Chapter 272: Enlightenment and Closeness
“What do you think is the most important thing in a relationship?”
Leon was momentarily taken aback by the question, his eyebrows slowly furrowing as he pondered.
“The most important thing in a relationship, huh?” He rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
When it came to the most important aspect of a relationship, he was certain that everyone had a different perspective.
For him, sincerity was the key. With sincerity, any relationship would remain strong and lasting.
However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his answer might not be what the middle-aged man was looking for, causing him to hesitate.
Noticing Leon’s silence and doubtful expression, the middle-aged man sighed softly, shaking his head. “The answer is honesty, Leon Kruger. How can you struggle with such a simple question?”
Leon felt a bit embarrassed by the reprimand, but confusion quickly followed.
“Honesty, you say? So, are you suggesting that the solution to my problem is to be open and direct with my partner?” Leon inquired, his tone laced with skepticism.
The middle-aged man nodded slightly, a playful smile curling his lips.
“Yes, you’ve got it, Leon Kruger. But I must say, I’m a bit surprised—your brain seems to be working better than before. Turns out, you’re not as clueless as I thought,” he teased with a joking tone.
Upon hearing the man’s blatant mockery, Leon felt an urge to hit him.
However, knowing the man was both mysterious and stronger than he was, Leon could only swallow his irritation.
After calming himself, Leon sighed softly and said, “Even if what you say makes sense, I can’t shake the fear that my partner will hate me if I tell her about this.”
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered it before, but the thought of Liliana looking at him with hate and disappointment made him abandon the idea immediately.
“Why are you being such a coward, Leon Kruger? Where’s the confidence you’ve always displayed?” The middle-aged man inquired, his tone indifferent.
Leon’s eyes widened slightly, the words striking him like a sharp slap.
But before he could respond, the man swiftly cut him off.
“I understand your concern, but have you considered the greater risks of not telling your partner the truth?” the middle-aged man asked, shifting his gaze to the sky.
“She might feel disappointed in you, and it’s possible she’ll hold grievances she won’t share with you,” he continued, slowly turning back to Leon. “That’s the least of what could happen. Yet, what if the worst-case scenario is that she loses all trust in you? She could end up doubting every word and promise you make because of the lie you told. If that happens, are you prepared to face it? Tell me, Leon Kruger, are you ready for that?”
The middle-aged man’s words left Leon utterly speechless, unable to utter a single word.
His expression grew blank, as though he were overwhelmed by the dire possibilities the man had presented.
“If that happens, I might be completely ruined,” he thought, his face turning pale.
If Liliana lost trust in him, he knew their relationship would not survive. This was the worst-case scenario he had never fully considered before.
Realizing how foolish he had been for not seeing this sooner, he felt a strong urge to slap himself.
Even if Liliana ended up hating and feeling disappointed in him, it would still be preferable to losing her trust.
“Damn… I really am such a coward,” he whispered softly, letting out a small sigh.
Not only was the middle-aged man’s statement true, but his mockery of him as a coward was also spot on.
As a hero and the fated one, he should have faced his troubles with bravery and resolve rather than running away.
If he couldn’t confront a problem like this, how could he ever handle more severe challenges in the future?
Snapping out of his reverie, Leon’s hesitant and absent-minded expression vanished, replaced by a firmness and confidence he hadn’t shown in a long time.
“Old man, you’re right—I really am a coward,” Leon said, taking a deep breath. “To handle this situation, I should have been open and honest with my partner instead of running away. I’m truly grateful to you. If it hadn’t been for you, I might have made a mistake I’d deeply regret in the future.”
Even though he didn’t know the middle-aged man, his words made him realize the grave mistake he had nearly made, and he was deeply grateful for the insight.
The middle-aged man smiled silently, giving a small nod.
“You don’t need to thank me; it’s just something I’m obligated to do,” he said casually, surprising Leon immediately.
‘What does he mean by that?’ Leon wondered, his curiosity evident.
Just as Leon was about to ask, the man swiftly cut him off.
“Well, you shouldn’t waste any more time. Your partner should be waiting for you at home, right? So, head back,” the man said with a dismissive wave.
Leon felt the corner of his mouth twitch but refrained from arguing, instead offering a small nod.
“You’re right, old man. It’s too late, and Liliana must be very worried about me by now,” Leon said, a gentle smile spreading across his face.
Given that Athena had kidnapped him and taken him from the inner palace during the day, he had been missing for around eight hours.
During that time, Liliana was undoubtedly very worried about him, so he needed to return immediately to explain everything.
Upon hearing Leon’s words, the middle-aged man’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly concealed it with a calm smile.
“Then go,” he said, his tone softening.
Leon nodded and was about to turn away but was suddenly stopped by a surge of curiosity.
“By the way, old man, may I ask your name?” Leon inquired hesitantly.
Although he had encountered this middle-aged man twice, he didn’t know his name, which left him feeling a bit awkward.
After all, the man had helped him, and he felt he should have the chance to repay the favor in the future if the opportunity presented itself.
The middle-aged man maintained his smile and replied, “To be honest, I’ve long forgotten my name and identity. But you can call me Nolan.”
“Nolan?” Leon inquired, his eyebrows lifting in surprise.
“Yes, Nolan,” the middle-aged man replied. “It’s not my real name, but a special name given to me by my wife long ago. You can call me by that name.”
As he spoke, a fleeting hint of loneliness and sadness crossed his face, though he quickly concealed it.
Leon, noticing the change in his expression, was taken aback.
“It seems this middle-aged man has his own story,” he thought quietly.
Though he was deeply curious, he wasn’t foolish enough to pry into it.
After all, he didn’t know the middle-aged man well, and it would be quite rude to inquire about his personal affairs out of the blue.
Taking a deep breath, Leon smiled and said, “In that case, I’ll call you Old Man Nolan. Is that alright?”
The middle-aged man chuckled softly and waved his hand, replying, “As you wish.”
They exchanged smiles, which gradually made the atmosphere between them more relaxed.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way, Old Man Nolan,” Leon said with a slight nod.
“Go on,” the middle-aged man replied with a dismissive wave.
Leon smiled at the gesture and turned to leave. However, after taking just a few steps, he glanced back and saw that the middle-aged man had vanished as if he had never been there.
Leon couldn’t help but chuckle and whisper, “He’s as mysterious as ever.”
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