Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Heart Has Already Shifted_1
Chapter 60: Chapter 60 Heart Has Already Shifted_1
“You didn’t mishear, it’s my father’s voice,” Zhao Erhu said expressionlessly as he heard his father arrive, his brow barely creasing.
“Huh, what’s your father doing here at this time? He can’t be coming to see how my daughter-in-law is doing, can he?” Although Lin Yue found that unlikely – back when she was on the brink of death, not a soul from the old house had paid her a visit. Unable to guess why her father-in-law could be visiting now, she joked about it.
“You wish, to have my father personally come to visit? We’re probably not that important!” Zhao Erhu said scornfully. He knew his father too well. His father valued the two sons born to the Wei Family, who had bright futures ahead of them. To his father, he was dispensable, only to be remembered when useful. So, Erhu harbored no illusions. Still, what trouble could the old house be in this time that they needed his help?
“Dad, dad, Grandpa is here!”
“I know.” Dalang’s voice came from the doorstep. Zhao Erhu slowly rose from his seat, in no hurry at all.
“I should go too. After all, it’s Father-in-law’s first time visiting, and I, as the daughter-in-law, shouldn’t be too rude.” Lin Yue didn’t care much for dealing with her father-in-law, but she wasn’t bedridden and unable to greet him. It wouldn’t be proper if she didn’t show up. So, she got ready to go as well. Zhao Erhu knew that without him watching, his young wife wouldn’t stay put in the room. It was actually more reassuring for him to keep an eye on her, so he didn’t stop her.
“Dad, why have you come? Is there something you need?” Zhao Erhu asked directly upon seeing Zhao Jingen seated in the place of honor. No matter what, his father would never look favorably upon him. Erhu was a proud man, or he wouldn’t have agreed to leaving the family home penniless. He had mustered all his strength to earn a share of the family wealth. He aimed to outshine the Wei Family’s children, and now he had. Although his wealth couldn’t yet compare with that of the landlords and rich, considering the entire Zhao Family village, his house was the finest. It was a pity his father’s heart had long been biased, and nothing could change his view of him as being worthless.
Zhao Jingen had no regard for this son with the unfortunate fate, and seeing Erhu addressing him with such a stiff, cold demeanor only aggravated him. Coupled with the words Wei Family had deliberately incited before his visit, he didn’t give Erhu any face and started berating him loudly, “What? Not welcome? This is my son’s house; why can’t I come? You little bastard, just because you’ve grown some feathers, don’t think you can disregard your father. Being unfilial is cause for a spine to be poked…”
Lin Yue had just followed Zhao Erhu inside and hadn’t even had a chance to greet her father-in-law before he started his tirade. The hostility was as if they were bitter enemies. Lin Yue marveled at how Zhao Erhu had put up with it for so many years. Being born into such a family was indeed tough; a stepmother, an elder sister, brothers, and sisters who were top-grade at conjuring ways to profit from him without ever thinking of reciprocation. Just like this time when she was injured by her elder sister, nobody from the old house even cared to pay her a visit – not even her father-in-law who, despite being aware of the incident or at least seeing the bandage on her head, didn’t ask. It was simply a lack of concern.
Lin Yue watched the unfolding scene with curiosity, while Zhao Erhu was accustomed to his father’s attitude towards him. He let his father curse as much as he liked without a word in response. Finally, Zhao Jingen paused, his mouth dry from shouting. Erhu still stood there, expressionless and silent, creating an awkward atmosphere.