Ingratitude 07

Fang Mingyu also noticed the change in the Chen family's attitude towards him.

Chen's Father went from politely calling him Mingyu, to Xiao Fang, and then to "the freeloader." Chen's Mother was no longer as kind as before, her words dripping with disdain.

Even Chen Nian's expression towards him had grown much colder.

"Fang Mingyu, when are you leaving?"

Fang Mingyu's heart was filled with desolation. He looked at the indifferent girl before him, unsure of what he had done wrong.

"We're going back home in a few days. If you want to stay, you need to pay us rent."

Fang Mingyu let out a bitter laugh.

"I helped your family a lot in the past..."

"That was your own choice! Are you trying to take it back now?" Chen's Mother shouted as she walked over.

"No, I mean, I lost my job because of you all..."

Chen's Father gave him a shove. His once amiable, ingratiating smile was now replaced by an overbearing arrogance. "What job? What does that have to do with us? If you hadn't called the Fang family to beat us up, would we have spent so much money? We're doing you a favor by not making you pay for the damages!"

Chen Nian's younger brother chimed in, "Yeah! You only lost a lousy job, but we got beaten up!"

Fang Mingyu looked at Chen Nian.

But her words extinguished his last sliver of hope.

"Fang Mingyu, if you can't deliver on your promises, don't say 'come to me if you have problems.' Everyone knows you only helped our family to feed your pathetic sense of superiority. Now that you've fallen on hard times, letting you stay for a few days is already more than enough."

Fang Mingyu didn't know how he walked out of there. And before he left, Chen's Mother even took the little money he had left, calling it payment for his meals those past few days.

Walking down the street, Fang Mingyu felt his heart turn to ashes. He finally saw clearly what kind of family he had helped.

He wandered aimlessly for a long time until a heavy rain began to pour down on him.

Fang Mingyu closed his eyes. His heart was cold.

"Off! Turn it over a bit! A full three-sixty downpour!" Faint voices could be heard in the rain. Fang Mingyu didn't open his eyes. He was thinking, reflecting on everything he had done in the past.

But the rain gradually stopped.

"Out of water? Didn't I tell you to fill it up before coming out?"

"It was full... but he held that pose for too long," someone complained, sounding wronged.

Fang Mingyu opened his eyes because he heard that familiar voice. When he did, he saw an old man on a sprinkler truck not far away, wearing a floral shirt and large sunglasses.

"Dad?"

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him and grumbled, "I didn't even get a turn to play."

The worker operating the water nozzle offered an apologetic smile. "Next time, Boss Fang, next time."

"Next time? When will there be another chance like this?"

Then, Fang Mingyu saw his old man jump down from the sprinkler truck, duck into a luxury car parked by the roadside, and after a moment, poke his head out: "Are you coming or not, you little rascal?"

Although confused, Fang Mingyu still jogged over and got in the car.

"Dad."

"I know you have questions, but don't ask."

"But—"

"I know you're anxious, but don't be."

"I mean..."

Fang Zhiyi grew impatient. "Can't you understand plain speech, you little turtle egg?"

Fang Mingyu felt a bit aggrieved. "I mean, I'm getting your car seat wet."

Fang Zhiyi nearly jumped. "Why didn't you say so earlier!"

"You told me not to be anxious..."

As the car entered a villa district, Fang Mingyu's eyes widened.

"Well?"

Fang Mingyu was utterly stunned. "Dad, you... you're rich?"

Fang Zhiyi chuckled. "Of course not. I just got a job as a security guard here."

Fang Mingyu was stunned again. He stared in horror at the steering wheel bearing the luxury car's emblem. "Dad, this car..."

"Belongs to a resident. I'm just borrowing it for a bit, then returning it."

"Do you even have a driver's license?" Fang Mingyu thought of an even more serious problem.

Fang Zhiyi scratched his head. "Heh heh."

Fang Mingyu felt his vision go dark.

At least he wouldn't have to live under a bridge. After his shift, Fang Zhiyi took him to their "new home," located in a neighborhood not far from their old one.

Fang Mingyu looked at his father as if seeing him for the first time. "Dad, when did you buy this..."

"Selling your old apartment gave me enough money to buy it," Fang Zhiyi said without any attempt to hide it.

"Why..." Fang Mingyu felt a surge of anger, but as Fang Zhiyi opened the door, he saw all the furniture and appliances he and Lin Wei had bought arranged perfectly in the house. Even their wedding photo was hanging in the living room. Fang Mingyu was momentarily speechless.

As for why he bought a new place, Fang Zhiyi had a ready excuse: "The relatives said the old place was too small, not impressive enough. So, to save your face, I bought this one."

Fang Mingyu sighed. "Dad, I'm unemployed... I'm afraid... I can't afford the mortgage."

Fang Zhiyi waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! So you're broke, but your old man is broke too? My monthly salary alone is enough to cover your mortgage!"

Fang Mingyu was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Looking at this stubborn old man, he felt a sense of closeness towards him for the first time.

That very night, Lin Wei also got in touch with him.

"An expedition team wants to cross the entire primeval forest. They offered me a lot of money to be their translator!" Lin Wei shouted over the phone.

Fang Mingyu didn't mention what had happened at home; he didn't want Lin Wei to worry.

After assuring each other they were okay, Lin Wei mentioned wanting to earn some extra money. Fang Mingyu agreed. He had thought it over; his top priority was to find a new job.

That day, Fang Mingyu, who rarely drank, raised a glass to his father.

"Dad, thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have realized how wrong I was."

Fang Zhiyi didn't say anything.

Fang Mingyu smiled. His dad had accidentally done the right thing. It was fine. Tomorrow, after waking up, he would be Fang Mingyu again.

Sure enough, good luck came quickly. Just one day after sending out his resume, a company invited him for an interview, offering even better terms than his previous job.

Fang Mingyu threw himself into his new, demanding work.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi set his sights on the Chen family again.

"They don't think going home means this is over, do they?" Fang Zhiyi laughed.

Little Hei watched their surroundings warily. That system hadn't appeared recently.

Back home, the Chen family hadn't even warmed their seats before their next-door neighbor arrived.

Their neighbor's surname was Ma. The lady of the house was dark and stout, and everyone called her Auntie Fat.

"Well, look who's back after so long! So? Did he agree to give you the money?" Her voice was loud, and her words made the Chen family members uneasy.

Auntie Fat's eyes darted around. "Don't tell me I hit the nail on the head? That rich guy really plans to ditch your family?"

Chen Nian lowered her head without speaking, feeling somewhat wronged.

Auntie Fat, now intrigued, began lecturing them. "So, like I always say, these rich people are all the same..."