Chapter 7: Farewell, Part 2

Zhao Tingyou seized the moment to put on a pitiful, abandoned expression. "Oh, how tragic. Even my own husband doesn't want me anymore. There is no love left for me in this life. Fine, I suppose I shall just go out and brave the world alone."

The display was as pathetic as could be. Little Lingwei’s heart softened; although she was always angry that her mother called her "Dumpling" and was always at odds with her, deep down, she loved her mother dearly.

Little Lingwei looked at her mother’s desolate face with concern, her chubby little hands clutching tightly at the collar of the burly man’s robes. "Daddy, you must take both of us. We are a family. We have to be together."

Zhao Tingyou laughed heartily as she took Lingwei from Zhantai Chen’s arms. "Lingwei, you really are such a good girl. When Mommy comes home, I’ll bring you something fun, alright? Mommy and Daddy are so sorry, Lingwei; you are such a good child."

"Waaah, Mommy, Lingwei doesn't want to be apart from you and Daddy! Waaah!" The mere mention of it was too much, and the little one could no longer hold back her tears, sobbing loudly.

Zhao Tingyou and Zhantai Chen exchanged a pained look. They were just as heartbroken, but this was their final mission. Once it was completed, they would finally be free.

"Lingwei, be a good girl at home. Listen to Nanny Wang and Uncle Zhao, do you hear me? Mommy doesn't want to leave you either." As she spoke, the iron-willed Zhao Tingyou could not help but shed tears. No matter how formidable a woman might be, when faced with her own child, she was just an ordinary mother.

"General, Princess, it is time," a young boy called out weakly from the doorway. He would not have played the villain if the situation were not urgent. The little princess was so adorable; in normal circumstances, he certainly would not have been so insensitive as to interrupt the family’s farewell.

Little Lingwei wiped her tears and forced a smile. "Erzi-ge, you wait outside for Mommy and Daddy. Little Lingwei will be a good girl. Mommy, Daddy, take care." With that, she pulled away from Zhao Tingyou’s embrace, planted her little feet firmly on the ground, and took several steps back.

Standing still, the little girl’s two adorable dimples appeared faintly. "Mommy, Daddy, Lingwei will see you off." She took the lead and marched ahead.

Zhantai Chen reached out as if to scoop her back into his arms, but Zhao Tingyou pulled his sleeve, shaking her head with a bitter smile. This was just how little Lingwei was. Sigh.

Little Lingwei’s face was covered in warm, wet tears, and the large droplets blurred her vision. The stubborn girl shook her head slightly, tossing the cowardly tears aside. She wanted to smile as she saw her parents off, and she would smile as she waited for their return.

"Daddy, Mommy, take care! Lingwei will be waiting for you to come home!" Only when the figures of Zhantai Chen and Zhao Tingyou had faded into the distance did the little girl finally shout out the words from the bottom of her heart.

Zhantai Chen rode back, dismounted with a flourish, and pulled the little one into his arms. "Lingwei, wait for Daddy at home. For your sake, Daddy will return very soon."

Little Lingwei nestled in her father’s arms and nodded obediently. "Okay."

Zhantai Chen held her for a moment longer before reluctantly bringing her back to the estate, never looking back again.

Little Lingwei stood dazed in place, staring at the tightly closed gates of the General’s Mansion. On the face of the tiny child was a sorrow completely at odds with her age.

"Hey, little Dumpling. Crybaby, hey." A clear, annoying voice typical of a bratty youth drifted over.

Little Lingwei hurriedly wiped her eyes and turned around with a fierce glare. "Stinky Cloth-Sack! Shut up! Hmph, I’m not talking to you!" She stomped back to her room, slammed the door shut, threw herself onto her little bed, and curled up tightly, once again rolling herself into a small silkworm cocoon.