Father 012

"Although Wu Xiaohu's father spoils his son, at the end of the day, he is a profit-driven man. Besides, Wu Xiaohu isn't his only son; doesn't he also have a younger son, Wu Xiaobao? When a man like him has a choice, he will inevitably prioritize his own future."

Fang Zhiyi's words echoed in her mind.

Fang Qingci walked past Wu Xiaohu and returned to her seat to sit down.

A trace of resentment flashed through Wu Xiaohu's eyes. Just as he turned around to curse, several familiar figures appeared outside the window.

Those upper-class delinquents didn't say anything; they just stared straight at him. Wu Xiaohu shuddered. Thinking about his future life, he threw himself directly at Fang Qingci's desk: "Sister Fang! Sister Fang! Just spare me, and I will work like a horse and toil like an ox for you from now on!"

Fang Qingci's movements of organizing her books gradually stopped.

"Look at me now. Even though I bullied you before, look at how miserable I am now, right? Please let me go..."

"You're wrong. You slapped me, and I slapped you back. It looks fair, but it's actually not fair at all, because I never had the intention of bullying you, yet you were dead set on hurting me. Furthermore, regarding this matter, there is no such thing as me letting you go. You brought all of this upon yourself; it has nothing to do with me."

The light in Wu Xiaohu's eyes gradually dimmed. His brain buzzed under the weight of Fang Qingci's words. After a good while, he slowly climbed up from the ground and listlessly returned to his seat.

From that day on, Wu Xiaohu became somewhat silent. His status at home also changed. Now his father preferred his younger brother and always intentionally or unintentionally ignored him. There was only one reason for this: because of him, Boss Wu's business had been significantly affected. In the end, the shrewd Boss Wu proactively showed his stance, and only then did Fang Zhiyi stop his actions.

Some people gathered outside the gate of Fang Zhiyi's courtyard, which was well within his expectations.

"Fang Zhiyi! I am your Second Uncle! I heard you struck it rich. You aren't going to disown your Second Uncle now, are you?"

"I am your Third Aunt! Zhiyi, I even held you when you were a baby."

Fang Zhiyi's gaze passed over them and landed on Fang Mingshan and his group, who wore smug expressions. Fang Mingshan met his eyes provocatively, as if telling him that he still had the backing of their relatives.

"Ahem, I heard... you don't even acknowledge your parents anymore? Fang Zhiyi, do you still have the Fang family in your eyes?" An old man leaning on a cane stepped forward.

Little Hei almost went up and gave him two slaps. Back then, it was exactly this bunch of scoundrels who had forced Fang Qingci to marry in exchange for money.

At this time, Fang Qingci also walked out. A woman reached out and grabbed her: "Oh my, I haven't seen you for just a short while, and Fang Zhaodi has grown so pretty? When your auntie was your age, I was already engaged. Do you want..."

Fang Qingci abruptly took a step back. "Auntie, I am still studying."

"What's the use of a girl studying? Your auntie knows a family that lives very well..."

Fang Zhiyi spoke up in time: "Ahem, well... Xiao Wu."

Xiao Wu stepped forward.

"Give each of these relatives of mine a red envelope with one thousand yuan!"

When these words came out, even Fang Qingci was stunned.

"Oh my, it has to be my nephew! So filial!"

"Zhiyi, your eldest cousin won't say anything more; it's all in my heart. Actions speak louder than words!"

More than a dozen people all received the money, grinning from ear to ear, leaving Fang Mingshan's family dumbfounded.

Old Mrs. Fang suddenly rushed over: "Fine, you unfilial son! You give the money to them but not to your brother? Are you even human?"

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately took offense.

"I say, sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? So we are outsiders now?"

"Exactly! How is Zhiyi unfilial? I think Fang Mingshan is just jealous of him!"

"Have you forgotten when you invited the grand-uncle to preside over the family division? You only gave Fang Zhiyi a few bundles of torn cloth chewed by bugs and rats. If he wasn't capable, would you be coming to look for him today?"

"Who are you actually here to help?" Liu Wenxia rarely stood on the same front as her mother-in-law.

"Help who? You are relatives, and Zhiyi is also our relative. We stand by reason, not just blood!"

Watching them argue, Fang Zhiyi lowered his voice: "Do you understand now?"

Fang Qingci let out a confused sound.

"These guys only recognize money, not people. Sometimes when you encounter problems, you can't just fight head-on; you have to learn to maneuver around them. Look, their fighting power is no weaker than your biological mother and grandmother."

The noise quickly attracted many villagers. After the previous incident, some villagers had joined Fang Zhiyi's ranks, following his subordinates' arrangements to develop business in neighboring towns and villages. Naturally, they were now on Fang Zhiyi's side.

Under such a siege, Old Mrs. Fang's family was quickly defeated and fled in panic. Old Mrs. Fang also completely fell out with these relatives, even dragging up a lot of ancient history and petty grievances, which made Little Hei marvel repeatedly.

Fang Zhiyi was also very generous. He even treated these relatives—who never showed up unless there was a benefit—to a meal, and then sent them off with a smile.

Fang Qingci, however, looked heartbroken over the expense: "Uncle, how much did all this cost?"

Fang Zhiyi smiled: "Spending money? Some money just has to be spent... But at most, this counts as an employment relationship. They came to help me solve a problem, and this is their compensation."

"But..."

"No buts. Just you wait... They took the money this time, so this job is theirs to do. What, is your heart aching for your parents?"

An unreadable emotion flashed through Fang Qingci's eyes before she shook her head.

Fang Zhiyi took it all in but didn't say anything.

Days continued to pass. Fang Qingci still treasured that ruined painting, keeping it taped to the wall. Little Hei was very dissatisfied with this, but Fang Zhiyi was not in a hurry.

Fang Qingci's personality gradually became more cheerful, and she made quite a few friends. The people who had previously followed Wu Xiaohu in bullying her had also been taught a lesson by the upperclassmen a few times; now, they hid far away whenever they saw her.

However, Wu Xiaohu would stare at her from time to time, immediately looking away whenever she turned her head. This made Fang Qingci feel somewhat nervous.

In the blink of an eye, she moved up a grade. It was also at this time that Fang Tianqi started school. Unsure if he was instructed by Fang Mingshan, Fang Tianqi ran to Fang Qingci's classroom on his very first day.

"Hey, Fang Zhaodi, Dad said you have to take good care of me." Fang Tianqi still thought Fang Qingci was that lowly wretch who could be bullied by anyone.

Fang Qingci frowned, but didn't say anything.

Her uncle had mentioned a few days ago that he had some business and needed to travel far, leaving Uncle Xiao Wu to pick her up and drop her off. She couldn't cause trouble for her uncle. Furthermore, although Fang Tianqi was very domineering, he was still the younger brother she had raised with her own hands. Thinking of this, Fang Qingci just silently suppressed her discomfort in the bottom of her heart.