My Daughter is a Supporting Character 03

Just then, Wu Xiaobao came eavesdropping again. Hearing Fang Yu crying, he immediately scampered happily back to the living room to report: "Mom! Uncle is scolding Fang Yu! Fang Yu is crying really loudly!" A triumphant smile instantly spread across Fang Jingtong's face. She thought to herself: In a little while, that girl definitely won't be able to stay. Then, this apartment, this home, will all be mine!

"Starting today, you do what you're supposed to do. No, do whatever you want to do. I've got your back," Fang Zhiyi declared.

Fang Yu stopped crying: "But, Aunt, and the others... and the little brothers..."

"Them? They're just teaching props."

"?" Fang Yu didn't quite understand.

"In this world, there are as many bad people as good people. Clearly, your aunt and her family are the bad ones. Very bad," Fang Zhiyi looked at her. "I took them in only because of family ties, but when necessary, they're worth nothing."

Fang Yu pursed her lips.

Fang Zhiyi gave her a few more instructions. Fang Yu checked the time: "Dad, I need to go cook."

"Cook nothing. With your skills, is the stuff you make even edible?" Fang Zhiyi said.

Fang Yu thought to herself, you never said it was bad before.

"Today, I'm taking you out to eat! No, from now on, I'll take you out to eat."

"But what about them..."

"They have hands and feet, they won't starve to death, will they?"

Fang Jingtong and the others watched as Fang Zhiyi dragged that wretched girl out, somewhat confused: "Brother, it's almost dinner time, where are you going?"

Fang Zhiyi didn't turn his head: "I need to properly educate this girl!"

"Oh, why bother, Xiao Yu is still young..." Fang Jingtong feigned a few words of persuasion, but her face was full of schadenfreude.

The two walked to a nearby home-style restaurant. As soon as Fang Zhiyi sat down, he started ordering: "Sweet and sour pork ribs, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, tomato beef brisket, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a pot of corn and rib soup." All dishes Fang Yu had only seen on TV before, never daring to hope for.

Fang Yu stared wide-eyed at the table laden with food, her chopsticks clutched tightly, swallowing several times. She remembered when ribs were cooked at home before, her aunt would always pick the meatiest pieces for Da Bao and Xiao Bao, leaving only a few bones for her; she never got a turn with fish either, her aunt said "girls easily get fish bones stuck in their throats."

"Dad... it's too much, we can't finish all this with just the two of us..." Fang Yu said softly.

"We'll take the leftovers home! Look how skinny you are, a gust of wind could blow you over. You need to eat more!" Fang Zhiyi said, placing a large piece of sweet and sour rib into her bowl. "Eat up, it won't taste as good when it's cold."

Fang Yu looked at the rib in her bowl, hesitated for a long time, then timidly asked: "Dad... can I eat this?"

This sentence was like a needle, sharply piercing Fang Zhiyi's heart. He had seen great storms, but at this moment, his nose stung—his own flesh and blood, actually needing to cautiously ask for permission to eat a bite of food? He forcefully suppressed the ache in his heart, added a piece of fish to her bowl, his tone becoming incredibly gentle: "Eat, of course you can eat. From now on, Dad will bring you here every day. Order whatever you want."

His own daughter actually had to ask so cautiously just to eat something?

"Eat, here, Dad got this for you." Fang Zhiyi immediately started eating, watching as Fang Yu took small bites, savoring what were almost ordinary dishes. Fang Zhiyi's gaze darkened.

None of them are innocent.

After the meal, instead of going home, Fang Zhiyi took Fang Yu towards the pedestrian street. Fang Yu grew more and more panicked inside. She had heard from former classmates that some poor families would sell their daughters to others as brides for a bride price. Was Dad suddenly being so nice to her because he wanted to sell her?

Clothing shops lined the pedestrian street one after another. Fang Zhiyi, familiar with the place, walked into a women's clothing store, picked up a pink dress, and held it against Fang Yu: "This one's nice, suits you well. Go try it on."

Fang Yu glimpsed the price tag: "299," and waved her hands in fright: "Dad, it's too expensive, I don't want it! I have clothes to wear!"

"What's expensive about it? My daughter deserves to wear pretty clothes!" Without another word, Fang Zhiyi shoved the dress into her hands and pushed her into the fitting room. When Fang Yu came out wearing the dress, even the shop assistant's eyes lit up: "Miss, you look really beautiful in this! Your father is so good to you. My dad would never buy me such expensive clothes."

Fang Yu smiled awkwardly, touched the fabric of the dress, feeling both touched and panicked. She had never worn such beautiful clothes before, but the thought of possibly "being sold" made the dress feel like a shackle.

Fang Zhiyi, however, didn't notice her unease. He picked out several more tops and pants, and with a wave of his hand said: "Wrap them all up!" After paying, carrying the bags, he led Fang Yu into the next store.

After a few shops, Fang Zhiyi was also feeling worn out. How do girls maintain the joy of shopping? Isn't it exhausting?

He put the purchased items on the ground for Fang Yu to watch, then turned and walked into a real estate agency. When he came out, an agent was bowing and scraping to him.

Fang Zhiyi motioned for her to keep walking. Fang Yu hesitated, but under his urging, she could only follow.

After many twists and turns, they entered an unfamiliar residential complex, then took the elevator until the agent opened a door.

A large floor-to-ceiling window, a living room with a light-colored sofa and coffee table, a bedroom with a soft big bed, and a large wardrobe. This was exactly the kind of small apartment she had seen on roadside advertisements before. She had secretly fantasized about how wonderful it would be to have such a little nest of her own, not having to endure her aunt's scowls or listen to her cousins' taunts.

"Go in and take a look. Do you like it?" Fang Zhiyi gave her shoulder a little push.

Fang Yu hesitantly walked in, her fingertips lightly touching the sofa—it was soft. The agent said with a smile: "Miss, this apartment has great natural light, convenient transportation, very suitable for young people."

Fang Yu nodded subconsciously, then quickly shook her head: "It's beautiful, but I'm just looking..."

"Just looking? If you like it, we'll buy it!" Fang Zhiyi said, sitting on the sofa to discuss the contract with the agent. "Can the price be lower? I'll pay in full."

The agent quickly nodded: "For a full payment, we can communicate with the owner for another twenty thousand off."

Fang Yu was completely panicked now. She rushed over and grabbed Fang Zhiyi's arm: "Dad! I don't want it! I really don't! Please don't buy it!" She was now convinced her father was buying this apartment to "package" her for a better selling price.

But Fang Zhiyi paid her no mind. Signing the contract, swiping the card—it was done in one go. After the agent left with the contract, only the father and daughter remained in the apartment. The atmosphere instantly turned silent.