6. Farewell
Early the next morning, after getting fully dressed, Tao Xinyu and Yan Hao began their hike down the mountain. After yesterday's rain, the mountain path was somewhat muddy, and the two walked for nearly two hours before finally descending.
After driving back to Krakow's city center, Yan Hao stopped at a café, got out, bought breakfast, then drove directly back to Tao Xinyu's lodging.
"Would you mind if I come in? Let's have breakfast together." Yan Hao's initiative to come upstairs surprised Tao Xinyu somewhat.
She looked at Yan Hao with some hesitation in her eyes, and Yan Hao naturally didn't miss her uncertainty. So, being self-aware, he spoke again:
"It's fine. You can take the breakfast back inside. I'll head back then."
"Come on up. Let's eat together. Otherwise, you bought too much—I can't finish it all by myself." In the end, Tao Xinyu chose to trust Yan Hao's character. She felt he probably didn't have any ulterior motives; maybe he simply wanted to have breakfast with her. So, she agreed to his request.
After Yan Hao parked the car, Tao Xinyu led him back to her lodging. The two, already hungry, quickly began eating. Bread paired with hot, thick soup left Tao Xinyu feeling quite satisfied.
After the meal, Tao Xinyu brewed two cups of coffee, then slowly spoke to Yan Hao:
"Yan Hao, I'm returning to Taiwan tomorrow. Throughout this trip to Poland, I'm so lucky to have had you by my side. It feels like as long as you're with me, many things can turn out safely. Thank you so much. I'm really happy to have met you."
This was what Tao Xinyu had been wanting to say to Yan Hao. Though they had only known each other a few days, Yan Hao had helped her immensely during this time, and she was truly grateful. Tomorrow she would go home, and she told herself she had to properly thank him before leaving, to express her appreciation.
Though Yan Hao's expression remained cool, in that moment, he felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.
He hadn't expected she would return to her country so soon. He hadn't asked much about her personal affairs because he thought there would be time to learn about her situation gradually—he never imagined she would leave tomorrow.
"Let's exchange contact information." Yan Hao's tone was cold and direct—not a request, but a demand.
Tao Xinyu looked up at Yan Hao, pressing her lips together. In truth, she was also somewhat reluctant to part. This chance encounter on a foreign street felt to her like a serendipitous connection. She understood clearly that they would eventually have to separate, but on the eve of parting, there was still a deep reluctance in her heart.
This still somewhat unfamiliar handsome man had given Tao Xinyu a new perspective on men and left an excellent impression. If there was a chance to stay in touch, she would certainly want to maintain the friendship. So, with her signature bright smile, she replied:
"Alright. I won't forget you, so you can't forget me either. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."
Tao Xinyu had expressed her hopes, though somewhat implicitly, but she had done her best to show goodwill, hoping this always cold, quiet, unsmiling man could understand her meaning.
And Yan Hao did understand the message Tao Xinyu was sending. He lowered his beautiful eyes, veiling the deep, intense possessiveness within. This brief separation was only temporary—she would leave him for now. In his heart, he made a decision: when they met again, he would use every means to secure this woman, so she could never leave him again.
"I will never forget you." With these words, Yan Hao made a vow as binding as a blood oath. The resolute intensity hidden beneath the surface was a deep possessiveness Tao Xinyu failed to notice.
---
Yan Hao drove alone to a dark forest on the outskirts. Parking the car, he walked slowly into the depths of the woods. Waiting at the forest's end was a man.
To be precise, it was a stunningly beautiful man who looked exactly like Yan Hao. When they stood side by side, others could not tell them apart. This man was Yan Hao's identical twin brother, Yan Yi.
"Has anything happened in the empire?" Yan Hao stopped before Yan Yi, his tone cold and menacing.
Yan Yi's appearance was identical to Yan Hao's, down to the moles in the same places. Yet his features carried a sinister, wicked air that Yan Hao lacked.
Though both were equally decisive and ruthless in governing the country, Yan Yi was not as cool and aloof as Yan Hao. He was dissolute and wicked, a libertine who wandered among flowers—different from Yan Hao's ascetic tendencies. Apart from that, the two brothers were alike in every way.
"Nothing major. Just that the He clan keeps sending envoys about marriage alliances. It's annoying." Yan Yi replied.
"Reject them. I have no plans for a marriage alliance with the He clan." Yan Hao's eyes showed clear disgust as he gave his cold order.
"I knew you wouldn't marry Heli. But she's quite devoted to you—her determination to marry no one but you is quite evident." Yan Yi's tone was somewhat teasing.
Yan Hao glanced sidelong at Yan Yi before slowly speaking:
"Your indifferent attitude is too obvious. Don't forget our Yan clan custom—brothers must share a wife."
Yan Yi merely snorted in response, then said unconcernedly:
"It doesn't matter who I marry. I never have any say anyway. You're the one who decides who our wife will be. I'll still play around after marriage. As long as I fulfill my duty to produce offspring, no one can control me."
Yan Hao sighed. His brother simply didn't have his steady temperament—no wonder the throne had fallen to him. In truth, Yan Hao hadn't wanted to inherit the throne, but heaven rarely complied with one's wishes.
"I've found the woman to bear our offspring." Yan Hao's sudden announcement shocked Yan Yi.
The brother who'd previously said he wasn't in a hurry to marry was now claiming he'd found someone to bear their descendants—this meant he was ready to enter marriage. For the Yan clan, only the legitimate wife could bear their offspring.
"Are you serious? Who is she?" Yan Yi was skeptical, but mainly he didn't want to believe it because he himself wasn't ready for marriage. Deep down, he refused to accept what Yan Hao was saying.
"A human woman. I plan for her to bear our children. It has to be her." Yan Hao's tone was resolute, making Yan Yi even more incredulous.
"Where have you been looking for women these past few days? How can you say something like 'it has to be her'?" Yan Yi grabbed Yan Hao's shoulder in astonishment, dumbfounded.
"Anyway, just be prepared for marriage. Also, she doesn't know I'm of the demon clan. This needs to proceed slowly, so she won't know she's a shared wife. You must cooperate with me. Understood?" Yan Hao's serious instructions made Yan Yi realize his brother was truly serious about this woman.
He looked at Yan Hao, a trace of seriousness gradually appearing in his eyes, then slowly spoke:
"There aren't many people in this world you'd scheme for like this. I'm starting to look forward to meeting this woman. I can't wait to find out what kind of divine being can make the Emperor of the Astor Empire treasure and protect her so dearly."
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Yan Hao's handsome face—a smile that came only because of Tao Xinyu. He said:
"She's someone you'll like too."
Hearing Yan Hao say this truly astonished Yan Yi.
"Goodness! Hearing words like that from your mouth is unbelievable. Are you still the Yan Hao I know?" Yan Yi was stunned by his brother's attitude. He never thought he'd hear such words from him.
Yan Hao remained silent, simply setting a goal in his heart: the woman to bear offspring for the Yan imperial family must be Tao Xinyu, no one else. He didn't know what spell he'd fallen under—going from not wanting to produce offspring to desperately wanting this woman to bear his children. Such a drastic change troubled him, yet it was because his heart was increasingly beyond his control.
This feeling was unprecedented for him. In the demon clan's Astor Empire, the only relationship between men and women was practical—producing offspring.
The demon clan consisted of three royal families—Yan, He, and Bai—forming a federal empire.
The Yan clan had the strongest energy among the three, so the throne was passed down through Yan Hao and Yan Yi. The leaders of the He and Bai clans served as regents assisting in governing the empire.
The demon clan shared a common affliction: difficulty producing offspring. Regardless of gender, they faced considerable challenges in conceiving. So the He and Bai clans turned to abducting human women to bear children for their families. The Yan clan, however, didn't limit their choices to humans or demon clans—they could choose either. Their generations consistently produced twins, two at a time, regardless of gender.
Of course, the Yan clan also had difficulties with reproduction, but because they carried twin genes, they had greater advantages than other royal families. Thus, they didn't need to abduct human women for forced pregnancy—they could follow their hearts in choosing suitable women. That was the difference.
Producing offspring was an extremely important duty for the demon clan. Every royal family considered childbearing their most sacred priority. So Yan Hao's early identification of a suitable target was fortunate for the Yan imperial family.
Yan Hao had never forgotten his responsibility to the imperial clan. Therefore, his equally important brother Yan Yi must also shoulder this crucial task of reproduction. The Astor Empire needed to increase its population to strengthen the nation—this was their inescapable duty.
"Yi, no matter how dissipated you want to be in the future, I only ask one thing of you: treat that woman well. Raise children with her well. That will be enough." After a long pause, Yan Hao spoke earnestly, his voice heavy with meaning. This was his only regret regarding Tao Xinyu.
Hearing his brother's serious tone, Yan Yi's wicked gaze gradually sharpened. Looking at his identical twin, he agreed without hesitation:
"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you."
***
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