Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Supporting the Family is a Man’s Duty Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Supporting the Family is a Man’s Duty Bai Da was at a loss, and every sentence Ye Xiu uttered shook the beliefs he had always held.
He never viewed Xiuxiu as an outsider; on the contrary, he loved her too much, telling himself he must give Xiuxiu happiness, must let her live better than others, no matter the cost. But now, Xiuxiu was telling him that wasn’t what she wanted.
“Xiuxiu…I…”
He was about to explain when he saw a layer of mist in Ye Xiu’s eyes, Xiuxiu wanted to cry, and he felt even worse, not knowing what to do.
“Okay, I’ll listen to you, it’s all up to you, I was wrong, but earning money to support the family is a man’s job.”
He muttered softly in rebuttal, believing that if he let a woman support the family, everyone would laugh at him for being useless and unable to provide for his wife and children.
“Heh…”
Ye Xiu laughed coldly, her heart immensely disappointed. She had said so much, yet he still wouldn’t listen.
“Bai Da, I’m very disappointed in you, but I’ll pay for the kids’ school fees. I can’t let them go without an education.”
When things were unclear, she no longer wanted to speak. Ye Xiu had never been a puppet, so since Bai Da wouldn’t listen, they should just mind their own business.
“From now on, don’t buy me so much stuff, I won’t accept it. And don’t come looking for me; let’s both cool down and see if you are at fault.”
Ye Xiu’s words, like a knife, stabbed deeply into Bai Da’s heart. How could he listen?
He seemed to go mad, grabbing Ye Xiu, his eyes red.
“Xiuxiu, I was wrong, I was wrong, I’ll change, I’ll change, please don’t give up on me, okay?”
His eyes turned blood-red, his tears falling faster than Ye Xiu’s had, dropping instantly.
“I haven’t given up on you, just want you to reflect on your issues.”
Ye Xiu felt rather helpless. She wanted to talk calmly to Bai Da, but he missed the main point entirely, crying over every single word, which left her speechless.
“Enough!” Ye Xiu furrowed her brows, they were near the school, could he not embarrass himself?
“Just hold your tears. I’m talking business here; give me half your salary from now on. Don’t go buying things, I’ll buy what I need myself. When you go home later, give the clothes to Xingxing, divide the food into four portions, leave one for Xingxing, think seriously about what I said, I’m going back to school!”
She suddenly lost the mood to talk anymore. Sometimes she wondered whether Bai Da did this because he loved her too much or just to save face, insisting that a man mustn’t use a woman’s money to support his family.
“Okay, Xiuxiu, don’t be mad, whatever you say!”
Bai Da wiped his tears carelessly and immediately responded. As long as Xiuxiu wasn’t angry, he was willing to do anything.
Ye Xiu sighed, hoping he would truly understand, but at that moment, Bai Da’s face again showed a sincerely simple smile. She waved at the kids, said goodbye, and returned to school.
…
When he woke up, it was already dusk and the sunset in the distance was a stunning red.
Bai Zhi was sitting on a seat, sorting through mung beans with her hands. She wasn’t feeling as dizzy now, and this experience taught her never to ride in a tricycle again!
Bai Da arrived just then with four bags in hand, waving at Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi put down the basin and walked over slowly, looking at Bai Da with curiosity,
“Where’s grandpa?”
Bai Da glanced inside and didn’t see his father’s figure. He exhaled in relief unknowingly—who would choose to be scolded every day, after all?
“Grandpa is cooking.”
Bai Zhi was relieved because the original owner was almost invisible, so she didn’t have to call him Dad, otherwise, wouldn’t that disgust her to death?
You see, initially, the original owner also longed for her father’s love, carefully approaching him, but she only felt neglected, and in the end, she could only resort to doing some outrageous things to draw their attention.
But in the end, they looked at her with disappointment, or rather, they lost the disappointment, because they never had any hope for the original owner. They thought that the original owner was useless, too excessive, just a disobedient child.
Indeed, how ironic.
This was also why Bai Zhi did not want to have any involvement with them. Since they had already given up on the original owner, yet shamelessly expected the original owner to serve them, it was truly shameless.
“Bai Zhi, this is the dress your mother bought for you. It’s very expensive, so cherish it, okay? Make sure to be filial to your mom in the future.”
Bai Da was swinging a bag in front of Bai Zhi, but he realized that Bai Zhi was not really listening, which immediately infuriated him.
Xiuxiu didn’t even buy clothes for herself, but she bought them for Bai Zhi. What kind of attitude was this, not even looking at it properly?
Just as Bai Da was about to lose his temper and reprimand Bai Zhi, Bai Zhi spoke.
“I know.”
Her gaze shifted to the bag that Bai Da had opened. Inside was a red dress that was very eye-catching—indeed quite pretty. It was the type of princess dress that the original owner never would have dreamed of getting.
Who doesn’t have a princess dream? Wanting to wear a beautiful dress and dance gracefully?
But, they never gave her the chance to fulfill that dream. Today, however, Bai Zhi was not very fond of such a dress as it was inconvenient for doing chores.
Yet, she wouldn’t refuse it. She just took it—it was something they owed the original owner. Even if she didn’t wear it, it was okay.
Watching Bai Zhi’s indifferent attitude, Bai Da felt as if there was a fire burning inside him, causing him extreme distress. If he didn’t do something, he felt like he would suffocate himself.
“What do you know?”
Thus, when he spoke, his tone was somewhat angry, with a strong hint of irritation.
But Bai Zhi, as if she hadn’t noticed, just looked calmly at the bag in her hand, which contained peanut brittle, White Rabbit Creamy Candy, and a few nectarines.
Actually, she didn’t like to eat White Rabbit Creamy Candy because it was too sweet. But now, the body of the original owner could still handle it.
Today’s White Rabbit Creamy Candy was genuinely good, still possessing nutritional value.
Seeing that Bai Zhi’s attention was all on the candy, Bai Da became even more infuriated, impulsively reaching out his hand, wanting to…
Suddenly, something was thrown straight at Bai Da. He instinctively dodged, but his shoulder was still hit, causing some pain.
“Dad?”
Bai Da looked up to see an enraged Bai Dan approaching him, his eyes blazing with fury, holding a whip in his hand. Bai Da recognized it instantly—it was the whip that was often used to beat him when he was a child, and he knew without a doubt that a lash would definitely leave a swollen welt.
The memories of the past were too vivid, and he instinctively wanted to run.
“Dad, what are you doing? I’m just here to deliver some stuff.”
The object Bai Dan threw was a shoe. Picking it up now, he grabbed the whip and was about to strike Bai Da.
“You think I don’t know what you were just about to do, don’t you?”