You Are Like Your Mother (2)

A man in his fifties stood proud and tall like a mountain. The aura he exuded was due to many years of being in the military service. He was a vet and had lived through bloodshed and sacrifices.

On the other hand, the young man before him was just as tall, sharing some of his features. However, he lacked the intimidating factor of the general and instead, was a warm and kind-hearted person who did not like violence.

He smiled and showed people his emotions and feelings.

When people looked at the two, they could easily tell that these two men were related, they could be father or son, uncle or nephew, whichever of those two but if they were to compare the two, it would be the difference between heaven and earth.

A man who grew up in the military, having long forgotten what it felt like to smile.

A young man who chose to pursue medicine, he was unlike the other man because he smiled whenever and however he wanted that it was almost contagious.

"Big brother." The little girl called out, standing up. She ran across the stairs and hugged his thigh, holding her little bunny in one hand before curiously looking at the other man from across the room.

"Jiaojiao, it's late. You should be asleep in your room." Lin Fang said, placing a hand on top of the little girl's head.

"Big brother, you didn't come to my room. You said you would read me a bedtime story." The little girl said, burying her face on her brother's thigh. The six-year-old was small, cute, and chubby. She spoke in a honey-filled tone. One look at her and she would be described as a little sweetheart that needed pampering.

"Big brother, liars aren't good. You told me that."

Lin Fang laughed. He rubbed her head. His eyes were filled with care and tenderness as he looked at his sister.

"Yes, I remember. But big brother did not lie. I will read you a bedtime story later. It's just that big brother has an important visitor."

"Is he more important than Jiaojiao? Big brother, you said family comes first." The little girl blinked at him, her almond-shaped eyes were bright and clear, the mixture of innocence and charm somewhat blinding that he couldn't help but soften.

He crouched down and lifted her into his arms.

"Jiaojiao is a good girl. You're right. Family comes first." Lin Fang said, stroking his sister's hair. He looked at the man who was considered a 'visitor.'

"General Leng, I'm afraid it's late. I can't entertain you any longer. My sister's sleeping schedule is very strict."

He was dismissing him and he was smiling while doing so. General Leng's expression did not change. No one else treated him like this except for his son.

"Lin Fang, you really are like your mother." There were no expectations in his tone, no praise or disappointment. It was as if he was talking to a random passerby.

General Leng looked at the little girl in his son's arms. She did not have any resemblance to him because she was not his daughter. She was someone else's child but his son treated her like a treasure.

Once upon a time, he was also the same. He treated his wife as if she was his treasure but eventually, she left him and found happiness somewhere else.

He raised his eyes and finally looked at his son with disappointment and ridicule. Like father, like son.

"You can't protect this child forever." He said before turning away.

Lin Fang's gaze hardened.

"I can and I will. General Leng, I won't see you at the door. Housekeeper Wang will guide you. I still have something to do." He turned around and walked to the stairs. The little girl laid her cheek on his shoulders and her big bright eyes looked at the army man. She waved her hand.

"Bye, bye, Uncle."

The 'Uncle' frowned. She did not look like him but she did look like that woman. They shared the same eyes and the same features. She possesses the same innocence as that woman.

He wanted to know if she would also grow up to be like that woman. That woman who was kind and gentle but was actually more vicious than his own men.

Like his brother who doted on that woman, his own son also doted on that woman's child.

When he left the house, he came back to his home. The housekeeper asked if he needed anything. He asked for some wine then he dined on the table without company.

It was quiet and silent. He did not have any family waiting for him.

Unlike his son who was living with that woman's child, he was alone in this place. No one came to greet him. No one came to share his meal with him. And no one came to speak to him.

He traced the rim of the wine glass, watching the red liquid sloshed inside.

He heard nothing but silence.

And suddenly, this place that he has been living in for so many years didn't feel like home anymore.

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