Chapter 285 - 260: Intention
Chapter 285: Chapter 260: Intention
Xiao Man, of course, understood what Tang Qingshan meant. He was simply worried that she would be naive, get taken advantage of, and ultimately have her heart broken.
Looking at Tang Qingshan’s eyes, his gaze filled with deep, earnest affection, Xiao Man felt a sting in her nose as a film of tears welled up. She blinked hard several times and rested her head against Tang Qingshan. "Dad, if I had met you in my past life, no matter what I became, you would still love and protect me like you do now, right?"
Tang Qingshan paused for a moment, then raised a hand to gently stroke her hair. "If there really are past and future lives, as long as you are my own flesh and blood, I would love you just the same even if you turned into Zhu Bajie!"
"Dad, can you pick a different example? I’d rather be the White Bone Demon! I don’t want to turn into Zhu Bajie!" Xiao Man protested. ’Even if my face was ruined, I’d at least still be human. Turning into Zhu Bajie would be truly tragic!’
Tang Qingshan laughed heartily. "It’s just a metaphor. I only want you to understand that no matter what you look like, in my heart and in my eyes, you are an irreplaceable treasure!"
Xiao Man pursed her lips, feeling a little regretful. ’Maybe it was my fault in my past life? I shouldn’t have been so reckless, running off without a plan. If I had just obediently let Tang Haocheng keep me for a while, maybe I would have eventually met Dad? In my past life, Dad held a high-ranking position. I often saw him on TV.’
Tang Qingshan brushed a stray strand of hair from Xiao Man’s ear, his smile fading. "Manman, your grandfather and I both know that you’re an unusual child, that you have secrets. We’ve guessed countless times, but in the end, we decided not to ask or probe. Whatever secrets you have, they belong to you. As long as Grandpa and I are here, you can continue to live as freely and whimsically as you always have. No one can touch you! When Grandpa and I get old, you’ll still have Hao Hao."
"Dad..." Xiao Man couldn’t help but stick out the tip of her tongue, wondering whether she should offer some explanation.
Tang Qingshan waved his hand. "You might have a master or a lineage and have to follow certain rules, so you don’t need to explain. What I’m worried about now are these strengths of yours! Just as a flying goose’s cry lingers in the air, a person’s passage leaves a name. It’s impossible for you to go unnoticed. But I want you to promise me: be as reserved as possible. Be careful, cautious, and on guard with people. You can’t be too innocent and good-hearted, giving your whole heart away so easily! You’re a girl; by nature, you’re gentle and need someone to rely on, because your heart isn’t as strong or resolute as a man’s! No matter how wealthy or capable you are, you will always be the one most easily hurt! So I want to remind you to be mindful of boundaries when you interact with people. You can’t give too much at the very beginning. You have to eat a meal one bite at a time and walk a path one step at a time. You’re still too young. You can’t imagine how sinister and fickle human nature can be!"
"But Dad, don’t they say that you have to give in order to receive?"
"Then what have you received? First, let’s talk about Gu Shaojun, then Bai Junfan."
Xiao Man blinked. "The last time Brother Shaojun came to see me, he cooked for me for a few days and left a lot of money and ration coupons... As for that Bai Junfan, he didn’t get anything from me. In fact, he gave me a lot of daily necessities and also cooked for me for a few days. He was quite convincing in his role as a big brother."
Tang Qingshan lightly tapped her full, fair forehead. "Is a child of the Tang family short on money?"
Xiao Man covered her forehead and shook her head. Tang Qingshan said, "As for Bai Junfan, we still don’t know how he found you. Your grandfather gave Mr. Bai a pill that saved his life and settled a favor from many years ago. But those who practice Ancient Martial Arts all have noses like bloodhounds. The Bai Family has its eyes on you! From now on, if you run into anyone from the Bai Family, just pretend you don’t know them. Our family and theirs will only maintain a superficial relationship. There’s no possibility of anything deeper!"
"The people from their family are no good?"
"How should I put it? The people from their family... don’t quite suit our tastes."
’...’ ’Dad, are you ordering food from a menu?’
"Manman, when I heard you on the phone that day saying the Bai Family’s eldest grandson went to Ping County to see you, I immediately thought that I’d rather you were an ordinary girl with no special talents or skills. Things would be more peaceful that way! The Bai Family and the Gu family are both Ancient Martial Arts Families. They carry on the traditions of Ancient Martial Arts, and increasing their power is their lifelong pursuit! Your medical skills, your herbs, and even your food are all things they covet but cannot obtain. In the eyes of both families, you are like... Tang Seng’s flesh! This is also why I have to re-evaluate Gu Shaojun. Please forgive your father for being so suspicious."
Xiao Man was speechless for a moment. After a long while, she said, "Dad, isn’t it a bit too early to be talking about all this? If Brother Shaojun isn’t good enough, I’ll just replace him!"
"That sounds childish, but for some reason, I love hearing it."
Tang Qingshan scoffed. "The Tang family doesn’t need anyone else’s protection right now. Adding flowers to brocade might look lively on the surface, but there’s no guarantee it won’t be a mess underneath! I don’t want your marriage to be tainted by utilitarian motives. My only wish is for you to find a true heart and have genuine happiness! Like I said before, as a girl, you’re naturally more vulnerable. The more you give, the more you could be hurt in the future. That’s why I don’t approve of you giving too much! Don’t overextend yourself. Material possessions are one thing, but your feelings, your heart... you absolutely cannot entrust them all to someone so carelessly. Understand?"
"I understand! Rest assured. But Dad, how come you have less confidence in me than I do? Besides the medical skills and herbs you mentioned, am I not good enough in other ways to attract someone?"
"My Manman is, of course, more than good enough in every way! I’m telling you all this because I want you to stay calm and true to yourself. Then, we’ll wait and see who your Mr. Right really is!"
Xiao Man: ...
She completely understood Tang Qingshan’s intentions. Only a father who truly doted on his daughter would be so painstakingly earnest and meticulous. Moved, Xiao Man thought that when a suitable opportunity arose in the future, she could selectively share her secrets with the people who loved her.
But for now, she still had to let him worry. He didn’t know about her past life; what she was doing for Shaojun wasn’t giving, but repaying a debt of gratitude! Dad Tang no longer trusted Gu Shaojun. The crux of the matter was that Gu Shaojun had decisively broken off the engagement after accepting Xiao Man’s "benefits." Of course, this was just Dad Tang’s one-sided interpretation! Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, because it concerned Xiao Man, the fiercely protective Dad Tang had decisively put a black mark against his name. Gu Shaojun couldn’t even protest the injustice. It was a truly stifling position to be in.