The moment Andrew Han saw his father, Han Wenzhi, a smile unconsciously curled at the corners of his mouth. If seeing his sister Lucy eased his worries, then seeing his father soothed his anxiety and tension, as if he had returned to the heavy, comforting harbor of childhood.
"Oh."
"If Emperor Zhen Gu really wanted to entrust me with something, why didn’t he send me a message himself?" Andrew, for once, wore a look of ease and leisure, chatting casually as if at home.
His mind, body, and even soul—so tense from the Primordial Star Gate—relaxed considerably.
Such is the rhythm of tension and release.
Andrew even vaguely sensed subtle changes in the many star‑maps within his soul space, making his cultivation state more harmonious and efficient.
Through the synchronized video call outside the star sector, Han Wenzhi looked at his son Andrew Han and smiled, "The Emperor didn’t want to disturb your cultivation... He said, unless it’s something major outside your training, he wouldn’t bother you. So he just asked me to mention it when I got the chance, since you’re always busy."
Andrew nodded, unconcerned. "Oh."
He saw Han Wenzhi rub his hands together, as if searching for words among a thousand thoughts, finally speaking after much deliberation: "Son, whenever you have time, help out if you can. The Emperor has done a lot for our family."
Han Wenzhi’s voice was hesitant and faltering.
Afraid of bothering his son, of adding to his burdens—just like countless Sinoveran parents dialing the phone number of their child far away.
What kind of tone was this? Andrew couldn’t describe it.
What kind of feeling was this? Andrew couldn’t put it into words.
His heart trembled; both sour and tender, he opened his mouth but only managed a deep breath: "Dad, I’m really not busy at all. Besides, if you personally ask, how could I refuse?"
Even if Han Wenzhi hadn’t emphasized it, Andrew would still help out just for Emperor Zhen Gu’s sake.
But at this moment, Andrew couldn’t spare a thought for Emperor Zhen Gu’s kindness. He was only deeply troubled, watching his own father Han Wenzhi... He wondered, what sort of ideas had been instilled in them to make his father feel so distant and formal with him?
He was born in Suhe City, in an ordinary family.
He wasn’t sure how other kids addressed their parents, but Andrew always used ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom.’ He rarely used the formal ‘you’; whenever he did, it felt distant and unnatural. Most parents preferred their children to keep respect in their hearts and warmth in their words.
This was his own father!
The man who had raised him all these years!