Familiar cityscapes he had built his empire upon for decades felt alien today, like a kingdom he could rule but never truly belong to. The sons he has and thought they could be his future, only know how to drink and waste their lives away...
His gaze turned distant, lost in memories he rarely allowed himself to touch.
'If only you were around... Things could have turned out better!'
'If only I had chosen you back then, things wouldn't have turned out this way!'
'Ruyi…' he whispered inwardly, his chest tightening with silent pain. If you were still here… would I have become the man I am now? Would our family have remained whole, our sons growing up gentle and strong under your guidance?
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the warm sunlight on his eyelids.
But I let you go… I let you carry burdens alone, I let your light fade away without ever trying to understand it. I was a coward… too absorbed in work, power, past love, the fleeting glories of this world.
