"Why are you still so stubborn? What's so good about staying in the city?" Father Xu said with great distress. Although he was ashamed of his son, he didn't want to see him go further down the wrong path.
"If you can accept me, come and help me. If you can't, then go back to the countryside. Just pretend I don't exist. If you want me to go back with you, then don't say anything more. That's impossible," Xu Yijie said firmly.
Upon hearing this, Father Xu suddenly stood up, feeling that his son was beyond saving. He had already been a disappointment, and now that he was willing to take him back, his son didn't appreciate it. In that case, he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless. The dozens of mu of land at home were quite coveted in the countryside. He could simply adopt a child from the extended family to care for him in his old age, just as his son said, he would pretend this son didn't exist.
Mother Xu also looked at him with great disappointment. She didn't understand how her son had become like this. Then, she felt a strong pull from her husband's hand and unconsciously stood up with him to walk out.
The two were as happy as they were disappointed on their arrival. Getting on the ox cart heading home, Mother Xu was still somewhat dazed and cautiously asked, "Are we really going to abandon him?"
Father Xu retorted angrily, "How can we? Look at him. Can you manage him? He's even capable of faking his own death. Clearly, he doesn't have us in his heart. It's better that after we go back, we truly consider this son dead, adopt a child from the extended family, and live our lives peacefully."
Mother Xu became anxious upon hearing this, "No matter how good someone else is, they're still someone else's child. He's a piece of my flesh and blood!"
Thinking of this, Father Xu became angry again. He complained, "When I wanted to discipline him when he was young, you and his grandmother stopped me. Now, he's out of control, and you're talking about family ties. If you don't cut off decisively, you'll suffer the consequences. I don't want the Xu family's bloodline to be broken in my generation. If you don't want to be divorced, I'll find someone else to have another son. Just listen to me obediently, or I'll drive both of you out."
Mother Xu looked at him in shock. She never expected that at his age, he would still have such thoughts. She immediately jumped up, "Tell me, which vixen has seduced you? Is it the widow Lin from the village? She doesn't look like a virtuous woman at all. I'll tear her apart when we get back!"
Father Xu looked at her speechlessly, "Let's not even talk about whether I have such intentions. Even if I did, it would be because you forced me to. Look at yourself now, aren't you the same as when you stopped me from disciplining our son? Also, don't spread rumors between us couple outside, so as not to damage others' reputations. If you dare to do anything outrageous in the village, get out and go back to your maiden home immediately."
This was the first time Mother Xu had heard her husband speak so harshly in their many years of marriage. She guessed he was also angered by their son. However, thinking of her son made her feel a little guilty. He was their only son, and she had doted on him a bit too much when he was young. At the time, her husband had said that a man should not be too willful and needed stricter discipline.
She and her mother-in-law had both objected, thinking he was being too severe. It was fine to let it go once or twice, but every time it was like this. From then on, her husband had taken a neglectful approach to educating their child, letting him do as he pleased. He gradually became less talkative. In fact, looking back now, her husband was a humorous and witty person when they first got married. When did he change? It was probably after their son was born.
Thinking about it, she was startled. The reason her husband seemed indifferent to everything their son did was probably because his heart had long since turned cold.
Once she understood this, she stopped causing any more trouble and sat obediently on the cart.
Father Xu was a man of action. When the news of his son's death arrived, he had been observing the children in the clan and had already chosen one. The child was called Xu Dazhu, an orphan with no parents. The Xu family was relatively well-off in the village, and the clan often asked him to help Xu Dazhu financially. After stumbling along for many years, Xu Dazhu had reached the age of twelve.
The first thing he did upon returning home was to find the clan elder and tell him that he wanted to adopt the child. The clan elder was not surprised at all, as his recent concern for the child had been evident.
There were indeed people in the clan who had eyed his family's property and wanted to have their own sons adopted by him. However, they needed his consent. This outcome was quite good. Xu Dazhu was a good child, albeit unfortunate. If he could come to the Xu family, it would be his good fortune.
Thus, the clan chose a good day, and Xu Dazhu was officially adopted into the Xu family. Father Xu was a far-sighted man. Although he was getting old, he still sent Xu Dazhu to school. He didn't ask for much, only that the boy could become an accountant in the future.
Although Mother Xu was very displeased with Xu Dazhu, feeling that he had taken her own son's place, she dared not be harsh with him under Father Xu's watchful eye.
In fact, when Father Xu had angrily dragged Mother Xu away that day, Xu Yijie was a little stunned. No matter what he did growing up, his mother always forgave him and secretly supported him. He never expected that this time, after seeing his pathetic state, they could be so resolute and leave him without any money.
Xu Yijie had initially intended to remain defiant. However, a few days later, the landlord came to collect the rent. He was told that if he couldn't pay, he had to move out, or the rent would increase to one tael of silver per month. At any other time, this price wouldn't have been outrageously high, but lately, he had been recuperating from his injuries, and money had been flowing out like water. He didn't have much savings left. Fortunately, his injuries had almost healed, and he could at least take care of himself.
Thinking of his parents' past attitude towards him, he didn't take their angry departure that day to heart. What if he had no money? In his mind, of course, he had to find his parents if he had no money.
So, that night, he rented an ox cart with his cane and, just like last time, sneaked back under the cover of darkness. Although the main door of his home was shut, country folk were generally honest, and their doors were usually slightly ajar. To avoid disturbing the neighbors, he gently pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as he entered, he heard a familiar hearty laugh. This surprised him greatly, as in his mind, his father rarely laughed like this. He was his only son, and he was in such a miserable state. Shouldn't his father be very sad and heartbroken? Why was he laughing so happily? Su Dan Novel Network.
For some reason, Xu Yijie suddenly had a bad feeling. He slowly approached the main hall and saw a heartwarming scene he had never imagined.
"Dad, you've worked hard. Eat more vegetables." As he spoke, Xu Dazhu deliberately picked out the pieces of meat from the dishes for his father.
Father Xu nodded with satisfaction, thinking that although Xu Dazhu was not his biological son, he was more thoughtful than Xu Yijie. If Xu Yijie were sitting there, he would have undoubtedly thought of himself first, piling all the best food into his own bowl.