Father-in-Law 03

"Well, I know it wasn't you. Are you hurt?" Fang Zhiyi asked kindly.

Chen Xiaoqun was a bit surprised. Whenever he made a mistake before, his grandfather would always have a stern face. Why was he suddenly so... amiable? But looking at Fang Zhiyi's expression, the worry in his heart eased, and he shook his head. "No."

Fang Zhiyi smiled. "That's good. Go play."

Chen Xiaoqun took a few hesitant steps, then turned back. "Grandpa, but... the vase..."

Fang Zhiyi laughed, reached out, and patted his head. "It was the vase's fault. It shouldn't have been there blocking your way."

Chen Xiaoqun brightened up. He remembered the last time he accidentally broke the teapot his late grandmother had left behind; his grandfather had lost his temper for the first time, and he had been scared to tears. In the end, his parents had told him not to take it to heart with his confused grandfather, that it was all grandpa's fault for leaving the teapot on the table and so on.

He thought he was going to get scolded again today, but Grandpa actually wasn't angry. How wonderful!

Seeing him run off happily to play, Fang Zhiyi once again revealed a "kindly" smile.

That evening, a drunken Chen Cai and Fang Yunyun returned home one after the other and saw Chen Xiaoqun engrossed in watching cartoons. Both were somewhat taken aback, as they knew the old stickler never allowed the child to watch TV so late.

"Dad! Mom!" Chen Xiaoqun saw his parents and happily rushed over.

Fang Yunyun caught him and asked with a smile, "What did you do at home today?"

Chen Xiaoqun lifted his head proudly. "Played!"

"Played?" Fang Yunyun was puzzled. Her gaze shifted towards her father's room. The door was tightly shut now, with no movement inside. Immediately, she lowered her voice and asked, "Did Grandpa get angry again?" In her mind, her father was nothing but a control freak.

Chen Xiaoqun shook his head. "Today I accidentally broke the vase, but Grandpa didn't say anything to me."

"The vase?" Fang Yunyun instinctively looked towards the side of the TV, where there had originally been a vase. She remembered it was a prize she won from a university competition, awarded by the school. Fang Zhiyi treasured it dearly and had deliberately placed it in the most conspicuous spot.

"Dad actually didn't get angry?" She was surprised.

The tipsy Chen Cai hugged her from behind. "What's the big deal? I think the old man has just come to his senses."

Fang Yunyun didn't mind his way of referring to her father; instead, she found it part of her lover's personality. "Come to his senses?"

Chen Cai recounted his conversation with Fang Zhiyi from earlier that day, his face full of pride. "Your husband is quite the smooth talker. Even that old fossil was persuaded by me!"

"Oh, you!" Fang Yunyun giggled shyly and pinched him. Chen Cai, without any restraint, leaned in and kissed her, completely ignoring their wide-eyed son watching them.

"So where's your grandpa?" Fang Yunyun asked again.

"Grandpa said he has something to do tomorrow and needs to sleep early. He asked if I wanted to wait for you, and I said yes. So he let me wait here. Am I good?" Chen Xiaoqun was very pleased with himself.

Chen Cai ruffled his hair. "Good boy!"

Fang Yunyun was somewhat perplexed. Had her father really become so easy-going?

But her drunken husband and clingy son left her no time to dwell on it.

The next day was Monday. The early-rising Fang Zhiyi was still fulfilling his grandfatherly duty, calling for Chen Xiaoqun a few times. However, having stayed up late playing with his dad the night before, Chen Xiaoqun lay with his bottom in the air, very impatient. "Don't wanna get up! Don't wanna go to school!"

Fang Zhiyi said patiently, "How can you not go to school?"

"I'm sleepy! I want to sleep!"

The commotion attracted Fang Yunyun, who also had work today. Seeing this scene, she frowned. "Dad, just let him sleep a bit longer. It's not good for kids if they don't get enough sleep."

"But school..." Fang Zhiyi spread his hands.

Fang Yunyun's tone was exactly like Chen Cai's: "Just ask for a leave! What does it matter if he's a bit late?"

Fang Zhiyi clapped his hands. "Alright." But then he seemed to remember something. "Oh dear, I just recalled I have some business today. Asking for leave is up to you." With that, he hurried off.

"Huh?" Fang Yunyun was taken aback, firstly because her father had really changed, and secondly, what business could a retired old man possibly have?

But Fang Zhiyi left in a hurry. She could only complain a couple of times before reluctantly pulling out her phone to call the teacher.

"Hello, Teacher Deng? We need to ask for a leave."

"What's the reason? Uh... the child isn't feeling well."

"Mhm, okay. Later, I'll..." She habitually started to say Fang Zhiyi would take him, then suddenly remembered Fang Zhiyi had already left. "...my husband will bring him over later."

Lying in bed, Chen Xiaoqun listened to his mother telling a lie so he could sleep, his heart bursting with joy.

"Mommy's the best!"

Fang Yunyun smiled and gave him a light pat. "Go to sleep quickly. Daddy will take you to class later, understand?"

Chen Xiaoqun nodded and burrowed back under the covers.

Fang Yunyun pondered her father's behavior. Although she couldn't quite figure it out, it seemed fine. Before leaving, she even deliberately left a note for her husband reminding him to take the child.

Fang Zhiyi went out, pulled out a list, and started planning his visits. What could a retired old man do? Visit relatives and friends, of course!

Over the course of the day, Fang Zhiyi visited several relatives, receiving warm hospitality. He ended up having a meal at a cousin's house, chatting about everyday life.

Only after eating and drinking his fill did he leisurely head back. As soon as he opened the door, he heard his daughter's surprised voice.

"Chen Xiaoqun, why didn't you go to school?"

Chen Xiaoqun's innocent voice chimed in. "Dad said it's no big deal to take a day off once in a while."

"You..." Fang Yunyun felt this wasn't quite right.

But Chen Cai cut her off. "Oh, what's the harm? What can they possibly learn at school at this age? Aren't they just playing anyway? Don't tell me you want to be like your dad?"

Fang Yunyun looked at him and laughed. "You're awful, insulting me."

While the family was joking around, Fang Zhiyi also entered. He originally intended to just wash up and go to sleep, but Chen Cai spoke up. "Dad, where did you go today? You didn't even come home to cook."

Fang Zhiyi answered with a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Went to see some old friends."

Chen Cai said disdainfully, "You still have old friends? What's there to talk about with them, really." Suddenly, he pointed at the messy takeout boxes on the table. "I didn't know if you were coming back for dinner, so I didn't wait for you. There's still some food left here. Want some?"

Fang Zhiyi looked at the jumbled-up leftovers, his hand itching slightly, but in the end, he shook his head. "You guys eat. I've already eaten."

"Hey, son, your grandpa went out to eat good food by himself and didn't take you." Chen Cai turned to tease Chen Xiaoqun. And Chen Xiaoqun, true to form listening to his dad, immediately pulled a long face. "Grandpa, why didn't you take me when you went out to play?"

Fang Zhiyi feigned innocence. "You wouldn't get up. But, who said Grandpa didn't think of you?"