Shen Bowen stayed in Yuzhou for half a month before leaving with a suitcase. Inside the suitcase were thirteen ability potions. In this world, only Shen Feng had the capability to give out so many ability potions at once, as he had no shortage of them. Of the meteorite fragments he had brought back, only half had been used, with the other half remaining.
When Shen Bowen departed, he once again traveled by boat. This time, he looked back at the distant city. If he were looking for someone, it was a pity that all he saw were bustling crowds and busy docks. The person he wished to see remained unseen.
"We should also be going. Lord Fengshen is very busy, so he likely doesn't have time to see you!" Sayaka said from the side.
Shen Bowen could only nod. He really wanted to see his father. Although he had only seen him in newspapers and on television before, he now yearned to speak with his father, even for just a few minutes. Unfortunately, it seemed fate had not granted him this opportunity.
The boat sailed eastward along the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River had dried up considerably. While the water level upstream had risen significantly due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the water here was now less than before the dam was built, and even less. Sandbars that had not appeared in the Yangtze for decades had re-emerged. On many of the river islands, there were strange sculptures, with a large number of them being Buddhist statues, and a few sculptures whose nature was unclear.
In winter, the Yangtze River might even experience a斷流 (duànliú -斷流, meaning to cease flowing). This was because the severe drop in temperature had further reduced the high mountain winds and snow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, consequently reducing the Yangtze's flow. The once golden waterway had now become desolate.
Many things were complex and intertwined. Although the Yangtze River was facing the risk of depletion at this time, for the people in the middle and lower reaches, they at least did not have to face the threat of floods. Otherwise, once heavy rain fell in the upper reaches during the rainy season, the lower reaches would undoubtedly become a vast expanse of water.
Shen Bowen was currently leaning on the railing of the boat, looking at the surrounding mountains and rivers. His mood seemed to be influenced by these mountains and waters. Confucius once said, "The benevolent find joy in mountains, the wise find joy in water." Thus, the beauty of mountains and waters always attracted numerous literati to linger and express their emotions.
Shen Bowen felt no particular sentiment, as he knew that the mountains and waters here did not belong to him. Even if he wanted to stay and look for a while longer, he would be met with questioning glances from others. Therefore, he could only return.
At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the sky. The figure then descended from the sky at an extremely high speed, landing precisely on the boat.
"Thump..." A figure landed on the boat, causing the deck to vibrate. This attracted many people to come out of their cabins to see. The boat was manned by many experienced sailors. As they came out, they saw a person wearing a cloak.
"Who are you? What business do you have on our ship? State your purpose quickly, or we will take action!" The sailors threatened the person and drew out their handguns. They had seen many storms in the apocalypse and knew that someone dressed like this was definitely not a good person, so they were prepared for the worst. As long as the other party made a move, they would open fire immediately. The firearms gave them a sense of security.
However, at this moment, Shen Bowen thought of something. Even though the person was wearing a cloak and their entire body was covered in black cloth, he had already guessed who it was. He quickly said to the sailors, "It's alright. This is a friend of mine. You all go back. I'll have a good chat with this friend!"
Upon hearing this, the sailors could only return, as it was the employer's request, and they could not disobey.
Shen Feng then took off his hood and said to Shen Bowen, "You're quite clever to have figured it out so quickly and to have made these people leave. It seems your mind is quite sharp. Keep working hard in the future!"
Seeing Shen Feng appear, Shen Bowen's heart warmed. He hadn't expected him to actually come at this moment.
"Father, why are you here? I heard people say you are very busy and wouldn't have time to see me off, but it seems you've still come!" Shen Bowen asked quickly.
Shen Feng said, "Actually... I feel guilty towards you and your mother. Your existence makes me feel a lot of guilt. I am an unqualified man, and even after you appeared, I was still thinking of shirking responsibility. However, I believe that after a person makes a mistake, what is most important is not their attitude, but whether they have the intention to correct it afterward. I have no means to make it up to you, so I can only come to see you off alone."
Shen Bowen smiled and said, "You really don't have to do this, because I truly don't mind! If others see you talking to me alone, it might even cause negative repercussions!"
Shen Bowen understood that Shen Feng's status was too important. Therefore, even his movements would be noticed by others. If he appeared on this boat and spoke with him, it would surely be used as evidence and publicized.
Shen Feng said, "If you really didn't mind, why were you looking back earlier?"
Shen Bowen then realized that all his actions had been observed by his father. He could only smile awkwardly and turn his head away.
Shen Feng thought for a moment and then said, "I've heard about your background. You come from a humble origin, the child of a woman of loose morals, and you grew up in the slums!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Bowen's expression changed. This was his greatest fear. What he worried about most was how his father would view him if his identity were exposed. Would he think of him as a bastard? Or would he look down on him even more?
Shen Feng then said, "Actually, I've reflected on my past behavior. At that time, I was very arrogant and looked down on ordinary people. I did whatever I wanted, and no one could stop me. Someone once tried to harm me, and I killed four to five thousand people. At that time, the entire city was filled with people in mourning. Now that I think about it, your birth is also my mistake. It's just that the mistake has already been made, and I can only let you continue to live on!"
Shen Bowen lowered his head and said, "It's my low status that has embarrassed you!"
Shen Feng then said, "I remember you once said that everyone is equal, but why have you changed your tune now? Why do you feel inferior? This doesn't sound like something you would say!"
Shen Bowen finally understood. His father had been paying attention to him throughout these days. His heart instantly warmed with a mix of excitement and indignation. While it was being monitored, it also meant he was being valued, not ignored as if he were air.
"Actually, I don't believe what I said before. The old beggar told me that from the moment a person is born, their status is fixed. My inferiority complex is also due to the status bestowed upon me," Shen Bowen said.
Shen Feng patted Shen Bowen's shoulder and said, "There are many contradictory sayings in the world, so you'll be spoiled for choice. But I hope you can remember one thing: as long as you want to do something, you can achieve it no matter what. If you give up, these things will never be realized! I don't have much to see you off with, only some snacks. I hope you like them. Also, if you meet your birth mother, please give her my apologies!"
After saying this, Shen Feng took out a package from his person. Inside the package were many snacks, some pastries, some meat, and some preserved fruits.
This gift was not particularly valuable, especially for Shen Feng. Such a small amount was not even a fraction of a fraction.
When Shen Bowen saw the gift in his father's hand, he was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He finally understood what fatherly love felt like. He couldn't help but shed tears and said, "Actually, I've always been a wanderer and never felt a sense of home. Two years ago, I learned about my father's identity for the first time, and I've always longed to meet you. Later, I worried about my status, and my heart was filled with apprehension! But now I finally understand what the fatherly love I desired feels like!"
Shen Feng shrugged and said, "Stop saying that. I'm an incompetent husband and father. Now I can only see you off. I hope you have a wonderful life in the future. There's no need to say anything else. I should be going back soon. I can't stay away from Yuzhou for too long!"
After saying these words, Shen Feng left. Shen Bowen watched the figure disappearing into the sky and silently said in his heart, "Father, just watch. I will surely have a brighter future. When we meet again, I will have grown incredibly powerful!"
Shen Feng had left, but Shen Bowen's fighting spirit had been ignited. Ever since he knew that his father was also paying attention to him, his heart had become incredibly excited. He knew that as long as he showed some progress, it would surely reach his father's ears, and then his father would pay more attention to him.
Sayaka saw this from the side and said nothing. It seemed that after being separated for so long, the father and son had finally come to understand each other. This was quite good. However, in this world, it was hard to say what the future would hold. Perhaps after this parting, they would never see each other again.
"Lord Yue Hengyi, I wonder how you are doing up in the sky. Is everything going smoothly? When the blue sky and white clouds reappear, I will come to find you!" Sayaka said softly.
As she spoke these words, she kept looking up at the sky. Even though she knew she couldn't see anything, she still hoped to see a black speck in the sky, because that would be a giant base appearing in the sky.