Zhang Qiming was busy to the point his feet didn’t touch the ground. The pawnshop was far away, and redeeming the TV and sewing machine took up half the day. He then had to take Xuanxuan to the Huang family.
Huang Xiaojun had slipped away out of fear, but Zhang Qiming didn’t care, his eyes red with anger, looking ready to kill. He put Xuanxuan down and told the rest of the family, “If Huang Xiaojuan ends up in prison, I will divorce her.”
“I don’t want the kid either, and you’ll have to give back Huang Xiaoxia’s job!”
No one in the family dared to say a word; Huang Xiaoxia’s salary was their only stable source of income, something they couldn’t afford to lose.
Huang Xiaojuan’s mother quickly grabbed Xuanxuan, assuring she would take good care of her grandson. Whether she’d do it well or not, Zhang Qiming didn’t care.
After dealing with the Huang family, he returned home, picked up the phone to call Xia Mian again, and had to put on a friendly face, “What time are you catching the train tomorrow? I pick you up at the station.”
However, it was Eldest Uncle Xia’s icy voice who answered the phone, “So, you think it’s a good idea to let two kids go to the city on their own? Zhang Qiming, I’ve never misjudged people before, but you are the first!”
Zhang Qiming knew Xia Mian must have said something to her family. Rage bubbled up uncontrollably, but he could only keep calm, “I’m sorry, Uncle. Look like I’m really losing my head here… Of course I’ll pick them up personally tomorrow. Please don’t be angry…”
So Zhang Qiming took the earliest train to Mingxi County, planning to leave immediately after picking up Xia Mian and Xiao Feng. He had endured enough groveling to his boss and didn’t want to take any more leave.
Of course, Xia Mian had other plans—she had prepared a trump card: Second Uncle Xia!
When Zhang Qiming arrived, Xia Mian was at her eldest uncle’s house, taking Xiao Feng to see Qiangqiang. The two kids were happily playing with paper ingots when he entered, wearing the face of a loving father. “Xiao Feng!” Zhang Qiming said excitedly, opening his arms towards the boy. “Do you miss Daddy?”
The sight of his pretense served as a reminder to Xia Mian of just how repulsive this man could be.
Xiao Feng was so frightened that his face turned pale. He let go of the paper money and bolted towards Xia Mian, “Auntie.”
Xia Mian scooped him up, while Eldest Uncle and his wife stood in front of Zhang Qiming, demanding an explanation for the boy’s injuries. Zhang Qiming apologized sincerely, even shedding a few tears.
His teary display left the couple unable to say much—because his identity as Xiao Feng’s father was his biggest shield. This identity allowed Zhang Qiming to remain confident even as he continued to hurt Xiao Feng.
Xia Mian was thankful she had prepared Second Uncle Xia. To deal with the shameless, you need someone just as, or even more, shameless.
At this moment, Second Aunt-in-law Xia burst in, crying out loudly, “Oh, my poor Xiao Feng! Your father is such a scoundrel! Who could’ve known our niece would marry a beast…”
Second Uncle Xia followed behind his wife, wiping his eyes and cursing at Zhang Qiming, “I knew from the start you were no good! But to think you even abuse our Xiao Feng! I’m telling you, you won’t take him!”
Zhang Qiming’s face turned grim at the sight of Second Uncle Xia, “Second Uncle…”
“Don’t call me that; I don’t have a nephew-in-law like you. A beast!” Second Uncle Xia said. “Since you cannot even raise your own son, then Xiao Feng stays with us!”
“But I’m his father!” Zhang Qiming knew how difficult Second Uncle Xia was and insisted, “He must stay with me!”
“You fart!” Second Uncle Xia glared at him, “You abused our nephew. I can sue you! If you don’t want a lawsuit, hand over Xiao Feng’s custody!”
“That’s nonsense!” Zhang Qiming knew Second Uncle Xia had no knowledge of the law and was talking nonsense, but that didn’t matter. Second Uncle Xia was different; as the saying goes, “A scholar meets a soldier, any reasoning goes out the window,” leaving only two outcomes: getting beaten or suffering a loss. In the case of someone like Second Uncle Xia, who loved taking advantage, it had to be both!
When Zhang Qiming refused, Second Uncle Xia immediately resorted to physical force. His wife, still seething from recent losses in Xia Mian’s hand, joined in with vengeance, clawing and mauling at Zhang Qiming.
While pretending to break up the fight, Xia Hai and his brothers took the chance to throw in some blows secretly.
“Enough!” Zhang Qiming roared, livid, “Is it money you want? If you keep hitting me, you won’t get a single cent!”
He knew exactly what Second Uncle Xia’s weak spot was.
Sure enough, the couple stopped in unison.
Eventually, Zhang Qiming still ended up with a bruised and swollen face, and the offer had to be raised from twenty to a hundred before Second Uncle Xia finally relented.
Xia Mian inwardly sighed. If Second Uncle Xia had any shortcomings, it was his shortsightedness—being appeased by just a hundred yuan.
But the hassle had at least prevented Zhang Qiming from returning that day, forcing him to politely request leave from his workshop director and receiving heavy reprimand in the process.
Seeing Zhang Qiming’s contorted face from holding back, Xia Mian felt a bit better.
Ever since Zhang Qiming’s arrival, Xiao Feng, who had only started to brighten, lost his smile again. He grew quiet, clinging to Xia Mian and scarcely leaving her side.
On the bus back to Mingxi, Xia Mian held Xiao Feng tightly, gently stroking his back, whispering, “Baby, do you remember our secret?” She reminded softly, “Yan City.”
Xiao Feng looked up at her sharply, and Xia Mian smiled, “Did you play war with Brother Qiangqiang yesterday? To reach the mountain peak, you have to bravely face your enemies, and only after defeating them will you get your goal, right?”
“The same goes for us. To go to Yan City, we must defeat your scumbag dad first, so we have to face him bravely.”
Xiao Feng glanced over at Zhang Qiming across the aisle and nodded firmly.
Xia Mian patted his little hair tuft, “Xiao Feng is very brave. But don’t worry, Auntie will protect Xiao Feng and won’t let him fall into enemy hands.”
Xiao Feng pursed his lips, smiling. His tense body relaxed, and he nestled in Xia Mian’s arms, little head nuzzled on her neck, “Xiao Feng is also very brave.”
Xia Mian hugged him tightly. Yes, you are. In your previous life, even when living in darkness, you never gave up seeking the light until the end of your life.
…
It was already evening by the time they arrived at the Huagang Family Compound. Zhang Qiming, who had barely spoken a word during the trip, set down his luggage. Xia Mian thought he was going to rest, but he suddenly reached out and unexpectedly tried to grab Xiao Feng. If not for Xia Mian’s quick reflexes, the child would have been snatched away.
Turning sideways to hold the frightened Xiao Feng, Xia Mian fumed, “What are you doing?”
Seeing this, Zhang Qiming brazenly reached out to grip Xiao Feng under the armpits, “You’ve been carrying him all the way. Take a break; I’ll hold him.” Though his tone was calm, his strength and grip were unyielding.
Seeing Xiao Feng furrowing his brows, Xia Mian snapped, “You’re hurting him!”
Zhang Qiming gripped even tighter, still with a smile, “Just let go, won’t you? Don’t worry; I’m his father, I’m not going to drop him.”
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.
Is he going to creat a drama in the compound again..? 🙄
Thank you for the chapters