathers, it’s already hard to let a daughter marry, like cutting out a piece of their heart. How could one bear hearing their daughter not address them as dad anymore?

Yu Yuanshen was gentle and graceful, always considerate of others, his kindness irresistible.

Beside him, Feng Yuning watched the tall Yu Yuanshen, feeling a strong affection in her heart, like water overflowing from a lake.

After pausing, she immediately pounced forward.

Regardless of Feng Chengxuan’s presence, she lay on Yu Yuanshen’s chest, hugged his neck, and gave him a big "muah!" on the mouth.

The scene was petrified.

Yu Yuanshen and Feng Chengxuan, who didn’t expect this, exchanged a bewildered look, not recognizing the chaotic situation.

Yu Yuanshen, caught interacting with Feng Yuning like this, blushed until almost bleeding.

Feng Chengxuan, holding a cigarette he just pulled from the pack, found his lips awkwardly incapable of closing.

This... as a father, watching his daughter’s passionate display? So proactive? Is this the result of his upbringing? Feng Chengxuan’s feelings towards his daughter were... overwhelming!

After a moment, he quickly averted his eyes, lit a cigarette, and turned to leave the dining room to smoke outside.

In the private room, only Yu Yuanshen and Feng Yuning remained.

Yu Yuanshen looked at the woman sitting so brazenly in his arms, pursed his lips coolly, and said, "Is this perhaps..."

"Uncle Yu! I love you to death! You said you’d spoil me, I thought it was a joke! Turns out it was real!" Feng Yuning, seeing her father had left, laughed with eyes squinted, and in an instant, captured Yu Yuanshen’s lips for a second time.

The old cadre’s face turned even redder this time...

His desires were stirred momentarily; even his ears began to burn...

He gripped her waist with both hands, wanting to pull her off, but Feng Yuning refused to budge.

He... became even more furious...

...

On the way back, standing beneath the teahouse.

The winter snow in Rong City intensified. Feng Chengxuan watched as she clung onto Yu Yuanshen’s arm, resembling a koala refusing to come down, smoking a cigarette with his shoulders slightly tense.

Yu Yuanshen found Feng Yuning’s behavior truly... even he felt it was hard to watch.

The old cadre didn’t know what to say anymore. Ultimately, rubbing his brow, he shook hands with Feng Chengxuan.

"Well, we’re leaving. Rest assured about your daughter; I’ll take good care of her."

Feng Chengxuan looked at his beloved daughter whom he had doted on since childhood, lips curved in an inevitable smile, yet in the end, a hint of unnoticeable reluctance mixed in.

Nodding, he said: "I believe you, it’s just my daughter has some minor issues. She is allergic to seafood, her feet get cold at night in winter, after excessive exercise, her heart rhythm can be a bit irregular, pregnancy is a long process, many unexpected situations may occur, I hope Yuanshen will take good care of her."

"Not at all," Yu Yuanshen replied with a gentle smile.

After a pause, they chatted a bit more. Seeing there was nothing else, they arranged to meet again after the New Year, Yu Yuanshen then drove away with Feng Yuning.

As the car’s tail lights disappeared into the end of the asphalt road, the light snow also gently fell on Feng Chengxuan’s shoulders.

Scattering so beautifully, so dreamlike.

Just like twenty-some years ago when similar snow fell in Rong City, memories lingered in his heart.

In that moment, he wasn’t sure if it was because he had never imagined the day his daughter would marry, suddenly settling a major life event to belong to someone else, he felt a bit melancholic.

Or was it that finally his daughter was marrying, half the burden of midlife responsibilities were lifted.

At this moment, provoked by Yu Yuanshen’s earlier words, he thought again of the woman he loved half his life and couldn’t forget.

She was elegant like a cloud, she was empty like an orchid in a valley.

When she looked at him, her eyes were the clearest, and she would smile slightly, softly calling him, "Chengxuan..."

He had kissed her lips, held her waist, but in the end, they didn’t...

Thinking about the unresolved knot between them back then, he felt guilty, and continued to ponder.

If back then he had married her, now even though his daughter was marrying, he would feel lonely, but wouldn’t feel like the world was empty?

Home?

Thinking about that place, without the two children, he couldn’t accept it at all.

Holding a cigarette, puffing clouds in the snow, for the first time he felt, the world in the latter half of life seemed destined to only have him...

Bittersweet and torn, he pondered further:

Su Xin, the woman he loved half his life, could she have already found someone she loves and long forgotten him...

In the distance, inside an Audi car parked at the street corner.

The driver inside the car glanced at Chairman Chen a bit nervously and said: "Chairman Chen, are you still going to the welfare home? It’s about time. Today a leader is carrying out the year-end visit and inspection work at the welfare home."

From the back seat, Chen Yiyue’s eyes continued to calmly gaze at the distant figure.

Ten minutes before, while passing here, they noticed Feng Chengxuan and Yu Yuanshen standing and talking at the roadside.

The pretty and bright young lady nearby was clearly Feng Chengxuan’s daughter... Feng Yuning.

As if guided by an invisible force, she motioned for the driver to stop the car, and again kept staring at that unforgettable face.

At this moment, her heart naturally ached beyond control as if guided by that force.

He smiled with such reluctance, such sadness, as he looked at his daughter with eyes deep with paternal love.

By the looks of it, it seemed Yuning was with President Yu, his daughter was to marry, and he and Miss Li must have a good relationship, that’s why, isn’t it?

Thinking about these years of living alone herself.

Chen Yiyue felt fate could be so absurd at times, making life seem desolate.

Tears unconsciously welled up, even with the car’s air conditioning turned up, her eyes felt cold, as if nothing could add warmth.

Leaning against the back seat, pausing for five seconds, she managed a bitter smile, saying: "Let’s go..."

The Audi vehicle quietly passed by Feng Chengxuan at a slow pace.

Separated by the glass with black film, they tranquilly brushed past each other once more...