Chapter 27: Tingting 25

Seeing Han Guangzhi raise his hand to strike someone, Han Cunming slammed his bowl heavily onto the table, his eyes wide with fury: "What do you think you're doing? You want to hit Tingting right in front of me?"

As soon as the old father spoke, Han Guangzhi immediately wilted. He subconsciously lowered his voice: "Dad, why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me? Her grades are so good; it would be a waste for her to go to an ordinary school."

Han Cunming retorted, "She used to go to an ordinary school, and you never thought it was a waste. Fine, since you want to act like a father, then start putting up the money. Do you think her high school education is free?"

Han Guangzhi felt a bitterness in his mouth. "Doesn't she not need money for school now?"

Not only was it free, but the school even provided living expenses—Han Guangzhi had heard this from the villagers long ago. Why was his old father asking him for money the moment he opened his mouth?

Han Cunming snapped, "Does she not need living expenses? Doesn't she need new clothes for holidays? Do you think paying tuition is enough to fulfill your responsibility? Where do you get the nerve?"

"When you were in school, no matter how difficult things were, I bought you a new set of clothes every year at the end of the year. Since your divorce, have you ever bought her a single outfit? Isn't everything she wears given to her by others?"

Li Xiaomei hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "Dad, you're right. I'll take Tingting to the city to buy clothes tomorrow."

Tan You frowned. She was busy; she didn't have time to go shopping. Besides, she already had plenty of clothes, many of which were given to her by the aunts and older women at the factory.

Every family had a daughter. Clothes that children outgrew would just sit and gather dust at home, so Tan You received "gifts of love" from these women almost every few days.

She didn't feel it was undignified; if people gave her things, it was an act of kindness. Moreover, even if some clothes weren't comfortable to wear, she could just take them apart and alter them once her skills improved.

Han Cunming spoke with calm composure: "Then go tomorrow evening. Tingting has to work during the day; she's busy."

Han Guangzhi said jealously, "Every time you open your mouth, it's about her. Is she really worth all this effort?"

"Whether she is worth it or not is already a fact," Han Cunming replied calmly. "When you were her age, you weren't nearly as easy to manage. Were your grades as good as hers? Were you as diligent?"

"I was able to raise someone like you despite your flaws, but she is much better than you." Han Cunming narrowed his eyes. "So, since I won't be able to enjoy the blessings of your success, I'm counting on her in the end."

Li Xiaomei had a hard time describing her feelings; this old man was quite unruly. However, knowing he wasn't relying on Han Guangzhi did indeed make her feel a sense of relief. But as for Han Tingting, she truly could not bring herself to like her.

Now that the girl wasn't clinging to their marriage, Li Xiaomei felt a strange sense of emptiness. She had been prepared to trip up her stepdaughter, but to her surprise, the girl wouldn't even take the bait.

What was she supposed to do? If even Han Guangzhi couldn't control Han Tingting, what could a stepmother do to her?

The atmosphere at the dining table was incredibly strange, but Tan You didn't care. After dinner, she went to her room to study. As for Han Guangzhi and Li Xiaomei, she truly had no interest in dealing with them.

And as for their son, Han Xiaobao, she wanted to ignore him even more. Who would want to come home from a full day of work only to babysit a toddler? Moreover, he was clearly Li Xiaomei's precious treasure; why should she bother?

Tan You studied under a desk lamp in her room, so Han Guangzhi naturally wouldn't disturb her, and Li Xiaomei certainly wouldn't. However, when Li Xiaomei came out to use the bathroom at ten o'clock, she saw that the light in Han Tingting's room was still on.

Returning to the bedroom, she whispered to Han Guangzhi, "Hasn't the middle school entrance exam ended? Why is she still studying so late?"

What could Han Guangzhi say? "Dad said not to disturb her. He said she doesn't go to sleep before midnight every night."

While he certainly didn't like Han Tingting, if she became successful, it would bring honor to him as her father. Therefore, Han Guangzhi was ultimately happy that she was studious.

In summer, the days start very early. Before even 5:30 AM, Li Xiaomei heard the sound of reading coming from outside. One moment it was Chinese, the next English, interspersed with various mathematical formulas.

Li Xiaomei truly couldn't lie back down. Seeing Han Guangzhi snoring beside her, she had no choice but to get up. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Han Tingting reciting her lessons by the well. Upon seeing her, the girl only gave a faint "morning" and said nothing more.

Since the girl was reciting, Li Xiaomei really couldn't go over and disturb her. She sulked privately, but unfortunately, no one cared about her mood.

At six o'clock, Han Tingting entered the kitchen to cook on time. Just as Han Cunming had said, she wouldn't go out of her way to work hard for Han Guangzhi and the others, so breakfast was very simple.

A pot of porridge and a plate of sliced cucumbers. As for the stuffed eggplants that Han Cunming had particularly enjoyed yesterday, Tan You didn't make them at all. When there are few people in the house, these dishes are convenient.

But if there were more people, making stuffed eggplants would be like asking her to work all by herself. She had no intention of serving people.

When Han Cunming returned from the paddy fields, he saw the very meager breakfast. The old man nodded to Han Tingting: "Eat quickly and head to work. It's not easy for children from rural families."

"I know, Grandpa." Tan You washed her face by the well. "I'm heading to the factory now. Goodbye, Auntie."

As for Han Guangzhi, he was still in his room, hugging his son and sleeping.

As soon as Tan You left, the atmosphere immediately turned cold. Han Cunming and Li Xiaomei had nothing to say to each other. Although the old man didn't speak much, how could he not see through Li Xiaomei's intentions?

In his view, her returning now, outside of any holiday, was likely her instigation. For what? To interfere with his granddaughter's life? In his dreams. As long as he was around, no one would be allowed to ruin his granddaughter's life.

The return of Han Guangzhi, Li Xiaomei, and their son indeed had no impact on Tan You. She worked at the factory during the day and studied by lamplight at night. When she left for work, Han Guangzhi hadn't even woken up, and when she studied at night, Han Cunming sat there with a stern face, daring no one to disturb her.

Consequently, even though Han Guangzhi and Li Xiaomei had been back for two days, they failed to find a single opportunity to speak to Tan You alone.

On the other hand, Li Xiaomei had spent quite a bit of money. Since she wanted to act generous, Tan You simply obliged her. When Li Xiaomei took her shopping for clothes, Tan You was not at all polite.

She didn't pick the most expensive items, but she bought several sets of clothes, shoes, and jackets. Even so, this was enough to make Li Xiaomei's heart ache. To make matters worse, she couldn't complain in front of Han Cunming, so she could only whisper her grievances to Han Guangzhi in private.

What could Han Guangzhi do? He was powerless. With his old father protecting her and Han Tingting having a legitimate reason to work a summer job, what could he possibly do?

Besides, as a father, buying a few sets of clothes for his child was something no one could criticize. If you have a child, you have to raise them. To be honest, since the divorce, he truly hadn't put much thought into Han Tingting—and of course, he had spent even less money on her.