Ning Shu couldn’t help but doubt herself.
Was she truly wrong, or perhaps somewhat mistaken?
Amidst this oppressive, tangled, and self-doubting mood, they finally arrived at the airport.
After parking the car, Fu Yanshen’s gaze and expression turned unusually solemn and heavy.
Ning Shu’s heart ached faintly, her stomach felt slightly bloated, and her gaze and expression mirrored the same gravity and seriousness.
Ning Shu opened the car door and stepped out, instinctively placing one hand on her lower abdomen.
In her heart, she silently comforted the little seed inside: It’s okay, we’re here to pick up Uncle Fang. Mommy… will try not to… be so sad.
You endure it too…
Fu Yanshen stepped forward, his gaze falling on her hand, his brow furrowing.
But after a moment, he said nothing, simply offering his arm for Ning Shu to take, then extending his other hand, indicating for her to hand him her bag.
In public, he always maintained impeccable decorum, never overstepping boundaries—elegant and gentlemanly.
Ning Shu silently handed him her bag, but for a while, she didn’t remove her hand from her abdomen.
Xie Jinghong and Tang Yue’ai had also parked their car and walked over.
Tang Yue’ai was holding onto Xie Jinghong’s arm as well, though she carried her own bag.
Their heights were well-matched.
Tang Yue’ai was even taller than Ning Shu, standing at 173 cm. Walking beside Xie Jinghong, who was 189 cm, their presence was even more commanding.
The two were even wearing matching outfits—both in black sweaters, black pants, and long trench coats—creating an explosive sense of tension.
As they approached her and Fu Yanshen, Xie Jinghong glanced down at his watch, likely calculating the time, unwilling and unable to be even a minute late.
At this moment, no one was in the mood for the arguments from the road; everyone was deeply sorrowful.
When they reached the two, Xie Jinghong lifted his gaze, then frowned, looking at Ning Shu. “Stomach discomfort?”
Only then did Ning Shu realize her hand was still resting on her abdomen.
“No,” Ning Shu withdrew her hand.
Fu Yanshen said, “Let’s go.”
He wasn’t entirely sure whether Ning Shu was experiencing stomach discomfort, but at this moment, it didn’t matter. The most important thing was not to delay.
Since Ning Shu said she wasn’t uncomfortable, Xie Jinghong didn’t press further and simply started walking.
The four of them headed toward their destination in this manner.
Fang Chen’s return was via a dedicated military aircraft.
Their destination was the tarmac where this military plane would land.
The four walked quickly, and upon reaching the passageway, they saw black mourning gauze hanging on the walls.
Instantly, Ning Shu’s throat tightened painfully, her eyes moistened, and tears welled up.
Tang Yue’ai also sniffled uncomfortably, unable to hold back her tears.
Xie Jinghong and Fu Yanshen’s expressions grew even heavier.
Over twenty years of brotherhood, growing up together since they were in diapers, the purest of friendships, the “romance” of their youth… it was impossible not to feel the pain.
Fu Yanshen’s throat began to tighten, his eyes turning red.
Xie Jinghong was no exception, his Adam’s apple bobbing, tears gathering in his eyes before falling.
The passageway was neither long nor short, but the four walked through it with exceptional heaviness and difficulty.
They were all the same age, only twenty-five…
Fang Chen’s departure… was far too early, far too unexpected.
Finally, they trudged through the lengthy passageway and soon turned onto the tarmac.
There weren’t many people there today—only Fang Chen’s parents and his older sister.
Then there were the four of them, along with… other younger relatives and childhood friends.
By the time the four arrived, they could no longer hold back their tears.
Father Fang and Mother Fang were utterly grief-stricken, their eyes swollen and terrifyingly red, as if all their tears had already been shed.
Supported by others, they stood hunched and trembling slightly.
Ning Shu watched, tears streaming uncontrollably, unable to hold back her quiet sobs.
No one in the entire hall was spared from the sorrow; everyone was weeping, everyone was crying.
However, the military aircraft had not yet arrived.
But they had to wait, for the deceased was to be honored, and heroes were to be revered.
Grief spread and expanded to its extreme, and all who came were in unbearable pain.
The four of them stepped forward with solemn reverence.
Fu Yanshen spoke first, his voice trembling with barely restrained sobs, saying, “Uncle, Aunt, please accept our condolences.”
Ning Shu was crying so hard she couldn’t speak. She simply bowed her head in a deep bow, taking several seconds before she managed to say, “Please accept our condolences.”
These words were already distorted by her choked sobs.
Tang Yue’ai also cried as she said, “Aunt Fang, Uncle Fang, please accept our condolences. You still have us.”
Xie Jinghong stepped forward directly, his gestures filled with solemn grief as he embraced Mother Fang. His eyes were fiercely red, and his voice trembled as he said, “Please don’t grieve too much. Fang Chen would be heartbroken.”
Even his slender, well-defined fingers, wrapped around Mother Fang, trembled slightly as he spoke.
And these simple words precisely ignited Mother Fang’s emotions.
Mother Fang burst into loud, unrestrained sobs in his embrace.
Xie Jinghong’s words were too direct, yet they struck at the core. Thinking about it, it was indeed true.
If Fang Chen were watching from above, he would surely be heartbroken.
Such words also made Ning Shu and Tang Yue’ai cry uncontrollably.
Perhaps because Ning Shu was standing beside Fu Yanshen, seeing her so utterly broken by tears, Fu Yanshen finally reached out and pulled her into his arms to comfort her.
At this moment, Ning Shu could care about nothing else. The grief in her heart exploded like a flood, unstoppable and overwhelming.
She could only lean weakly into Fu Yanshen’s embrace, her shoulders shaking violently, her tears deeply soaking his suit.
Mother Fang cried bitterly, and Xie Jinghong did not let go of her.
Instead, like a son, he held her all along.
Only when Mother Fang’s sobs gradually subsided did he speak again, his voice trembling yet firm, “From now on, please think of us as your own children. We will fulfill Fang Chen’s filial duties for you. Starting today, if you’re willing, you will be my godmother, Xie Jinghong. No matter what you need in the future… please contact me first. Whatever I can solve, I will solve for you.”
Xie Jinghong’s words left the others present somewhat “surprised.”
This “surprise” was not because it was inappropriate—on the contrary, it was entirely appropriate.
It was just that… no one had expected it. Only he had proposed it at the first moment, making such a firm promise to take on the responsibilities of a son on behalf of Fang Chen.
Father Fang and Mother Fang naturally knew the weight Xie Jinghong’s name carried in the capital today.
Although Mother Fang’s grief over losing her son could not be instantly soothed, Xie Jinghong’s immediate “adoption” was undoubtedly the greatest comfort and support for her at this moment.
Mother Fang looked up, her lips trembling, her hands tightly clutching the hem of Xie Jinghong’s clothes. She gazed up at him, barely able to form words, “Is… is it… true?”
Xie Jinghong didn’t respond with words like “true” or “yes.”
Instead, with reddened eyes, he simply said, “Mom.”
Mother Fang immediately cried so hard that her mouth opened, yet she couldn’t make a sound.
Father Fang’s tears streamed down his aged face, his lips trembling, his hands shaking, as he mumbled incoherently, “Good, good… good child.”
Ning Shu, too, was in tears, unable to help but look up at Xie Jinghong.
From her perspective, she could only see Xie Jinghong’s tall figure embracing Mother Fang from behind.
But her vision was blurred by tears, and she couldn’t really make out his silhouette clearly—only that it seemed broad and solid, like an immovable pillar.
A childhood friend had passed away young, but how many people… possessed the unwavering confidence and absolute strength to directly take upon themselves the duties and responsibilities of a son for their friend’s parents?
Yet, upon careful reflection, it wasn’t surprising.
Xie Jinghong had always been that kind of person since childhood—sharp-tongued, soft-hearted, and fiercely loyal.
Despite possessing the formidable strength of a top-tier powerhouse, he carried within him a tenderness capable of melting one’s heart.
Ning Shu cried and then laughed through her tears. Xie Jinghong was right—he was always the one who cut straight to the heart of the matter.
Without wallowing in sorrowful lamentations, he had indeed taken on the responsibility in the most direct way possible with his promise.
Though Fang Chen was no longer here, each of them… could fulfill his filial duties in his stead, bring joy to his parents, and care for Father Fang and Mother Fang in their old age until the very end.
This was the only thing they could do.
Thinking this way, they realized they weren’t entirely powerless, left only with grief.
This approach instantly brought a small measure of comforting balance to the sorrow in each of their hearts.