Chapter 338: From Disdain to Scrambling
In the hospital room, Chu Xiaoxiao's emotions were incredibly complex. She had just met her biological father, whom she had never seen before.
But this father was very cold towards her, not even wanting to acknowledge her as his biological daughter.
Although she had no impression or feelings for this biological father since childhood, her mood was still a bit down. For a child, the feeling of not being acknowledged by their biological father is indeed very distressing.
Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang had not given up on persuading Xiaoxiao to come home.
They had no choice; to them, Xiaoxiao is undoubtedly a money tree now. The decision they made back then to have Xiaoxiao leave school and get married was to raise medical expenses for their son. Although Xiaoxiao neither got married nor left school, they still obtained a considerable amount of medical expenses.
This made them realize that only with Chu Xiaoxiao by their side could they continue to use her to get money in the future.
"Xiaoxiao, you also saw how indifferent your biological father is to you. He simply won't acknowledge you, so drop this idea," said He Meifang.
Chu Yuanhang added, "I know what you're thinking, meeting your biological father makes you want to go to the Chu Family, thinking we're too poor, right? But I still advise you to drop that idea, Chu Haotian absolutely will not let you return to the Chu Family."
He Meifang said, "Besides us, no one will take you in; you won't have a home."
"You can't just live in school forever, can you? We've already apologized for our previous actions. I hope you don't go too far. Unless you want to be homeless forever!" Chu Yuanhang said.
Chu Xiaoxiao stared at them as they exchanged words back and forth.
"Are you finished? Now it's my turn. Do you think I'll forgive you just like that? Not so easily! You forced me to drop out of school, forced me to marry someone I don't like. You're unworthy of being my parents!"
Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang exchanged a glance, both showing a bit of displeasure.
"You ungrateful child, just listen to what you're saying. At the end of the day, I am your mother. I naturally have the right to decide important matters like your marriage," He Meifang said.
Chu Yuanhang snorted coldly, "Exactly, if it weren't for that teacher interfering, you would have been married off, and you wouldn't have had the right to refuse. If you continue to be stubborn and refuse to come home, then we won't recognize you as our daughter in the future!"
He Meifang added, "If you don't want to come back to this home, then don't come at all; your brother won't have you as a sister."
Chu Xiaoxiao's face changed. She was utterly disappointed with her parents, even if it meant severing ties with them; she wouldn't miss it. However, she could not abandon her sibling relationship with Chu Xiaoming. In this matter, Chu Xiaoming was innocent, and their sibling relationship had always been very close.
Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang knew the bond between her and Chu Xiaoming was strong, so using this to threaten Chu Xiaoxiao was somewhat shameless.
Chu Xiaoxiao's body shook with anger. They had indeed hit her weak spot.
Seeing Chu Xiaoxiao remain silent, Zhu Yuanhang chuckled, thinking they had succeeded, and Chu Xiaoxiao would have no choice but to go back with them, becoming their money tree.
He Meifang smiled and said, "That's the way, isn't it? You're not going back to school, stay with Xiaoming, accompany Xiaoming, and then we'll all go home together."
Chu Yuanhang smiled triumphantly. He was convinced that Chu Xiaoxiao would eventually go back with them because, firstly, she had nowhere else to go, and secondly, she couldn't bear to leave Chu Xiaoming.
"Sister, come home with me, be with me, okay?" Chu Xiaoming pleaded.
For Chu Xiaoming, nothing else mattered; he just wanted his sister to come home.
"I..."
Chu Xiaoxiao was also struggling internally. She didn't want to return to that house because it hurt her too deeply, and she couldn't find it in her heart to forgive. No matter what, she didn't want to go back.
What they said, however, was partly true—if she gave up on that home, she would be truly homeless. Moreover, if they wouldn't let her see her brother in the future, she couldn't accept that either.
Chu Xiaoxiao was wrestling with these thoughts.
"How dare you shamefully ask her to go back and be your servant after what you've done to her!"
Suddenly, a voice spoke, and Chu Haotian walked in with his hands behind his back. His face was sullen, full of displeasure, and he glanced angrily at Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang.
Everyone turned their eyes towards Chu Haotian, somewhat surprised, as they didn't expect him to say such things—was Chu Haotian speaking up for Chu Xiaoxiao?
Chu Haotian glared coldly at Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang, snorting, "I already know the kind of people you are. That day Princess Yu already told me everything. How dare you treat my daughter like this? You must be tired of living!"
Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang were shocked by these words too—what on earth had gotten into Chu Haotian?
Chu Haotian quickly moved to Chu Xiaoxiao's side. His expression softened instantly, and in a gentle voice, he said, "Xiaoxiao, I'm sorry for treating you unfairly. It's all my fault, and I haven't been there for you all these years. Honestly, I've always thought of you, just couldn't come see you. Now, I know I was wrong. You're my daughter, so please give me a chance to make up for the grievances you've suffered."
Chu Xiaoxiao looked at Chu Haotian in surprise; she never expected such words to come from him. She thought Chu Haotian didn't care at all about having this biological daughter.
The fact is, this was the first time she had ever seen her biological father in her entire life; if Chu Haotian had cared even a little about her, he wouldn't have avoided seeing her all these years.
"Wh-what are you saying?" Chu Xiaoxiao curiously asked.
Chu Haotian said, "I mean, Xiaoxiao, I've made up my mind; I want to bring you back to the Chu Family. You're my daughter, and I won't let you suffer anymore."
"Wh-why?" Chu Xiaoxiao's voice quivered slightly as she asked.
The fact that Chu Haotian wanted to bring Xiaoxiao back to the Chu Family stunned Chu Yuanhang and He Meifang.
He Meifang couldn't help but ask, "Chu Haotian, what exactly is your plan?"
They certainly didn't know how much Chu Haotian wanted Xiaoxiao to come home, considering she might be in a relationship with Lin Fan, Yun City's new richest man. The richest son-in-law was something he couldn't miss.
As for whether he actually felt any genuine affection for Chu Xiaoxiao, that was no longer important—Chu Xiaoxiao was merely a tool to him.
Chu Haotian said, "What plan could I have other than bringing Xiaoxiao, my daughter, home? It's only right."
He Meifang said, "No, something's off. All these years, you didn't care for this daughter at all, and now you want to take her back home? I've raised her this far without you doing a thing, and now you want to jump in and take her away from me?"
Chu Haotian laughed coldly, "I'm here to take her, so what? Xiaoxiao is now utterly fed up with you; do you think you can really keep her?"