Chapter 63: A Father Unlike Any Other

"Come downstairs with me for a walk, and let your mother talk to Wanwan."

After dinner, the old man cleared the table. When Tang Wan tried to help with the dishes, she was shooed out of the kitchen by the old man, who simply said "You're just making a mess," leaving Tang Wan with no reason to refuse. Jiang Fan gritted his teeth and followed the old man into the elevator.

Despite their usual casual jokes, Jiang Fan was truly afraid when it came to serious matters.

The old man didn't say a word in the elevator. When they stepped out of the apartment building, Jiang Fan just took out his cigarette and was about to light it when the old man snatched it away, saying coldly,

"What's the story about someone biting your forehead? Don't lie. Men don't bite each other's foreheads, and they wouldn't fight over such a hard-to-bite place. Is there really a woman you're having an affair with? Let's walk ahead. There might be some dead branches or sticks there."

"No way!"

"Then I'll go. You start running."

"What are you doing? How long has it been since we last saw each other? Why do you want to beat me up when you see me? Alright, alright, it was indeed a woman who bit me, but it's not as sinister as Tang Wan makes it out to be. There's no woman I'm having an affair with. I set a goal for myself to see how much money I can earn in a year."

Jiang Fan quickly gave an overview of the situation, telling the old man about the money and also about owing Tang Wan money, but he didn't mention the divorce, instead making up a reason.

The old man didn't ask specifics about how the debt was incurred. There was definitely something fishy about the sudden change of houses for the young couple. He couldn't help with money and didn't want to make things difficult for his child, so the old man gave up on picking up dead branches and said softly,

"So you helped your manager solve a problem, and this female manager has a more outgoing personality. I don't care how outgoing she is, but you should be careful. I don't care how many women you were with before marriage, but be loyal after marriage. Our family has had good people and bad people, but we've never had a man who cheats on his wife. Who hit you on your back? I'll go talk to him."

Which father doesn't care about his child? It's just that the old man isn't good at expressing his concern with words. Saying he'll go talk to someone won't be simple, will it?

Seeing that the old man didn't intend to hit him, Jiang Fan grinned and said,

"Old man, Mom said you used to fight a lot when you were young? All the hooligans in the surrounding villages were scared of you."

"I'm better than you. I'm the kind of person who hates fighting. You know how many times I've hit you in your life. Those guys messed with your mother, so I went to talk to them. Men have broader shoulders than women. It's not shameful to bow to your wife at home, but it is shameful to bow outside. Don't be like your father-in-law, who's as soft as dough both inside and outside the house."

Jiang Fan didn't respond to this. Old Tang's personality is indeed too gentle, like a weak scholar. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been suppressed by the Lin family all the time. As he was thinking about changing the topic, the old man suddenly smiled.

"I envy Old Tang. He's knowledgeable and understands a lot. I'm not like him. I just know how to make a living from the land. You should treat Tang Wan better. We both know who saved your mother's life."

Neither Jiang Fan nor Tang Wan had told the old man about Jiang Fan's past crime, keeping this secret in their hearts.

The old man, with a cigarette in his mouth, looked at the children playing basketball in the court, his eyes filled with disdain as if he was a master. Jiang Fan sneered and said,

"What? Can you play basketball?"

"A bit. I can do a bit of everything except reading."

"Can you do cross-stitch?"

"You think the 'Great Journey of a Roc' embroidery at home was done by your mother?"

"You're amazing."

"That's why I'm your father."

"What's up? If one day I become more awesome than you, shall we switch roles?"

"Hey, I won't hit you. You're really asking for it, huh? Sure you don't want me to come with you to meet the person who fought with you? This is a one-time offer. I won't help you if you get beaten up later."

"I'm not a kid anymore. I can't always hide behind you. Why didn't you help me when I got beaten up as a child?"

"Your mom didn't allow it."

Jiang Fan looked at the old man with a hopeless expression, tilting his head. At this moment, the old man's phone rang. When the old man took out his phone, Jiang Fan felt envious. It was a smartphone, a touchscreen one. Bowing his head and taking out the antique in his pocket, Jiang Fan felt slightly that he seemed too outdated.

The old man who was very tough when chatting with Jiang Fan was so kind when answering the phone. Jiang Fan sneered and muttered,

"Speaking of me, which little enchantress is calling you? You're smiling like a chrysanthemum."

"Your mom!"

"I said it. My mom is beautiful, like an enchantress, that's why I'm so handsome. If I were like you, I would have a hard time finding a wife."

"Your mom wants to eat a popsicle. Take me to buy one. Why didn't you prepare any at home?"

"Tang Wan eats ice cream like crazy during her menstrual period. I dare not keep any."

"Women are all the same."

The conversation between this father and son might be really different from other families. Previously, Kexin had asked Jiang Fan, "How can you talk to your uncle like this without getting beaten up? I dare not. When we lived in the bungalow, because I scored too low on an exam, my dad grabbed my collar and threw me on the ground, regardless of whether I was alive or dead."

At that time, Jiang Fan was very angry. After going home and telling the old man, the old man went to Kexin's house. This scared the child so much that he didn't dare to go home. It was not good. Not long after, the old man came back and said, "Let Kexin stay at home for now."

Scoring five points in math was indeed somewhat unreasonable.

Thinking of Kexin, Jiang Fan took out his phone and called this little fat guy. The two brothers didn't have any serious chat. They insulted and scolded each other, and finally agreed to go home together during the New Year and have a gathering.

"We'll see then. They are a few guys who can't be helped."

Kexin didn't give too much explanation, and Jiang Fan didn't ask further. He just said they would talk about it when they went home for the New Year. When the old man came out of the supermarket, he asked Jiang Fan how Kexin was doing now. Jiang Fan replied that he was doing well, and the old man sighed softly.

"He's fine, but his cousin seems to be in a bad situation. He was quite successful a year ago and often came to our home to check on your mom's health. I saw him once last month, and he looked like a little old man. It seems something happened to him. I asked him, but he didn't say anything. When you go home for the New Year, try to find out what happened. If you can help, please help him. You guys grew up together."

"I got it."

"I didn't buy you a popsicle."

"It's okay. I don't eat it."

"I didn't buy one for myself too. Go buy one for me."

"You've been keeping that hundred yuan in your pocket for years. Wait for me here for a moment."

Jiang Fan walked out of the residential area. There was an ATM across from the residential area. Jiang Fan withdrew one thousand yuan. The money Tang Wan gave him had been used for investment. When he came back, he took out five hundred yuan and gave it to the old man, whispering,

"Don't tell Mom."

"Wow, it's not easy to get money from you."

"Stop talking nonsense. If you don't want it, give it back to me."

"Why don't I want my son's filial piety?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll starve outside someday."

The old man didn't take Jiang Fan's mockery to heart at all. He carried four popsicles and walked back. Two popsicles for his son-in-law and two for his daughter-in-law. The old man remembered what Jiang Fan said. His daughter-in-law should also like popsicles, so he specifically bought the expensive ones, two yuan each.

Where is there any more cash in his pocket?

This was all his savings. All the money he saved was given to Jiang Fan, not much, only two thousand yuan. Unfortunately, this little rascal reported it.