Ji Shiqing took a step towards Ji Yu but was immediately stopped by a staff member standing beside him. It had been ordered from above that Ji Shiqing must not approach anyone else. The staff member said to Ji Shiqing, “Director Ji, you can’t go over there.”
Ji Shiqing glanced once again in Ji Yu’s direction, but he was still too far away, and Ji Yu’s face remained blurry before him. Lowering his gaze, Ji Shiqing calmly said to the inspector, “I will just say a few words to him from here.” The inspector estimated the distance between Ji Shiqing and Ji Yu, nodded, and said, “Alright, please make it quick.”
As Ji Shiqing opened his mouth to call out Ji Yu’s name, Ji Yu remained motionless, standing still until Ji Shiqing called him again. Only then did he raise his head and look towards the voice.
Ji Yu saw Ji Shiqing standing in front of the speeding car, his face pale and sickly. He wore an oversized camel-colored windbreaker, which made him appear thin and frail. It seemed as though a gust of wind could blow him away, scattering him into pieces that could never be put back together.
When Ji Yu stood outside the lobby of the Supervisory Office, he quickly turned his body to the side upon seeing Ji Shiqing looking in his direction. He was afraid that Ji Shiqing would recognize him. However, as Ji Shiqing passed by expressionlessly, a wave of disappointment surged within Ji Yu. Mixed with memories from the past, Ji Yu responded somewhat awkwardly, “I was just passing by.” Afraid that Ji Shiqing wouldn’t believe him, he hesitantly added, “If I had known I would meet you here, I wouldn’t have come.”
Ji Shiqing’s expression remained largely unchanged, as if he had long grown accustomed to Ji Yu’s stubborn words. Ji Yu moved his lips slightly, not wanting to show any hint of concern in front of Ji Shiqing. It was as if acknowledging it would mean losing the ongoing battle between them. Finally, Ji Yu simply said, “Well, I have to go.”
Ji Shiqing’s voice remained calm as he asked Ji Yu, “Where are you going?”
Ji Yu shook his head and replied, “I don’t know, but I just don’t want to stay here.” He thought that perhaps he would head to the battlefield ahead and do something for the empire.
He wanted to ask Ji Shiqing if he would be heartbroken, but it felt too pretentious. His older brother seemed consumed by the desire for power and manipulation, leaving no room for anything else in his heart. They could never return to the past.
Ji Shiqing looked at Ji Yu, unable to clearly see his facial expression. However, sometimes there was no need to see it. He could still guess what was going on in his younger brother’s mind. He wanted to give him some advice, but some words were better left unsaid today, and perhaps there would be no chance in the future.
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he began coughing heavily, as if trying to expel various organs from his body. He hunched over like a shrimp, and if he were to remove his outer coat, one would surely see his clothes clinging to his protruding bones.
Ji Yu instinctively reached out his hand, wanting to pat his back, but the distance between them was too far, and he couldn’t reach him. Ji Shiqing’s cough gradually subsided, and Ji Yu casually withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened. In the end, he gave in and said to Ji Shiqing, “Brother, take good care of yourself.“
Ji Shiqing made a sound of agreement, his face tinged with a thin layer of red due to the intense coughing. His whole demeanor seemed much softer than before. He said to Ji Yu, “You too, Ji Yu. You have grown up now and can shoulder your own future. However, if you have the time, go and visit Mount Kofilian.1 科菲利安” There, buried are their long-deceased parents. Ji Shiqing is aware of his own condition, and he is afraid that he may never be able to go there again. But if he were to die, perhaps he could be buried there.
Ji Yu furrowed his brow, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm, as he asked, “Why don’t you go yourself?”
“Me?” Ji Shiqing smiled and replied, “I will go there too. Perhaps I will go there soon.”
Ji Yu noticed that Ji Shiqing seemed to be speaking more today than before. He thought that Ji Shiqing had probably been confined for too long without anyone to talk to, causing him to speak more to himself. Ji Yu’s heart sank, and he said to Ji Shiqing, “I’m leaving. Reflect on your actions, and don’t end up with only robots willing to accompany you.”
Ji Shiqing did not respond to Ji Yu’s sarcastic words. His expression remained calm as he said to Ji Yu, “Ji Yu, you and your second brother should get along well in the future.”
Ji Yu cut him off indifferently. What qualifications did Ji Shiqing have to say this? He wanted to retort with something sarcastic but when he saw Ji Shiqing’s pale face, many words got stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t speak.
“Goodbye,” Ji Yu said, as if those were the only words he could muster at that moment.
“Goodbye,” Ji Shiqing replied.
The cold wind sliced through like a knife, and dry yellow leaves fell from the sky. Magnificent nebulae flowed in the sky, and the thunderous sound of starships starting up overshadowed the noisy surroundings for a while. It was a sound Ji Shiqing had often heard during his time in the Supervisory Court. Ji Yu turned around, his back facing Ji Shiqing, and walked away with long strides.
Ji Shiqing watched as Ji Yu gradually moved farther away. He walked quickly and soon blended into the blurred background, making it impossible to find him in the crowd.
“Dean Ji, we should also go,” a supervisory officer beside him said.
Ji Shiqing silently boarded the hovercraft, with the silver-leaved trees on both sides of the street swiftly passing by in his vision. He closed his eyes, feeling a calmness in his heart, as if it were a frozen lake in the midst of a winter devoid of any ripples.
T/N – Man I cried~~Tissues for you guyz ~~~~
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sarcastisaurus On CFRFGC Chapter 80