Chapter 66: The Crimson Butterfly
Chapter 66: The Crimson Butterfly
Huo Lanjing's gaze darkened. "Huo Fei, she is my wife."
His words carried a clear warning.
Huo Fei leaned back nonchalantly and sneered. "Isn't she your ex-wife? I seem to recall you signing the divorce papers rather swiftly."
Huo Lanjing clenched the teacup in his hand, his icy eyes furrowing.
"Why are you glaring at me? Isn't what I said the truth?"
Huo Fei shrugged indifferently but noticed him stand up and turn to leave.
She quickly called out, "Hey, where are you going?"
Huo Lanjing paused, then replied, "Back home."
Huo Fei smiled. "Wait, weren't you looking for Luo Le? I might have a lead."
Huo Lanjing retracted his steps and turned around. "What?"
Huo Fei straightened her posture, suppressing the smile on her lips. "I can tell you, but before that, I have a few questions for you."
Huo Lanjing replied, "Ask."
Seeing his willingness, Huo Fei didn't prolong the suspense.
"What do you truly think of Luo Le?"
Huo Lanjing opened his mouth but wasn't sure where to begin.
How did he view Luo Le?
Ever since Luo Le's departure, he found himself uncontrollably thinking about him, often lost in thought.
Later, he realized that a part of his heart was empty, an emptiness that couldn't be filled.
He wanted to see Luo Le, even if it were just an illusion.
Huo Lanjing mused that perhaps this was the answer to Luo Le's previous question.
Huo Fei sighed. "Think carefully. Is it habit or genuine feelings you have for him? If it's just a matter of habit, there's no need to bring him back. You'll eventually get used to…"
Huo Lanjing clenched his fists, refuting, "No."
"Very well, that's emotion. Have you figured out what kind of emotion it is? There are numerous forms of emotions - familial love, romantic love, friendship. Do you see him as a younger brother, a friend, or perhaps, a lover?"
Unfamiliar words suddenly presented themselves before me.
Huo Lanjing was taken aback for a moment before he pursed his lips. "Lover."
"Really? Did you feel something odd when he was declared dead?"
Huo Lanjing nodded. How could he not?
At that time, it felt as if an invisible hand was mercilessly kneading his heart, making it hard to breathe.
Huo Fei pressed on with her question, "Did you keep thinking about him afterwards?"
Struck by the truth, Huo Lanjing suddenly felt like he had grasped that answer.
"Yes," his tone held a hint of excitement.
"Anything else?"
"I want to see him."
Huo Fei's smile was forced. "You based your judgment on these factors?"
Huo Lanjing shook his head but remained silent.
"I'll ask you this—do you want to see Father and Papa?"
Without waiting for a response, Huo Fei continued, "When they left, did you go crazy missing them, feeling guilty towards them?"
At these words, Huo Lanjing's heart tightened. These reactions were what he had experienced after Luo Le's departure. Did Huo Fei think he was mistaken?
His dark red eyes narrowed as he pondered, "What are you trying to say?"
"I want you to understand your feelings for him. Both Father and Papa were deeply devoted, so how did they produce a heart of stone like you?"
Huo Fei sighed as she spoke.
Exhausted by the barrage of inexplicable questions, Huo Lanjing's voice turned cold. "Are you done? Give me the information."
Huo Fei fell silent for a moment before lifting her gaze with sincerity. "Speaking of him, I even pity him. When one truly loves someone, it's impossible to hide it. Yet you... Don't even mention him. I can't sense any love from you. Your actions now are identical to when Father and Papa first left."
Why was Huo Fei telling him all this?
A possibility suddenly occurred to Huo Lanjing. His icy gaze pierced her as he interrupted, "Are you saying all this to make me give up?"
"No, I won't pressure you into making any choices. Although I don't hold him in high regard, our Huo family has never produced a scoundrel who'd so utterly disregard others' emotions. As your family, I hope you clarify your feelings before deciding. Until then, don't disturb him."
Huo Fei sipped her tea. "Love, friendship, and familial affection—distinguishing these may be too difficult for you. Let me tell you the most direct difference between love and the other two: possession and desire. Think back. Do you feel stifled or uneasy seeing him with someone else? And... umm."
Awkward as it was for her to discuss such matters as an elder, Huo Fei cleared her throat softly. "That desire, you know."
Grasping Huo Fei's intention, Huo Lanjing softened his tone and lowered his eyes. "Alright, I understand."
"Here you go."
Huo Fei tossed over a small box, which Huo Lanjing effortlessly caught. Upon opening it, he found a black cufflink inside.
Perplexed, he reached out, "What's this?"
Seeing his reaction, Luo Le probably hadn't given it to him yet.
She had thought that she had given it to him, but he had declined.
"Haven't you heard? It's the gift your wife gives you every year."
Huo Lanjing paused. Luo Le would indeed bring him a pile of items every year, but after he declined them, they would never reappear in front of him.
However, he had never seen this particular cufflink before.
Huo Lanjing was wearing a white shirt and a black jacket that day. After some consideration, he affixed the cufflink onto his left sleeve.
His action of putting on the cufflink was deliberate and unhurried.
Light glanced off the black cufflinks, casting a deep crimson hue that harmonized superbly with the irregularly patched suit he wore.
Huo Fei couldn't help but secretly admire; Luo Le truly had an excellent eye. This cufflink was indeed perfectly suited for the young man.
Though the Luo family wasn't an influential aristocratic clan, Luo Le wouldn't be someone to take a liking to Huo Lanjing merely because of his family's wealth.
After much contemplation, she still believed that Luo Le was more likely drawn to her appearance.
"Any news?"
"I've given it to you."
Huo Lanjing adjusted it and looked up at her. "You didn't mean that..."
"I won this cufflink at an auction on the Second Planet."
Having said that, Huo Fei didn't elaborate further.
In auctions like those, the previous owners' names were usually visible. Upon seeing the name on it, she finally understood.
Huo Lanjing turned and left.
As he reached the door, Huo Fei called out to him again.
He slightly tilted his body, his gaze seemingly inquiring what was the matter.
"After all these years, have you still not let yourself go? Father and your father wouldn't want to see you like this."
Huo Lanjing paused for a moment before pushing the door open and departing.
Watching his retreating figure, Huo Fei was momentarily at a loss for words.
When Huo Lanjing was young, his behavior was wayward, and by the age of twelve, he became even more insubordinate, defying everyone's attempts to discipline him. Their grandfather was unable to manage him, so they sent their father to take him into the military for training.
After joining the military, his character landed him in numerous troubles. By chance, he stumbled upon the traces of the insectoid race and, alone, followed them.
Back then, he encountered the royal family of the insectoids, whose guards were incredibly powerful combatants.
Despite Huo Lanjing's formidable mental strength and exceptional talent, he was no match for those guards.
He was taken away just like that.
Later, their father received a challenge, and their father, upon learning the news, couldn't remain idle and immediately went to the military.
Somewhere along the way, something happened, and only he survived.
Their grandfather, already displeased with Huo Lanjing's wayward nature, was devastated by the loss of his child. His unchanneled fury then fell upon him.
Huo Fei was only sixteen at the time, harboring her own grievances, so she watched coldly from the sidelines.
She didn't notice that her already reticent brother had become even more composed and taciturn.
This composure was a composure akin to death.
Yet, no one realized back then that something was amiss with him.
Eventually, their grandfather passed away from the heartache, and following the funeral, Huo Lanjing departed for the First Army.
After that, he rarely replied to her letters.
It wasn't until Huo Lanjing returned home that Huo Fei sensed something amiss.
In the past, he was merely reserved and disinclined to share his thoughts. But now, when she spoke to him, she felt an invisible barrier between them.
It was as if he had barricaded himself inside, unwilling to come out or let others in.
Only then did Huo Fei realize that Huo Lanjing was the only person in this world with whom she shared the same blood. If anything happened to him, she would have no family left.
Thus, Huo Fei sought out psychologists everywhere, hoping to mend their relationship, but Huo Lanjing refused to go.
Eventually, when Huo Lanjing ascended to his position, he was forbidden from seeking psychological help for the rest of his life.
Huo Lanjing left the house promptly, heading straight for the spacecraft. After bidding farewell to Commander Lin and the administrative officials of the Second Planet, he set off.
The afternoon sun was warm, and below the hospital, patients in their gowns were leisurely chatting under the trees.
Gu Heting and Luo Le strolled leisurely through the small garden, occasionally discussing with him the precautions of raising children.
Luo Le listened attentively, interjecting with a question from time to time.
"By the way, you're being discharged today. Have you finished packing?"
"There's nothing to pack."
"By the way, when you return, make sure to take it easy and have a light diet. Honestly, my advice would be to stay for a longer period."
"No, I'm not particularly fond of the scent of hospitals."
Each visit to the hospital always brought something unpleasant, and he couldn't rest well here anyway.
Luo Le still preferred to go back home.
"Alright, if there's anything, I'll be staying next door. Just look for me."
"Mm-hm."
They chatted all the way back to the hospital room.
Upon arrival, the nurse carried Chen Chen in.
Previously, Chen Chen had been sleeping in an incubator, not with him.
Luo Le spread his arms, signaling for the nurse to place the child in them.
Seeing his stiff hands, the nurse smiled and said, "Support his bottom, head, and neck gently. His spine isn't fully developed yet."
Prior to this, Luo Le had been lying in bed and hadn't held Chen Chen much, following the nurse's instructions with some success.
Luo Le dared not hold on too tightly, feeling Chen Chen's heartbeat, he was somewhat dazed.
Is this... his creation?
How tiny it is, with its soft body and milky scent. It's sleeping with its eyes closed, so well-behaved.
Gu Heting watched from the side, and Luo Le, seeing the child's dazed expression, felt as if he was about to be overwhelmed with cuteness.
After a moment, Luo Le gently placed the child on the bed and draped a small blanket over him from the side.
Having completed these tasks, Luo Le deftly unfastened the buttons with one hand while tidying up the small water cup with the other.
Since his back was turned, Gu Heting could only see him tidying up.
Approaching her, he was about to offer assistance when Luo Le removed her garment.
Upon his left shoulder, a tiny blood-colored butterfly blossomed, its allure vivid and enchanting.
Gu Yiting froze, seizing his wrist in surprise. His gaze lingered unwaveringly on it.
Luo Le turned his head. "What are you doing?"