Chapter 1461 - 1424: The Cannon Fodder’s Home 32
Chapter 1461: Chapter 1424: The Cannon Fodder’s Home 32
Zhang Yilin really cried this time.
Her heart was completely cold.
This young girl was originally a very pragmatic person. She didn’t receive much love when she came to the Zhang Family, but she still inquired about the situation of the land in the east of the city for them. She quietly saved money and things, thinking that if the Zhang Family really went bankrupt, there would still be some things left, so they wouldn’t be utterly poor. Even if Zhang Linfeng wanted to start a business in the future, there would still be some capital.
Managing to do these things was really not easy for her.
Initially, Zhang Yilin planned to not tell Zhang Hao about the money she saved for a few days, then withdraw the money she had saved at the Xiao Family to help at home. At the very least, with this money, they could buy another house or shop, then rent it out, which would count as adding some income for the family.
But she didn’t expect that once the Zhang Family went bankrupt, the whole family changed.
They were no longer the lofty and graceful people they used to be, but became rather fierce and menacing.
Especially Zhang Linfeng, whom Zhang Yilin had reminded several times in the past, but he just wouldn’t listen. Now that something had happened, he blamed everything on Zhang Yilin. Such a person who shirks responsibility at the first sign of trouble and speaks words that truly hurt Zhang Yilin can never achieve great things.
She sobbed as she packed her bag and headed out: "Fine, I’ll leave, I’ll leave. Today, once I step out of this door, even if you invite me back later, I won’t return."
"Who would invite you back? You jinx, get lost now."
Madam Zhang yelled at the top of her voice.
Zhang Yilin wiped her tears, straightened her back, and walked out.
She left the house, wandered around for a while, and finally decided to return to the Xiao Family.
She was unfamiliar with the city, didn’t dare to wander around aimlessly, and being young, she feared encountering bad people on the street.
Zhang Yilin flagged down a taxi and asked the driver to take her to Baisha County.
On the road, Zhang Yilin called Xiao Yuan.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
Xiao Yuan wasn’t doing much, just looking for bargains.
"Wandering around outside."
Xiao Yuan chatted with Zhang Yilin while strolling: "Yilin, what’s the matter?"
This question triggered Zhang Yilin to cry uncontrollably: "Dad, I’m homeless."
She cried while explaining everything about the Zhang Family: "They scolded me as a jinx, saying that it’s because of me returning that the family went bankrupt. Dad, I clearly reminded them several times, but they didn’t listen. They even thought so badly of you, and now that something has happened, they’re blaming everything on me."
"There, there."
Xiao Yuan tried to comfort Zhang Yilin: "You are not homeless. If you’re unhappy living with the Zhang Family, just come back. I’m your dad; I won’t neglect you."
Those words were so warm and familiar that they brought a smile amidst tears for Zhang Yilin: "That’s exactly what I thought. I still have a home, with dad around, I’ll never be homeless. I’m on the way home now and will be there soon."
"Alright then."
Xiao Yuan turned and headed home: "I’ll go back and cook. Once you return, you can enjoy a hot meal and have a good sleep."
"I’ve been thinking about dad’s cooking. For the past while, I’ve only been craving for it."
Zhang Yilin felt much better: "Please tidy up my room. I might stay at home for a long time."
"Okay."
Xiao Yuan responded positively.
After Zhang Yilin hung up, the driver, hearing the lively conversation, couldn’t resist being nosy: "Young lady, from what you say, why do you seem to have two homes, with two dads?"
Zhang Yilin sighed: "Indeed, two dads."
She explained how she was mistakenly taken away as a child and reunited with her biological parents as an adult: "And now, my biological parents don’t want me, and I have nowhere to go but to seek my foster father. I must say, my foster father is truly kind; I feel closer to him than to my biological parents."
The driver chuckled: "Having someone to turn to is a blessing. From what you describe, your biological parents are truly unscrupulous, acknowledging you when they had money, and now afraid you’ll be a burden to them, thinking of every way to kick you out."
"A burden?"
Zhang Yilin was taken aback.
The driver, without looking back, continued driving and explained: "Yes, a burden. You’re in high school now, and you attend a famous private high school, which is quite expensive each year. You’ll need money for college too, and that’s a big financial strain on your parents now that they have no money. Rather than spending money on you, they might want to improve their lifestyle or invest for their son, hence the harsh words and the idea to drive you out."
With the driver’s explanation, Zhang Yilin finally understood.
So the Zhang Family didn’t really think she was a jinx; they just deliberately said so because raising her cost money.
Understanding this, Zhang Yilin felt even colder inside.
Xiao Yuan leisurely went to the market. Originally, Anning and the kids didn’t come home for lunch, so Xiao Yuan wouldn’t cook, but now that Zhang Yilin was coming back, he quickly went home to prepare a hot meal.
The child was already feeling bad. If she came home to a cold and empty kitchen, it would only make her feel worse.
Xiao Yuan bought a chicken, some meat, and some vegetables and fruits, and headed home with the groceries.
Once home, he started cooking.
He originally planned to cook rice, but remembering that Zhang Yilin loved dumplings, he changed his mind and began making dough and preparing filling to make dumplings.
Since he was making them, he decided to make a lot, so he could deliver some to Anning and the kids at noon, saving them from the bland school meals.
When Zhang Yilin arrived home, it wasn’t even noon yet.
As she entered, the aroma wafted to her nose, and Xiao Yuan came out from the kitchen, apron still on: "You’re back. Quickly wash up and get ready to eat."
The words were exactly like what Zhang Yilin used to hear every time she returned from school, bringing tears to her eyes instantly.
"Dad."
Zhang Yilin rushed over to hug Xiao Yuan, crying miserably.
Xiao Yuan looked up at the ceiling: "Alright, alright, this outfit was just bought by your mom, and I’ve just put it on, haven’t shown it off enough yet, and now you’re soaking it with your tears and snot."
Those words, and Zhang Yilin couldn’t help but smile through her tears.
After she finally calmed down, Xiao Yuan took her to the bathroom to wash her face and hands.
Once they came out, Xiao Yuan asked Zhang Yilin to help set the table.
He made chicken soup, cooked several dishes, and made lots of dumplings. The water in the pot was boiling, and Xiao Yuan was counting the dumplings into the pot: "We’ll eat first, then I’ll cook some more for you to take over to your mom."
"Alright."
Zhang Yilin no longer felt upset.
She was truly starving, and as she sat down, she began to devour the food.
Xiao Yuan served her dishes, saying, "Eat slowly. Why do you eat like a starving ghost reincarnated? Did the Zhang Family starve you or something?"
"Don’t mention it."
Now Zhang Yilin was in the mood to chat with Xiao Yuan: "Ever since the Zhang Family went bankrupt and moved to a small house, they couldn’t afford a maid. No one in the family can cook, so to avoid starvation, I had to cook for myself, and you know my cooking is nothing special."