Chapter 18: Father and Son in Close Conversation

Seeing his father quietly push open the door, looking obviously younger than he remembered, Lin Yu felt a complex surge of emotions that defied easy description. On one hand, with Qi Yue beneath him, he was overcome by embarrassment, a sense of being caught in the act, afraid of the scolding or beating that might follow. Yet on the other, blood ties stirred something deeper, an ache that tightened his chest and made his nose prickle with unshed tears.

In his previous life, Lin Yu’s lack of ambition had brought his father, Lin Tiancheng, immense disappointment. The relationship between father and son became so strained it was nearly irreconcilable, to the point where they hardly ever sat together for a conversation. This rift persisted right up until Lin Yu’s rebirth—a lingering regret he could never shake.

“This time I’m done for!” Lin Yu knew all too well what he was about to face. With a trembling voice, he slowly stood up and softly called out, “Dad, you’re back.”

“Yes, I’m back,” came the calm reply.

Contrary to Lin Yu’s expectations, Lin Tiancheng didn’t explode in anger. He merely glanced at Qi Yue, who was too ashamed to lift her head, and said, “It’s getting late. Xiao Yue, why don’t you stay here tonight?”

“Huh?” Qi Yue looked up at Lin Tiancheng, confusion plain in her eyes.

Lin Tiancheng’s fiery, stubborn temper was infamous. Both young people, having just been caught in an intimate moment, felt as though this calm was the silence before the storm.

Sensing their unease, Lin Tiancheng cleared his throat and continued, “Xiao Yue, you’re both still young. Some things are best left for the future. I’m aware of your family’s situation, so I won’t lecture you further. Go sleep in your aunt’s room tonight. I have something to discuss with Lin Yu.”

“Yes, Uncle,” Qi Yue replied, her cheeks flushed crimson. She cast Lin Yu a glance that said, “Good luck,” then slipped out of the room like the wind, quietly closing the door behind her.

Once she was gone, Lin Tiancheng shrugged off his coat onto the floor and sat on the bed, his expression grave as he studied his anxious son.

Even with the soul of a twenty-eight-year-old, Lin Yu found it hard to breathe under his father’s piercing gaze—a reaction rooted in a childhood of frequent scoldings and beatings, leaving shadows deep within his heart.

Seeing his son’s visible discomfort, Lin Tiancheng lit a cigarette, took a few drags, and asked, “Do you smoke?”

Lin Yu was silent.

When things take an unexpected turn, there is always something amiss. Lin Yu’s heart pounded in his chest; his father’s demeanor felt as if he were about to pass ruthless judgment.

Lin Tiancheng, noticing Lin Yu’s fearful stance as if he were a condemned courtier before the emperor, actually cracked a rare smile. “Sit down. You’re grown now, and I’m pleased. Your mother calls me to tell me how hard you’ve been studying lately. Even your homeroom teacher, Teacher He, phoned to praise you.”

Seeing his father’s proud smile, Lin Yu’s heart gave a painful twist and his eyes reddened. It was a scene he hadn’t witnessed in years.

He sat on the bed, silent for a long while to steady his emotions, and finally said, “Dad, I’m sorry. I’ve been immature, and made you and Mom worry.”

“There’s no need for apologies with your father. You were brought into this world by your mother and me—it’s our duty to look after you,” Lin Tiancheng replied, taking another drag of his cigarette. “Your grandparents passed early, so I’ve never set the bar high. But remember this: you must earn respect for your mother. She left Shanghai, her hometown, to follow me to Bincheng. It hasn’t been easy for her. Every time she returns home, the cold shoulders she receives pain me deeply.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. I understand,” Lin Yu answered with conviction.

Lin Tiancheng nodded. “Good, as long as you do. Your mother and I know you neglected your studies to practice taekwondo, missing many lessons. That’s why we’re considering hiring a tutor for you.”

“Tutors are expensive, especially for high school in Bincheng. I don’t think it’s necessary,” Lin Yu countered, aware that such lessons cost hundreds of yuan per hour.

“You don’t need to worry about money. I’ll handle it,” Lin Tiancheng said, lighting another cigarette.

Seeing his father’s resolve, Lin Yu didn’t argue further. “If we must get a tutor, just for math will do. I can manage the other subjects myself.”

“Fine, it’s up to you. I’ll just pay the bills,” Lin Tiancheng replied with a smile.

“Dad, why do you seem so gentle all of a sudden?” Lin Yu asked abruptly.

“You rascal, do you think it’s easy being stern and furious all the time?” Lin Tiancheng retorted with a laugh, accidentally flicking ash onto the bedspread and quickly brushing it off.

A parent’s heart is always for their child. Witnessing his father’s change, Lin Yu was overcome with emotion. In his past life, he’d believed his father would never approve of him, no matter what he did. Now he realized his father’s expectations were so simple: just a positive attitude and a willingness to improve.

Mark Twain once said, “If you crush a violet underfoot, it leaves its fragrance on your shoe. That is forgiveness.”

Lin Yu had never understood this before, but he did now. His father’s forgiveness had always been there, steadfast and unspoken, just like his love—a constant, never fading.

Meeting his father’s sharp gaze, Lin Yu felt a fire ignite within him, a boundless resolve rising in his heart. “Dad, don’t worry. This time, your son will make everyone sit up and take notice.”

With that thought, Lin Yu suddenly asked, “Dad, after that incident, what’s your position now at the Development and Reform Commission?”

He was referring to the time his father had embezzled public funds to cover a one hundred thousand yuan sponsorship on Lin Yu’s behalf, an act later reported by a rival.

“My position hasn’t changed much. I’m still deputy director of the office, but I was transferred from finance to the complaints department—the busiest, least popular post. I deal with petitioners all day,” Lin Tiancheng replied, exhaling smoke from his nose.

“You weren’t demoted?” Lin Yu had never asked about these details in his previous life.

“I was, but it was mostly for show. I’ve since been reinstated, thanks to Uncle Hu and Uncle Yang, who spoke up for me.” Lin Tiancheng explained.

Uncle Hu was Hu Rongqiang, deputy director of the Bincheng Public Security Bureau, while Uncle Yang was Vice Mayor Yang Xiong. Both were Lin Tiancheng’s high school classmates.

Lin Yu had almost no memory of Vice Mayor Yang, but because of his own frequent mischief, he’d met Deputy Director Hu Rongqiang several times—a formidable man.

“All right, get some sleep. We have an early morning tomorrow,” Lin Tiancheng said, seeing Lin Yu lost in thought.

“Tomorrow’s the start of the holidays. I was hoping to sleep in,” Lin Yu replied with a smile.

“That’s not it. Tomorrow, the three of us are meeting Uncle Hu and Uncle Yang’s families for a small gathering,” his father explained.

“Oh, I see!” Lin Yu responded, then went to wash up for bed.

A few minutes later, the lights went out. Darkness swallowed the room, and all was silent, surrendered to the night.