Chapter 405: This Is Goodbye. Forever.
After Kang Mingyu's choice had been settled. Kang Jun and Kang Zhi began to discuss how they would go about raising Kang Mingyu.
"He still needs to see you. You're his father. Daily or maybe Weekly visits would be best." Kang Jun said simply.
Kang Zhi then nodded.
"He will see me. I promise... just tell me where you'll be moving and I'll make sure to find a way to be there." After saying this, Kang Zhi squeezed his fist slightly as he looked around the living room. "However, I think you should know that I won't be returning to the Kang family. So staying in T City will be a bit hard for me..."
Kang Jun nodded. "To begin with Lu AnLing, the kids and I will be moving abroad."
Hearing this, Kang Zhi nodded as he smiled kindly. Kang Zhi felt bad about the fact that he wasn't returning to the Kang family but he couldn't bring himself to stay. If he was back for real, too many problems would arise and so, he was good with just being Zeke.
Kang Jun could see the guilt that had arisen in him when he had said he wasn't returning but in Kang Jun's mind that guilt was well deserved and so, he didn't comfort the man in the slightest.
However, there was one last thing he had forgotten to say so Kang Jun placed a hand on Kang zhi's shoulder. "You should come to my home and see your mother. She might not remember that you're her son, but she does still care about you."
Hearing this, Kang Zhi didn't say anything but he knew that this was an order, not a request since after saying this, Kang Jun turned around and left with his family.
Kang Zhi watched at the family of five happily walked away towards their car. After they were gone, Kang Zhi was going to leave but suddenly, what was left of his family approached him. This included Kang Nianxi, Qiao Lan and Elder Kang.
"Zhi..." Elder Kang said softly.
Hearing the tone, Kang Zhi felt bad but then he clenched his teeth and said, "Father... I know what you want to say but I can't... I can't stay here."
Elder Kang looked at the man softly and then he shook his head, "No son... I was just going to say I'm glad that you're alive."
After saying this, the Elder brought Kang Zhi into a hug. He wrapped his arms around his son like he was a precious ephemeral treasure that could disappear in front of his eyes at any moment.
Kang Zhi felt the desperation in the man's hug and this made his heart ache and so, he reciprocated the hug wholeheartedly.
After this, the old man excused himself. He was tired and broken after Secretary Rong and Elder Qiao's betrayal and Feng Zhengyi's craziness. He was happy his son was alive, but at the same time, he was sad about Kang Jun's departure, after settling everything. The elder was so conflicted that he needed time to think.
Feeling a bit worried for his grandfather and feeling like Qiao Lan and Kang Zhi needed to talk alone, Kang Nianxi followed after his grandfather. This left Qiao Lan and Kang Zhi alone in front of the door.
Looking at Kang Zhi, Qiao Lan felt a wave of guilt wash over her. Despite Kang Zhi's adultery, learning that her grandfather had tried to kill him made Qiao Lan break. Not only that, but Qiao Lan couldn't help but think back to her actions towards Kang Mingyu.
Truly, she regretted what she had to done Kang Mingyu. She now realized she was being cruel and childish. Despite the boy being the product of her hurt, Kang Mingyu was an innocent child and it was not his fault that his father had hurt her.
At that second, as she thought this, Qiao Lan was about to apologize but then, Kang Zhi spoke first.
"I'm sorry." Kang Zhi said truthfully.
Hearing this, rather than feel relieved, Qiao Lan felt anger boil from within her. She used to love his unwavering kindness and softness but right at that moment, Qiao Lan couldn't help but feel like the man was just weak and liked to avoid confrontation.
"What's wrong with you?" Qiao Lan started with a face full of disgust. "Why are you sorry? I hurt you son, on purpose, and will you still forgive me?!"
Qiao Lan was a bit shocked about what had just come out of her mouth but, in truth, she wanted to be hurt. She wanted to be hated. She wanted to feel and think something else other than her mother and grandfathers death. However, Kang Zhi would not give her this satisfaction.
Instead of condemning her, Kang Zhi said, "I will. It was my fault to begin with. I was selfish and cruel towards you, Lan... I'm sorry for what I've done to you and I'm sorry that this is what you ended up with."
Hearing this, Qiao Lan felt her whole body freeze in place.
"You're an idiot..." Qiao Lan said with annoyance. "How can you be so... unfatherly... You're so foolish... but I'm a fool too... I knew you didn't love me when you married me but I really believed that you would fall for me one day. That was stupid. But I won't make that mistake ever again..."
As soon as she finished saying this, Qiao Lan's who body became light. She then looked at Kang Zhi in the eyes.
Qiao Lan: "What's the point of loving someone who will never love me back... and what's the point of staying somewhere where I have no home..."
Kang Zhi didn't say a word. He just listened to her speak and felt extremely bad at every word. At that moment, he noticed that Anna and Kang Mingyu weren't the only ones who Kang Zhi had scared, but Qiao Lan also. He had used and taken for granted the love of a girl who had only every wanted to please him... so much so that it twisted her.
He felt like apologizing again but as if sensing what he was going to do, Qiao Lan walked over to him and spoke herself.
"This is goodbye. Forever." Qiao Lan said softly as she planted a soft kiss on Kang Zhi's face.
As she walked away, Kang Zhi watched her with both guilt and regret swarming in his mind.
Truly, if Kang Zhi had not used his 'death' as an excuse to run away, there was a chance that he could have fallen in love with Qiao Lan and she would have treated Kang Mingyu with love, despite not being her own child, and the boy wouldn't have suffered... kang Zhi knew that Qiao Lan would have done anything for him, mostly if he had remained by her side.
But the what if's we're worthless now. What was done, was already done.
As Kang Zhi wallowed a bit in his mistakes, Kang Jun, Lu AnLing and the three kids had arrived at Kang Jun's home.
The five entered the house slightly groggy. They just wanted to sleep. That day had truly been stressful but once they entered the house, they found Rong Lihua in the kitchen baking.
Seeing them, the woman walked up to them. Noticing their grim expression, Rong Lihua's grandmotherly instincts kicked in and so, she smiled softly, "I thought you were coming home tomorrow? I was making some cookies for your welcome!"
Rong Lihua brought the family to the table and then she said, "Wait a second. They're almost done!"
After saying this, Rong Lihua left to the kitchen.
From there, the strong scent of cookies drifted to everyone's nose making their mouths water until finally, Rong Lihua came back with a small basket of sweets.
She laid it in front of them and then beckoned them to take it.
Without a second thought the five did as such and then they began to eat.
As soon as Kang Mingyu, Lu Yuxi and Kang Mei Xue tasted the soft melting sweetness on their tongues, they felt something in their hearts grow, and then they began to cry.
Seeing this, Lu AnLing could understand them. The taste of Rong Lihua's sweets as they all sat at the table together were special.
Feeling this special feeling growing within her, Lu AnLing looked over to Kang Jun who had suddenly reached for her hand.
The two then shared a look and they both smiled unconsciously.
They were both thinking the same thing.
Rong Lihua's cookies tasted like they were home...
They were happy and with each other by their sides, they knew that they would experience this same happiness every day of their lives now that they would surely all be together forever.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
caremel
caremel I never thought I would finish this when I was first planning it out. I’m a bit of a quitter and so I never finish my stories but I guess that changes today. Thank you for reading the story. This is the last chapter of the main story but I’ll be adding some epilogues in this volume, along with some side stories in another volume. I hope you enjoy the last few bits of story I have left for this.
When the epilogue is over I might just write another authors note but bigger.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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