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That’s why Da Qiangzi went to see his eldest son first, instead of his younger son. Xiao Wang was too clever, and spent less time by his father’s side, naturally not as close to him as Dawang was.

"Perhaps Xiao Wang is quite busy, maybe we shouldn’t..."

"Busy or not, it doesn’t matter! When one’s own father comes to visit, he’ll make time no matter how busy he is!

" Dawang said, pulling Da Qiangzi outside without allowing for any discussion.

Even if Da Qiangzi had wanted to stay, he lacked the energy to resist. He was in his forties—how could he compare to his young and strong son?

Just as he had imagined, his younger son was not at all warm to him, even disdain could be used to describe his attitude.

"Big bro, why are you with him?!" Xiao Wang almost didn’t recognize Da Qiangzi at first glance, but then, seeing the awkward smile on his face, he could guess.

Seeing Xiao Wang so cold and stern, Dawang frowned, gave Da Qiangzi an apologetic smile, then turned and scolded Xiao Wang sharply, "Xiao Wang, watch how you speak! This is our dad. Dad has come back!"

Our dad?

Xiao Wang laughed disdainfully and gave Da Qiangzi a glance, "Dad? Heh, why didn’t he call himself that when he left?"

"Xiao Wang!"

"Bro, stop it! Have you forgotten what he has done? Have you forgotten the suffering and hardship mom has gone through these years?"

Seeing his brother’s eyes redden, Dawang felt a pang of pain, "Brother hasn’t forgotten; it’s precisely because I haven’t forgotten that I brought him here.

Xiao Wang, dad knows he was wrong, he has changed, he said he would never do it again.

Xiao Wang, mom has been suffering alone for all these years.

If dad is back, they could keep each other company, and mom wouldn’t have to suffer so much! "

"Bro, does having company mean she won’t suffer?

" Xiao Wang sniffled, forcing back tears that nearly fell, "If she has company, but this company is lazy and makes mom wait on him, I would rather mom live alone for the rest of her life. Not to mention, this man always does things that break mom’s heart! "

"Xiao Wang, don’t say that..."

"Bro, have you forgotten the words he said when he left?" Xiao Wang didn’t even want to speak to Da Qiangzi, let alone make eye contact; treated as if invisible, Da Qiangzi felt extremely bored.

As the past events were mentioned, Xiao Wang clenched his fists tightly, his voice filled with pain, "Back then he brought that cheap woman to our door to provoke us. That woman had a miscarriage and accused our mom of hurting her! What did he do? He rode off in the carriage with that woman, while I was clinging to his legs, crying and pleading for him to stay, but what did he do? He didn’t even look back, just kicked me aside, and I still have the scar on my head!

Big brother, is that supposed to be our dad?

If this is what being a dad is like, I’d rather not have one! "

"Xiao Wang, your brother knows you suffered back then." Dawang caressed his brother’s head sympathetically, and pulled him close to his shoulder, letting Xiao Wang’s tears of grievance soak his clothes.

The scene of Da Qiangzi leaving with that woman often appeared in his dreams, and Xiao Wang was even more affected. For over a year after Da Qiangzi left, he would often wake up crying from his dreams, and each time it was Loudmouth who quietly comforted him while shedding tears.

As time went on and they got older, the nightmares became less frequent, but the brothers knew that this matter lay like a thorn in their hearts, one that could never be removed.

To say they didn’t hate Da Qiangzi was a lie.

However, Dawang thought more deeply. Loudmouth had been alone for several years, and though her sons had urged her to find someone else, she refused.

Now that Da Qiangzi had returned, Dawang thought that after living together for over a decade, it was impossible for there to be no feelings left.

Perhaps their mom still had Da Qiangzi on her mind, so he tried to bring them back together.

But now, even Xiao Wang couldn’t accept this, let alone Loudmouth.

"Xiao Wang, you’ve seen how much mom has suffered these years.

She refuses to find someone else. Do you really plan to watch mom live alone till she’s old?

It’s often said that a companion in old age is essential, only in old age does one realize how happy it is to have someone by their side.

Xiao Wang, for the sake of our mom having a companion and support in her old age, can you forgive dad, please? "

"No!" Xiao Wang answered decisively, "I’m too embarrassed to even speak of the terrible things he’s done! Brother, if he could do it once, he can do it again. Besides, he didn’t come back earlier or later, why is it that now, when we are doing well, he decides to return?

Humph, you want me to persuade mom to forgive him?

Dream on! I won’t let mom go back to being miserable because of him! "

With that, Xiao Wang glared fiercely at Da Qiangzi and walked away without looking back!

Watching Xiao Wang’s resolute back, Da Qiangzi swallowed painfully, his son’s "he chose not to come back earlier or later" echoing in his ears for a long time. He even thought the boy had seen right through his heart.

"Sigh," Dawang sighed heavily, shaking his head, "He’s too immature! Dad, don’t blame Xiao Wang, he’s, he’s still young, doesn’t understand things."

Da Qiangzi managed a strained smile, "No, of course not, he’s still my own son, how could a father complain about his own child?"

Silently wiping the sweat from his forehead, Da Qiangzi wished he could leave this place at once.

He knew this younger son wouldn’t be easy to deal with—this sharp boy took after him.

Luckily, his eldest son took after Loudmouth, that foolish woman; otherwise, he would have had no one to help him now.

Da Qiangzi was now truly on his own, without even a place to stay. Dawang was keen to have his father stay with him at the vinegar shop dormitory, but Da Qiangzi didn’t want to trouble him and refused to go.

Having no alternative, Dawang arranged an advance on his wages from the Steward and rented a small courtyard for Da Qiangzi.

Though not large, the place was clean and more than sufficient for one person to live in.

New clothing and bedding were also fully provided, and it was only after everything was in order that Dawang left with great reluctance.

No sooner had his son left than Da Qiangzi happily took the money Dawang had left and went out to enjoy himself. Things were going smoothly; with Dawang, his son, to support him, what was there to fear about not being forgiven by Loudmouth?