Chapter 73: Chapter 72: Flesh and Blood Meet, Yet Recognition Eludes; Souls Adrift, Feelings Unresolved

The eldest son who went missing thirteen years ago has suddenly returned.

The usually quiet Chen Mansion suddenly became lively with this news.

Like ripples spreading from a stone dropped in water, all the servants began to secretly gossip.

Because the rules of the Chen Mansion are quite strict, they usually don’t dare to openly discuss the master’s private affairs, but this news is too shocking.

Remember, the eldest son was only six years old when he went missing thirteen years ago, and now he managed to find his way back.

Although Master Chen had always been haunted by this incident and never moved away even after becoming prosperous, instead helping to renovate the village surroundings, hoping his child wouldn’t lose the way home.

But everyone knows, this is essentially impossible...

How much can a six-year-old child remember from their childhood? Let alone the location of their home?

However, the impossible has happened today.

Moreover, the fisherman who had nowhere to go due to a severe drought back then has become the now somewhat renowned gentry of Jishao County, how could people’s minds not conjure countless tales of intrigue and stratagem within a large mansion?

However, in reality, they got one premise wrong.

Chen Kuang wasn’t a lost child who came back polished; he was sold by his parents with their own hands.

The original Chen Kuang was wise beyond his years; he was extremely clear-headed when he left.

The Nameless Musician deliberately took him for a walk around the house, letting him memorize all the characteristics of the place.

Before selling him off, he also informed him that his home was by Dongting Lake in Jishao County.

Chen Mansion’s living room.

All the servants had been dismissed.

"Kuang’er, is it really my Kuang’er! You’ve suffered all these years!"

Gan Tang was tearful, reaching to touch Chen Kuang’s cheek.

When receiving the report from the servant, she actually held no hope. For so many years, she hadn’t given up searching for the Nameless Musician from back then, but all ended without result.

She was almost thinking her eldest son would become her lifelong obsession.

But when she saw the blindfolded young man standing in the center of the living room, she instantly knew, this was the son she longed for day and night.

In her midnight dreams, every nightmare was the image of that child with eyes full of blood.

There’s no way she could be mistaken!

With one look, Gan Tang was convinced of his identity, and after learning his purpose, she immediately had those "friends in distress" arranged into the guest rooms.

Without any doubt.

Chen Kuang held the hand of the middle-aged woman before him, but remained silent.

His emotions were very complex at this moment.

He had long fully integrated the two sets of memories; he was Chen Kuang, undoubtedly, whether it be the Chen Kuang devoted to revenge all his life, or the nameless musician Chen Kuang.

Therefore, to him, accepting the parents of this body wasn’t actually difficult.

That’s what Chen Kuang originally thought.

But in reality, when he saw the splendor of the Chen Mansion, felt the well-maintained and smooth hands of the woman in front of him, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of repulsion.

This feeling of repulsion wasn’t his, but the original body’s...

Being blinded, sold to strangers, unable to display his talents, oppressed as a lowly person in the Imperial Palace, thirteen years of dullness and hopelessness.

And the parents who caused all this but lived prosperous days without knowing how many years.

He harbored unresolved anger.

Master Chen Rong, over forty, temples graying, having developed some composure, sat at the head.

Watching the mother and son reunited below, he clenched and unclenched his fists, tried several times to stand up.

But the guilt suppressed for many years made it difficult for him to approach freely, wanting to speak, but merely opening his mouth caused him to tremble uncontrollably.

The bushel of rice exchanged for selling his son during the years of poverty became a phantom like a bone stuck in his throat at this moment.

But after all, Master Chen was no longer the fisherman of those days. He took a deep breath, cleared his somewhat hoarse throat, and said:

"Kuang’er, how did you find your way back? And what is your current situation?"

Upon hearing this, Gan Tang hurriedly said: "You big fool, always bringing up the wrong topics!"

"Kuang’er has been through a long journey, now rest is the priority, why press him with questions!"

As she spoke, the emotions that had calmed somewhat rose again.

Gan Tang gently caressed the callused hands of Chen Kuang, teary-eyed: "If not for the events of that year, would Kuang’er have to ’find his way back’? What nonsense!"

Mrs. Chen came from a scholarly family, but broke ties out of a persistent heart to marry Chen Rong.

Chen Rong’s prosperity was partly because the Gan Family reconnected later on.

Bred for so many years, she had completely embodied the air of a mistress of a large family, except she still retained the talent for scolding she developed while fishing with the neighbors.

Chen Rong awkwardly smiled, but showed no intention of backing down.

Chen Kuang could understand Chen Rong’s caution, for the stability and safety of the Chen Family now, he should indeed suspect whether the person was an impostor.

But at this moment... he decided not to understand.

Chen Kuang touched his blindfold, softly said: "Back then, before the musician took me away, he led me around the house three times, I endured the pain, felt every brick at the corners of the walls, every tree around, every inch of soil by the roadside."

"How the home looked then, does Master Chen remember? I do."

"I remember vividly, even if blind for thirteen years, it still remains fresh in my memory."

"If you ask how I came back? Then this is how I found my way back."

Chen Rong shifted his seat quickly, hastily said: "That’s not what I meant, I just wanted to know, how Kuang’er has been all these years..."

Chen Kuang smiled and said: "Can’t compare with the grand estate of Master Chen, could only make a living as an actor."

"Speaking of which, I still have to thank Master Chen, if I hadn’t learned a craft despite being blind, I fear I’d have starved long ago."

"Oh,"

He said softly: "I wonder if Master Chen still remembers which eye was blinded first back then?"

At these words, Chen Rong instantly stiffened.

He remained silent for a long time, awkwardly stood up: "Kuang’er, it’s your father who wronged you!"

Chen Rong took two steps forward, passionately defending himself: "But back then, I was forced to do so, if I hadn’t done that, our whole family would have starved to death!"

"Though you became blind, at least your life was spared..."

"I remember, it was the right eye."

Chen Kuang interrupted him, saying to himself:

"Because Master Chen, you’re left-handed... after so many years of correction, I wonder if you’re used to using the right hand now?"

Chen Rong’s steps halted, tears suddenly streaming down, replied hesitantly: "Not used to it, how could I get used to it..."

He blinked rapidly, seeing Gan Tang’s peculiar expression, he felt the dignity of being the head of the family slipping away, covered his face and said: "I won’t say anymore! I won’t say anymore!"

Gan Tang punched him: "Hurry and bring An’Er and Ning’Er back to see their big brother!"

Chen Rong now had no air to put on, left hastily, almost fleeing in embarrassment.

Gan Tang looked at Chen Kuang, angrily said: "Ignore him, after all these years, this fishing brain hasn’t improved, yet his airs keep growing!"

"When impoverished, do not return, Kuang’er,"

Chen Kuang suddenly said gently: "Mother, do you remember this phrase? You embroidered it on my cloth doll."

"I kept that cloth doll by my side for thirteen years, accidentally lost it recently."

Gan Tang was taken aback, hurriedly said: "Losing it is good! When impoverished, do not return, now the family is rich, you must come back and stay!"

She stroked Chen Kuang’s head as if he were a child:

"Mother will support you for another one hundred and thirty years!"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com