The little girl blinked her big eyes and continued to ask, "Mom, when will Dad come back?"

Her clear gaze was filled with longing; she so wished to have a father.

In kindergarten, her classmates said she didn't have a dad. Each time, she had no way to refute them and could only hide in a corner, silently enduring the ridicule.

The little girl wished so much to have a dad who would lift her up high and kiss her cheek.

Liu Yingying saw the longing in her daughter's eyes, and her heart ached. She didn't know how many times she had been asked this question and couldn't bear to extinguish her daughter's hope.

She bent down, gently kissed the little girl, and said, "Your dad will definitely come back one day, and when he does, he'll bring lots of gifts for Coco."

"Mom, really?"

The little girl's eyes sparkled, her innocent face full of hope.

Liu Yingying forced a bitter smile, knowing it was impossible. The man had committed heinous crimes and was sentenced to life imprisonment; she didn't even know where he was serving his sentence, let alone how he could come back.

Even if he did return, she wouldn't forgive him.

But she still comforted her daughter, saying, "Of course, how could Mom lie to Coco?"

"Alright. Let's go home!"

"Okay, Coco will listen to Mom."

The little girl nodded obediently.

As the car roared to life, it followed the winding road and disappeared into the distance.

Once a person is gone, no matter how much affection remains, it cannot be expressed, leaving only eternal regret.

On the mountain, Ye Feng knelt quietly in front of the grave, like a helpless child, disheveled in the wind, at a loss.

As strong as he was, never retreating a step in the face of enemies, at this moment, he could no longer suppress his emotions, which poured out uncontrollably.

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He wanted so much to tell his mother that he hadn't killed anyone, nor committed those heinous crimes.

Her son, instead of falling into despair in prison, had fought for the country and achieved great military success, causing enemy nations to tremble.

He was still the son she could be proud of.

But none of this could his mother hear or see anymore...

He didn't know how much time had passed before Ye Feng finally came back to his senses from the immense grief. When he left, it was already dusk.

In the south, winter didn't bring heavy snow. It seemed the heavens felt Ye Feng's sorrow, as the cold wind carried a light drizzle, brushing through the mountains, chilling to the bone.

Ye Feng pulled his thin coat tighter and walked down the mountain in the rain, heading towards the foot of the mountain alone.

Just like his future life, lonely and solitary, slowly moving forward.

When Ye Feng returned home, the sky was gradually darkening, and the surrounding houses were lighting up one by one.

He hadn't even warmed his seat when there was a knock on the door.

Ye Feng ran to open it, and a pretty girl appeared before him. Ye Feng was not unfamiliar with the girl in front of him.

She was Granny Liu's granddaughter, named Luo Yan. Her parents had been working in the provincial capital for years, and she had lived with Granny Liu since she was little.

She was now attending university in the provincial capital, the same one Ye Feng had attended.

From childhood, Ye Feng had always been an excellent student, earning his mother much pride, and had always been Chen Mei's greatest pride.

This neighborly big brother had thus become a benchmark and idol in Luo Yan's heart.

But unexpectedly, five years ago, the big brother she respected and admired became a murderer despised by everyone.

At this moment, her feelings were complicated. She couldn't believe that the gentle brother she knew could be such a vicious person.

However, reality was in front of her, leaving her no choice but to believe it. Thinking of this, she felt lost, sad, and a little scared.

Ye Feng was also taken aback. They say a young woman changes greatly as she grows, and it was true. The little girl from back then had grown into a graceful young lady.

"Xiao Yan?"

Ye Feng interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

"Brother Feng, my grandma asked me to bring you some food."

Only then did Ye Feng notice the food in her hands, still steaming hot, freshly made.

"Thank you!"

Ye Feng didn't refuse and took the food from Luo Yan's hands. He had just returned and was a bit hungry, unable to cook anything at the moment.

"Do you want to come in and sit for a while?"

Ye Feng smiled gently, still as warm as ever, his handsome face always giving off a comforting feeling.

Luo Yan hesitated for a moment, then nodded, walking in with stiff movements.

"Make yourself at home."

Ye Feng said casually.

Luo Yan had grown up, no longer the naive little girl who used to follow Ye Feng around asking endless questions.

She sat on the sofa, straightened her posture, and looked nervously at the neighborly brother in front of her.

Even at her nationally renowned university, Zhonghai University, this brother was a legend, having started a business in his sophomore year.

By the time he graduated, he was worth nearly a billion, and before his imprisonment, his company was preparing to go public.

How could someone so outstanding do anything wrong?

Luo Yan couldn't help but secretly observe Ye Feng. After a stint in prison, he had short hair, and though he was spirited, his coarse white coat and worn-out, torn pants spoke of his downfall.

Ye Feng was unaware of her thoughts. Having returned to Liancheng, he had only eaten a few buns in the morning and had been busy all day. He was indeed very hungry, and the food smelled delicious.

He didn't care about his image, devouring the rice in big mouthfuls, oblivious to Luo Yan's strange look beside him.

Luo Yan pondered for a long time, hesitating to speak several times, and finally cautiously asked, "Brother Feng, did you really commit those crimes?"

Ye Feng paused, raised his head slightly, chewed his food, swallowed, and instead of answering directly, asked, "Do you believe it?"

Luo Yan lowered her head, thought for a moment, then looked up, her eyes shining, and said confidently, "I don't believe it."

In her heart, Ye Feng had always been an outstanding person, incapable of committing such heinous acts.

Moreover, the Ye Feng in the reports was too absurd, not at all like the brother she had known since childhood.

But she still wanted a definite answer from Ye Feng!

Ye Feng smiled and then said, "I was framed."

Hearing Ye Feng's explanation, Luo Yan felt instantly relieved, her beautiful face showing joy, and her gaze towards Ye Feng became more natural.

"I knew Brother Feng couldn't be that kind of person."

It was rare to have someone who believed in him unconditionally, and Ye Feng felt a bit cheerful.

"Whether I am or not, I would never harm you."

Ye Feng finished the last bite of his meal, placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table, and said seriously.

"Okay."

Luo Yan smiled slightly.

"Brother Feng, are you still hungry? I can go back and get more food for you."

"No need!"

Ye Feng replied with a light smile.

"Alright, then I'll head back."

Luo Yan picked up the bowl and chopsticks and was about to leave. At the door, she turned back and asked, "Brother Feng, it's almost New Year. How about you come with me tomorrow to prepare for the holiday?"

Ye Feng originally wanted to refuse, but looking around at the empty surroundings, he realized he did need to get some things, so he readily agreed, "Sure, let's go together tomorrow."