Chapter 4

Dad’s company is an e-commerce company, which mainly provides import and export services for several large domestic and foreign companies. It is located near the Innovation Industrial Park in the High-tech Zone. The company is not far from home. I walked along Line 2 out of the West Bus Station subway station and walked for about ten minutes to reach Dad’s company.

The company is not big, with an office building on one floor and about fifty employees. I used to come here occasionally, so I knew some familiar faces. I didn’t want to attract people’s attention after I got up from the elevator, so I went straight into my father’s office.

I pushed open the door and saw my father sitting on an office chair in a business suit with a laptop in front of him. He was concentrating on working on the computer. He should be busy at the moment, so I didn’t disturb him after I came in. Instead, I sat on the sofa next to him and played with my phone.

My father turned his head and glanced at me through his glasses. He found that it was me, so he didn’t get up to greet him, but continued to look at the computer. He moved the mouse in his hand and tapped the keyboard from time to time. This continued for a few minutes before he spoke to me casually, “Why didn’t you tell me in advance...”

While chatting with Sophia on WeChat, I replied indifferently, “I was in a hurry on the road and didn’t think about it. Besides, it’s not like I don’t know the way.”

“The college entrance examination scores have come out. Have you decided which school to go to and what major to choose?”

It has been several days since the college entrance examination scores came out. It is time to fill in the application form. Because my father is really busy and he left home a few days ago, he also asked me about the application out of concern.

I was afraid that my father would not ask, because I had not told him about studying abroad, so I wanted to hear his thoughts. Now that my father asked, and I had already discussed these things with my mother, there was no need to hide it, so I told my father the situation, “Dad, if I choose to study abroad, is it okay? With my grades, I can go to a good school abroad, and I can broaden my horizons and gain more knowledge, so that I will have more opportunities in the future...”

My father was similar to my mother, and was also a little surprised. He stopped his work, closed his notebook, stood up and walked to me, “Dad doesn’t object to your idea, but studying abroad is not a joke. It not only depends on grades, but also on the future...” Dad said very seriously and caringly, “Have you decided which country to study in?”

“If I decide to study abroad, I may go to the University of Toronto in Canada. I heard that the environment there is good and the academic atmosphere is strong...” I looked at my father and answered truthfully, hoping that he would agree with my idea. After all, my mother is his wife. I have dirty fantasies about her every day when I stay at home, and I always feel that I have let my father down, so let me study abroad.

“Well, it’s the best school in Canada. If you decide to go, Dad has no objection. And the company just signed a contract with a Canadian multinational company recently. Business needs may require me to stay in Canada for a while. But, have you told your mother about this?”

“I have already told my mother. She doesn’t agree, but she didn’t say that I can’t go abroad. I will talk to her patiently later.” Dad is not as hesitant as Mom. He is open-minded about my studying abroad. I told him about my own affairs and of course did not delay the business. Telling him about studying abroad is just one of the things. There is another thing tonight that needs Dad’s approval.

At first I thought he was quarreling with mom and would be unfriendly to me, but dad didn’t do that. He spoke to me in a relaxed and caring manner, so I took the opportunity to say to dad, “Dad, mom has made an appointment with my head teacher and substitute teacher tonight and wants to treat them to a thank-you dinner. The restaurant has been booked. Come with me later.”

As an old married couple, dad and mom have been quarreling for two days. I thought dad would agree readily, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he lowered his head to think for a while, then stomped his feet and walked a few steps in the room before turning back. His expression kept changing, as if he was preparing to organize some words. After a long time, he raised his head and said with difficulty, “Victor, I plan to divorce your mother...”

Noticing that my face turned very bad in an instant, my father also knew that this was cruel, and quickly added, “Son, although I have decided to divorce your mother, don’t worry, I will still love you, and I believe your mother will do the same.”

“No! Dad, I don’t want you to divorce Mom. I hope you can reconcile as before. You are lying to me, right?”

My father decided to divorce Mom. This was undoubtedly like a bolt from the blue, which made me unacceptable. I admit that I did not do well as a son, and even secretly hoped that my parents would have a rift so that I could take advantage of my mother, but when it really came, I was at a loss. I don’t know if I was hysterical. I even pulled my father’s sleeve while screaming, wanting him to change his decision. People say that children are always hurt in broken marriages. This is true. I am just a high school graduate, and I still haven’t been able to face it maturely.

Dad saw my sad face, he came over and held my shoulders, patted me on the back, his face looked sad, and then said in a deep tone, “Dad knows that you can’t accept it, so I didn’t tell you in advance, but called you to the company to tell you in person, although this decision is difficult to make, but this time Dad really intends to divorce...”

Dad didn’t give me a chance to interrupt, he moved his throat and continued to say something. He talked about some good things about mom, their marriage and life, and many things after I was born, of course, this time’s things were also mentioned, and finally sighed, “You have just become an adult, Dad is afraid that you can’t accept it in your heart, and afraid that you will be hurt, so I don’t know how to start, but you are not young this year, so I’d better bring it up earlier...”

Dad said a lot of nagging, just because he was afraid that I would not accept it, but I really couldn’t accept it in my heart. This really surprised me, and mom actually forgave dad, I really don’t understand why dad is still like this, so I feel a little resentful in my heart.

“Dad, since you have made up your mind, it may be useless for me to say anything more. As the saying goes, a forced melon is not sweet. I just hope that you and mom can get together and part ways in peace...” What I am most worried about now is actually mom, so I said, “This way you can be worthy of mom.”

Dad certainly heard my complaints, and he said, “Victor, I know I may not be a very qualified father in your eyes. I usually spend very little time with you, so it is understandable that you have complaints about me in your heart, but you should also understand Dad’s difficulties. Besides, it is actually good for your mother to file for divorce now. She is still young now, do you understand?”

Of course I understand. Dad’s meaning is nothing more than that mom can find someone else after the divorce. In the final analysis, he just doesn’t trust mom. I suddenly began to feel sorry for mom. This dad is a thousand good things, but he just doesn’t understand mom. Mom is the kind of person who is artistic and delicate. She even dislikes her own laziness. With mom’s personality, how could she find someone else to entrust her life to?

But then again, my father was also patient and restrained. Since we were going to separate, we just talked it out. This was very different from those couples who got divorced after a fight.

“After you divorce mom, who will I go with?” I thought more openly, wiped the marks on my face, and asked a more important question.

“Of course you follow me. If you choose to study abroad, I will do my best to support you. This is something useful for you. I believe your mother will not object to this arrangement.”

Dad said sincerely, but I still asked, “If I follow you, what will happen to your mother?”

“You are still closer to your mother...” Dad was a little jealous, and then showed an expression that reassured me, “Don’t worry, as the saying goes, a husband and wife for a day will have a hundred days of grace. Your mother is not easy, so I will not treat her badly. Dad is going to leave the house to your mother, so that her future life will be guaranteed...” But after saying this, Dad also revealed the cunning side of a man, “Of course, the premise is that you have to follow me.”

I am a boy. In such a society, traditional concepts are still very deep. I and Dad, this is where he will not compromise.

Dad was probably still worried that I would think too much, so he continued to persuade and comfort me, “Don’t be sad, although Dad and your mother are divorced, we don’t abandon you, we still love you. As for your mother, don’t worry if you can’t speak up, I will speak to her myself...”

“Samuel, the meeting is about to start, everyone is waiting for you in the conference room.” The door rang and opened a little. It was Dad’s secretary Olivia, who came to ask Dad to go to the meeting.

Dad waved to her and asked her to go first, and indicated that he would be there soon. When the door was closed again, Dad gently touched my head, “Dad is very busy recently, Dad will not go to the teacher appreciation banquet tonight. Dad has bought the gifts for you and put them in the lobby downstairs. Don’t forget to bring them to the teachers when you leave. They have worked hard to teach you so well. You must remember them and don’t forget to say thank you to them...”

Dad was busy, and I was embarrassed to disturb him again. At this time, I was eager to return to my mother, so I looked up and said to Dad, “Dad, then I will go back first.”

“Well, go ahead. I believe my son has grown up. This matter still can’t defeat you.” Dad said and returned to his notebook. He should be preparing for his meeting.

What I thought was that this was not a matter of being defeated or not, but I was worried about my mother. What would happen if she knew that Dad wanted to divorce her? How sad and upset she would be. I felt that I was still in the sky when I came, and now I was suddenly thrown to the ground. I didn’t feel anything for a while.

I pushed open the door and went downstairs. It seemed as if God was playing a trick on me. I saw the sky was overcast and soon it started to thunder and rain. I stayed at my father’s place for a long time. It was already evening. I still had to go to the teacher’s appreciation banquet. My mother might have already arrived at the hotel to entertain the teachers, so I had to rush over even if I pretended to be calm.

In the corner of the hall, I saw the things my father had bought. They were fruits and a few boxes of tea. They were not particularly expensive and there were no red envelopes. However, the teachers were not that kind of people, and the current school regulations were relatively strict. As long as you didn’t come empty-handed, it was more appropriate to give these things.

My father has always been very proper in dealing with people. He is a relatively stable person and a qualified father, but I am indescribably disappointed with him on this issue with my mother. I looked at the rain outside through the glass window of the hall alone, lowered my head and thought for a moment, and my WeChat voice rang. It was my mother calling.

As soon as I answered the phone, I heard my mother’s slightly anxious voice from the other end, “Victor, why haven’t you arrived yet? The teachers are already here.”

I subconsciously checked the time. It was already six o’clock. If I add the time spent on the road, it would indeed be a little later to arrive at the hotel. My mother never likes me to procrastinate or be late. I was afraid that she would be anxious, so I quickly replied to her, “Mom, please entertain my teacher first. I’m already outside and will take a taxi right away.”

“Well, and...” After hearing what I said, my mother hesitated on the phone. She seemed a little embarrassed. After a pause, she said a little stiffly, “Don’t forget to ask him to bring some gifts on the way. There are so many thank-you banquets for teachers in this restaurant. It’s not good to have nothing in your hands.”