novelaction Chapter 1328: So wise and so close to a demon
Chapter 1328: So wise and so close to a demon
Xiao Ce was slightly shaken. This child was not only precocious, but also possessed an astonishing ability to empathize and understand complex interpersonal relationships. He not only saw Eva's mistakes, but also her pain and predicament.
Seeing that Xiao Ce didn't respond, Xiao Yuanwang continued:
"So... Father... please don't blame Mother, okay? She made a mistake, but her heart... was for me. She always believed you were a hero, it's just... sometimes, she was too scared, too helpless."
He gripped Xiao Ce's hand again, as if trying to convey strength and pleading through this small contact.
Xiao Ce looked at his son in silence.
The air in the room seemed to freeze, with only Eva's intermittent sobs.
Xiao Ce could see the deeper shame and emotion welling up in Eva's eyes because of her son's words, and he could also feel the slightly cool but unusually firm dependence conveyed by Xiao Yuanwang's small hand.
He did not immediately respond to Eva's request!
Instead, he refocused his gaze on his son's face, his deep eyes swirling with indescribable emotions: awe at his son's precociousness and sense of responsibility, guilt for neglecting the mother and son, the complex tenderness of a father, and a hint of scrutiny.
"Did your mother teach you to say that?"
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Xiao Yuanwang stopped acting as if he had carefully considered every word he uttered.
Instead, he immediately shook his head like a rattle drum.
"No, Father, these are just my thoughts... Mother, it's actually very difficult... just like me..."
Upon hearing Xiao Yuanwang's words, Xiao Ce looked at him curiously: "Oh?"
“Shahar and Ries are, after all, his blood relatives...they must have spent more time with him than you have with him…”
"If I had to choose between you and my mother, I would be in great pain..."
After hearing Xiao Yuanwang's words, Xiao Ce smiled and patted his head.
He didn't respond to what he said.
Instead, it was something that Xiao Ce thought of in an instant!
He suddenly spoke, abruptly changing the subject.
It carries a peculiar meaning, as if it's testing the waters or seeking some kind of confirmation:
"Look ahead!" His voice was deep and steady, yet contained immense power: "So, do you think... I will win this time?"
The moment the question was posed, even Eva's sobs stopped instantly.
She looked at Xiao Ce in astonishment, then nervously glanced at her son.
This question is too heavy, too grand, and full of perilous future and unknown variables!
Moreover, this time, Xiao Ce wasn't necessarily asking who would win.
The question is more like a stance...
However, Xiao Yuanwang's reaction was once again unexpected.
Almost without hesitation, his little face instantly lit up with an almost dazzling radiance—an unreserved, almost instinctive trust in his father.
He nodded forcefully and heavily, his dark, jade-like eyes burning with pure flame.
"meeting!"
His voice was resolute, clear, and resonant, echoing in the silent room.
You will definitely win!
This affirmation came so quickly and so absolutely, without the slightest hesitation or wavering, as if it were an irrefutable truth in the universe.
For the first time, astonishment was clearly reflected in Xiao Ce's deep eyes, which was then replaced by a deeper, indescribable light.
He leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yuanwang: "Oh? Why are you so sure?"
Xiao Ce's tone was guiding and inquisitive, as he wanted to see what his precocious son had seen.
Xiao Yuanwang puffed out his small chest, his eyes bright as stars, and analyzed with clear logic:
"First, because you said you came here as part of a trap..."
Although Xiao Yuanwang was young, he still analyzed the situation logically and with evidence: "You weren't really caught, you came here on purpose! Just like a hunter pretending to fall into a trap in order to catch a bigger prey! That mysterious person is powerful, but he needs you, and that's your advantage."
After hearing Xiao Yuanwang's words, Xiao Ce was clearly surprised and said, "Oh? How do you know all this?"
Xiao Yuanwang smiled at Xiao Ce, then said, "Father, I was eavesdropping on Shahar and Ries's conversation. They still think I'm a five-year-old child..."
Xiao Ce heard Xiao Yuanwang's somewhat disdainful look and felt a little amused and exasperated.
Because at this very moment, his appearance is remarkably similar to his own...
Xiao Yuanwang continued earnestly, "Secondly, Father, you still have many supporters. Shahar and Ries only dare to control Mother, even though she is the ruler of Tianzhu... but they wouldn't dare let her lead a rebellion, because they know that everyone supports you... As the saying goes, 'Those who act justly gain much support, while those who act unjustly find little support...'"
"Finally, I think that mysterious person might be powerful, but not that powerful. They just deceived Shahar and Rhys, and used them..."
When Xiao Ce heard Xiao Yuanwang say this, he looked at Xiao Yuanwang with some surprise...
"Oh?"
Seeing Xiao Ce's interest, Xiao Yuanwang continued, "Because if that person were truly so capable, why would he bother coming to them... Why doesn't he just rise up in rebellion himself? Heroes like Father are always in the light, while those in the gutter are always rats everyone wants to kill... If they could stand in the light, they wouldn't be hiding in the gutter..."
Xiao Ce was quite surprised to hear Xiao Yuanwang's realization...
Xiao Ce fell silent. He looked at Xiao Yuanwang's words, the turmoil in his heart difficult to quell.
This child not only saw through Eva's predicament, but also clearly understood the core of this dangerous game! That certainty, that trust, that calm analysis far beyond his age—he believed that this was not Eva's doing.
Xiao Ce knew that if Eva could see through these issues, she wouldn't have done such foolish things...
He slowly raised his other hand, his broad palm gently covering his son's small hand that was tightly clenched in his. A gentle yet firm warmth flowed through his palm.
"Okay." Xiao Ce's voice was deep and powerful, as if carrying a heavy promise, yet also carrying a hint of barely perceptible emotion.
"Did you say these things to your mother?"
Xiao Yuanwang felt the warmth of his father's palm, and a bright and innocent smile appeared on his little face, a smile full of pride and peace of mind.
He knew that his father had heard and understood.
He immediately shook his head and said, "No, because at that time it was all just my guess. I didn't know if you would come, Father. If you didn't show up, Mother's method couldn't be said to be wrong..."
As he spoke, Xiao Yuanwang looked at Xiao Ce, then patted his head and nodded with a smile.
Eva, sitting in the corner, watched the silent exchange between the father and son, saw the unconditional trust shining on the son's face, and then...
Seeing the deep, unspoken, yet no longer cold, complex emotions in Xiao Ce's eyes, she felt a mix of emotions. Shame, regret, a sliver of hope, and the shock of her son's astonishing performance intertwined, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
She knew that her son was using his young yet incredibly strong shoulders to try his best, albeit clumsily, to build a shaky but hopeful bridge between her and Xiao Ce.
She felt that the trust Xiao Ce had previously lost might... still be able to be rebuilt...
...
Xiao Ce released his son's hand and slowly straightened up.
His gaze swept over Eva, and his eyes became much more resolute.
"Take good care of Yuanwang."
He spoke to Eva in a calm tone, but it was an unquestionable command.
Eva paused for a moment, then nodded.
Xiao Yuanwang then said to Xiao Ce, "Father, I will definitely take good care of Mother as well..."
Xiao Ce patted Xiao Yuanwang's head and then said, "Okay!"
As Xiao Yuanwang spoke, he turned to Xiao Ce and said, "Father, we'll be waiting for you to come back here..."
Seeing this, Xiao Ce said to Xiao Yuanwang, "Kid, aren't you going to ask me where I'm going?"
Xiao Yuanwang said to Xiao Ce, "Father, you need a quiet place to think..."
Xiao Ce was convinced... utterly convinced...
This child is truly incredibly intelligent, almost supernatural...