Shumei was stunned. She never dreamed that Xiao Youchen would know that Boyi was in jail.
He paused for a moment and continued, "I originally planned to go see him without telling you, but I can't do it. I think I must get your consent before I can take this step. Because in my eyes, you are my biological mother, and my father is a fool. He is the one who has let you down, he has failed you..."
Shumei's heart ached when she heard Xiao Youchen's words, tears welling up in her eyes. For so many years, she had been stubbornly resisting, never daring to reveal her bitterness in front of her child. "No, Xiao Youchen, it's not what you think. Your father..."
"Mom, you don't have to explain for him. I understand everything. The reason I studied so hard and tried so hard to be sensible and obedient is that I didn't want to be another dad. I don't want two grown men in the Tang family to let you down. Every time I see your happy smile when you see my report card, the guilt in my heart eases a little. Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission and prevented you from getting hurt again."
"..." Xiao Youchen's words really left Shumei speechless.
She didn't expect that a child of eleven or twelve years old could say such profound and sincere words.
She couldn't imagine how strong little Youchen's heart was and what kind of hardships he had gone through to become so mature.
"Mom, just promise me! Besides missing him, I also want to tell him that I will work hard for this family without hesitation. He is the pillar of the family, and he can't be a coward. I want him to be well and come back to us as soon as possible to make up for the mistakes he made."
Xiao Youchen's eyes were filled with tears as he spoke, and Shumei also kept wiping away tears as she listened.
Xiao Youchen spoke in a very low voice. In order not to let Xiao Shuangning know, he lowered his voice deliberately.
Even so, the sharp-eyed and sharp-eared little Shuangning still heard it. She deliberately got up from the bed and lay behind the door to eavesdrop.
Shumei's expression was very solemn. She thought carefully for a long time, then said reluctantly, "Okay, I'll take you there tomorrow."
"Mom, no need. I can go alone. Let's not let Ningning know about this! Let her be carefree and not be affected by anyone or anything. She's not like me. If she knew that her father—her uncle—was in jail, she would be too proud to hold her head up."
He didn't even dare to say the word "Dad". After all, before Xiao Shuangning had time to change her words, Boyi was in jail. These two words should be unfamiliar to Xiao Shuangning. He couldn't make decisions for Xiao Shuangning on his own, so he used the word "uncle".
Shumei was even more pleased to hear that Xiao Youchen always cared about Xiao Shuangning. Before she could say anything else, Xiao Youchen had already finished the last bite of rice in his bowl and ran away contentedly.
The next day, Xiao Youchen got up early, prepared carefully, took the fare given by Shumei, carried his schoolbag and set off to visit his father in prison.
Shumei and Xiao Youchen made up a lie to fool Xiao Shuangning, and Xiao Shuangning pretended to be confused and did not expose their lie.
The two of them sent Xiao Youchen to the village entrance and watched him walk towards the town.
For so many years, Xiao Youchen and Xiao Shuangning had been inseparable. Seeing Xiao Youchen leave, Xiao Shuangning felt mixed emotions. She finally wavered, "Mom, can you give me some money?"
"What do you want the money for?"
"I want to go with my brother."
"You want to go with Youchen? Do you know what Youchen is going to do?"
"I know he wants to visit Uncle Boyi who is in jail."
Shumei was very surprised. How could Xiao Shuangning know what Xiao Youchen was going to do? "Ningning, how did you know?"
"Mom, don't worry about how I know this. Just give me the money quickly, or my brother will get away and I won't be able to catch up."
"But……"
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm not that fragile. What my brother can bear, I can bear as well. We are a family. My brother and I are good siblings. Uncle Boyi is my brother's father, and he is also my father. Since my brother is going to visit my father, there is no reason for me not to go."
"This..." Shumei hesitated for a moment, "Okay, then you guys be careful on the road." Shumei took out some change from her pocket and handed it to Xiao Shuangning.
Xiao Shuangning smiled and said thank you, then ran and jumped in the direction of Xiao Youchen.
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