Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - 3 Call Him Dad

"Xiao Jun, your sister is just worried that your dad might be hungry and afraid the food will get cold." Zhang Hualian's smile has been perpetual since hearing Tang Yue's words.

Originally, Zhang Hualian was planning to let the siblings eat first and wait for Tang Zhengde to come back and eat together.

But Tang Yue said, "He's working hard outside too. It's important for the whole family to wait and eat together."

The whole family!

Each time Zhang Hualian thought of Tang Yue's words, her mood felt lifted.

When Tang Yue was three, Zhang Hualian married Tang Zhengde. The following year, when Tang Yue was four, she gave birth to Tang Jun. Although Tang Yue was young and might not have understood things, she somehow always rejected Tang Zhengde.

Not until Tang Yue grew up and realized Tang Zhengde wasn't her biological father did she become even more defiant, never acknowledging him as part of their family. This attitude extended to Tang Jun as well, resulting in a cold front between the siblings, who seemed less like brother and sister and more like enemies.

"Okay." Tang Zhengde smiled broadly, showing concern. "Xiao Yue, you haven't fully recovered, you shouldn't go hungry. Have your meal, and if you're feeling unwell, tell mom."

Tang Zhengde's words conveyed both appeasement and caution.

Tang Yue looked at Tang Zhengde with the perspective of someone who's been through it, thinking, 'This is not how a stepfather act; he is being treated like a living ancestor!'

Tang Yue moved her lips, suddenly recalling the past life incident where Tang Zhengde died after being struck by a tree while earning money for her high school fees. Before his death, he had entrusted Zhang Hualian to ensure that Tang Yue could attend high school and college.

At that time, Tang Yue had already acknowledged Tang Zhengde in her heart. But over the past twenty-plus years, though she had called him "Dad" many times in front of his tombstone, she found it hard to utter it now in person.

It wasn't that she was unwilling, but rather she was embarrassed.

"Sit down and eat. Don't worry about the school fees; I'll figure something out," Tang Zhengde said reassuringly, thinking that Tang Yue was worried about not being able to continue her studies.

Tang Yue blurted out, "Dad."

After this "Dad" was uttered, she felt relieved and found it easier to say. "Dad, you've worked hard all day, have your meal. If there's not enough money for school, I can wait a year to attend. It's no big deal."

"You, you, called... me... Dad?" Tang Zhengde felt like he was walking on clouds, grinning from ear to ear and looking at Zhang Hualian as if he was hard of hearing and hadn't heard clearly. "Hualian, did Xiao Yue just call me Dad? Did I hear that wrong?"

"You didn't hear it wrong, Xiao Yue really called you," Zhang Hualian said reassuringly as she looked proudly at her daughter. "Zhengde, you treat Xiao Yue like your own daughter, and it's only right for her to call you Dad. Our Xiao Yue has finally grown up and become sensible."

Zhang Hualian felt that today was the happiest day in many years.

"Dad, just eat, okay? It's just a word 'Dad'. What's the big deal? I call you Dad every day anyway," Tang Jun said unhappily as he sat down at the dining table without any pretense, gobbling down his food as he spoke. "You treat her even better than you treat me, your own son. Even a stone from a latrine pit would eventually get warm and fragrant."

"Get out of here, who's a stone from a latrine pit." Zhang Hualian scolded, glaring at Tang Jun. "Do you have to talk like that about your own sister?"

"Humph." Tang Jun just buried his head in his meal, completely ignoring what Zhang Hualian said.

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