"You siblings practically lived in the hospital, how can you say there’s no gratitude there? And besides, I put a hundred thousand in the nutritional supplements I gave her. Isn’t a hundred thousand worth a single expression of gratitude?" Pei Guozhong said sternly.
"What hundred thousand?"
Pei Yining seemed to recall something, she said, "Did you put it in that box of cookies?"
Pei Guozhong had just casually placed it there, probably in a large tin box.
"That cookie box is still at my house, I’ve been busy and pushed it into a corner, I totally forgot about it." Pei Yining truly hadn’t noticed the money, and the next moment, she glared at Pei Guozhong even more angrily, "Dad, are you trying to insult someone with the money? How could you do that?"
Pei Yining took a deep breath, looking at her father in front of her, she felt as if she didn’t recognize him anymore.
"Why can’t I do that?"
Pei Guozhong frowned and said, "I meant it as a thank you."
"Guozhong, don’t be mad." Wan Hongxing gently patted his shoulder, consoling him, "I also think what you did was wrong. The girl saved Yining because she has a good relationship with Yining. How can you just offer money to her outright?"
"Yining, your dad just meant to show his gratitude, nothing more," said Wan Hongxing, turning to Pei Yining. "You know what your dad is like, he always measures everything with money. Don’t take it to heart, Yining."
"Aunt Wan, what dad did is really insulting. Besides, it wasn’t her chasing after my brother. It’s my brother who was chasing her. He’s in love with her and wants to spend his life with her. Why should you disdain Nianhua?" Pei Yining had been resentful towards her father for years.
"They are in love, Dad, what right do you have to stop them from being together?"
The more Pei Yining thought about it, the angrier she became. Over the years, caught between her brother and father, she didn’t know what to do.
But today, Pei Guozhong’s actions deeply disappointed her. Having said that, she turned and walked away.
"Go ahead, go then! And don’t come back," boomed Pei Guozhong’s infuriated voice.
Wan Hongxing was so anxious, she didn’t know what to do.
"Yining, don’t leave," Wan Hongxing chased after her, grasping Pei Yining’s hand. "Don’t you know your dad by now? He’s all about appearances and measures everything with money. Don’t be angry with him; he misses your brother too but can’t swallow his pride, that’s why he is speaking without thinking."
"Aunt Wan, my dad just doesn’t respect Nianhua. She stayed in the hospital for over half a month to save me, unable to walk properly for a month, and yet he just thinks about paying her off with money? How could he do this?" Pei Yining said angrily, tears wiping from her eyes.
"Yes, what your dad did was wrong," Wan Hongxing consoled her. "Are your brother and that girl really dating?"
"Hmm," Pei Yining nodded, then worriedly looked at Wan Hongxing.
Wan Hongxing pursed her lips in a smile and said, "I’ve met her; she’s a good girl. Tell your brother to treat her well."
"You don’t oppose it?" Pei Yining’s eyes welled as she stared at her.
"As long as your brother is happy. I heard she’s from Beining University; such an outstanding girl should be cherished by your brother," Wan Hongxing said understandingly.
"Aunt Wan, I wish dad was as sensible as you are," sighed Pei Yining. She then cautioned, "Aunt Wan, if Dad really tries to intervene in my brother and Nianhua’s relationship, you have to let me know."
"Of course." Wan Hongxing pulled a tissue from her pocket to dry Pei Yining’s eyes, saying, "I’ll talk to your dad. It’s really cold outside today, don’t go back; stay at our house, Yijian has missed his sister too."