Chapter 6: Break Off Relations
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“But why should my younger brother always have to get everything that Dad buys? The clothes, and all fruits are for him to eat.” Chi Shuyan’s eyes were blurry with tears. With confusion and grievances, she said: “Aunt, you keep saying that I am a good-for-nothing, is it because I am a girl, so I can’t eat anything? I can’t have anything? Should I also have to pick and wear hand-me-downs from others from now on? I can’t even eat enough, so can I only eat others’ leftovers?”
Chi Shuyan turned on the waterworks with ease as soon as she said these words. She wasn’t the cowardly and simple Chi Shuyan of the past. After experiencing strong winds and waves, a piece of white paper had long been dyed black as ink. If it were the former Chi Shuyan, Chi Guihua’s gentleness would have definitely confused her.
Hearing this, Chi Guihua panicked and felt bad, and stumbled to explain: “Yan Yan – You, what are you talking about?”
“Yan Yan, how could you talk to your aunt like that?” Gao Han let out a gasp as well.
“Sweetie, how could that be possible? You are Dad’s baby, it’s only right that you get everything.” Chi Lingyan snorted coldly and gritted his teeth. Pitch-black eyes that were as unwavering as stars glared at Chi Guihua, as if he wanted to chew her raw. Chi Guihua’s heart tightened and she retreated a few steps. She simply couldn’t stand Chi Lingyan’s glacial and sharp eyes, especially since Chi Lingyan stood tall and big, with the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear. It was really too daunting for anyone to face such a bone-chilling stare.
Chi Lingyan strode aggressively forward and his brother-in-law, Gao Han, couldn’t help but back off at his imposing figure. He thought he would hit someone, until he propped both palms under the dining table and flipped it over with a little effort.
CLINK-PING – All the meals were poured onto the floor in a messy heap.
Chi Lingyan’s actions scared the Chi Guihua family. They were obviously caught off guard. Even Gao Yuanxin, who was making a racket on the floor, shrank in fright behind Chi Guihua.
“Yan Yan, let’s go to dinner!” Chi Lingyan’s deep and resounding voice rang out, When he looked at Chi Shuyan, his sharp eyes softened, not giving the Chi Guihua family the slightest bit of face.
Chi Guihua’s eyes burst into flames. Knowing that Chi Lingyan was a soldier, Gao Han dared not speak out of anger. Gao Yuanxin and the others were also frightened and dared not speak at all.
Chi Shuyan was also stunned by her father’s actions. With wide teary apricot eyes, her lips slightly curled upwards. She didn’t expect her father to break off relations with her aunt’s family decisively for the sake of her not being a bit aggrieved. He didn’t give a damn glossing over sentiments and face, but this tantrum, she liked it.
Chi Lingyan drove Chi Shuyan back home. Their home was a small townhouse villa in Lanting Bibo Park. It wasn’t that Chi Lingyan was rich. He was from an ordinary working-class family, but he had unique foresight and precision, acting with boldness and determination. Lanting Bibo Park wasn’t very popular in the early years after it opened. Fewer people were willing to buy properties there until the state re-planned. Since then, the location south of Sanzhong Road was developed into a centralized business district model and demand in the area increased sharply. As time passed, the land value rose exorbitantly.
However, even when the properties weren’t popular at that time, Chi Lingyan still poured all his assets to buy this building, and even borrowed a lot of money from banks. In previous years, he finally paid off all his loans one after another.
When Chi Lingyan parked the car in the garage, he saw that Chi Shuyan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, had fallen asleep leaning on the back of the chair. Long, dark hair covered half the side of her face, making the appearance of her small, pointed face even more emaciated.
He studied his daughter carefully and lifted his hand to brush the hair that was blocking her cheek behind her head. He was about to wake her up when his hand went rigid. He saw her thick, fine, long lashes flutter with traces of tears, like the wings of a butterfly caught in the wind and rain. Her delicate brows furrowed and she bit her lips tightly. Watching her shedding tears silently, Chi Lingyan’s heart palpitated with fear.
Was she having a scary nightmare?
“That’s enough, you broom star, what are you crying for? Wasn’t it you, who killed my Fourth Brother, yet now pretending to be pitiful? We’ve raised you for so long and we’ve already done the best we can for you. Go and fend for yourself.”
“I told you not to be so shameless, this is already our house, get out of here!”
Chi Shuyan looked at the girl, who totally resembled her, holding an urn and kneeling in front of Chi Guihua’s family, humbly begging her aunt to let her father be buried in peace.
“I could do without this house. I’m begging you Aunt, it was I who used to be ignorant. All I’m asking now for Dad’s sake is for Aunt to let Dad have a grave where he can rest in peace.” The girl pleaded weakly.
Yet, she kowtowed, scraped her knees, and wept her tears.
Chi Guihua’s face turned ugly. She snatched the urn out of the girl’s hand and threw it straight into the trash. The girl’s eyes turned crimson and she moved forward quickly on all fours. Just as she was about to pick the urn back, Gao Lingxue, who was standing on the sidelines, moved. She laughed contemptuously, lifted the lid, and dumped all the contents…
“Yan Yan, Yan Yan, wake up, wake up.” Chi Lingyan gently shook Chi Shuyan and called out softly.
Chi Shuyan immediately opened her eyes and saw the enlarged version of Chi Lingyan’s face, looking at her worriedly.
“Dad, are we home?” Chi Shuyan smiled brilliantly at him, however, not only did the worry not vanish from Chi Lingyan’s face, his thick black brows were furrowed into a tight lock instead. Chi Shuyan felt a cool smudge on her cheeks, so she casually wiped it with her hand only to find that it was her tears.
Chi Shuyan was slightly startled. The tear glands in this body were so big. She had forgotten what it was like to cry in her previous life.
“Were you having nightmares? What did you dream about that scared you so bad?” Chi Lingyan quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I was dreaming that I turned into a mouse and a scary cat was chasing me and about to swallow me up.” Chi Shuyan grinned, “I thought I was going to die, and Dad wasn’t there to save me.”
“Ptooey-ptooey, childish talk carries no harm, great luck.” The worry on Chi Lingyan’s face dissipated a bit and he knocked Chi Shuyan’s head. He didn’t believe a word of it, but since Shuyan said so, he still held onto the appearance that he believed her.
The two returned to an empty and ornate home. It was purely cold and devoid of the slightest bit of personality, and even the furniture were covered with a fine layer of dust.
“Sweetie, sit on the couch first.” Chi Lingyan lifted the long strip of cloth covering the sofa. Fortunately, it was still clean. He took off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt inside, revealing his burly arms as he instructed, “If you’re hungry, have a few candies first.”
Chi Shuyan nodded and asked, “Do you need help?”
“No, no, you might be more of a trouble than help.” Chi Lingyan smiled at her, ripped the candy wrapper and handed it to her mouth. Scanning the living room and kitchen on the first floor, he sucked in his breath and raked his hair irritably. If he had known that they would come back to stay here, he would have called a cleaner.
“Dad, Grandpa’s on the phone.” Chi Shuyan glanced at the cell phone ringing on the glass tea table and called out towards the kitchen.