Having let go of a great burden, returning to his room, Ning Ge stared blankly at the ceiling for a while. The mont he closed his eyes, he fell asleep, and when he awoke, the sun was already high in the sky.
After washing up and going downstairs, Old Master Ning was at the doorway playing with the parrot he kept. Hearing movent, he peeked over and, seeing that Ning Ge was up, said, "Your sister-in-law went out to buy so groceries. There’s congee and buns left in the kitchen!"
Just like every other day, as if nothing had happened, as if no one knew his true identity.
"Oh right! Rember to call Xiao Cheng back, don’t wait until she needs sothing and can’t find you," Old Master Ning added.
Ning Ge acknowledged with a sound, thinking to himself what matter could Cheng Su have, for he had more important things to attend to now.
After hastily eating the congee and buns, Ning Ge went out.
When Cang Ying saw Ning Ge, his expression changed several tis before pulling him into a back alley.
"Didn’t I tell you not to co looking for again? What do you an by this? I said I know nothing, stop asking ," Cang Ying gritted his teeth as he spoke.
"Don’t worry. You’re very safe now, and there’s no need to hide anymore. You can live your ordinary life in peace," Ning Ge said, looking at him.
Cang Ying was taken aback, "What do you an?"
"About that matter, I know now," Ning Ge replied.
Cang Ying looked at him, waiting for his explanation.
Ning Ge relayed what he had heard from his elder brother, that the traitor was not him but soone else, including the truth about that incident.
Cang Ying leaned blankly against the wall for a long while before asking, "Got a smoke?"
Ning Ge took out a cigarette and tossed it over. Cang Ying pulled out a stick, put it in his mouth, and then took out a lighter to light it. After taking a couple of deep puffs, he tossed the pack back to him.
"So, my na’s been cleared?" Cang Ying let out a mocking laugh, "Who was I carrying this stigma for?"
"I don’t know, I really don’t," Ning Ge replied, sowhat dejected, "No matter who it was, they’re dead now. Does it even matter anymore?"
Cang Ying laughed bitterly again.
Whether it matters or not, so many years have passed. It’s just that he felt a sense of injustice, having lived in fear for all these years for nothing.
The two stood silently against the wall, smoking. Cang Ying finished his cigarette and then snuffed it out on the ground underfoot.
"Since the truth is out, there’s no need for us to et again. Don’t co back!" Cang Ying said this and turned to leave.
"Cang Ying, do you want to return to the organization?" Ning Ge asked.
Cang Ying turned his head slightly, saying, "In their eyes, I’m a dead man. What’s the point in going back? Now, I have a wife and a child. I have my responsibilities. The great responsibilities of the country? Ha, I’m just an ordinary citizen and powerless to help."
Ning Ge pursed his lips, took a letter from his pocket, and stuffed it into Cang Ying’s hand.
"What’s this for?" Cang Ying frowned and could tell what it was just by the feel.
"A gift for my nephew, congratulations on your wedding and having a son!" Ning Ge said.
Cang Ying’s eyes grew complicated, recalling the jokes they would make back when they were on missions, about how they must all send gifts and congratulations if anyone ever got married or had a child.
Now, among them, so were dead, so were crippled. He no longer had the courage or passion, now just an ordinary father.
But Ning Ge still rembered.
Cang Ying put the envelope into his pocket, saying, "Thanks!" Then headed for the back door, after a few steps, he paused again and said, "Take care."
Ning Ge said nothing, leaning against the wall. He listened to the back door open and shut, silently smoking until the cigarette was down to the end before leaving.
From then on, they would forget each other amid the jianghu, never to et again.
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