Reborn veteran, lying flat since high school

When Song Zhiming returned home, he heard noises coming from the direction of his daughter's bedroom.

As someone who's been through it all, he understood instantly.

A nameless anger suddenly flared up, and he rushed over in three steps, pushing the door open.

The room fell into a brief silence.

moment.

Heavy breathing, two people embracing each other...

Song Zhiming felt a chill run down his spine, anger rising from grief, and the cold metal grip on his hand creaked as he squeezed it.

The noise was somewhat like the sound of the wooden bed board when he turned over in his own master bedroom.

I was in a daze for a moment.

Song Zhiming suddenly opened his eyes.

The master bedroom was quiet and dimly lit.

He had sat up without anyone noticing.

What he had just witnessed left him feeling very depressed.

Just then, her daughter Song Junying's voice rang out from the living room.

"Auntie, I'm leaving now. Please tell my dad later."

"Aren't you going to wait anymore? I wonder where that brat has run off to. I'll definitely give him a piece of my mind when he gets back."

The sound of their voices carrying from the living room to the front door, and after the door opened and closed, Song Zhiming knew that his daughter, Song Junying, had gone back to her mother's place.

Tang Yisheng hasn't come back yet.

Was your daughter just waiting for Tang Yisheng?

What are we waiting for him to do?

Song Zhiming recalled the nightmare he had just had, and then thought of Tang Yisheng's "departure without saying goodbye" that afternoon. He wanted to snort, but when he heard Yang Jinjuan's footsteps entering the room, he slowly dissipated the nasal force that was about to rise.

"woke up?"

Yang Jinjuan's tired voice rang out from the doorway, followed by a click as the light bulb turned on.

"Junying just left. Did the sound of the door closing wake you up?"

"It's alright, what time is it?"

"It's almost eight o'clock. I made some tea. Why don't you come out for a drink to sober up?"

"Okay, coming right away."

Song Zhiming was in a so-so mood, affected by the nightmare, and also behaved like Tang Yisheng who left without saying a word at noon.

The former, in particular, was the hardest thing for Song Zhiming to accept.

"Judging from what you just said, Junying was waiting specifically for Yisheng to return?"

"I waited for a little while, but Yisheng ran off to play somewhere without leaving a message. Sigh."

Yang Jinjuan started to change to new tea.

Drinking green tea at night can easily cause insomnia, and Song Zhiming doesn't feel thirsty after drinking plain water, so Yang Jinjuan always prepares Lapsang Souchong for him.

Song Zhiming walked towards the kitchen.

He was a little hungry and wanted to go over and get something to eat to tide him over.

"There are two steamed buns simmering in the pot in the kitchen. Your daughter specially got some from the cafeteria and saved them for you."

Yang Jinjuan could tell from Song Zhiming's posture that he was hungry.

Song Junying bought the steamed buns herself and specially saved them for him. After hearing these two sentences, Song Zhiming's mood would definitely improve significantly.

Song Zhiming already disliked her own son, who was like a burden to her family, and now he was behaving recklessly, showing no respect or manners. As a mother, she spent the entire afternoon worrying about him.

The way they acted so cautiously would surely evoke pity from anyone who knew the truth, highlighting their humble state of mind.

Song Zhiming arrived at the restaurant entrance, where the door to his right was ajar.

That was Tang Yisheng's room.

Through the tiny crack in the door, a white envelope was conspicuously placed on Tang Yisheng's writing desk.

In just a brief moment, Song Zhiming changed his mind and stepped into Tang Yisheng's room.

There were no words on the envelope, but Song Zhiming was certain that it belonged to his daughter, Song Junying.

At home, all envelopes are kraft paper colored; only envelopes from the Construction Committee are white and slightly larger than regular envelopes.

There happened to be a few of those sheets in Song Junying's drawer.

Song Zhiming reached out and picked it up, then looked at it.

Inside was a stack of banknotes of varying ages; judging by their thickness, they must have cost at least two thousand yuan.

Song Zhiming's heart skipped a beat.

Song Junying had previously lent Tang Yisheng roughly the same amount of money.

Tang Yisheng intended to return it to Junying, so why did Junying refuse to accept it?

They waited for Tang Yisheng for a while and even left behind the money that had been lent out and then returned.

What are they playing?

Song Zhiming frowned and thought for a few seconds.

He put down the envelope and turned to leave.

Once Song Zhiming reached his position, a few thousand yuan was no longer of any interest to him.

Moreover, as a stepfather and elder, he disdained to withhold or confiscate Tang Yisheng's money.

Whether the money came from his own earnings or borrowed out of shamelessness.

Song Zhiming took two steps, then suddenly froze.

Back then, he won over Song Junying's mother with the money and food coupons he had saved, and they eventually got into university together. He also won over Song Junying's mother's heart time and time again by hiding small notes in the money and food he saved.

Song Zhiming turned back, picked up the envelope, took out the banknotes inside, and twisted them open.

As expected.

A piece of white paper folded into a small square was sandwiched between the banknotes.

She truly is my own daughter.

A moment ago, Song Zhiming's eyes sparkled with tenderness, and he curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile. The next moment, his expression turned serious, and he frowned.

This is definitely not a good sign.

Song Zhiming subconsciously thought of the dream he had just had.

The sound of water being poured from the teapot outside continued, and Song Zhiming even began to wonder if Yang Jinjuan had given instructions to her own son, Tang Yisheng…

The money was wrapped in an envelope, folded, and then casually stuffed into Song Zhiming's pocket.

The money is a small matter, but the note is a big deal.

No matter what he wrote, Song Zhiming did not intend to let Tang Yisheng see it.

He even decided that he would wait until Monday, when school starts, to have another heart-to-heart talk with his daughter.

When necessary, you have to be firm and give her a good talking-to.

Song Junying is my daughter. Even if she doesn't marry into a wealthy family, we should at least marry someone of equal social standing. Getting too involved with a guy like Tang Yisheng won't do my daughter any good.

Song Zhiming judged others by his own standards, and the false love he cultivated for the sake of his career would eventually fall apart due to changes in his mindset and the realities of life once his father-in-law lost his usefulness.

He and Song Junying's mother are a perfect example.

He certainly couldn't allow his own daughter to suffer such deception and exploitation in her love life.

Even if Song Zhiming himself never admits that he took advantage of Song Junying's mother and her family.

Deep down, Song Zhiming couldn't deny that the end of their marriage was largely due to the retirement of Junying's maternal grandparents.

When his career reached its peak and external forces could no longer offer any assistance, Song Zhiming, who had sacrificed half his life for his career, finally breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to turn back and pursue the love that he felt was "rightfully his."

Song Zhiming adheres to the traditional concept of "talented man and beautiful woman" at heart. He considers himself a handsome and charming man, and his wife must be presentable and presentable in public.

He had enjoyed the good life with his wife and in-laws, and now he could break free of his shackles and enjoy himself.

Therefore, Song Zhiming and his wife eventually divorced, and Song Zhiming married Tang Yisheng's mother, who was exceptionally beautiful.

He was all too familiar with this situation; if Tang Yisheng showed even the slightest sign of something, Song Zhiming would nip it in the bud.

Although it is still uncertain, Song Zhiming's drunken state has not completely subsided, and he is also experiencing a nightmare-like emotional state.

He decided to keep the money.

With a click, the door opened and Tang Yisheng, completely unaware of what was happening, entered the room.