Father-in-law 01

Xiao Hei's spirit was very poor, and its body had once again turned into a round ball. It seemed it had expended a great deal in the world of Journey to the West.

"You're not going to die, are you?" Fang Zhiyi said.

A pair of big eyes suddenly grew out of Xiao Hei's ball-like body, and then it rolled them. "Can't you hope for something good?"

After a pause, it continued, "This world should be relatively easy for you... I need to sleep."

Fang Zhiyi nodded.

The original host's life could be described as... complicated.

The story begins when Fang Zhiyi's daughter, Fang Yunyun, was three years old. Due to a car accident, Fang Zhiyi's wife passed away, and he was deeply devastated. However, looking at his young daughter, Fang Zhiyi eventually pulled himself together.

He acted as both father and mother, taking care of his daughter while working to support the family. These days were very difficult, but Fang Zhiyi gritted his teeth and endured. Watching his daughter grow up brought him some comfort.

By the time Fang Yunyun turned eighteen, Fang Zhiyi had saved enough money to buy a large house and moved in with his daughter. He had it all planned out: after his daughter graduated from university, he would transfer the property to her. At least then Fang Yunyun wouldn't have to worry about housing and would have security even after marriage.

However, Fang Yunyun's rebellious phase seemed to start only after she entered university. Her relationship with her father deteriorated sharply. She argued with Fang Zhiyi over the phone and didn't come home during holidays. Fang Zhiyi was also puzzled, not knowing what he had done to upset his daughter.

Until that Chinese New Year, which was also Fang Yunyun's birthday, she got into another argument with Fang Zhiyi over a trivial matter.

"You never understand me! When I was little, you controlled everything I did, and now you still want to control me?" Her pent-up resentment almost burst forth. "Don't think just because you're nice to me now, I've forgotten how you used to scold and punish me when I was a child!"

Fang Yunyun stormed out, slamming the door.

Fang Zhiyi looked at the meal she had knocked to the floor, then at the birthday cake he was holding in his hands. His throat tightened.

He remained silent, but ultimately sent his daughter a text message: "I'm sorry. It's Dad's fault."

But Fang Yunyun brought back an even bigger "surprise" for him.

Fang Zhiyi looked at the man she brought home. This man was clearly older than Fang Yunyun, with his hair styled in an exaggerated, spiky way. When he spoke, he always gave off a slick, glib feeling.

"This is Chen Cai," his daughter said, happily linking arms with the man. "Dad, I'm going to marry him!"

Fang Zhiyi felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Looking at his daughter's bright, shining eyes, he opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off by her next sentence.

"I'm pregnant with his child."

Fang Zhiyi later found out that this Chen Cai had been an assistant teacher at his daughter's university, was divorced, and had a son living with his ex-wife. He called himself an "artist," meaning he painted, but his paintings had virtually no market. Fang Yunyun had met him during her university years.

"Ah Cai can paint, and he's really good at it," Fang Yunyun said, her face full of happiness when talking about her boyfriend.

Fang Zhiyi patiently advised, "But it seems he doesn't have a job right now..."

"Those things aren't important, Dad. You've been single for too long; you don't understand what love is!"

"He's been divorced..."

"Love is free. Ah Cai said so."

"But he has no job now, so no income. How will you manage in the future?" Fang Zhiyi's face was full of worry.

Fang Yunyun said, "I can support him. Dad, didn't you help me get a job at that big company? It's enough to support him."

Fang Zhiyi felt the world spinning.

But, fearing his daughter's anger, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say anything more.

The wedding was hastily arranged. All of the Fang family's relatives and friends attended. Fang Zhiyi mustered his energy to socialize with them. Everyone was surprised by Fang Yunyun's whirlwind marriage, but Fang Zhiyi wore a broad smile. He couldn't let relatives and friends look down on his daughter, so in every word, he defended this "son-in-law" whom he himself actually didn't think much of.

After the wedding, Chen Cai openly moved into Fang Zhiyi's house.

Life went on like this, only Fang Zhiyi felt even more exhausted. Chen Cai sometimes even advised him, "Old bro... I mean, Dad, you're getting on in years. Wouldn't it be nice to take it easy for a couple of days? Why are you always running around so busy?"

Fang Zhiyi held his breath and didn't reply. Chen Cai snorted disdainfully and left, leaving behind a pile of melon seed shells and beer cans on the coffee table.

For Fang Zhiyi, the only good news was the birth of his grandson. Looking at this little life, Fang Zhiyi felt somewhat comforted. After the child was born, Chen Cai began instilling in Fang Yunyun the idea that breastfeeding was inferior and that imported formula should be used. Fang Yunyun agreed, and immediately asked Fang Zhiyi for money.

For this grandson, Fang Zhiyi was willing to spend. Not just for formula; almost all the child's expenses came from his savings.

Life became much more comfortable for the couple, Fang Yunyun and Chen Cai. Fang Yunyun went to work every day, while Chen Cai slept until noon, then ordered takeout. After eating, he would say he was going out to seek inspiration for his art, but in reality, he was just hanging out with his dubious friends. When Fang Yunyun had time off, the two of them would disappear all day, going camping with friends one day, visiting an art exhibition in a neighboring city the next. Their social media feeds were updated daily with enviable posts.

Fang Zhiyi became the full-time nanny for his grandson, Chen Xiaoqun. To take care of the child, he even gave up his own job and focused entirely on raising his grandson.

One might think this arrangement would be acceptable, but although Chen Cai paid no attention to the child, he always interfered when Fang Zhiyi tried to discipline him, sarcastically criticizing Fang Zhiyi's parenting methods. What chilled Fang Zhiyi's heart even more was that his daughter also took Chen Cai's side.

Chen Xiaoqun hit another child in the neighborhood on the head with a toy. The child's parents came to their door seeking an explanation. Fang Zhiyi, stern-faced, wanted to make Chen Xiaoqun apologize. Who would have thought Chen Cai, lounging on the sofa, would jump up as if provoked.

"Don't you dare bow your head to apologize!"

His loud voice startled even Fang Zhiyi.

"It's just kids roughhousing. Why are you, an adult, making such a big deal out of it? Son, don't apologize. It's not a big deal!"

Fang Zhiyi could only apologize on behalf of the child himself. After the other party, unwilling to make a fuss, left, Chen Cai said to Fang Zhiyi, "Dad, he doesn't understand. Why are you so harsh with him?"

Fang Zhiyi frowned. "When a child does something wrong, you have to teach them..."

"Wrong about what? Should he let himself be hit instead of hitting back?" Chen Cai said righteously. "Come on, son, Dad will take you for fried chicken!"

Little Chen Xiaoqun was overjoyed, even giving his grandfather a somewhat smug look.

Fang Zhiyi felt as if a heavy stone were pressing on his heart, making it hard to breathe.