Reborn as a Tough Army Wife

Chapter 627 - 622: Pleading

On the day Luo Zhiming went to the provincial city, he didn’t seek out Luo Dashan; it was on the following day that he went to the bakery to wait for him.

As Zhou Yunmei went to ask Yu’er, and Yu’er ignored Zhou Yunmei, Luo Zhiming had no choice but to follow Zhou Yunmei’s instruction and wait at the entrance of the bakery.

Coincidentally, it was on that day that Luo Honglan and Fang Pingying had arranged to visit Juzi, whose due date was in January. During the New Year celebrations, she had been staying home and hadn’t gone out at all, so Fang Pingying and the others planned a visit together.

Anyway, Juzi was no stranger, so Fang Pingying and the others brought all their little ones along to play together. Luo Dashan wasn’t familiar with Juzi, and with the younger folks gathering, he wouldn’t join in, so after having the New Year’s meal at the Fang Family’s home, he left for his own home.

On his way back, he needed to pass by the Fang Family’s bakery, and when he saw Luo Zhiming at the storefront, Luo Dashan was stunned for quite a while.

Finally, when Luo Zhiming saw him and called out, he came to his senses.

Luo Dashan approached Luo Zhiming and saw him wearing only an old cotton jacket, huddled in a corner, shivering from the cold. His heart softened; no matter what, this was still his son.

He looked at Luo Zhiming and asked softly, "Zhiming, why have you come to the city at this time?"

Luo Zhiming rubbed his frostbitten hands and managed to squeeze out a faint smile at Luo Dashan, "Ever since you and my older brother stopped caring for the family, things have been tough at home. Mom asked me to go out to work, and I myself wanted to find a job in the city, thinking of earning money sooner by coming out early."

While speaking, Luo Zhiming’s voice trembled from the cold.

Luo Dashan looked at him, sighed softly, then nodded and said, "Looking for work is good; now you are the only man in the family, you need to be diligent."

After Luo Dashan spoke, they fell silent. Although he had not been harsh to Luo Zhiming, it was clear that the warmth that used to be there was gone. It was as if they were merely acquaintances, exchanging greetings in passing.

Luo Zhiming was aware in his heart that it was because of the incident involving the drugging that Luo Dashan still harbored a thorn in his side and had not forgiven him.

After a moment of silence, Luo Zhiming looked earnestly at Luo Dashan, "Dad, I’m sorry, the time with the drug, I really had no hand in it, I was just..."

Before he could finish, Luo Dashan waved him off, "Zhiming, let bygones be bygones, let’s not bring it up anymore. You are my son, and I know what kind of person you are."

Luo Dashan was well aware of the drugging incident. Xu He was the mastermind, Zhou Yunmei was an accomplice, and Luo Zhiming was also an accomplice, though he indeed knew the least about it. Moreover, if not for his timely call for assistance from Luo Dahu and Qiu Xiu, by Xu He’s words, if he had waited until the afternoon to be taken to the hospital, he probably would have already died.

He treated Luo Zhiming and Zhou Yunmei in such a manner, without a word against Xu He, because love can breed deep resentment.

Luo Zhiming was his own son, Zhou Yunmei was his wife; in theory, they should have been his closest kin. Their actions hurt him, caused sorrow, and he would not forgive them easily.

But to him, Xu He was nothing more than an unrelated outsider. If an outsiderwanted to harm him, it’d be nothing incomprehensible; at worst, there’d be no further dealings.

However, anger set aside and hatred aside, as Xu He’s father-in-law, Luo Dashan could completely ignore her well-being, even vowing never to see her again. As a husband, he could reject his unfeeling wife, but as a father, he would never abandon his own son.

Therefore, Luo Dashan didn’t say much more about the drugging. He just continued, "Since you’ve come to the provincial city, work hard. In the future, you’re going to be the support of the family; no one will help you anymore."

Luo Zhiming nodded. In fact, he had made up his mind this time; he wanted to start over and live like a normal man.

At the very least, he wanted to be able to support himself and his family with his own efforts, not like before, where he would act subservient before anyone he met, only knowing how to ask for money.

Although such days required no hard labor, the inner turmoil that came with being ridiculed and called useless was unbeknownst to others.

With these thoughts in mind, Luo Zhiming began to plead with Luo Dashan, "Dad, I have a favor to ask of you this time..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Dashan thought Luo Zhiming was going to ask for money, as he always did before. He sighed helplessly and thought to himself that his son was beyond help, but outwardly he just waved his hand to stop him, "I know, your mother called me the other day; it was about sending money back home, wasn’t it?"

Luo Zhiming immediately shook his head, "No, no, it’s not about money. I’m not sure what work to do in the city, and I haven’t been able to find a job. Could you ask my older brother to help me find something?"

Luo Dashan was somewhat surprised by Luo Zhiming’s request, as he had never seen him so proactive about finding work.

But speaking of Luo Zhiyong, he felt a bit troubled, "I’m afraid your older brother can’t help; he’s been out on a mission for several months, and he probably won’t be back for at least another six months. He can’t assist you."

In fact, Luo Dashan really wanted to find some work for Luo Zhiming, but with Luo Zhiyong not around, and knowing how the Fang Family held a deep grudge against Luo Zhiming, he certainly didn’t feel comfortable asking.

Luo Zhiming thought Luo Dashan was unwilling to help, so he immediately promised, "Then Dad, could you please ask my sister-in-law to help me find some work?"

If Fang Pingying were willing, given her abilities now, it would certainly be no problem to find Luo Zhiming some work. The difficulty lay in the fact that Fang Pingying, because of Luo Zhiming’s previous attempt to drug her children, harbored a deep-seated hatred and would definitely not agree.

Seeing Luo Dashan’s hesitation and thinking he was unwilling, Luo Zhiming immediately grabbed Luo Dashan’s hand and assured him, "Dad, I will truly work hard this time, I won’t fool around like before. I promise, as long as I can earn money, I’m willing to do anything."

"I..." Luo Dashan was still reluctant to agree because he really didn’t know whom to turn to for help.

"Dad, I only brought five yuan with me when I left home. If you don’t help me find some work, I might not even have the money for the fare back," Luo Zhiming said, nearly dropping to his knees to plead with Luo Dashan, "Dad, although I’m not as capable as my older brother, I’m still your own son. You won’t stand by and watch me starve to death."

Luo Dashan was at a loss, but in the end, he agreed, "This way, when your sister comes back, I will talk to her and see if she knows someone who can find you a job."

My dear friends, wishing you a safe and healthy Dragon Boat Festival.