I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 932 Returning Home with Honor

Zong Huai's hand trembled slightly as it landed on Wen Qingqing's face.

His hands had thin calluses from years of writing. For a time, he had someone bring him a carving knife to try his hand at carving, but while he was asleep, one of his companions stole the knife and committed suicide.

He never touched carving again after that.

Afraid that the thin callus would scratch Wen Qingqing's face, he hesitated and dared not touch her, only gently brushing the strands of hair that had fallen to the side of her face behind her ear.

"How have you been all these years?" he asked in a trembling voice.

This is his daughter, how could he not believe it?

But as his father, he knew neither of her existence nor had she ever taken care of him for a single day. Yet, seeing her standing alive before him, introducing herself to him, his heart ached as if it were about to break.

This is his daughter with Ah Jing, a treasure he had longed for, desired, and dreamed of countless times in the past.

And he and she missed each other for so many years.

I missed her entire childhood.

Guilt overwhelmed me, surging forth like a tidal wave.

He never regretted his decision, but the regret could never be made up for.

Wen Qingqing had no idea what turmoil was churning within Zong Huai; she only sensed the overwhelming sorrow emanating from him that he couldn't conceal. Facing this unfamiliar father, she felt mostly curiosity, and a touch of secret awe. She admired his courage in sacrificing himself for the world, but also felt a slight fear of the loneliness that comes with being at the top.

But Wen Qingqing wasn't a pretentious person. She took Zong Huai's hand and pulled him to sit down in a chair, pressing his wrist down on the table with her fingertips.

“I’m doing very well,” Wen Qingqing said as she took Zong Huai’s pulse, recounting her life over the years. “I’ve been learning medicine from my grandfather, and I have many fellow students on the island. They’ve all been very kind to me. My mother has to go to sea, so we don’t see each other often, but every time we do, she brings me something new and interesting, tells me stories I’ve never imagined, and has never hidden anything from me about you. So I have to admit, I’m a little curious about you, but I’m not really upset. My mother says everyone has their own choices in life, and there’s no right or wrong, so you shouldn’t be sad about it.”

"Your health is generally good, but you've been severely depleted over the years. Your heavy mindset also affects your health. If you don't take good care of yourself, it might shorten your lifespan. But don't worry, Medicine God Valley has plenty of medicinal herbs that will surely help you recover."

Zong Huai was aware of his own health. He had spent too long in Yanjing, imprisoned and monitored, with nothing to do but read. The only thing he could do was to study. The powerful officials and nobles in Yanjing wanted to annex Dazhao and wanted to learn more about it, so they would gather all sorts of books for him. Over the years, he had read countless books, including medical books, over and over again.

Although he wasn't a highly skilled doctor, he was well aware of his own health, or rather, the fact that he had managed to hold on until now was probably because he was unwilling to give up.

Although I already knew my fate, I still held onto hope and waited for the day I could leave Yanjing.

Now he's finally got what he's been waiting for.

The wish is fulfilled.

Watching those who had followed him die one by one and go mad before his very eyes was a torment that pierced his soul.

The anger in his heart dissipated the day he left the tower.

But seeing Wen Qingqing today made him feel a little reluctant to part with her.

He has missed his daughter for twenty-four years. Is this the end of the story?

Looking at Wen Qingqing's innocent and lovely appearance, Zong Huai suddenly understood why Zong Que had asked Wen Qingqing to take his pulse after he refused to return to the capital with Zong Que.

Zong Huai suddenly burst into laughter.

"Daddy, you smiled!" Wen Qingqing stared at Zong Huai with wide eyes, suddenly realizing that recognizing a father wasn't such a difficult thing after all.

Zong Huai looked at Wen Qingqing gently: "What did A Que ask you to tell me?"

Wen Qingqing blinked, a little guilty, "Dad, actually I wanted to take care of you. Ah Que..."

“He asked me to tell you that you are the one who is right, so why should you accommodate the one who is wrong? Whether it is family law or national law, if you are owed fairness, then we must get it back for you.”

"You should go back with dignity."