Bai Da squatted down, looking at Nan Xi with a grave expression.
"Originally, I didn’t want to tell you this, but now, I have no choice."
Bai Da looked at the small Nan Xi, crying in a bundle of heartache.
This was the daughter his wife had fought so hard to leave behind; how could he not adore and cherish her?
It was precisely because he loved his daughter that he wanted to give her the best life possible. Nan Jin, that guy, came from a well-off family, and it was said that his home was among the upper class of the Provincial City.
Having been brothers with him for so long, he naturally knew some things. His daughter would definitely have a bright future with him, and since they were brothers, he would be able to see his little girl from time to time. What was more, that bastard Nan Jin actually liked Xiuxiu.
That meant he had to treat his daughter well. That’s why he’d concocted the plan to swap the children.
"Xixi, what Dad is going to tell you next must not be shared with anyone, you got that?"
If it weren’t for Bai Zhi dragging this out into the open, Bai Da would never have told Nan Xi in this lifetime.
As long as his daughter was fine, that was all that mattered.
"Xixi, you’re my daughter, the biological child of your mother and I. When you were born, Nan Jin’s wife was also giving birth. I switched the two of you."
This was the first time Bai Da had ever proactively admitted to this.
He wasn’t afraid his daughter would hate him, but he had to teach her what she should do next.
"Listen to me, Xixi, Nan Jin’s family isn’t that simple. His wealth in Provincial City is substantial enough to be considered vast, and he has connections. As his daughter, you will accomplish far more than as my daughter, understand?
It doesn’t matter whether she likes you or not, you will always be the little princess of the Nan Family. You’ll have endless dresses to wear, endless delicious food, you’ll attend better schools, and have a better future. Do you understand?"
Bai Da was clear that if they stayed here, the most Nan Xi would achieve would be to go to school in town and, at best, make it to high school. But what job could she get after that?
"Dad, I don’t understand what you mean."
No, that’s not right; she kind of understood but was somewhat afraid to believe her father’s words.
"I can’t be your dad, Nan Jin is. Only then can you have a better life, like when you were a child and could have anything you wanted, you see?
Or would you rather stay here, where the earth is yellow and the sky high, getting dirty like the other village kids, and eventually just farming?"
Bai Da looked at his daughter with affection; he knew it wouldn’t be easy for her to make a choice, but he absolutely didn’t want her to stay behind.
"But... Sister knows."
Nan Xi felt uneasy. She certainly didn’t want to become one of those dirty kids; she wanted to be a little princess, to have endless candies and meat like before, to have loads of dresses, and to have money.
That’s right, how could she forget? Three years ago, that was the life she truly wanted, where she didn’t have to do anything and a nanny would take care of everything perfectly.
"What does it matter if she knows? She’s just a child; what she says doesn’t count. Nan Jin will be back soon to take you to the Provincial City. You need to be good to him, listen to him. My Xixi will surely get better and better, got it?"
No one, no one at all, would get in his daughter’s way.
"But what if we’re discovered?"
Nan Xi was a bit scared. If they found out, could she still go to the Provincial City?
Even though she felt sorry for Bai Zhi, she had never really been Nan Jin’s daughter and would definitely not know how to be one.
"Dad will tell you, come here..."
They talked for a long time, and finally, Nan Xi hugged Bai Da and began to cry.
"Dad, I don’t want to leave you."
"Dad doesn’t want that either, but you need to live your own life, don’t you..."