Father 08

Fang Zhiyi remained silent for a long time.

"Her whole life has been spent trying to please others. Even when she finally had the courage to seek death, she still thought of her family."

"There are some things she must realize on her own. Her experiences from childhood to now have left her starved for affection, which is why she rushes forward the moment someone shows her a little kindness. Or perhaps... it's for the best that she experiences the hardships she's destined to face later on in advance."

Little Hei completely failed to understand. "It's not like this is your first time being a father. This time..."

Fang Zhiyi ignored it.

After school, Fang Zhiyi went to pick up Fang Qingci as usual, but she didn't come out. Little Hei went looking for her with a cold expression, only to find Fang Qingci cornered in the restroom. The water from the bucket in Wu Xiaohu's hands had been poured all over her, and several male and female classmates surrounded her, mocking her.

"What gives you the right to yell at me? You're just a worthless waste of money!" Wu Xiaohu's face was full of smugness.

Little Hei was extremely displeased. It even considered taking action despite the risk of exposing itself to the Heavenly Dao. Fortunately, the security guard walked in at that moment. Under the guard's scolding, the group of bullies left with arrogant expressions, still threatening Fang Qingci as they went.

Fang Qingci silently walked to the sink, washed her face first, and then walked out step by step.

Fang Zhiyi looked at her completely drenched state but said nothing. He simply let her get in the car as usual. Throughout the journey, Fang Qingci stared blankly into space, and Fang Zhiyi remained silent.

Upon returning home, Fang Qingci began preparing dinner. Fang Zhiyi did not cook.

Even when the two sat face to face, Fang Zhiyi did not ask her what had happened.

"Uncle... I, I don't want to go to school anymore," Fang Qingci finally said.

This seemed to be within Fang Zhiyi's expectations. He nodded. "Why is that?"

"Because, because I'm not doing well in my studies."

"Oh."

That simple "oh" left Fang Qingci at a loss for words.

Just as she was about to stand up.

"Running away whenever you encounter a problem—do you plan to be like this for the rest of your life? Or do you think that entrusting your life to others will bring you a good life?"

Fang Qingci froze. She slowly turned around, tears having already traced down her face at some unknown point.

"They, they talked about Auntie..."

Fang Zhiyi waved his hand. "What does what they say about your aunt have to do with you? Who doesn't get gossiped about?"

"But..." Seeing her uncle's indifference, Fang Qingci felt miserable. Tears fell one after another, and she finally couldn't hold it in anymore. "They, they bully me. They throw my books, write on my backpack! They pull my ears and cut my hair..."

Fang Zhiyi lifted his eyelids and stared at her steadily.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Wu Xiaohu said that if I told you, he would have his dad beat you up. I, I didn't want, I didn't want you to worry about me, Uncle..."

"That line of thinking is wrong. First of all, you are a child. Secondly... you don't need to worry about adult matters." Fang Zhiyi stood up and patted her head. "Always thinking of others will make your life very difficult, especially when you wrong yourself to accommodate others. That's just self-martyrdom..."

Seeing Fang Qingci crying even harder, Fang Zhiyi's gaze softened.

"Also, crying is fine, but it doesn't solve anything. Do you want revenge?"

Fang Qingci was very obedient. She wiped away her tears, and although she was still sobbing, her eyes became resolute.

At school the next day, Wu Xiaohu was as arrogant and domineering as ever. Relying on his family's wealth, he always caused trouble, bullying the honest kids. It was just that recently, he had focused his target on Fang Qingci.

Seeing that Fang Qingci still came to school, his wicked thoughts began to stir again.

Maybe today I'll strip her clothes off...

A class period passed, and Wu Xiaohu didn't listen to a single word. Just as he stood up to go intimidate Fang Qingci, several upperclassmen walked in through the door.

"Who is Wu Xiaohu?"

Wu Xiaohu was a little surprised but answered anyway, "Me, what's up?"

The leading student glared at him. "What's up? Don't you dare leave after school!"

Wu Xiaohu was stunned. Watching those fierce-looking upperclassmen leave, his mind went blank. He hadn't offended these people at all.

This day was very peaceful for Fang Qingci because Wu Xiaohu's mind was in turmoil, leaving him no time to trouble her.

After school, the moment Wu Xiaohu walked out of the school gates with his lackeys, he was immediately shoved into an alleyway next to the school by a few young thugs.

Fang Qingci got straight into the car.

"Want to take a look?" Fang Zhiyi asked with a smile. Fang Qingci shook her head. "I don't want to look. I still have to go home and do my homework."

Fang Zhiyi curled his lips and drove off.

Only muffled thuds echoed from the alleyway.

The next day, Wu Xiaohu came to school with a bruised and swollen face, looking absolutely terrifying. He looked around with a face full of resentment but couldn't find the person who had framed him.

Yesterday, those delinquents said he was too arrogant for daring to spray-paint their boss's name in the restroom. Wu Xiaohu was completely bewildered, but delinquents never listened to reason. They simply gave him a vicious beating and threatened him.

Only afterward did Wu Xiaohu see the line of text in the restroom.

"[Name] is an idiot, I, Wu Xiaohu, am the real boss!"

He racked his brains but couldn't figure out who did it.

Just as he was about to take his anger out on Fang Qingci, at the exact same time, the exact same group of people walked in again.

"Wu Xiaohu! You little punk! We'll be waiting for you at the usual spot after school!"

"Huh? I, I didn't do anything..."

"Cut the crap! Last night you smashed our boss's motorcycle and carved words into it. You're just asking for it, aren't you?"

"I..."

Wu Xiaohu panicked again. He didn't know why he was suddenly being targeted like this.

Meanwhile, Fang Qingci was holding back her laughter. Her uncle had said that although this method was a bit dirty, it was very effective because no one would believe that a girl like her would run into the boys' restroom to spray-paint words, much less suspect that a girl would dare smash someone's vehicle and carve words on it.

It would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens for Wu Xiaohu to find the person who framed him.

"Remember, many times, the truth is not important. Who bears the consequences and whether the outcome satisfies everyone is what matters most."

Wu Xiaohu was taught another lesson that afternoon. This time, the other party not only hit harder but also demanded compensation and ordered him to report every day for "military training."

At this time, Wu Xiaohu's father was also in deep trouble. Suddenly, he couldn't get any goods. The suppliers in town told him outright that he had offended someone, but he racked his brains and couldn't figure out who he had offended. His son was also getting beaten up, making him feel like his head was going to split open.

Fortunately, after begging for help and asking around, a boss with whom he had a good relationship finally gave him a name.

Fang Zhiyi.