Chapter 109 – The Father Who Starts a New Life

The next day, Xiao Fang, clutching his somewhat injured little chrysanthemum, arrived at the Xiao Family Residence for the first time in over six months. The residence looked no different from his last visit, yet there was an inexplicable sense of desolation in the atmosphere.

Xiao Fang stared at the main gate for a few moments before ringing the doorbell.

A minute passed with no response. Xiao Fang had anticipated this and rang it again. This time, a full two minutes went by.

“Young Master Xiao?” Auntie Zhang’s voice sounded from behind him. Xiao Fang turned to see her carrying a bag of groceries.

It was now ten in the morning. Logically, Auntie Zhang should have been at the house much earlier. Why was she only arriving now?

“Auntie Zhang, is my dad home?” Xiao Fang asked politely.

Auntie Zhang was stunned for a moment, then wiped her eyes and quickly said, “Yes, yes, he is.” She then walked past Xiao Fang to open the gate. Seeing Xiao Fang this time, she felt a sense of distance that wasn’t there before. Not long ago, he was just a profligate son, but now he was a big star everyone recognized. Auntie Zhang suppressed her nervousness and tried to speak to Xiao Fang in her usual tone.

Xiao Fang followed her inside, and as Auntie Zhang relaxed, she became more talkative.

“Young Master Xiao, I thought neither of you would care about your father anymore. I’m glad you came. The master, well, he did something terrible to you and your mother in the past. Now that he’s on the verge of bankruptcy, after doing both good and bad things, in the end, only you have come to see him.” Auntie Zhang’s voice sounded very wistful.

The curtains in the living room weren’t even open, making it feel exceptionally oppressive. This oppression extended all the way upstairs, not stopping but plunging into deeper darkness. Xiao Fang felt waves of depression.

“What’s the use of him doting on that younger son? When trouble strikes, that one only remembers he was always labeled an illegitimate child and resents the master, never thinking about who gave him a life so much better than others. It’s all just bad karma. I only come by as a formality these days. The master won’t even eat. I don’t know what to do if this goes on.” Auntie Zhang wiped her tears again.

Xiao Fang knew that a large part of this was Auntie Zhang trying to play the victim to soften his heart. After all, Father Xiao was indeed her family’s benefactor. But Xiao Fang had his own principles. Some of the heartache was real, but so were his principles.

“Auntie Zhang, why don’t you go make some of Dad’s favorite dishes first? I’ll go find him. He’s in the study, right?” Xiao Fang said calmly.

Auntie Zhang immediately nodded. Xiao Fang gave a slight nod and headed upstairs.

Watching Xiao Fang’s back, Auntie Zhang suddenly felt that the Eldest Young Master had changed so much in the past two years.

Reaching the study door, Xiao Fang took a deep breath and knocked.

“Auntie Zhang, I won’t be eating today. You can go home first,” a very tired voice said from inside.

“Dad, it’s me,” Xiao Fang said.

The person inside was clearly stunned. Xiao Fang sighed and pushed the door open. The room was very dark because Father Xiao had closed all the curtains. In the lightless room, only the dim desk lamp on Father Xiao’s desk was visible. Father Xiao was noticeably thinner and was now looking at Xiao Fang in shock.

Xiao Fang said nothing at first, walking straight over and forcefully pulling open the curtains. A strong beam of light made it almost impossible to open one’s eyes for a moment, and Father Xiao, who hadn’t seen daylight for a long time, immediately turned his head away.

“Dad, going on a hunger strike won’t solve the company’s bankruptcy,” Xiao Fang began with a lecturing tone. A hunger strike after a crisis—the method was overly foolish and also infuriating.

Father Xiao’s body trembled slightly. He then slowly sat up straight, gradually able to face the bright light. Only then did he turn back to look directly at Xiao Fang, his eyes filled with so much he wanted to say yet couldn’t.

After a long while, Father Xiao finally spoke with a bitter, self-deprecating expression. “Yes, it won’t solve the problem. I just don’t feel like eating. This investment was entirely my foolish decision. I have to make arrangements for the aftermath, settle the employees’ salaries properly. For what’s left that I can’t pay back, I’ll figure something out.” This was his life’s work, destroyed without a struggle.

Xiao Fang looked at the thick pile of bills on the desk. A person couldn’t be defined by a single label. He might have trampled on wildflowers, yet saved a homeless stray cat. He might have been a lifelong nemesis to some, yet been able to treat one person well for his entire life.

Father Xiao was a cheater who had let down his wife, yet he had raised his wife’s child well, treated his housekeeper well, and managed his company well. He was a good boss to his employees, a good father to his son before, and a good benefactor to his housekeeper.

Therefore, Xiao Fang’s feelings for Father Xiao were also more complex.

“Dad, this is for you.” Xiao Fang didn’t say any pretty words but instead took out his bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table. This was what he had saved up over the years, mainly in the last two.

Father Xiao was somewhat surprised and incredulous. He looked at the card, his eyes clearly welling up. But after he slowly cooled down and looked at his clearly grown-up child, he refused. “You child, you’ve only been working seriously for a few years. Take it back, take it back.” Father Xiao was extremely resistant. He had only asked Xiao Qi because he trusted he had the financial means, but Xiao Fang…

“Dad, hear me out,” Xiao Fang said seriously. After all, this matter was directly related to the Fei family, so he had to step in. It was just that now, he had to be the one to do it.

“Dad, you worked so hard to raise me all these years. Without you, I wouldn’t have had such a privileged life, let alone been a pay-to-play actor. Let’s be clear about this: to me, you are still a good father. It’s only natural for me to show you filial piety now that I’m grown up. You’re right, my savings can’t fill such a big hole for now.”

“That’s right,” Father Xiao stubbornly interjected. “So take this money back. Dad can figure something out. Just you coming to see me has already moved me deeply. I called Xiao Qi before, and he completely reminded me that as a father, I have been too derelict in my duties to you both. I have no reason to ask so much of you. I’ve wronged two women in my life. This is a debt. Taking care of you is my duty, not a burden for you when you grow up. Go back. Take a good rest while you don’t have to work.” Father Xiao had really thought a lot these past few days, and had also let go of a lot. He felt sorry for many things, but he truly felt his own powerlessness.

Xiao Fang’s heart soured a little. He resolutely pushed the bank card towards Father Xiao. “Dad, we’re family. There’s no need to be so formal with me. I used to be your bad karma, so now that I’m capable, it’s natural that I should repay you. In here is the two hundred million I’ve saved over the years. You’ll have to come up with the remaining three hundred million. Dad, I don’t want you to go to jail. That’s the last thing I want to see. I know you’ve bought a lot of houses, land, and shops over the years, planning to leave them to us after they appreciate in value. Now, Dad, let’s sell them all. Just keep this house. I don’t want anything else either. You don’t have to work so hard anymore. You’re almost at retirement age. Go and live your own life properly. I’ve said it before, you don’t need to work yourself so hard. You’ve toiled for half your life. It’s time to let yourself rest.”

It was as if Father Xiao was meeting his son for the first time. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Two years ago, he never would have imagined his son would say such words to him, would tell him he’d worked hard and should rest well, would be so considerate. In these years, he was indeed tired. He had fought for half his life.

He couldn’t even protect his wife’s grave, his younger son resented him, and his eldest son’s first child was almost ruined by him. If someone asked him if he was tired, he would definitely say yes. Looking at the meticulously calculated bills in his hand, it felt as if he had been waiting for these words all these days. In an instant, it was like a release.

After a long time, Father Xiao finally spoke, his voice tinged with a sense of weariness and a faint sense of liberation. “The houses, the land, the shops, and the company… all together, it’s about three hundred million.” Father Xiao looked at his son, who was only twenty-five years old. In an instant, he had truly lost his backing. “Dad… can’t leave you anything now.”

A sense of irresolvable shame and regret now rose in Father Xiao. A long time ago, he had planned that when his son married, he must not lose face, that he must give him the best. But now, he had even burdened his son with paying off his debts, and after this, he would be completely without a safety net.

Xiao Fang, moved, shook his head and said firmly, “Dad, you’ve already given me more than enough. I’m not a child anymore. I can live a good life now, and I’m already happy enough. This kind of happiness can’t be bought with money. All I want now is for you to be well. You should also plan your own life properly.”

Father Xiao lowered his head, a mix of sourness and emotion in his heart. Xiao Fang was right. He really didn’t need to worry about him anymore. If Xiao Fang were still the same as before, he would probably be a hundred times more miserable than he was now. There was regret, but at least there wasn’t despair. His child had grown up well, was happy. Perhaps this bankruptcy was a chance for him to start over?

After thinking for a while, Father Xiao finally spoke in a tone of relief. “Your mother’s grave was moved back a few months ago. I want to go and keep her company.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to grandpa about it,” Xiao Fang said.

A light suddenly appeared in Father Xiao’s eyes, a kind of courage to look forward.

“Today, let’s get all the paperwork done,” Father Xiao finally said.

A sense of relief flashed in Xiao Fang’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll help you with the procedures today.”

By the time Auntie Zhang’s final wages were paid and she left with a bow, only the father and son were left in the large house. Father Xiao had already bought his ticket. He would wait for Xiao Fang to clear the air, then he would first go back to his own hometown before heading to his father-in-law’s small town.

Before leaving, Auntie Zhang cooked one last meal. Father Xiao took out the last bottle of white wine from his cellar and placed it on the table.

“Xiao Fang, call Fei Xiangnan over too. He should be off work by now. Come have a simple meal with me. Although it’s useless to say it now, I still want to say what’s on my mind before I leave,” Father Xiao said. After finishing everything, he seemed to have aged several years, but the look in his eyes was clearer than before.

Just as Xiao Fang was wondering how to say it, Fei Xiangnan sent a message saying he was coming to pick him up. Perhaps this was what they called fate. Xiao Fang nodded.

Twenty minutes later, the three of them were sitting at the rectangular table.

Father Xiao personally poured wine for both of them.

A father’s handover meeting, a year late, was finally held today. Father Xiao recounted all of Xiao Fang’s habits from the first half of his life, then told him over and over again to shed his bad habits after getting married and to properly play his important role in the marriage. Then he told Fei Xiangnan about Xiao Fang’s preferences, repeatedly reminding him, ostensibly pointing out Xiao Fang’s faults, but in reality, wanting Fei Xiangnan to pay more attention to these things and treat Xiao Fang well.

Neither Xiao Fang nor Fei Xiangnan had ever experienced the feeling of being doted on by their parents. For a moment, they were filled with a myriad of emotions, yet they listened carefully.

At the very end, Father Xiao solemnly apologized to Xiao Fang and Fei Xiangnan, hoping they would live a good life together in the future.

The next day, Father Xiao left early in the morning. He didn’t let Xiao Fang see him off, leaving alone with his suitcase from the city where he had once been glorious. It looked desolate, but in another sense, wasn’t it also a kind of liberation?

Before boarding the train, Father Xiao sent Xiao Fang one last message: When you decide to publicly announce your marriage, send Dad an invitation. Dad will give you a big red envelope, and one for my grandson too!

Xiao Fang agreed. He had a faint feeling that he probably wouldn’t be able to contact his father before the wedding. It was time to let him have some peace and quiet to replan his life.

Seeing the somewhat lonely expression on Xiao Fang’s face, Fei Xiangnan’s heart ached. He pulled him into his arms, completely ignoring the three children watching cartoons on the side.

“Hey, ge, what are you doing!” Xiao Fang was getting more and more used to calling him ‘ge’, and Fei Xiangnan was getting more and more satisfied hearing it.

“We’re an old married couple, what’s there to be shy about? The kids will have to learn sooner or later.” Fei Xiangnan showed no intention of letting go.

The three children on the side looked over.

“Aowu,” Lang Lang’s big, beautiful eyes looked over, and Nuomici also jumped onto the sofa to watch. In the end, it was the worldly-wise little uncle, Xiao Xu, who, having already seen yesterday’s episode of the cartoon, felt no heartache at all. He held Lang Lang, who wanted to pounce on Xiao Fang, in one arm, and scooped up Nuomici, who wanted a massage from Xiao Fang, in the other, and returned to his room like a little adult.

Don’t make a fuss, uncle will play with you.

Fei Xiangnan felt more and more that adopting Xiao Xu had been an incredibly correct decision. Xiao Fang, on the other hand, wondered what kind of living environment had made Xiao Xu’s skills so polished.

Seeing Xiao Fang’s attention wander, Fei Xiangnan was suddenly displeased. He pecked Xiao Fang on the lips. “Look at me.”

Xiao Fang looked at Fei Xiangnan innocently, then his expression turned to disdain. “Look at what you’ve trained Xiao Xu to be. Is this a skill a child should know?”

Fei Xiangnan raised an eyebrow, feeling no guilt at all. “I think this training is very useful. It will make our family life more harmonious.”

Xiao Fang looked speechlessly at this old rogue, but the wistfulness in his heart had dissipated a lot.

Fei Xiangnan pressed his forehead against Xiao Fang’s. “You still have us, right?” Fei Xiangnan comforted him, yet he was also desperately trying to prove something.

Fei Xiangnan’s strong possessiveness was clearly felt by Xiao Fang. He knew he could never leave this person in his life, but he had never thought of leaving either. He hugged Fei Xiangnan back and whispered a soft “mm.”

Yes, I still have you, all of you, so I won’t be lonely.

Father Xiao had started his new life, which was something he should be happy about. Before leaving, Xiao Fang also had to complete one last task related to the Xiao Corporation, which was also the biggest turning point he knew of. Once this was done, the biggest obstacle between him and Fei Xiangnan would be gone.

Xiao Qi only found out about Father Xiao’s departure on the third day after it happened. The Xiao Corporation’s declaration of bankruptcy was also on that day. Although it had gone bankrupt, many voices were praising Father Xiao as a responsible and good boss who, in the end, sold his house and car to pay back what he owed his former employees and society. And he, Xiao Qi, as his son, only found out about this through social media.

His first reaction was to call Father Xiao, but no matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t get through. Now, he truly had no backing at all. Amid his panic, he suddenly felt disgusted with himself, disgusted with why he was such a person. He wanted to call Xiao Fang to confirm, but his damned pride wouldn’t let him bow his head. From beginning to end, he seemed to have become an outsider.

In his panic, he could only work desperately, climbing upwards, so that Xiao Fang couldn’t knock him down.

In the white bathroom, under the white lights, Xiao Qi lay in the bathtub, stubbornly staring at the intricately patterned ceiling, constantly reinforcing the beliefs in his heart. Then he closed his eyes and sank into the water.

***

Meanwhile, Xiao Fang was preparing to spend a few sweet and intimate days with Fei Xiangnan, but a phone call came in: Xiao Ma was in trouble. At that moment, the first thing Xiao Fang thought was, After holding it in for so many days, this guy finally knows how to explode.