Chapter 17 — The Day My Father Remarried

Later on.

There will be no lack of anything for you.

Yes!

I replied with a smile. My footsteps returning to my seat felt lighter than any other day. Outside, the snow was still falling. Inside the workshop, the machinery roared relentlessly. Workers in matching uniforms moved between the production lines. I sat down, opened the order tracking ledger, picked up my pen, and carefully wrote down today's date. Life… was truly growing better with each passing day.

Spring of the second year. Finally… Father learned the truth. The person who leaked it was Liu Mei-Ling. I do not know where she caught wind of it, but she found out that I had entered the workforce at my eldest uncle's workshop and had been there for over half a year. The moment she mentioned it to Father, Su Zhen-Hua flew into a rage. That afternoon, as I was organizing the shipping schedule for the following month, my phone suddenly rang. It was Father. The second I answered, a fierce voice barked from the other end.

Su Wan!

Are you working at your eldest uncle's workshop?

You kept it hidden from me for half a full year?

I gripped the phone tightly, remaining silent for two long seconds.

Father.

Let me explain…

Explain what!

His voice was hurried and hoarse.

I told you before.

Do not get too close to your eldest uncle.

And yet you.

Ran straight to work at his company.

Do you think I lack the ability?

That I cannot support you?

So you went to lean on your eldest uncle instead?

How do you expect people to look at our family?

Father.

Eldest Uncle is merely…

Merely what?

Did he say something to you?

About the house?

About the loan?

Did he…

Did he tell you everything?

Father's voice trembled.

Su Wan.

Let me tell you this.

Do you…

Do you find me utterly shameful?

I took the phone and walked out of the workshop, seeking a quiet corner to draw a deep, steady breath.

Father.

I have never once found you shameful.

You are my father.

I have never thought such a thing.

On the other end of the line, Su Zhen-Hua breathed heavily. For a very long time, he did not utter a word.

Father.

Eldest Uncle has helped me immensely.

He has also helped our entire family a great deal.

You once told me not to be close to him.

But do you know?

Throughout my four years of university.

My tuition fees were all paid by Eldest Uncle.

You cut off my living allowance.

Yet he brought me into his workshop to work.

He paid me a salary.

So that I could support myself.

Tuition fees?

Father's voice was cracked and hollow.

Yes.

Ever since the second year of university.

Every single year's tuition.

Was paid by Eldest Uncle.

The other end of the line fell completely silent. I could hear it clearly—Father's breathing grew heavier and more labored by the second. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice sounding like coarse sandpaper scraping against wood.

Why…

Why didn't he tell me…

Because.

He knew your pride.

If he had told you.

You would not have agreed.

I continued softly.

Father.

As for the house.

I know about that too.

The hundred and twenty thousand demanded by the bank.

Last month.

Eldest Uncle helped pay it off for you.

That money.

Was his retirement savings.

Who told him to…

Su Zhen-Hua spoke only halfway before choking on his words. Over the phone, the sudden sound of something crashing to the ground echoed loudly. Followed immediately by Liu Mei-Ling's panicked shriek.

Zhen-Hua!

Do not let yourself get worked up.

Your heart…

Get out!

Father roared. It was a voice… I had never heard from him before. Equal parts fierce and utterly desperate. Immediately following that shout, the call disconnected. I stood motionlessly in the corner of the workshop, gripping the dark screen of my phone. The spring breeze drifted past, carrying the scent of damp earth and tender green grass. I gently closed my eyes, then sent a text message to my eldest uncle.

Father found out. He just called and argued with me.

Five minutes later, my uncle replied.

Let me handle it. Just focus on your work and set your mind at ease.

That afternoon, when the shift ended and I stepped out of the workshop gates, I caught sight of Father's car. He was leaning against the vehicle, wearing a gray coat. Compared to our last meeting, he had grown much thinner. His entire appearance was haggard, weighed down by an undeniable aura of hardship. I walked up to him and softly called out.

Father.

He turned his head to look at me, his eyes bloodshot, his lips trembling. For a very long time, neither of us said a word.