After The Divorce, My Dad Was Abused and Cried - Chapter 40

“This isn’t my fault. He came over and provoked me first, I just couldn’t hold back and gave him a beating,” Jian Tiantian defended herself righteously.

But after a moment, her confidence wilted.

“But that guy was so spineless, he actually said he’d tell the teacher. Then the teacher will call Mommy again.”

“Mommy already told me last time, if I cause trouble at school again, she’ll send me back to Country M.”

“When that happens, you won’t be able to see me anymore.”

“I’d be all alone in Country M, lonely and pitiful, just waiting every day for you guys to come back.”

“Just thinking about it feels so sad…” Jian Tiantian said, pulling a little handkerchief out of nowhere and dabbing at her eyes.

“Y-you… don’t cry.” Xi Xiaoyan panicked immediately—the one thing he couldn’t stand was seeing girls cry.

Hearing Jian Tiantian sniffle made him even more flustered.

“But you don’t have to worry about me. You just stay here and follow Mommy for your treatment. I’ll be fine by myself in Country M.”

“At most… I’ll just be unable to eat, unable to sleep, maybe lose a dozen pounds…”

“Other than that, it’s nothing.” Jian Tiantian’s voice trembled as she sniffled again.

“No! I won’t let Mommy send you back!” Xi Xiaoyan couldn’t withstand that kind of emotional blow and surrendered immediately.

“Really?” Jian Tiantian instantly looked up at him, her big eyes shining—without the slightest trace of tears.

Xi Xiaoyan froze.

Wait… was he hallucinating just now?

“I’m telling you, this is something you promised me. It doesn’t go against your principles, so you can’t go back on your word!” Jian Tiantian said firmly, afraid he might change his mind.

Xi Xiaoyan: “…”

“A man’s word is his bond. What I say, I’ll stick to!” Xi Xiaoyan declared boldly.

“That’s my good little brother!” Jian Tiantian smiled and patted his head.

She’d thought she’d need to put in more effort to get him to agree.

Unexpectedly, this time it was so easy.

Her little Yan was much easier to trick than before.

Meanwhile, Xi Xiaoyan was still basking in the warmth he thought she’d given him—completely unaware he’d just been scammed.

“So, Xiao Yan, how are you planning to persuade Mommy?” Jian Tiantian asked lightly.

“Persuade Mommy?” Xi Xiaoyan blinked.

“Of course. Didn’t you just promise you wouldn’t let Mommy send me back to Country M?”

“I…” Xi Xiaoyan was suddenly at a loss.

Although goddess-sis was soft and gentle, when she got angry, she was terrifying.

“Maybe… we could look at this from another angle,” Xi Xiaoyan’s mind raced.

“Another angle? What angle?” Jian Tiantian didn’t get it.

“Why does Mommy want to send you back? Isn’t it because you got into another fight at school?” Xi Xiaoyan crossed his legs, speaking seriously.

“Yes.”

“Exactly. So we need to solve the root of the problem!” Xi Xiaoyan announced firmly.

But Jian Tiantian still didn’t understand and just stared at him.

“Just trust me. I promise I’ll handle this perfectly for you!” Xi Xiaoyan grinned brightly.

“……”

—

An hour later.

Outside the kindergarten.

Jian Tiantian and Xi Xiaoyan stood waiting.

Suddenly, a chubby figure appeared in Jian Tiantian’s line of sight.

“He’s here!” Jian Tiantian whispered to Xi Xiaoyan.

Xi Xiaoyan followed her gaze.

Oh.

That kid was solid.

But right now, that chubby white face was covered in bruises.

And with a few Pleasant Goat cartoon band-aids stuck on top, he looked even more comical.

“What do you want from me? You even brought backup? Do you want to beat me up again?” the chubby boy stopped ten meters away, glaring warily at her.

“Why are you standing so far away? I’m not gonna hit—” Jian Tiantian instinctively took a step forward.

The chubby boy flinched and scrambled back several steps.

So she stopped.

“Say what you want, otherwise I’m going back to do homework.” The chubby boy rubbed his still sore eyes.

He was really down on his luck this time.

Not only had a girl broken his nose…

When he got home, his dad gave him another beating.

Said getting bullied by a girl was humiliating!

And piled him with martial arts training drills.

It was suffering worse than eating bitter herbs!

Jian Tiantian wasn’t good at negotiations, so she turned to look at Xi Xiaoyan for help.

Catching her SOS signal, Xi Xiaoyan cleared his throat with exaggerated seriousness, puffed up his chest, and strutted toward the chubby boy like some kind of mafia boss.

“W-what do you want?” the chubby boy asked nervously, assuming Xi Xiaoyan was her backup muscle.

Xi Xiaoyan slid a hand into his pocket.

“Don’t hit me!” The chubby boy instantly raised his hands to cover his head.

But the next second, Xi Xiaoyan pulled out a thick wad of cash.

The scene fell silent.

The chubby boy stared in disbelief.

What… what was this?

“Xiao Yan, what are you doing?” Jian Tiantian was stunned too.

“This is compensation for your medical expenses. From now on, we’re even.” Xi Xiaoyan lifted his chin proudly, full of arrogance.

Jian Tiantian: “……”

Chubby boy: “……”

“What’s wrong? Not enough?” Seeing no reaction, Xi Xiaoyan raised a brow and pulled out another wad of cash.

“This should be enough, right?”

Jian Tiantian finally snapped out of it and covered her face with her hands.

She couldn’t bear to watch.

“What? Still not satisfied? Fine, I’ll add two more stacks!” Xi Xiaoyan said, taking out two more bundles and stuffing them all into the chubby boy’s arms.

The chubby boy stood frozen, clutching the fortune, completely dazed.

“You’ve taken the money, so keep your mouth shut!”

“And one more thing—she’s my person. From now on at school, you’d better treat her with respect. Benefits will come your way if you behave, got it?”

Xi Xiaoyan crossed his arms, chin raised high, looking down at the chubby boy with utter arrogance.

He radiated peak middle-school-drama energy.

Jian Tiantian shut her last sliver of exposed eye behind her hands.

She really couldn’t watch anymore!

How had she not noticed before—underneath their Little Yan’s serious exterior…

Was hiding such a hopelessly cringey, over-the-top heart?!

Those lines—weren’t they straight out of those tacky prime-time soap operas where domineering CEOs declare ownership?

Hadn’t he always hated those?

Why was he delivering them so smoothly now?!