Chapter 9: Not going astray is already a great fortune

Tired!

Just thinking about it is exhausting; how desperate must she have been, she who could still endure all that with the qin and se?

Xiao Ming couldn't help it; tears fell, and he pulled his daughter Wen Jingrou into his arms.

"Daughter, I'm sorry. I didn't know you existed, and I appeared late. From now on, I won't let you suffer."

Xiao Ming took a breath, suppressing his sorrow.

If he could, he really wanted to give all the love he hadn't given these children over the years to them.

These children are his own flesh and blood.

These children have suffered so much these years, yet he knew nothing about it.

"Father!"

Wen Jingrou cried, leaning into Xiao Ming's embrace; being able to find her father again, and knowing he loved them so much, made all those past bitter days seem nothing.

About ten minutes passed.

Wen Yuchun and Wen Yunzhe also returned to the living room.

From their expressions, it was clear they had talked things through; tears still wet on their faces.

"Brother."

Wen Yuchun gave Wen Yunzhe a look.

Although Wen Yunzhe is usually lax, at this moment, in front of his two sisters and the father they had just reunited with, he still knew what mattered.

He stepped forward and said to Xiao Ming, "Father, I apologize; my words to you today were wrong."

"Mm, it's all in the past."

Xiao Ming nodded.

Wen Yunzhe's personality isn't entirely his fault; over the past decade or so, Xiao Ming, as their father, has been completely absent from their lives.

That the three siblings haven't gone astray is already a great fortune.

As for this son, we'll just slowly discipline him later.

After hearing Wen Jingrou's words, Xiao Ming felt that this son of his still had sound values.

"Yun Zhe, well done."

Xiao Ming silently praised Wen Yunzhe in his heart.

Wen Yunzhe chose his two sisters over wealth and glory, showing he is a man of integrity.

This made Xiao Ming very relieved.

For now, he doesn't plan to let the children know his identity, but soon they will find out, and thereafter they need not envy others or endure those bitter days.

After all, their father lacks nothing but money.

Right now, he still doesn't know how to tell the children without frightening them.

If he let the children know how wealthy he is, they'd be scared to speak, and likely would have to endure gossip claiming they recognized him only because of his money.

However, concealing his identity is one matter.

Spoiling the children is another.

Now that he has recognized the children, he won't allow them to continue living such bitter lives.

"For now, let's gradually get along with the children, improve parent-child and parent-daughter relationships, offer them some help at the right time so their lives gradually improve; we'll talk about identity when the time is ripe."

Xiao Ming thought to himself.

About half a month.

After half a month, he will reveal his true identity to the children.

Regarding Wen Yunzhe's matter, Xiao Ming didn't care at all; any problem money can solve isn't a problem.

It's just a matter of his saying a word.

"Father, have some fruit." Seeing Xiao Ming and Wen Yunzhe's relations ease, Wen Yuchun happily ran to slice a plate of fruit and brought it over.

"Good, having a filial daughter feels wonderful."

Xiao Ming took the fruit, placing a piece into his mouth.

This is probably the most delicious fruit he has ever eaten in his life.

And Wen Yunzhe, after apologizing to Xiao Ming, turned and went to the window.

Staring blankly out the window.

He has always been strong-willed; willing to apologize to Xiao Ming so his two sisters won't be upset.

"Yun Zhe's debt—what exactly is the amount?"

Xiao Ming remembered Wen Yunzhe saying he owed over a million in debt.

"Eh!"

Seeing Xiao Ming's question, Wen Yuchun and Wen Jingrou immediately went on guard; after glancing at each other, Wen Yuchun replied, "Father, you don't need to worry about this; I and the big brother, Jingrou, will repay it."

"Tell me quickly."

Xiao Ming urged anxiously.

"Well, it's not much, just 1.3 million; he and some friends invested in a garment factory, but the partner ran off with the money, so..."

"1.3 million, I have it."

Xiao Ming replied, "I'll give the money to Yun Zhe later to pay off the debt."

Never mind whether Xiao Ming lacks money; even if he did, at this moment money is nothing compared to the children.

A mere 1.3 million—he'd have it in his account after a nap.

"You, you really mean that?"

Wen Yunzhe was dazed by the window, but when Xiao Ming asked about the debt, he snapped to attention and heard.

At this moment, he turned his head, looking in disbelief at Xiao Ming, who had only just recognized him as his father less than half an hour ago, and he was utterly shocked.

One million three hundred thousand, that's one million three hundred thousand, you know.

How could Wen Yunzhe have imagined that the one million three hundred thousand that had caused him pain for half a year would, to Xiao Ming, be nothing more than a hair on nine oxen.

"Dad, you don't need to give us money."

As a result, Wen Yuchun and Wen Jingrou immediately objected.

"Dad, you don't need to give us money."

"We understand that you dote on us, but you don't need to worry about this; we'll repay it slowly. Just being able to find you makes us happy." Wen Jingrou hastily waved her hand, saying, she was afraid that Xiao Ming would think that they three siblings were looking for him just for his money.

"I also agree, Dad, saving money isn't easy for you either; keep it well. As for the debt, we three will slowly earn and slowly repay." Wen Yuchun also echoed.

Both sisters held an opposing attitude.

"We not only cannot take your money, but from now on we must also properly be filial to you."

Wen Jingrou and Wen Yuchun said firmly.

"Not bad, not bad, all good children."

Xiao Ming listened, feeling delighted inside, secretly thinking, truly worthy of being his daughter, having backbone and responsibility.

"But, Jingrou, Yuchun."

"You two, to help me repay the debt together, look at what kind of days you two have been living through."

Thinking of how hard his two sisters had worked for him, Wen Yunzhe felt heartbroken.

He helplessly said, "Really can't, I earn money and then repay him."

"Brother, what are you saying?"

Wen Jingrou and Wen Yuchun, in unison, rebuked him.

"Let's not talk about this for now, come on, quickly tell me how you three have step by step gotten to where you are today."

Seeing his two daughters' attitudes so firm, he also couldn't be too eager for quick success; better to take it slow.

Knowing that the children's lives were not easy, he really wanted to hear their stories.

Wen Jingrou glanced around the room, then tentatively said, "Dad, why don't you just stay? Stay here, live in my brother's room, and let him sleep in the living room."

"Okay." Xiao Ming readily agreed.