novelraw Chapter 36: The Partial Dad (End)
Chapter 36: The Partial Dad (End)
During every New Year or festival, Qi Xiangnan’s family of four was filled with happiness and joy. Lin Yu’s maternal family was just as blissful—not for any other reason, but because their son-in-law was just too filial.
Watching her son-in-law helping out in the kitchen, Lin Yu’s mother pulled her daughter aside and began to scold her in earnest: “You too—how can you be so willful? Your husband has such a good temper and goes along with everything you say, but you need to know your place!”
Lin Yu looked baffled. What had she done? Wasn’t she being the perfect, virtuous wife? Could it be… Qi Xiangdong went behind her back to complain to her mom?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Lin Yu narrowed her eyes—ah, so you’ve learned to tattle behind my back, Qi Xiangdong!
So, she subtly started probing her mother for details.
“Mom, what did I do? I’ve always treated him really well.”
Her mother flicked her forehead, exasperated. “I used to think you were sensible. How come the older you get, the less mature you become?”
Seeing her daughter still looking clueless, she sighed and explained patiently, “Being good to your husband is one thing, but you also have to show some respect to your father-in-law! He raised two sons all by himself. Every holiday you insist on dragging your husband to our place—what do you think your father-in-law feels? Be careful, your husband might get upset and start resenting you!”
Lin Yu: “……”
Seriously, that’s it?! She felt so wronged. What did she mean by “dragging him over”? Wasn’t it because of his own sins that he couldn’t even eat New Year’s dinner with his dad?
But since it was her husband’s shameful past, she couldn’t tell her mom outright. All she could do was force a smile and say, “I get it. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Her mom, seeing she understood, continued with the lecture: “When you get home, apologize properly to your husband. In a marriage, both sides need to be understanding. You can’t always just think of yourself…”
“Got it, got it, Mom. I’ll go back and thoroughly reflect on myself and make sure your precious son-in-law doesn’t feel even the slightest grievance, alright?”
Her mom huffed and poked her in the forehead again, but since it was New Year’s, she didn’t continue scolding.
So when they returned home after the New Year visit, Lin Yu looked helplessly at her husband and said, “Next year, I’m not allowed to go to my mom’s for New Year anymore.”
“What? Did I do something to upset your parents?”
Qi Xiangdong immediately got nervous and started going over his recent behavior. Nothing seemed wrong—he’d been on his best behavior! He’d helped in the kitchen when his father-in-law wanted to show off his cooking skills, prepped dumpling fillings for his mother-in-law, even the gifts they brought were well-received. In fact, his in-laws seemed reluctant to see him leave!
Lin Yu rolled her eyes and flopped onto the sofa. “My mom thinks I keep dragging you to my parents’ place for New Year, and it might make my father-in-law unhappy. She wants me to stay home and be filial.”
Qi Xiangdong: “……”
He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, and sighed. “Why don’t we just stay home and have our own New Year’s celebration next year…”
After a pause, he couldn’t help cursing, “That brat Qi Xiangnan—when is he going to stop being so stubborn?!”
It had been five years. Not only had he not seen his dad on New Year’s Eve, but even during other holidays, there was no sight of him. Their dad was so biased now it was ridiculous. A father, having to wait on his son’s mood to live his life?! He couldn’t even sneak his dad over for a meal! What kind of nonsense was this?
The next year, Lin Yu used the excuse of staying home to celebrate with her father-in-law and made an early New Year visit to her parents.
“That’s the right thing to do. It’s not like we don’t see each other any other time—it doesn’t matter if you’re not here on New Year.”
Lin Yu chewed on dumplings and gave a half-hearted nod.
On New Year’s Eve, Qi Xiangnan’s house next door was lively and bustling, while their family of three felt like abandoned orphans—lonely and left out.
“Son, go on. Take these dumplings and give your grandpa a New Year’s greeting.”
Qi Xiaobao obediently walked to the table, picked up the big bowl of dumplings, and carefully made his way next door.
Shen Qinglan saw her little nephew coming over with the big bowl and quickly took it from him. “Xiaobao, you’re here! Good boy. Your grandpa made lots of dishes you love—stay and eat with us!”
Xiaobao lit up with joy—Grandpa’s food was always the best. Without a second thought, he totally forgot his poor old dad waiting for him to return with a message.
“Thank you, Auntie! Happy New Year!”
“Aiya, Happy New Year!”
Shen Qinglan returned to her chores. Xiaobao entered the kitchen and, seeing his grandpa and uncle still busy cooking, greeted them sweetly, “Grandpa, Uncle—Happy New Year!”
Qi Sheng turned around and saw his eldest grandson, smiling kindly.
“Xiaobao’s here. Hungry yet? Go outside and play with your little cousin—food will be ready soon.”
Qi Xiaobao got fed two fresh shrimp dumplings by his uncle, then gleefully ran outside to find his cousin.
Meanwhile, back at Qi Xiangdong’s house, the man—still waiting for his son—peeked out toward the house next door. He could hear the sounds of joyful laughter as his son played with his little cousin.
Qi Xiangdong’s mouth twitched. That little ungrateful rascal!
Lin Yu also came out to take a look, then turned to glance at her husband and said, “Hubby, do you think if I go over now, I can stay for New Year’s Eve dinner too?”
Qi Xiangdong glared at his heartless wife and snapped, “Get back inside. Isn’t the whole table of food at home enough for you to eat?!”
Nowadays, thanks to the secret tutoring he received from Qi Sheng and his own diligence and hard work, Qi Xiangnan had made a name for himself in the medical field in just a few years.
“Well done! If this treatment plan for the terminal illness proves successful, it will absolutely be a blessing for countless families!”
That year, Qi Xiangnan took on a young patient with late-stage lung cancer. He couldn’t bear to see such a young person suffer so much from illness, tormented and facing death.
So for the whole year, he frequently sought advice from Qi Sheng regarding the patient’s treatment plan. Thanks to the joint efforts of father and son, and with the patient and family’s consent, they implemented a new treatment approach that successfully pulled the patient back from the brink of death.
The remarkable outcome naturally drew the hospital’s attention. Even Qi Xiangnan’s father-in-law, Director Shen, took special note of the case and felt immensely proud to have such an outstanding son-in-law.
Qi Xiangnan smiled sheepishly, knowing well that the credit mainly belonged to his father. Still, successfully validating a more advanced treatment method made him, as a doctor, truly excited.
Qi Xiangnan’s medical journey continued. Qi Sheng was more than happy to pass on all his knowledge to his youngest son, inadvertently contributing to the advancement of domestic medicine. Qi Xiangnan’s latest medical papers even drew the attention and study of renowned international medical institutions.
By the time Qi Xiangnan was forty, he had become a world-renowned surgeon. Although he was highly successful in his career, his family situation still had unresolved issues.
One day after work, he returned home to find Qi Xiangdong bustling around in his kitchen.
“Little bro, you’re back! Go change your clothes—your big bro is cooking personally today, and it’s all your favorite dishes!”
Qi Xiangdong grinned ingratiatingly, making even Qi Xiaobao want to cover his face—his dad was really too much now…
Qi Xiangnan gave a mild “mm” in response, then went upstairs to change into casual clothes.
Qi Xiangdong peeked upstairs, then asked his father excitedly, “Dad, does this mean Xiangnan’s not kicking me out anymore?”
Qi Sheng chuckled at his overly cautious eldest son and said, “Aren’t you staying here now? Come on, one last dish to finish.”
Qi Xiangdong grinned and turned back to finish the last dish. After dinner, when he returned to his own home, he couldn’t help shedding two crocodile tears over his “hardships” of the past ten-plus years.
Qi Sheng lived a long life in this round—by the time he reached 105, he still only looked about eighty.
“Dad, slow down.”
Qi Xiangnan was in his eighties by then too. Following behind his father, one might easily mistake them for brothers.
“Oh? Tired already?”
Hearing his father tease him, Qi Xiangnan sulked and plopped down on a bench, refusing to get up no matter how much Qi Sheng called.
“This brat, throwing tantrums now…”
The father and son had just gone out for a walk when Qi Xiangnan quickly ran out of stamina and got frustrated.
“You said we’d walk together, but you’re walking so fast!”
“Alright, alright. I’ll slow down and walk with you.”
Watching his father patiently coax him, Qi Xiangnan finally stood up, held his father’s arm, and the two slowly walked home together.
A caregiver following behind was so touched by the scene, she snapped a photo of the pair’s backs framed by the setting sun.
To have loving parents accompany and dote on you even in old age—what a rare blessing in life!
Five years later, Qi Xiangnan lay on his hospital bed, gripping Qi Sheng’s hand. In his final moments, he finally voiced what had been buried in his heart for years: “Dad, thank you. It’s truly been an honor to be your son!”
Qi Xiangnan’s passing caused a sensation both at home and abroad. His remarkable achievements ensured his name and legacy would be enshrined in international medical history.
Little Bao’s Quotes:
Don’t bully your young, obedient siblings. Don’t be fooled by their apparent compliance—one day when they gain power, they’ll make you suffer with nowhere to complain and no way to explain!P.S.: A true story about Little Bao’s dad and uncle—no matter how powerful you become, misfortune still finds you in this kind of tragic end!
—From the unfortunate Little Bao who got caught in the crossfire.
When regretful parents lament their missed dreams or frustrations, trying to comfort them or even just staying nearby could trigger the “Son/Daughter, you have to live up to your parents!” permanent buff.From that moment on, your life has a purpose, and your shoulders bear the weight of hope!
—From Big Bao, finally done with school, finally graduated with a PhD.
If you have a family elder whose word carries weight—cherish them! Respect them! Adore them! Let your filial piety move them!Then you will receive: a “get out of jail free” card and a sacred sword of authority. In desperate situations, they will work wonders!
—From Free Big Bao, who doesn’t want to be immediately conscripted post-graduation.
Friends, this is the true meaning of life. May you grasp it well!
Returning once again to the system space, Qi Sheng—having purified his emotions—rushed excitedly to the system mall. Soul Space, I’ve waited for you so long!
Qi Sheng didn’t hesitate. Without even blinking, he spent the 200 hard-earned points. After a successful purchase, he clearly felt a new, independent space deep in his soul. Curious, he entered it using his mind.
The space wasn’t large, around ten mu (about 1.6 acres). There was a spring, but Qi Sheng couldn’t locate its source—clearly a unique feature of the space.
Aside from the empty land, there was only a small wooden cabin. Qi Sheng explored it thoroughly. At first, he was disappointed it was only about 20 square meters. But after a while, he discovered that time inside was actually frozen!
This discovery thrilled Qi Sheng. 277 popped in, excited too, and congratulated him: “Host, your luck is amazing! This is an ultra-rare Life Space! Without phenomenal luck, it’s impossible to buy!”
Qi Sheng blinked. “Wait, does that mean the system mall other hosts see is different from mine?”
“Most basic items are the same, but rare treasures like this are randomly generated at binding, just for you. Like your 200-point Life Space—others at the same tier might not see it at all. Not that they can’t get it, but it might cost way more.”
Qi Sheng understood now. That 200-point tier only had one product—like a special offer, a reward for each host. Looking at the Life Space in his mind, Qi Sheng felt immensely satisfied. With this, completing missions would be so much easier, especially in ancient or primitive worlds where resources were scarce and survival was tough.