Her gasps quieted, replaced by ragged breaths that soaked the fabric under her cheek.
Behind him, Jin Chengyu's shoulders slumped, and looked defeated. Jin Zixuan turned his face away, not knowing what to do or say.
Mu Yunchen's eyes flicked up, cold and lethal now. "Out," he said to the two men, not raising his voice, yet the finality in that single word sent shivers down their spines.
Li Feng stepped forward, opening the door just wide enough for them to exit.
Neither father nor son dared argue or linger around the wardroom any longer, they slipped out silently, Jin Chengyu wiping his eyes that were full of tears. Jin Zixuan held his father's arm supporting him as they left the wardroom.
In the silence that returned, Mu Yunchen lowered his head, brushing a whisper against Zhou Yuxi's hair, "Rest now, my girl. I'm right here. Only me...."
Her fingers gripped tighter, as if even the shadows of her past couldn't pry her free from him now.
