A week later, as the afterglow of the setting sun gently cast a shadow on the path in front of Chuchu's apartment, Chu Mingfeng arrived as promised. His figure, stretched by the sunset, seemed particularly lonely and resolute. This week had been like a baptism of the soul for him. He changed out of the dirty, worn clothes that had accompanied him for years, shaved off his scraggly beard, and looked completely refreshed, as if he wanted to face his daughter with a brand new look.
Chuchu's return always brings the relaxation and anticipation unique to the weekend, and the campus on Friday is always filled with the joy of impending liberation.
Walking downstairs to the apartment building, I unexpectedly saw that long-lost yet familiar figure, and my heart couldn't help but ripple. Chu Mingfeng stood there, no longer the cold and calculating father he once was. His eyes now held a gleam of sincerity and a desire to be forgiven.
Chu Chu stopped and looked at him quietly, feeling mixed emotions.
She didn't go forward immediately, but stood there with an examining attitude, as if evaluating whether this unexpected reunion was worth letting go of the pain of the past.
Seeing this, Chu Mingfeng took the initiative to break the silence, his voice trembling slightly: "I keep my word. You saved Xiaoyu, and I will pay for your life."
Upon hearing this, Chu Chu curled up the corners of her mouth into a cold smile, which was mixed with too much sarcasm and disdain: "There are surveillance cameras everywhere here. You died in my hands. Do you want me to become a murderer? Chu Mingfeng, your calculations are really ingenious. You want to evade legal sanctions, and you want to use this method to morally blackmail me. You are really vicious!" Her words were sharp, and every sentence pierced Chu Mingfeng's heart like a needle.
Chu Mingfeng's face suddenly became awkward and embarrassed. He realized his recklessness and stupidity, and hurriedly explained: "That's not what I meant. I just... just wanted to fulfill my promise." His voice became lower and lower, almost talking to himself.
Chu Chu looked at the man who had once disappointed her so deeply, without a trace of emotion in her heart. She smiled contemptuously, her voice loud and clear, "Brother, take him away. He's always so selfish, so sure I wouldn't kill him here, yet he's still pretending to keep his promise! I don't need a father like that, and I don't want one."
As the words fell, Chu Lei walked out from the shadows on the side. His eyes were complex and deep, showing anger and disappointment towards his father, as well as love and protection for his sister.
When Chu Mingfeng saw Chu Lei, he was so surprised that he couldn't express it in words. He subconsciously wanted to escape from this suffocating scene, but was stopped by Chu Lei.
"Why, the son you once despised the most appears in front of you, and you can't accept it?" Chu Lei's voice was cold and firm, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
Chu Mingfeng's face was pale, guilt and fear intertwined, making it almost impossible for him to breathe: "No, it's not... Xiaolei, I have been repenting all these years. In the 10 years since I was released from prison, there has not been a single day that I have not regretted it... Today I really am here to fulfill my promise." There was a hint of pleading and begging in his voice.
Chu Lei looked at his father's wrinkled face, his eyes red.
He knew that no matter how much his father repented, he could not erase the hurt and pain of those years. But he also understood that as a son, he could not live in hatred forever.
"We all know what you were like in the past and how you treated us. I'm not here to judge you. How many years have you been my father? Now, I'm taking you away and settling you down because I don't want you to disturb the peaceful lives of mother and our four siblings." His tone was both resolute and helpless.
However, Chu Mingfeng declined the offer. "No, no need for special accommodation. I already have a place to live, and Xiaoyu just found a job delivering food. I want to cook for him and save him some money."
His answer surprised Chu Lei and made him a bit angry. "Then I'm sending you away from Rongjing. As long as you're here, I won't feel at ease. Mom has lived so carefully these past few years. She finally has a warm home. If you dare destroy it, I'll make you pay!" A fierce glint flashed in Chu Lei's eyes, reflecting his deep love and protection for his mother.
But Chu Mingfeng was obviously unwilling to leave. He begged, "I just want to watch you from afar. I will never disturb you. Xiaolei, Dad owes you a lot over the years. I miss you too..." His voice was full of regret and reluctance, but in the eyes of Chu Lei and Chu Chu, all this was too late.
Chuchu finally couldn't help but speak: "Second brother, let him go. We won't see each other again. If he dares to disturb mom, I will make him pay the price! I can make his illegitimate son recover from his illness, but I can also make him repeat the same mistakes and suffer unbearably!" Her tone was firm and resolute, as if she was talking about a trivial matter.
Chu Lei sighed. He knew his sister's temper; once she made a decision, she wouldn't look back. He glanced at Chu Mingfeng, the once-dignified father who now seemed so insignificant, and a complex mix of emotions surged within him. Finally, he nodded, letting Chu Mingfeng flee the scene like a hungry wolf that had survived.
Chu Lei asked Chu Chu: "Why did you let him leave again?"
Chu Chu said helplessly: "Second brother, come with me upstairs and have a cup of tea. There are some things you need to sit down and I will slowly tell you."
The two walked up the stairs side by side, and Chuchu invited Chu Lei into the house for a cup of tea.
She knew that there was much to talk about and listen to regarding this past. The house was warm and quiet, and the aroma of tea rose in the air, adding a touch of warmth and tranquility to this rare time spent together as siblings.
"Second brother, please sit down first." Chuchu pointed to the sofa and went to the kitchen to prepare tea.
He skillfully brewed a pot of fine Longjing tea, brought it to the living room, and placed it on the coffee table between them. The fragrance of the tea filled the air, seemingly dispelling the lingering awkwardness and heaviness in the air.
Chu Lei took the teacup and took a sip. The fragrance of the tea instantly spread in his mouth, relaxing his tense nerves a little.
He looked at Chuchu, his eyes full of heartache and confusion: "Chuchu, are you really going to let him go like this? After all, he..."
Chu Chu shook her head gently, her eyes firm and deep: "Second brother, I'm not letting him go, but we have to let ourselves go. He is not worth our anger and sadness. He is no longer worthy of being our father!"
Chu Lei hummed, "You have finally grown up. Sometimes, my second brother is not as insightful as you."
Chuchu smiled and said, "Second brother, as long as he doesn't come to disturb us, that's fine."
Chu Lei then asked: "Then tell me, why did you save Su Yufei?"
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