03

What happened? Can't I say it? I insist on saying it! I hate to say it, but didn't you know how much I despised you before? Why did you come back when I was almost forgetting? You come and go as you please, entering and exiting others' lives irresponsibly. Have you ever considered my feelings over the years? Fang Xuyu, whose Fang Xuyu are you? What right do you have to point fingers at me? When your Lu Qiu Hai is not doing well, why do you come to provoke my family? You come and go as you please, entering and exiting others' lives irresponsibly. Have you ever considered my feelings over the years? Fang Xuyu, whose Fang Xuyu are you? What right do you have to point fingers at me? When your Lu Qiu Hai is not doing well, why do you come to provoke my family? Ridiculous!

Fang Xuyu called out "Dad," and Fang Chongyan nodded.

"What good is saying sorry? I hate you!" I am like an enraged wasp, and in self-defense, I have plunged my venomous stinger into his heart

When we suffer, they enjoy; clearly, they are outsiders, so why do they have the right to dominate my life

In the photo, the profile of a girl caught my attention; I felt as if I had seen her somewhere before. When I asked Lin Jiaxuan, he said her name was Zhong Man'er, and she was a friend brought by someone else. He wasn't familiar with her either, only knowing that she was the daughter of a wealthy family from a large enterprise

At that time, I did not understand the weight of that sentence. It was not until many years later, when he acted resolutely for the sake of that sentence, that I realized it was a promise made with one's life.

Perhaps it is someone who has been quietly watching me, I think narcissistically

The table was laden with sumptuous dishes, and Fang Chongyan leaned forward continuously serving me food, while our shadows on the floor were elongated by the dim yellow light

He was like an old clock that had been struck, emitting a mournful sigh. My heart ached with each beat as I looked at his bedroom door, my eyes reddening once again

I responded with a soft sound, smiled slightly, and sat down on either side of him with Fang Xuyu.

"What does it matter to you?" I put down my chopsticks in anger, my tone aggressive, "Is it important? Is it important for you to ask me such a question? In your eyes, is mother an important person? From the very beginning, you made a choice. Since you chose to abandon me and mother back then, why pretend to care about us now? Whether we are well or not, it is no longer your concern."

"Weiwei, those are the new female workers; they are not familiar with the rules, so do not take it to heart." Fang Chongyan gestured for me to take a seat

I am tired, you all eat." He slowly stood up, dragged the chair back, glanced at me, and said softly

Fang Weiyang. Fang Xuyu's tone was filled with a strong warning

I ultimately cannot act as if nothing has happened

"What do you base this on? What do you base this on?" At this point, I could no longer continue speaking; my throat felt dry and my mouth was parched, and tears began to fall one by one. I covered my face and could not help but burst into tears.

"As long as there is no lack, that is good." Without being angry at my rudeness and capriciousness, Fang Chongyan smiled awkwardly, paused for a few seconds, and cautiously asked, "Weiwei, how is your mother..."

Fortunately, Fang Xuyu did not say anything further. He gazed at the surface of the sea for a while and, with an expressionless face, remarked: "It sounds nice, but it's time to eat."

Be mindful of your wording. The square must continue to stare at me, warning me persistently

I followed him to the restaurant and noticed that there were a few more people inside, who appeared to be hired workers. The lady serving the dishes greeted me with a smile, saying: "Hello, Miss Fang"

No, no need to call me anything else, just call me Wei Yang

I watched him walk out of the restaurant with heavy steps, enter the bedroom, and close the door. His murmured words before disappearing carried a sense of wounded helplessness: "Weiwei, do not hate me, your father is in a difficult situation..."

This girl, whom I met only once, I never anticipated that she would later become the primary executioner of my years of suffering

I stopped in my tracks, without looking back

In the quiet restaurant, only the sound of the clock's hands moving on the wall and my weeping can be heard, while Fang Chongyan and Fang Xuyu remain silent. I can feel two gazes fixed upon me

Fang Xuyu fixed his gaze on me, neither sad nor happy. I pressed my lips together, tore off a few sheets of tissue from the table, wiped my face haphazardly, and then prepared to leave

"It is unsafe for girls to return late." Fang Chongyan poured milk into my cup, "However, if you insist on going back to school, I will have Ah Hai take you later."

There was a heart-wrenching pain in Fang Chongyan's eyes; he prepared to say something, moving his lips, yet no words came forth.

"No, I am going home to sleep," I replied sullenly

It has been nearly ten years since Fang Chongyan and I last had a meal together. He still follows the habits he remembers, indiscriminately piling all kinds of dishes into my bowl. Perhaps it is out of guilt, or perhaps it is a form of compensation, but I am no longer that little girl who used to clamor to snatch meat from Fang Xuyu.

I thought it was a gift from Lin Jiaxuan, so I sent him a text message to thank him and mentioned that I wouldn't be able to celebrate his birthday with him. Lin Jiaxuan said he hadn't sent anything and even apologized to me. I then thought it might have been a classmate who misplaced it, and after waiting for a long time without anyone coming to claim it, I had no choice but to put it in my bag.

Hmm, I replied nonchalantly

"I am sorry for you and your mother..." Fang Chongyan said in a hoarse voice

I feel such hatred, such hatred in my heart

There were two people who were whispering to each other while looking at me and Fang Chongyan, who was sitting at the dining table. I felt embarrassed. Fang Chongyan coughed once, with great authority, and those gossiping immediately fell silent and shuffled off to the kitchen

I will return it to you," he said

I am doing quite well, lacking nothing. Hearing his self-reference, I felt a bit repulsed

And you. I pointed at Fang Xuyu, feeling a wave of grievance surging up.

After returning from Fang Chongyan's home, I still encounter Fang Xuyu in the campus, but unlike before, we pretend not to know each other. However, I have always been curious as to why others do not recognize the name Fang Xuyu. Later, I learned that Fang Xuyu is a name given to him by Fang Chongyan, and he has always used his real name on his student records and identification card

I looked at the mountain of chicken legs, beef, and ham piled in the bowl, and quietly began to eat with my head down

Lin Jiaxuan looked at me with curiosity and asked others to get a few more frontal photos of that girl for me. After thinking for a long time, I finally remembered that she was the girl who confessed to Fang Xuyu.

This year, Lin Jiaxuan's birthday is rather unfortunate, as it coincides with an important exam I have. He came to pick up his down jacket, and I asked him to wear the scarf back.

In preparation for the final exams, I go to the library to review every day. Yang Liu dislikes the cold and refuses to come out of the dormitory. On Christmas Eve, I received an apple and a card in the seat I usually occupy in the library. The pure white card had a champagne rose printed on the cover, and inside, it was handwritten with a fountain pen, saying "Merry Christmas Eve".

No one came to comfort me, nor did anyone say a word

Perhaps it is because I have been strong for too long and no longer wish to endure, or perhaps it is the unintentional greeting from Fang Chongyan that triggered my resentment and vulnerability, or maybe it is seeing how well they get along now that truly makes me care and feel jealous

Time felt as long as a century, and they waited until my emotions gradually calmed down before speaking

The atmosphere of Christmas is becoming increasingly strong, and the campus is filled with the scent of the holiday. My mother and Shen Huai called me several times, saying that they plan to celebrate the New Year in the old house in City C this year, and they will come over before the New Year. I was surprised by their idea, but I did not raise any objections.

I do not know why I suddenly started crying, and the tears just would not stop.

His voice is resonant and powerful

I let out a cold laugh, pushed the door open, and walked out

"Weiwei, I am sorry for what I have done to you." Fang Chongyan looked at me with compassion

"What do you mean by being sorry? Just tell me." I straightened my posture and, looking at the corners of his eyes that were also tinged with red, questioned him mercilessly.

Are you short on money?" Fang Chongyan put down his chopsticks and looked at me, "If you need money, just tell me. Don't hold back, Dad..."

I just wanted to see him, have a good meal, I never intended for things to escalate to this extent, I do not wish to hurt his feelings

On his birthday, Lin Jiaxuan invited several of his classmates and some friends to sing and drink. He took many photos to share with me. Looking at the pictures of him making various funny poses while wearing that scarf, I couldn't help but laugh out loud

"Fang Weiyang." He called me

Many times I do not understand why adults can treat past events as if they never happened. In this world, not every debt can be compensated. I am such a petty person; I do not value this kind of compensation that is so readily offered before me.

It is getting late, you can sleep here tonight. I have already had someone tidy up your bedroom." Fang Chongyan said to me in a low voice while eating.