Hua Ji forcefully suppressed the pain in his heart and managed a smile that looked worse than a cry. He said to Xing Yu, "Xing Yu, it's me, your Aji. I'm back. Have you forgotten me?"
Hua Ji pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, embroidered with two cute black mandarin ducks.
"I've always carried this token you gave me, Xing Yu. How could you pretend not to know me?"
The hand holding the handkerchief was trembling. He seemed like a prisoner awaiting judgement.
Seeing Hua Ji in this state, Xing Yu felt a pang in her heart. She knew, however, that they would never be able to return to their old times.
"Hua Ji, you have a splendid future ahead of you and I am just a lowly servant." Xing Yu bit her lip, struggling to hold back tears, "You should forget about me."
She bowed deeply to Hua Ji, her heart filled with pain, but thankful that he still remembered her.
