During dinner, the atmosphere at the Hai Family’s dining table was somewhat oppressive.
Hai Shen, who seldom came home, focused on his meal, seemingly in a rather good mood.
Hai Shuangjie’s face was as still as water; he held his chopsticks without moving for a long time.
"Uncle, why aren’t you eating?" Hai Shen casually asked.
That question ignited Hai Shuangjie’s anger, and he slammed his chopsticks down on the table, accusing, "Hai Shen, your sister is locked up and you’re in a good mood?"
"Uncle, look at what you’re saying, my sister being arrested doesn’t exactly bring glory to my face! Why would I be in a good mood?" Despite claiming his mood was sour, Hai Shen added another half bowl of porridge to his meal.
"You... Are you trying to kill me with anger? If you’re in such a good mood, why are you eating so much?" The little bastard was clearly taking pleasure in the disaster.
Hearing enough, Mr. Hai, who sat at the head of the table, slammed his bowl on the table with a bang. Startled, both men quickly put their bowls down, daring not to move their chopsticks.
"Hai Shuangjie, if you don’t want to eat, then get out. What’s wrong with my grandson eating a bowl of rice? It’s Hai Lan’s own fault she got into trouble; how can others be to blame?"
"Dad, but Hai Lan is still my daughter, the granddaughter of the Hai Family. Having her locked up in detention without a word from us seems too cowardly."
"For the sake of face, have you indulged her less?" Elder Hai thought about how Hai Shan had behaved at the Su Family earlier in the day, and it made him furious.
"I’m the one who made the call, and nobody is to ask for leniency. If I find out you’ve gotten her released, don’t blame me if I’m not polite to you."
"Dad! Hai Lan is still young and ignorant; it’s only natural. I’ll have her mother teach her slowly," Hai Shuangjie had indeed been raising Hai Lan like his own daughter for many years.
Now that she was actually taken into custody, it was impossible for a father not to feel heartache.
"You dare!" Elder Hai glared, "Don’t you know the kind of shit she’s done? If we don’t teach her a lesson this time, what won’t she be capable of in the future?"
"Dad, you’re just biased against Hai Lan."
"Nonsense, what bias do I have? Haven’t I indulged her in that matter?"
"If Bao’er were the one locked up, wouldn’t you save her?" Hai Shuangjie regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth, wishing he could smack himself.
He had truly been foolish, why did he bring up Bao’er for no reason?
"You?..." Elder Hai’s eyes widened, speechless for a long moment, clearly outraged.
"Uncle, hurry up and apologize to Grandpa, don’t make him angry anymore." In truth, Hai Shen was also furious; his uncle was so bewitched by Hai Lan that he couldn’t tell right from wrong.
How could Hai Lan even compare to Bao’er?
Not to mention Bao’er would never do such a thing, but even if she did get locked up, he would personally go and demand her release.
Not even a minute locked up would be possible!
Unfortunately... with Bao’er missing for so many years, the possibility of finding her had long vanished.
"I’m sorry, Dad, please don’t be angry. I won’t interfere with this family matter; let the General Union handle it as they normally would," Hai Shuangjie apologized, bowing his head.
He, too, was driven to desperation by his child’s mother, who had been wailing at home ever since she learned of Hai Lan’s arrest.
"Hai Shen, I’m going upstairs to sleep. Tomorrow we’re packing up and running away from home!" Elder Hai stood and made his way upstairs.
Downstairs, Hai Shen and Hai Shuangjie exchanged a bitter smile.
Once again, Elder Hai had started playing his runaway game. If he really left, it would probably turn the world upside down.
Far away in Liyang County, Su Hai was dining with the office director that evening. After several rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, the director’s previous restraint towards him had loosened.