However, unlike Zheng Ru, Yi Chen had a devastated expression on his face.

'So she's really leaving, huh…'

The words she had said kept spiralling in his mind as he was forced to accept the reality as it was.

His heart ached with grief as he looked towards Feng Yu, who was currently looking sorrowfully towards Zheng Ru.

The next moment, Feng Yu's gaze turned towards him.

Just like Zheng Ru, he too wanted to give her a comforting smile and a satisfying goodbye, so he tried…he tried to smile as cheerfully as he could.

Alas, he wasn't experienced in controlling his facial muscles.

What he thought was a cheerful smile was instead a smile that was enough to even make a grown man feel pity for him.

Seeing him like this, pricked Feng Yu's heart. She wanted to comfort him…but how could she when it was she who was the cause of his grief.

"Father's right, Yu'er. Let's enjoy our lunch together and spend as much time together as we can," Yi Chen said after clearing his throat, trying his best to keep that smile on his face.

"Y-Yes…" Feng Yu also answered with an apologetic smile on her face.

The three of them soon left for the dining hall.

Meanwhile, Elder Jing was guided to a guest room to be taken care of on Zheng Ru's orders.

He wanted to spend this moment with only his family.

After they had taken their seats, there was still some time left, so Zheng Ru suggested a game of chess.

"Let's make it two vs one. That way the game would feel more engaging, haha!" he suggested with a smile while gesturing towards a servant to bring the board.

"Alright, Father," Feng Yu answered. Yi Chen, who was sitting beside her, nodded as well.

The pieces were soon ready, and Zheng Ru, who was taking the white side, started the game.

"Since this is the first and the last time we'll be playing like this together, the two of you should try your best, understand?"

Zheng Ru said with a soft smile as he waited for their move.

"Yes, Father," Feng Yu answered seriously, and Yi Chen, who had somewhat recovered thanks to Zheng Ru's attitude, also nodded from the side.

Gesturing towards Feng Yu, he told her to place the first move.

With a nod, she grabbed a pawn from the middle and placed it two blocks ahead.

"Good start!" Zheng Ru nodded from the side and placed his next move after a thought.

And the game began in earnest.

"Haha! You're really going all out, Yu'er, aren't you?"

"Well...you asked me to father."

"Better luck next time, Chen'er, your pawn is mine bahaha!

"…"

"Oh! You've improved. You're a fast learner, Chen'er!"

A subtle smile formed on Yi Chen's face when he heard Zheng Ru's praise.

"Ah, I remember playing this several rounds with Yu'er's mother back in the days, she really enjoyed the game…"

"Father, don't lie! Mother hated playing chess more than anything else. She even made me learn chess so that I can take her spot…" Feng Yu retorted with a snort.

"Is that so? I must have remembered wrongly," Zheng Ru chuckled while scratching the back of his head, "But thanks to that, I'm able to play this wonderful game with you today."

He said with a soft smile on his face.

"Yes…" Feng Yu answered as she placed her next move.

The mood in the room had become brighter. The earlier gloominess was retreating.

"Chen'er, it's your turn now." Zheng Ru gestured with a smile.

Yi Chen nodded. With each move, his heart became calmer and calmer.

The game continued on for another few minutes.

Being an experienced player, Zheng Ru was able to find a gap to exploit.

"I always wished for my little daughter to marry the person she loved and live happily.

These two were my most prominent wishes. My first wish came true thanks to my good fortune…"

He said as he dragged his Bishop to a particular spot. It was a checkmate.

"…as for my second wish. It all depends on you, Yu'er. So continue to live happily there and don't blame yourself too much…you understand?"

Feng Yu's figure sprang up from her seat, and she was tightly hugging her father the next moment.

"I'm sorry, Father…I'm really sorry," She bawled like a child.

"It's okay. Cry all you want, dear…cry all you want," Zheng Ru lovingly patted her head and calmed her down.

Seeing this, Yi Chen bowed towards Zheng Ru and left the hall to stand outside.

The next moment, tears finally started streaming down Zheng Ru's eyes as well. He had been strong for way too long.

Seeing the servants approaching with the dishes, Yi Chen gestured for them to stop.

"Come back after a few minutes," He muttered.

"Yes, Young Master," the servants bowed and took their leave. Hearing the piercing cries coming out of the room, they didn't need any explanation.

Several minutes later, Zheng Ru wiped the tears off Feng Yu's eyes using the sleeves of his robe and said, "You must be hungry, right?"

"Y-Yes," Feng Yu nodded tenderly as she thought back to times when she was a crybaby.

Her father used to always ask her this question after placating her back then.

Zheng Ru smiled affectionately at her response and soon went out of the hall to call the servants.

Seeing Yi Chen standing there alone, he patted him on his back, "Chen'er, you did well. Let's give her some time to settle her thoughts. Meanwhile, I'll go and call the servants,"

"Yes, Father," Yi Chen nodded with a short bow as he saw Zheng Ru left.

With a short exhale of breath, he glanced towards the closed door.

While waiting outside, he was able to clear his head a little and think straight. So, what if it was almost impossible to enter the next realm? Didn't he possess a system and bookish knowledge that far surpasses the majority in this world?

He refused to believe that he wouldn't be able to pave a way for himself and meet Feng Yu again.

'In fact, I'll make sure that it's not only me but also Father-in-law who will ascend to the next realm.' Yi Chen's eyes gleamed with determination as he waited outside for Zheng Ru.

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