In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 55: The Weak Dad (1)

Qi Sheng was woken up by the voices coming from the living room. He got out of bed and, as expected, saw his wife, Lin Hui, entertaining guests. Qi Sheng walked over, shook hands briefly with the two people sitting on the sofa, then sat down across from them, looking at his wife curiously. “Who are they?”

“They’re Teacher Zhang and Teacher Wang from the Youth Management Training School. They’ve come specifically to pick up Xiao Jin today,” Lin Hui replied with a smile.

On the surface, Lin Hui seemed calm, as if the Youth Management Training School was just a prestigious middle school. However, knowing how things would develop, Qi Sheng could hardly hold back his anger. He cursed inwardly—what kind of parents would send their own child to such a hellish place?

After absorbing the memories of this world, Qi Sheng had already been disgusted once. Now, having to maintain a smiling face and act as if everything was normal was truly testing his acting skills.

The original Qi Sheng had been a high school math teacher at a fairly reputable public school in the city. His income wasn’t particularly high, but it was stable. In recent years, he had also started tutoring classes during holidays with other teachers to earn extra money. Combined with his wife Lin Hui’s salary—she was a hotel lobby manager and earned more than he did—their family of three lived a comfortable, middle-class life.

Qi Sheng had been very satisfied with this life. Orphaned at five when his parents died in a car accident, he was raised by his grandfather. After graduating, he secured a decent teaching job and married the girl he loved. Being able to take care of his grandfather in his old age and provide his wife and child with a stable life made Qi Sheng feel that his late parents must surely be blessing him from heaven.

But life is rarely smooth sailing, and not everyone is content with a simple, peaceful life.

After signaling Lin Hui several times without getting a response, Qi Sheng had no choice but to speak up: “Xiao Hui, why don’t we go inside and discuss it further?”

Suppressing her annoyance at her husband’s wavering, Lin Hui forced herself to remain calm. She couldn’t help thinking how blind and naive she must have been back then to choose such an indecisive, ambitionless man among all her suitors.

Lin Hui had once been a renowned beauty in her youth—the school’s celebrated flower. Pampered by her parents and those around her, she grew up never knowing hardship. When the pure, beautiful young girl met the gentle and handsome Qi Sheng, the school’s male heartthrob, Lin Hui believed she was incredibly lucky to have found such an enviable love.

She even persuaded her somewhat reluctant parents, turned down the wealthy and generous suitors, and resolutely married Qi Sheng.

She could still remember her mother repeatedly warning her before marriage: “That boy’s a good kid, but his conditions are really average. Marriage isn’t just about looks. If money wasn’t an issue, I’d support you a thousand percent. But, child, you have to understand, marriage isn’t just about two people being together; it’s about facing all kinds of everyday hardships. Many of those hardships can be solved with money. Why else do they say ‘poverty crushes love’?”

And her mother had added, “You’ve never suffered since you were a child. You’ve always been the best among your friends. Can you really stand watching them live better lives than you someday?”

Back then, Lin Hui had mentally refuted every word her mother said.

Poverty? How could it be considered poverty? Qi Sheng had a stable job with decent benefits. She had a good job too. Together they could surely build a good life! Besides, all her friends envied her for having such a wonderful boyfriend. Qi Sheng was gentle and considerate, always indulging her, surprising her with little romantic gestures, and cooking delicious meals for her.

For a girl who had lived her whole life in an ivory tower, marrying such a man seemed like the best decision she could ever make.

At that time, she firmly believed that marrying Qi Sheng was the happiest choice she could have made.

At the beginning of their marriage, life was indeed sweet. Financial pressure wasn’t too heavy, and her husband doted on her dearly. Even when she acted a little spoiled or willful, he would indulge her. They had a cute son who inherited both their good looks. Even when the boy got into mischief, Lin Hui only found him lively and adorable.

However, this happy life started to lose its shine when Lin Hui switched careers to become a hotel lobby manager.

People can’t help but compare themselves to others, especially someone like Lin Hui, who had always been outstanding.

Ever since she started working at a five-star hotel, she came into contact with countless socialites, wealthy women, and even escorts. Many of them were less attractive and less graceful than she was, yet they were adorned in luxury brands, carried limited edition bags, had luxury cars picking them up, and stayed in presidential or deluxe suites.

Slowly, Lin Hui began to feel resentful.

During those years, Qi Sheng’s grandfather’s health deteriorated, draining the family’s savings with hospital bills and medication. Their son was still young and expenses piled up. The family lived frugally, even shelving plans to buy Lin Hui a car.

Every time Lin Hui squeezed onto a crowded bus, putting up with the discomfort of packed passengers and sometimes even harassment from sleazy men, she couldn’t help but feel bitter about her situation.

Still, at that time, although she occasionally felt uncomfortable, she was willing to endure it for the family she had chosen—for her husband and son, whom she truly loved.

Lin Hui kept comforting herself like this, but at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling that it was her sacrifices that had made this warm and happy little family possible. So when facing Qi Sheng, she naturally felt justified in acting willful and throwing tantrums.

Fortunately, Qi Sheng truly was a good-tempered and patient person. He also somewhat understood the reasons behind his wife’s dissatisfaction and, feeling sorry for how hard she worked outside the home, mostly tolerated and indulged Lin Hui’s bad moods.

Qi Sheng could tolerate his wife’s increasingly bad temper, but their son, who had been pampered since childhood, could not. Especially since Qi Jin had unfortunately not inherited either of his parents’ academic prowess. From elementary school onward, his grades had always been mediocre.

At first, when Lin Hui saw that her son’s grades were poor, she would patiently tutor him. But the little boy was still immature—he loved to fool around and didn’t study properly. After several rounds of mother-son battles that involved chasing, scolding, and dodging, Lin Hui simply handed over the responsibility for his grades to her husband.

However, even as a teacher himself, Qi Sheng was helpless when it came to improving Qi Jin’s grades. The usually good-tempered man had even resorted to physically disciplining his son. But the tough little rascal would forget a beating as soon as it was over and showed no understanding of his parents’ anxieties.

Lin Hui, being highly competitive in everything, naturally hoped that her son could also be praised by others like she was as a child. Unfortunately, Qi Jin’s grades only made her the object of other parents’ pity and the class teacher’s criticism. In the end, she felt too embarrassed to even attend parent-teacher meetings anymore, even if her husband really couldn’t make it.

As a good-tempered husband and father, Qi Sheng constantly mediated between mother and son. He advised his wife not to get so angry about their son’s grades, saying, “There are outstanding people in every profession. If our son isn’t good at studying, we can enroll him in more hobby classes. Maybe he’ll show talent in something else.” He also taught their son to study diligently, while encouraging him to try different hobbies, insisting he must not deliberately misbehave in class.

With Qi Sheng acting as a gentle mediator, the relationship between Lin Hui and their son gradually improved. Unfortunately, life seemed determined to make things difficult for Lin Hui. After trying out many hobbies, Qi Jin finally found the one thing he was truly passionate about—video games!

Seeing that her husband was determined, Lin Hui had no choice but to get up and follow him into the bedroom. However, the smile she had just forced onto her face instantly disappeared. “What is there left to discuss? We’ve already paid the tuition fees! And with the way Xiao Jin is now, do you really think you can manage him?”

Qi Sheng patiently tried to coax her: “I’ll keep a closer eye on him from now on. No matter what, Xiao Jin is still just a child. If we teach him patiently, he’ll come around eventually.”

“I’ve been reflecting on our past approach. We’ve always forced him to study, leaving him no free time at all. That’s why he had to rebel by cutting classes to play games. Look, if we properly balance his study and leisure time, maybe the little guy will actually listen.”

Looking at her husband’s expectant face, Lin Hui found it laughable. “Studying is his own responsibility. Do we need to coax him into doing it? Giving him more time to play games will just make him even more addicted! Do you see the result of your ‘guidance’ over the years? Skipping classes, hanging out with delinquent youths, playing games all day, talking back to elders, and even running away from home! What kind of child behaves like that? It’s because you spoil him! Don’t think I don’t know—you always sneak around comforting him after I discipline him!”

Lin Hui felt increasingly disappointed in her son. Especially after attending her class reunion recently, the long-suppressed emotions finally erupted.

Her husband—what did he have besides good looks and a good temper? A career and income so stagnant they were foreseeable for a lifetime. Lin Hui had already given up hoping for anything more from him. As for her son, his grades were mediocre, he had no special talents, and he simply couldn’t be compared to other people’s children!

On the way home after the reunion, Lin Hui couldn’t help curling up inside the car and sobbing. She had always been proud of herself, but now her life was not only ordinary—it was a complete mess! When people asked about her son’s grades, Lin Hui’s pride was shattered. Thinking of how those who had once envied her now looked at her with ambiguous expressions, Lin Hui furiously slammed the steering wheel.

It was exactly this class reunion that made Lin Hui determined to take strict control over her son.

Qi Jin had always been a resilient child and had grown used to her constant scoldings. Ordinary punishments had little effect on him. After a beating, he would still sneak off to play games. He even managed to find substitutes for his tutoring classes. If she hadn’t secretly gone to check on him one day, she wouldn’t have even known he was playing such tricks.

Frustrated and at her wits’ end, Lin Hui learned about a special high school in the city through a casual conversation with a colleague: the Youth Management Training School. After extensively investigating the school’s situation, she was tempted.

Strict, militarized management!

This made Lin Hui see hope in her despair. Without discussing it with her husband, she directly enrolled their son.

Lin Hui wasn’t worried that her husband would oppose it either. After all, he had always been soft-tempered. A few more rounds of persuasion and sweet-talking, and he would agree. Besides, the tuition had already been paid—he had no choice.

Hearing his wife’s harsh assessment of their son, Qi Sheng couldn’t help defending him: “Our son isn’t as bad as you say! When you scold him, he never talks back. It was only because you insisted on sending him to that kind of school and scared him that he rebelled and ran away. You saw it yourself when I disciplined him yesterday—he’s truly frightened this time! You’ve seen the news online too. Kids sent to those schools often suffer abuse! Who would willingly send their child there?”

Lin Hui grew impatient: “How many times do I have to tell you? I’ve thoroughly investigated that school. They don’t punish children for no reason. If that brat doesn’t misbehave, no one will punish him! Besides, we’re not the only family sending a child there. How many real incidents have you heard of?”

Seeing that Qi Sheng remained unmoved, Lin Hui became angry. “What’s wrong with you today? Look at how you’ve spoiled him. He doesn’t even fear you! This time is perfect—he’s scared before even entering the school. Maybe after a year inside, he’ll finally settle down and focus on his studies. Let’s just let him stay there for a year. If he behaves well, we can transfer him back.”

Lin Hui was getting impatient. Her husband had always been soft-hearted. Even with the teachers already at their home to pick up their son, he was still hesitating, lacking any masculine decisiveness!

Unfortunately for Lin Hui, today Qi Sheng seemed determined to show her what “masculine decisiveness” meant.

Facing his wife’s stubbornness and anger, Qi Sheng didn’t back down as he usually did. Instead, he firmly said, “I won’t agree to send our son to that kind of school. I’ll go tell those two outside right now that our son isn’t going. As for the tuition we paid, consider it compensation for them.”

After speaking, he turned to leave the bedroom.

Lin Hui grabbed him furiously, absolutely livid. “Didn’t we already agree on this? How can you go back on your word now? Can’t you act like a man for once?”

When Lin Hui first told Qi Sheng her plan, Qi Sheng strongly opposed it. Their conversation happened to be overheard by Qi Jin. Having spent a lot of time online, Qi Jin had heard about this type of “youth management and training school.” After learning that his mother wanted to send him there, he specifically looked up information about it. But the more he researched, the more terrified he became. How could that place be called a school? It was practically a torture camp for kids!

Qi Jin couldn’t accept that his own mother wanted to push him into such a hellhole. Furious, he confronted Lin Hui directly. But seeing her son yelling at her only made Lin Hui even more determined to send him away for “proper reformation.”

Qi Sheng tried to comfort his wife and coax his son, but ended up pleasing neither side.

The three of them were stuck in a stalemate for a few days. One evening, when Qi Sheng came home an hour earlier than usual, he caught his son secretly packing a suitcase and hiding a bus ticket to Haishi. Qi Sheng, shocked and furious that his son would dare to run away, lost all hope. In his disappointment, he not only gave Qi Jin a severe beating but also agreed to his wife’s decision.

“A man? Fine. Let me tell you something too — as long as I’m here, no one is taking my son away, not today, not ever!”

Looking at her husband’s firm stance, Lin Hui laughed in anger. “I’m spending tens of thousands of yuan every year for his own good! You’re useless yourself and now you’re blocking your son’s future? Qi Sheng, I’m truly disappointed in you.”

Hearing his wife’s harsh judgment, Qi Sheng couldn’t hold back his anger either. “Is that what you really think? Fine. I admit I’m not capable and I can’t give you a life of luxury. But no matter how much you despise me, don’t you dare ruin our son’s life!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I think!” Lin Hui snapped. “I’m sick and tired of a man like you, someone who’s always content with mediocrity! I can’t even imagine our son growing up to become some street thug. If you won’t agree to this, then let’s get a divorce!”

Blurting out what was in her heart made her feel an unexpected surge of exhilaration.

Qi Sheng went silent when he heard her mention divorce. Before he could say anything, Qi Jin, who had been eavesdropping outside, rushed in.

“Dad, please, I’m begging you! Don’t send me there! I’ll behave from now on, I swear!” Qi Jin dropped to his knees in front of Qi Sheng, clutching his father’s leg desperately.

He was truly terrified now. Locked in his room earlier, he had even thought about jumping out the window. After managing to pry the door open, he’d been overjoyed to hear that his father might be regretting sending him away. But hearing his mother talk about divorce, he knew he couldn’t just stand by — if he didn’t act now, his father might give in again.

Qi Sheng’s heart ached seeing his son’s terrified, pleading face. He quickly helped him up and reassured him, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m alive, no one will send you to that place.”

“Fine! Qi Sheng, then let’s divorce right now!” Lin Hui shouted, completely losing patience. She was utterly disappointed. She had done everything for her son’s future, yet to this father and son, she was the villain. She had had enough of this life!

Lin Hui marched over to the desk, turned on the computer, and began printing out a divorce agreement.

Seeing this, Qi Jin regretted all his past rebelliousness. He rushed to apologize, “Mom, I’m sorry! Please don’t divorce Dad. I’ll listen to you from now on! I’ll study hard and never play video games again!”

But Lin Hui had already made up her mind. She didn’t even care about his promises. “From now on, you’ll stay with your dad. Whether you study or not, that’s between you two. I won’t interfere anymore.”

She didn’t even look at him again, no matter how much he pleaded. She had finally decided to leave — why waste her life on an ungrateful husband and son?

Qi Sheng watched his wife’s cold behavior without speaking. Instead, he got up and walked into the living room. Facing the two teachers still sitting there, he said with a cold face, “Please leave.”

The two teachers didn’t seem surprised by the drama. Instead, one of them explained patiently, “Mr. Qi, I think you may have misunderstood our school. We are a formal, closed, military-style educational institution. The rules are strict, yes, but everything is for the good of the children. You can rest assured — if you entrust your son to us, in three years, you’ll have a brand-new, outstanding young man!” Teacher Wang said confidently, clearly proud of their school’s philosophy.

But Qi Sheng didn’t soften. Three years? In the plot he knew, it would only take one year — after suffering unbearable abuse, Qi Jin would commit suicide by slitting his wrists. After Qi Jin’s death, Lin Hui would secretly sell the family house and run off with most of the assets. The original owner of this body would be exposed online, cursed by countless people. After his real identity was dug out, he would be fired from his job, shamed everywhere he went, and even beaten multiple times by Qi Jin’s former friends. In the end, driven to despair, he would wander the streets, only to be hit by a car and killed.

A once warm family would be utterly destroyed because of this decision. Qi Sheng hated the original owner for failing to protect his child but despised those so-called “schools” even more for disguising abuse as education.

“No need. I’ll educate my son myself. Please leave.”

Seeing he was adamant, the two teachers, knowing they already had the initial deposit, didn’t push further and quietly left.

After they were gone, Qi Sheng turned to his son. “Go back to your room. I need to talk to your mother.”

“Dad…” Qi Jin rasped, worried.

“Be good. Dad will handle it.”

After calming his son down, Qi Sheng returned to the bedroom, facing his wife who was sitting coldly in her chair. He was no longer soft or cautious.

“I agree to the divorce. But the child stays with me.”

Lin Hui found it laughable how determined he was. She had sacrificed a cushy life to follow him, given him a son, managed the home — and now, just because she wanted to do what was best for their child, she was branded cruel and heartless!

Over the years, all the accumulated resentment had slowly eroded her love for Qi Sheng. Now that he agreed to divorce, she only felt relieved. She was truly done with this hopeless life.

“Fine. The child is yours. But I want the house, the car, and half of our savings — about 200,000 yuan. I don’t want you two ending up homeless, so I’m leaving you half. If you agree, we can get divorced today.”

Given all she had sacrificed, she felt she was fully entitled to these things.

Even though Lin Hui’s terms were harsh — practically leaving him with nothing — Qi Sheng didn’t hesitate. He agreed. But he reminded her coldly at the end, “From now on, the child has nothing to do with you.”

Lin Hui almost laughed. What’s he acting like the kid is some treasure for? She couldn’t wait to cut ties — the last thing she wanted was for some future delinquent to come calling her ‘Mom’ and asking for money.

After signing the papers, they didn’t linger. Following Lin Hui’s insistence, they first went to complete the property transfer procedures.

Originally, the house deed had both their names. Lin Hui feared Qi Sheng might change his mind, so she was eager to settle everything quickly. It was 2010 — house prices were skyrocketing, and this house was the most valuable asset they had.

Since it was a workday, Qi Sheng had been home only because it was summer vacation and his tutoring classes were already over. Lin Hui had taken leave from work, fearing her husband might back out.

Once everything was done, Qi Sheng looked at the freshly printed green property certificate and couldn’t help but joke bitterly to himself — First day in this world, and I’m already getting a divorce certificate. What an interesting start.