Chen Yao had been displeased with Lin Nan's father for a long time.

In seventh grade, Chen Yao often saw Lin Nan coming and going alone in class, being bullied, but never heard that his parents had ever complained to the school.

Later, he really couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to protect Lin Nan. Only after asking did he learn that Lin Nan hadn't failed to mention being bullied at school. It's just that his father simply didn't care.

One thousand yuan monthly living expenses was enough for Lin Nan to eat during middle and high school, but only barely enough. Occasional school medical check fees, insurance fees, and money for books and uniforms all came out of his living expenses, which also caused Lin Nan, who was in his developmental period, to be malnourished and more frail than his peers, and also led to Lin Nan's money-grubbing personality.

Back then, he occasionally spent money on games and would mooch meals from Lin Nan from time to time, but usually after a while he would treat him to a rich late-night snack as compensation.

Chen Yao had never seen Lin Nan's parents before and almost thought Lin Nan was an orphan.

Although his own parents were also busy with work running a restaurant and had no time to care for him, at least they provided him with basic education and would deepen their relationship with him during evening rest. But he had never seen Lin Nan's parents.

Until last time when he accompanied Lin Nan home, her parents once again shattered Chen Yao's worldview.

Such people existed in this world? Not requiring a license to have children was simply the biggest policy failure.

Originally he planned to come find Lin Nan tomorrow, but messages on QQ were left unread, let alone answered. After hesitating for a long time, he could only go to Lin Nan's house to look for her.

He thought he could suppress his anger, but he didn't expect such a thing to happen...

The winter in the southern coastal region wasn't severely cold, but the cold wind at night was still unbearable. The tall and short pair came from indoors to the small road in the urban village, looking at each other under the streetlights.

"What did you come looking for me for?" Lin Nan pulled her coat around herself, looking up with indifference.

Chen Yao looked back at her. From when they separated in the afternoon until now, it had only been a few hours, but Lin Nan seemed like a different person. The wariness in her eyes had now become coldness and numbness, her whole body radiating an aura of "strangers keep away."

He just felt his heart aching. If he had known this would happen, he should have shamelessly brought his suitcase and gone home with Lin Nan from the beginning.

"Your dad said something excessive again, right?" Chen Yao didn't know how to comfort her, only stepping a few steps closer to Lin Nan to try to let her feel his concern, but Lin Nan retreated several steps without hesitation.

"No, living with him is quite good. He seems to be able to accept me now." Lin Nan lowered her head, looking at the slippers she had hurriedly put on when leaving the house. The shadow under the light was trembling.

Chen Yao couldn't control his anger and blurted out: "You call that accepting you? Insulting you..."

"He just thinks it's not good for me to always stay in my room." Lin Nan was unwilling to look at his eyes. "This is my family matter. You don't need to interfere."

"You're really asking for it!" Chen Yao was furious, punching the streetlight pole and cursing: "We're all adults! Why force yourself to want his acceptance! Why endure grievances! Is it necessary! Can't you live without a father or what!"

Lin Nan remained silent.

She just wanted to be accepted... She didn't expect her parents to like her, but at least wanted to be accepted, to still have parents, rather than being driven from home and having relationships severed.

She had rarely felt parental love since childhood. She thought she would harbor resentment, but ever since becoming a woman, the first thing she thought of was still her parents. She still hoped to be accepted, noticed, liked by them... hoped that when she was down, she could have parental comfort like other people's children.

She didn't expect that much. She just wanted to be able to watch the Spring Festival Gala and eat a meal with her parents during New Year like before.

"You're really infuriating when you don't speak!"

Chen Yao didn't dare vent at her, only getting angry at his own stupidity, making his whole body tremble with rage.

"Let's go! Let's eat barbecue!" He cursed and was about to leave, but after walking a few steps and looking back, he saw Lin Nan still standing in place, not moving.

"Are you deaf? I'm paying!"

He stepped forward and grabbed that soft, boneless wrist again, still muttering: "If your parents don't want you, don't you still have me? We've been brothers for so many years. Could I really watch you have nowhere to live and nothing to eat?

"We're all adults. If they don't like you, just move out and live independently. Isn't it great having no one to control you? Isn't it painful living by others' expressions? Why insist they accept you? There's something wrong with your head."

"Mm..." Lin Nan responded.

"Just keep making me angry. It would be best if you gave me a heart attack."

Chen Yao glanced at Lin Nan, who was still hanging her head with her face unclear, and his anger gradually subsided, leaving only helplessness: "We've known each other for six or seven years, right? You definitely don't consider me a brother. When the medical results came out, you wouldn't say anything. Later, no matter what happened, you wouldn't speak up. You made me squeeze it out like toothpaste, asking bit by bit.

"I'm not a god. How can I help if you don't say anything..."

He smiled bitterly, not knowing what to do, and somewhat regretting that his words had been too harsh just now.

"Should we find a hotel tonight?" After calming down, Chen Yao began regretting his impulsiveness. "I pushed your dad... If you go back, he might take his temper out on you. Did I make things worse?

"I'll go back with you tomorrow to get your luggage. Should I find you a place to live for now?"

Lin Nan continued to remain silent, looking coldly at the stone path of the urban village. When the stone path became a cement road, Chen Yao also stopped.

She looked up at the street outside. It was only eight or nine o'clock, and this county town was still bustling with activity. The crowds, signs, streetlights, car lights, and colorful hues gathered on this not-very-wide street, but they pierced her heart like arrows.

She had a sense of being out of place, unable to blend with the world.

"Let's go. If people see me holding your hand, they'll think you're my girlfriend."

Chen Yao's voice awakened her. Lin Nan lowered her head again and followed closely behind his steps.

Chen Yao's sudden arrival had indeed disrupted Lin Nan's original plan–or rather, she had no plan at all. She had only intended to endure grievances and try to get her father to accept her as much as possible.

If her father had been furious and unable to communicate upon seeing her, that would have been one thing. But clearly this time when they met, her father's attitude toward her wasn't hostile, just his tone was a bit harsh.

Coming to a roadside barbecue stall, Chen Yao went to the stall to order barbecue and buy beer while Lin Nan sat upright, looking down at her legs.

"Eat some barbecue and drink some alcohol. After drinking, your mood will improve." Chen Yao sat across from her with several bottles of beer and peanuts. "The barbecue will take twenty minutes. Let's drink some beer with peanuts first."

Seeing no reaction from her, Chen Yao opened a bottle himself and took a couple gulps: "Anyway, when I'm upset, I drink. Whether you drink or not is up to you."

"I'll drink!"

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