02.

I took the document bag and looked at my uncle with some surprise. Over the years, he has always obediently followed my aunt's words without ever going against them.

If my mother had not left, perhaps I would be a happy girl now, living happily with my mother and grandmother every day.

I took a sip of lemonade to relieve my dry throat. I put the bank card in my pocket and when I looked up and met his eyes, I felt a little nervous as if I needed to explain my shameful behavior. "I will definitely repay your money with bank interest. Thank you anyway."

In recent years, Dad has let you down.

Upon seeing me remain silent, the man forced a bitter smile and said, "I know you don't really want to see me, and you don't even want to hear my voice. If you ever run out of money, just send me a text message, no need to... no need to call."

I understand all the reasons, but I can't do it. I resent the man in front of me, and I resent myself for needing to beg him.

You shut up!

A man who is approaching his fifties is being very cautious in front of me, like a child who has done something wrong, feeling somewhat uneasy.

If it weren't for being forced, I don't think I would contact him.

You shut up! What a pity, have you ever cared for our own child like you care for her? Aunt stood up angrily, raised her hand and pulled Uncle's ear. "I am the one in charge of this family. Let me tell you, I will not be able to support her education anymore, not even a penny."

Thinking of my mother, my heart aches again. I used to not understand why, despite both being divorced, one person could thrive while the other could deteriorate. Later, I realized it was simply because the person who chose to leave first no longer loved as much.

What do you mean by this?'' Aunt's voice rose a few degrees, "Your mother is sick in bed now, and her father doesn't care about her. Go to college? How can she go to college? Do you still want to continue paying for it?"

I will just eat at my workplace and won't come back to eat. I clenched my lower lip tightly, afraid that I would cry.

He has fought for me to this extent, and I am already very touched. I don't expect my aunt to actually be able to continue funding me.

Yes, I hate this man.

I stood up and turned around decisively, facing him. I couldn't help but think of that evening in my first year of high school, when my mother lay quietly in bed, her face pale as paper. There was a medicine bottle scattered by her side, filled with sleeping pills that I didn't know how she had accumulated.

I turned my head away, avoiding his gaze. Not far away, the shop assistant who works with me is whispering in the corner, occasionally glancing in our direction. When he noticed my gaze, he quickly turned his head, slightly tilting his body to leave me with his back.

Every night when I toss and turn for money, I curse him in my heart many times. As I curse, I can't help but cry. But I dare not even cry out loud, only quietly sobbing in bed, afraid that my stepmother will hear and scold me for being a jinx.

A 大 is a good school. It would be a pity if children don't study at this time. We...

However, as an art student, if I want to attend A University and major in art, the tuition fee is much higher than that of regular majors. In the past two months, although I have worked several jobs at the same time, I still cannot raise enough tuition fees before the start of the semester.

I felt a wave of nausea in my stomach as I looked at that blue bank card, and I hated myself even more. It's really uncomfortable to have to accept a feeling of disgust that I clearly feel.

Actually, I did try to forgive him. My grandmother once told me that everyone has their own choices and paths. Don't easily hate or blame someone, as it will only make yourself unhappy.

As I watched the two of them continue to argue, I quickly found an excuse and hurried back to my room. After closing the door, I leaned against it and took deep breaths, only to realize belatedly that my body was trembling slightly. Tears fell down my face in large drops, silently.

You can live there, but the cost of meals... Auntie breathed a sigh of relief when she heard me say this. Divorce and such are just "weapons" used to threaten Uncle, just like my mother did back then.

Aunt said: "Zhiwei, your uncle and I promised your grandmother to take care of you until you graduate from high school. Now that you have graduated, shouldn't you go out and work to repay me and your uncle?"

The large acceptance letter was signed by my aunt. I still remember that day when I finished work and went back home. My uncle and aunt sat on the sofa with a serious expression on their faces. When they saw me coming in, my aunt glanced at me and before I could even say "I'm back", her sharp voice had already sounded.

Another apology, for the sake of money, I think I should accept it, should pretend to casually call him "father", but these two words are stuck in my throat like fish bones, unable to swallow or spit out.

I looked at the man in front of me, but the word "father" never came out of my mouth, and the phrase "forgive me" remained unsaid.

Know the details, can I give Dad a chance to make it up to you? Seeing me silent, he said as if trying to please, "I already know about the argument between your uncle and aunt because of your college. Don't worry, Dad will take care of your tuition and living expenses in the future. You don't have to work so hard anymore. If you want, you can also move in and live with Dad."

After hearing the words "divorce", the tone of my uncle softened noticeably.

However, there are no "ifs" in this world. That man's departure not only took away all my happiness, but also brought me endless darkness.

How come you talk to the child like that?My uncle picked up a delivery envelope from the coffee table and handed it to me, saying, "This is the admission letter from University A. You decide your own path from now on!"

Her heart felt as if it had been hollowed out, with a draft whistling through and chilling her entire body.

Uncle and aunt, I will definitely go to college, but don't worry, I will find a way to pay for tuition myself and won't make things difficult for you. I took a deep breath and made up my mind, "Just...I hope you can let me continue living here before the start of the semester, and then I will move to the school dormitory."

I should be grateful, at least they raised me for three years.

But it was also this man who gave me the last glimmer of hope to attend college.

He sat across from me, his brows furrowed, immersed in his own sadness. I looked at his face, and it seemed that time had left little trace on him; he still looked the same as three years ago. I vaguely remember that after he left, my mother aged a lot in just a few months. Her once thick, black hair gradually became mixed with white strands.

Seeing that I had been silent all along, the man pushed a card in front of me and started speaking more. Every sentence was filled with flattery: "There is one year's tuition and living expenses in here. You can use it first, and if it's not enough, I will deposit more."

Let's have the meal at home. It's impossible for the outside to be as clean and hygienic as home.

After my mother passed away, my previously healthy and energetic grandmother who loved practicing Tai Chi Sword has also become frail. She needs to be hospitalized every now and then, and now she can't even lift her sword anymore.

If it's not possible, then it's not possible! Let me tell you, if you dare to spend a single penny from our family again, we will get divorced!

I looked up at the man in front of me, and he looked back at me with a layer of mist in his eyes. His hands in front of his chest were holding a glass of lemon water, with his knuckles slightly turning white.

Mr. Xia, how did you agree to me in the first place? You said you would only take care of this girl until she graduates from high school. Do you want to go back on your word now?

I feel hatred again, hating the man who abandoned me.

What are you talking about? What good job can a high school graduate find? My sister only has one daughter, what can I, as her younger brother, do to help?

Pride and self-esteem are so insignificant in the face of money.

The child has no other relatives. In the future, when they work and earn money, they will definitely be filial to us. What harm is there in having an extra daughter? I have followed your lead all these years. Can't you listen to me just this once regarding this small matter?