Chapter 43: Come Back for What? You Ungrateful Wretch!

“Sigh! Isn’t this just the story of the farmer and the snake? It really chills the heart!”

…

The crowd chattered and gossiped.

Xie Zhao smiled, turning to look at Xie Youzhen and Xie Cheng.

“Big Brother, take Dad to buy some pancakes to bring home. I’ll handle the selling here.”

Xie Cheng’s expression was still a bit dark. He glanced at Xie Youzhen, then nodded and agreed.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you by the State-Owned Restaurant.”

Xie Youzhen’s eyes were red as Xie Cheng pulled him away from the crowd.

Only then did Xie Zhao breathe a sigh of relief, looking at the crowd with a smile.

“It’s just some old family drama. I’m sorry you all had to see that.”

Xie Zhao nudged the fish in front of him forward with his foot and said, “My dad is a simple, honest man who isn’t good with words, which is why this mess happened. I couldn’t stand by and watch anymore, so I had to speak up.”

“Since you uncles and aunties are already here, why not take a look at the fish? My dad and big brother caught them in the river last night, they’re fresh! Look at this big snakehead fish! It’s full of energy, and it’s the absolute best for healing wounds!”

Xie Zhao was always quick to smile.

Having lived to his forties in his past life, his first rule of business was: no one slaps a smiling face.

It cost him nothing and won him immediate goodwill. It was well worth it!

Sure enough, seeing Xie Zhao’s welcoming smile, the onlookers’ impression of him instantly improved.

Tch.

This young man stood up for his father and called everyone uncle and auntie so politely. He was truly likable!

“Oh! This big snakehead fish is indeed nice! If someone just had surgery, eating this will heal them right up!”

“Going down to the river to catch fish in such cold weather, what a hardworking lad! Grab me a crucian carp! I’ll take it home to make soup!”

“How much is this snakehead? Is it also two yuan a jin?”

…

The crowd grew lively again, crowding around Xie Zhao in the center.

He was quick and nimble, catching the fish and weighing them in no time.

Meanwhile, not far away, Chen Donghai’s face was livid, his temples throbbing painfully.

So that was how it was!

Years ago, when he first met Chen Qiming, the boy had hugged him while crying, claiming he had been abused and subjected to inhumane torture at the Xie Family. His words had been dramatic and intense. Out of a sudden urge to protect his son, and remembering how he had never mistreated Xie Zhao during all the years the boy lived with him, Chen Donghai had been deeply affected.

Comparing the two situations, his emotions had flared, and anger had consumed him.

That night, the rain had poured down, freezing to the bone.

In his fury, he had kicked Xie Zhao out of the house.

But now, suddenly hearing the truth, Chen Donghai felt his temples throb even harder.

He turned around and limped back toward the ward.

Inside the ward, Zhao Lanzhi was dotingly pulling a few Da Tuanjie bills^[1] out of her pocket, stuffing them into Chen Qiming’s hands.

“Studying is hard work. You must eat better and dress warmer. Now that it’s getting cold, go get a new coat made! Don’t worry about anything else. Just study hard and get into a university in a couple of years, so your dad and I can be happy!”

She paused after saying this, suddenly remembering Xie Zhao, whom she had seen the other day.

“Still, if you have time, you should come visit your dad. His leg has been hurting badly lately, and he can’t sleep well at night.”

Chen Qiming pocketed the money with satisfaction.

Wrapping his arm around Zhao Lanzhi’s, he said affectionately, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll definitely come often! You’re my real parents, how could I not be filial?”

Chen Qiming’s mouth was incredibly sweet, coaxing Zhao Lanzhi into a state of sheer delight.

Just as she was about to speak, the door was suddenly flung open from the outside.

“Come back for what? You ungrateful wretch!”

Chen Donghai pushed the door open and walked in.

Everyone in the room was startled.

Zhao Lanzhi, Chen Qiming, and their eldest daughter Chen Xuelian all turned around in unison.

With a dark expression, Chen Donghai walked in and glared at Chen Xuelian. “Look at you! How improper. Didn’t it occur to you to give me a hand?”

Chen Xuelian quickly walked over and helped Chen Donghai inside.

She lowered her head, grumbling to herself.

What was going on?

He had just said he was going out for some fresh air, yet he returned in such a massive rage.

Who had crossed him?

Chen Qiming also tensed up, a bad feeling rising in his chest.

Could Chen Donghai have overheard his conversation with Xie Zhao just now?

Sure enough.

Ever since he entered, Chen Donghai had been staring at him, scanning him from head to toe with a cold sneer that made his skin crawl.

He called out timidly, “Dad.”

“Dad? Do you even see me as your dad?”

Chen Donghai walked over to the bed, sat down, and asked coldly, “If your mother and I didn’t have money, would you still come back?”

Hearing this, Chen Qiming’s eyes instantly widened.

Before Chen Donghai could even react, he fell to his knees with a thud!

“Dad! How could you say such a thing? You’re my real parents. Even if we had to eat chaff and wild herbs, I would still come back!”

His voice choked up as he looked at Chen Donghai. “Did you hear what Xie Zhao said just now? You mustn’t believe him! I was a bit mischievous when I was little, but they didn’t have to beat me like that!”

“Dad! You saw it with your own eyes! If they really cared about me, would they have beaten me to that state?”

“If I hadn’t run away that day, I really would have died there!”

After saying this, Chen Qiming burst into tears.

Zhao Lanzhi had no idea what was going on. Seeing her only son crying like this, her own tears fell. In her anger, she yanked Chen Qiming up and shielded him behind her.

“Chen Donghai! If you’re angry, take it out on me! Don’t take it out on my son!”

She wailed, “If you hadn’t been so poor back then that I had to give birth in the village, how could Qiming have suffered for over a decade in that godforsaken place?”

Chen Donghai’s face stiffened.

“Lanzhi! You don’t know what happened!”

He immediately recounted everything he had just seen and heard. But even after he finished, Zhao Lanzhi continued to glare at him.

“Just because of that?”

Zhao Lanzhi said, “If the Xie Family hadn’t been so poor, how could my son have resorted to stealing a chicken to eat? So he ate it, so what? Did they have to beat him for it? It was just a chicken! Was that really necessary? And so what if he took a little seed money? Tell them to come here, and I’ll pay them back tenfold!”

Chen Donghai choked with rage.

“Is this about money?”

“Then what is it about?!”

Zhao Lanzhi snapped, “He didn’t come from your body, so of course you don’t care! But I do!”

She grabbed Chen Qiming and said, “Do you have any idea what rank Qiming got on his exams this time? Eighth in the grade! Teacher Ye even called to say our Qiming has a great chance of getting into university! What’s the use of your Chen Family having money? Once Qiming becomes a high-ranking official, you’ll still have to rely on your son!”

Eighth in the grade?

Chen Donghai’s anger finally subsided a little.

He was still fuming, though. He glared at Chen Qiming, grinding his teeth.

Seeing this, Chen Xuelian quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Dad! Look at you, believing whatever other people say. Xie Zhao has gone back to the Xie Family now. That place is the poorest, most miserable dump. He’s bound to feel resentful, so how could he possibly stand the sight of our Qiming?”