Chapter 107: The Pitiful Rich People

The second critical illness notice also arrived right after. By now, she couldn't cry anymore. Death had pulled her father away a step further, but instead, she held firm to her belief, tightly clutching her father's hand, refusing to let go no matter what.

Xiaoxiao's nerves were stretched to the breaking point. Every time a doctor came out, she would quickly stand up, waiting until the doctor had gone somewhere else before letting out a breath and sitting down again. No news was good news, and she feared that a doctor might suddenly emerge and say, "We've done everything we can."

The operating room door opened once more, and the same doctor came out. Xiaoxiao nervously leaned in close. The doctor removed his mask, looking somewhat tired. They had fought a hard battle. Xiaoxiao clenched her fists tightly. The doctor said, "Congratulations to both of you—the surgery was a complete success."

As if she had never felt so light and free, she thanked the doctor and threw herself into Lin Shuo's arms, sobbing with joy. She was deeply grateful, for at such a crucial moment, she wasn't alone anymore.

Two days later, Lin Shuo took her to the Tianbi Cemetery. She was surprised; why bring her here? But when Lin Shuo pointed to a tombstone and said, "My father," she seemed to understand.

The man in the black-and-white photo on the tombstone bore a strong resemblance to Lin Shuo's features, appearing more weathered and experienced. She noticed the date: two years ago in summer, the very time he had caught her and Bai Chuanchuan in that scandalous situation.

Before Xiaoxiao could even open her mouth to ask, Lin Shuo spoke first: "My dad had a very volatile temper; in my memory, he was unhappy most of the time. He loved gambling, but his luck was terrible, and he always lost." Lin Shuo placed a glass of wine in front of the tombstone and said regretfully, "He also loved drinking. He used to drink nothing but cheap wine, and now he doesn't know if he can still taste it."

"Why did he die?"

Lin Shuo sat down comfortably, patting the empty space beside him. Xiaoxiao sat over and listened quietly as he continued: "Liver cancer, brought on by drinking. My dad had only two pleasures in life—gambling and drinking—and it's a shame he lost so much over them."

Xiaoxiao couldn't help but listen seriously. Lin Shuo had never told her about his past, even after they became engaged and exchanged rings, he wouldn't speak of it. He gazed at his father's photo, his emotions complex and indescribable: "His luck was poor. After losing money at gambling, he turned to drinking. His tolerance was low; he'd get drunk every time. When drunk, he'd beat my mother, and even me, with a ferocious expression, beating and kicking us like strangers or bandits."

"What?" Xiaoxiao had grown up in a warm, loving family and couldn't fathom the concept of domestic violence. Looking at Lin Shuo before her, his voice was calm as he spoke these words. The secrets he had buried deep inside were filled with pain.

When I was a child, our family was very poor, and my dad's gambling only made things worse. That was the last time he beat us. My mother didn't cry; she just held me close. A neighbor came to mediate, but was beaten by my dad. He simply locked the door and vented his frustration. When he finally grew too tired and fell asleep, that was the night. While he was sleeping, my mother took me—no luggage, quietly picking the lock—and never went back since.

What happened after that?

After a fierce struggle, they finally divorced. I followed my mother, and we hadn't seen my dad in many years. My mom had raised me single-handedly, building our business from scratch, but none of it could compare to a family living in harmony and bliss. In the end, we are just pitiful rich people.