The morning passed quickly.
Ling Yucheng came to pick them up after the ancestral ceremony and brought them home just in time for dinner.
Mom Ou had prepared a table full of dishes and also simmered a light chicken soup for Gong Ye to recuperate.
The family sat together for the meal, filling the dining room with a warm atmosphere.
They didn't specifically call out to Gong Ye, nor did they act distant or overly polite, as if he were already a part of the family.
They ate their own meals and chatted about everyday matters.
Gong Ye was initially unaccustomed and a little reserved, but he gradually relaxed.
He hadn't felt this kind of family atmosphere in years.
The Ling family was very kind, just as the investigation indicated. His daughter would be very happy in the future, and with that, he could rest assured.
Seeing that he was distracted and lost in thought,
Xia Wantang stared at him and reminded him, "The chicken soup is getting cold. Drink it quickly. It was specially made for you to recuperate."
Gong Ye collected his thoughts, silently picked up the bowl, and drank it all down.
Xia Wantang looked at him and asked, "Is it good?"
Gong Ye smacked his lips. Could he say he couldn't taste anything?
He just felt the warm broth entering his mouth, throat, and stomach, but he couldn't discern any specific flavor. It seemed a little sweet, a little savory.
Seeing that he couldn't explain it clearly, Xia Wantang simply told him to eat quickly.
Gong Ye obediently listened, ate a large bowl of rice, and also ate a good portion of chicken.
After the meal, it was time for a leisurely digestion period.
The atmosphere in the Ling household was always relaxed and comfortable, and the family was very warm.
Gong Ye's wandering heart felt like it had found a harbor and was temporarily at peace.
But he knew this was only temporary. Once his injuries healed a bit, he would have to return to the Gong family and take Gong Zhi Jing with him.
For the next few days, Ling Yucheng and Ling Junye visited various relatives to pay New Year's greetings.
Xia Wantang stayed at home with Gong Ye, watching over him as he recovered from his injuries and preventing him from running around.
She reminded him daily to take his medicine and apply ointment. The relationship between father and daughter grew stronger with each passing day.
After the tenth day of the lunar new year, most of the New Year's visits were completed, and they finally had some leisure time.
Gong Ye's injuries were also slowly healing. During his recovery at the Ling family's home, he was nourished with rich foods daily, and he visibly gained some weight.
One noon, Xia Wantang was applying ointment to him. His wound had already scabbed over.
"After applying this medicine, you won't need to apply any more. Your wound has healed, but you still need to be careful. Remember to use a waterproof patch when bathing..."
Gong Ye was tidying his clothes and casually said, "I'm going back to the Gong family today."
Xia Wantang's hands paused as she packed her things. A trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes, but she said aloud.
"Alright, but I won't be going back for now. After I give birth, I'll return with the baby."
"Okay," Gong Ye replied and stood up. "You are the only child in our Gong family, and I don't plan to remarry."
Xia Wantang pursed her lips, not looking up as she packed.
She understood Gong Ye's meaning; he wanted her to acknowledge her ancestral roots.
Gong Ye couldn't guess her thoughts but didn't want to force her.
"I'm leaving. I'll visit you again in a few days."
Xia Wantang heard his footsteps receding and quickly turned to call out, "Dad."
Gong Ye paused his steps and slowly turned back.
"My household registration has been moved out of the Xia family and is now a separate registration. I want to change my name to Gong Zhi Jing."
Xia Wantang, as a person, should not have existed in the first place.
She was Gong Zhi Jing. Her father was Gong Ye, and her mother was Lu Yunzhi.
Everything should fall into place. She wanted to have her own family, with parents and relatives.
She wanted to get married from her home, and in the future, she would have a maternal home and a marital home, two homes belonging to her.
In the future, she wanted to have many children, and they would carry the surname Gong and also Ling.
Making this decision was her way of saying goodbye to the past. For over twenty years, she felt like she had been living in darkness.
Now that she could finally break free completely, she longed to have a normal identity.
No longer the unpleasant labels like "adopted daughter," "abandoned daughter," or "bastard."
She knew Gong Ye also strongly wished for her to return to the Gong family, but he had been considerate of her feelings and never brought it up.
His earlier remark was just casual, and he didn't dare to be too direct, fearing she would be troubled.
Gong Ye hadn't expected her to say this. The heart beating in his chest trembled, and his blood boiled.
He thought, it was he who had wronged this child, so he wouldn't interfere with any decision she made.
But he never expected her to not blame him at all and to be willing to return to the Gong family.
This was the first time Xia Wantang saw him cry.
He hadn't cried when they recognized each other,
He hadn't cried when they resolved their past grievances,
He hadn't cried when she called him Dad.
But now, because of these words, he was so moved that he couldn't control his emotions.
Father and daughter looked at each other from a distance.
After a long while, Gong Ye's emotions calmed down.
"Zhi Jing, thank you. Dad is so happy... Dad is so sorry for you..."
He was somewhat incoherent.
The man who was brave and decisive on the battlefield was exceptionally cautious when facing his daughter.
Xia Wantang couldn't help but chuckle and turned to pick up the medicine box, saying, "I'll give you the household registration book later."
After she and Ling Yucheng had confirmed their feelings for each other, Ling Yucheng had given her the household registration book.
It was then that she belatedly realized that Ling Yucheng had been leading her all along, and every step had fallen into his trap.
When Xia Wantang returned, Gong Ye was still standing in the same spot.
After she handed him the household registration book, he left.
Xia Wantang left his room and went to the front courtyard.
Old Madam Ling and Old Master Ling were both sitting on the sofa watching television.
Old Master Ling didn't watch dramas, movies, or variety shows; he only enjoyed watching diving and obstacle challenge programs.
Old Madam Ling, on the other hand, preferred watching family mediation shows.
"Oh dear, I told you this young man wouldn't make it. Too impulsive," Old Master Ling lamented.
Old Madam Ling wasn't very interested and didn't react much.
"Grandpa, Grandma."
Xia Wantang called out and walked over.
Old Madam Ling seized the opportunity to snatch the remote control and lower the volume.
Old Master Ling didn't dare to say anything, as he was hard of hearing, and the volume was indeed too loud for others.
"Have you finished applying medicine to your father? Where is he? Why didn't he come over?" Old Madam Ling asked, looking behind her.
Xia Wantang replied, "He's gone back to the Gong family."
Old Madam Ling was a little surprised but also expected it.
The Ling family, no matter how good, was not his home. He wouldn't stay permanently.
Xia Wantang watched the person on TV attempting the challenge and said, "Grandma, I've decided to register my household under my father's name, and I'll be changing back to my original name as well."
Old Madam Ling didn't show much reaction, only respecting her choice.
"Of course. You decide what's best."
Xia Wantang hesitated for a moment, then voiced her thoughts.
"I am the only daughter in the Gong family. I want one of my children to have the surname Gong in the future."
She had expected Old Madam Ling and Old Master Ling to be somewhat reluctant.
Who would have thought.
"That is only right."