Chapter 326: Chapter 327: Such a Father
Song Xiaodong stroked Lin Suāerās hair, speaking softly, "Suāer, can you tell me about your family situation?"
Lin Suāer bit her lip and whispered, "Brother Dongzi, if I tell you, will you look down on me?"
"Of course not, you are you, and your family is your family. Why should I have any opinion about you just because of your family?"
Lin Suāer said with a sense of grievance, "But my family is different. In the area around my house, no one will act as a matchmaker for me, just because of my father like this. Even though I myself am not bad, everyone is scared."
"Suāer, donāt be so self-deprecating. You said it yourself, youāre not in a bad situation. You eventually have to live your own life, and you canāt spend your whole life with your father. Plus, you canāt run away from this problem; it always needs to be resolved. Maybe if you tell me about it, I can help you solve it," said Song Xiaodong.
Lin Suāer bit her lip again and then said, "My dad used to mix with the wrong crowds when he was young, always loitering, getting into fights, and heād drink too. After drinking, heād hit people. My mom, when I was very young, couldnāt endure his abuse and finally committed suicide."
Lin Suāerās eyes reddened instantly, and after a pause, she continued, "I was still little at the time, and my dad basically neglected me, only handing me some living expenses occasionally. There were even days when I wouldnāt see him at all. Starting from the age of seven, I had to take care of myself. I washed my own clothes, cooked my own meals; I did everything by myself. Sometimes when he came back, I even had to wash his clothes and cook for him."
Song Xiaodong felt a surge of anger inside. What kind of despicable father could do such things?
"By the time I reached junior high, my dad cared even less, not even paying my tuition. I had no choice but to go to school during the day and work at night to earn money. And for the sake of earning money sooner, I didnāt go to high school. Instead, I went straight to nursing school, just so I could earn money earlier and support myself."
Song Xiaodong could completely understand Lin Suāerās hardships; he and Song Xiaoru had gone through the same thing, but their parents had truly passed away, while Lin Suāer still had a father.
"I thought that once I started working, my difficult days would come to an end. I was genuinely happy for a while. I had a salary and could support myself. I even moved out and had my own friends and colleagues, and I met you, Brother Dongzi. I felt truly blessed, but..."
Lin Suāerās tears began to flow again, her voice choked up as she said, "But then my father found me again. He said he had no money and asked me to lend him some. I didnāt think too much about it. No matter how he treated me, he was still my father. Besides, I didnāt spend much myself, so I just kept a little for living expenses and gave the rest to him."
"From then on, the nightmare started. As soon as I got my salary every month, he would demand money from me. Most of my salary went to him. This month I had to pay rent, so I didnāt have much left. When he came to ask for money again, I didnāt give him as much. He had been drinking, got angry, and... he hit me."
Song Xiaodong subconsciously clenched his fist, forgetting his right hand was still on Lin Suāerās head, and accidentally pulled her hair, causing Lin Suāer to cry out in pain.
"Ah! Iām sorry." Song Xiaodong quickly let go and then began to rub the spot where her hair had been pulled.
"Itās okay! Itās okay." Lin Suāer could sense Song Xiaodongās anger, "Brother Dongzi, I havenāt talked to anyone about this. I can choose other things, but I have no choice with my father. No matter how hard it is, I have to endure it."
Song Xiaodong shook his head and said, "Suāer, my parents passed away early and I didnāt get to feel much parental affection. But thereās one thing I understand: parents usually consider their childrenās well-being. Your father is truly a rarity. And I feel that tolerating him isnāt a solution. If youāre willing, I could actually meet your father."
"Meet my father... That... That..." Lin Suāerās face flushed suddenly. For her, Song Xiaodong meeting her father was like meeting the parents, which made her very happy.
"No, no! You canāt meet him." Lin Suāer suddenly shook her head decisively.
"Why?" Song Xiaodong asked, puzzled. "Iām trying to help you resolve this."
Lin Suāer was adamant, "Itās not possible... really not possible... If my father found out I have a capable man... I mean a male friend, he would definitely make me find ways to ask you for money," she insisted.
Song Xiaodong frowned again, feeling that Lin Suāerās father was truly shameless. "I see. Well, how about I meet him posing as your boyfriend? If he really needs money, giving him some is okay. We canāt let him keep annoying you. Besides... I think we need to solve this problem from its root."
"Boyfriend..." Lin Suāerās face turned bright red, she stuttered and couldnāt quite get the words out. As for what Song Xiaodong said after that, she did not register at all. The word "boyfriend" was the only thing on her mind.
Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, "Youāre my friend, and I canāt stand to see you suffer. Letās settle this matter. You should be getting off work late today and will have tomorrow off. How about I come pick you up tonight and we go see your father then?"
"Okay, okay..." Lin Suāer was completely dazed, only managing to nod.
"Thatās settled then. Iāll go get ready and pick you up after work."
It wasnāt until Song Xiaodong had left that Lin Suāer finally got up from the bed, remaining dazed for a long while. She snapped back to reality upon hearing footsteps and quickly jumped out of bed and left the suite, only to see Vice President He Wenbai.
"Vice President He, Iām so sorry, I... I..." As soon as she remembered lying alone on the vice presidentās bed, Lin Suāer felt embarrassed.
He Wenbai laughed and said, "No worries, no worries. From now on, when Mr. Song visits, this room will be yours. And all those beddings are freshly changed; I havenāt used them."
Lin Suāerās face flushed with embarrassment as she hurriedly replied, "Vice President He, thereās really nothing between us." And yet inside, she was extremely happy, as Vice President He clearly treated her as if she were Song Xiaodongās girlfriend.
"Ha... no need to explain anything to me." He Wenbai laughed heartily and then, looking into Lin Suāerās eyes, he immediately praised, "Mr. Song truly is impressive. Your eyes have healed in no time at all. Itās really miraculous, truly miraculous."
I recommend a new book from my brother, "Huaduās Little Security Guard". Itās a good read and quite entertaining. The protagonist becomes a security guard for a girlsā dormitory, just imagining it can be thrilling. You guys might want to take a look.