She stood up, "Father, why are you here?"
"Of course to see you in your new place." Nan Guang glanced around the room. "So many books, can you finish reading? Jiaojiao, not that I want to criticize you. There are no scholars in our Nan family since ancient times. Don't over pretend to be one, you will be a laughing joke."
Nan Baoyi, "These are all Second brother's Books."
"Really? Ah, this book is not bad, [Vegetable Root], suitable for Jiaojiao!" Nan Guang pointed at the bookshelf seriously, "Jiaojiao, this recipe book talks about how to use vegetable roots to make delicious dishes, you should read it more. If you are free, you can learn some cooking skills from your sister."
Xiao Yi flipped a page in his book without looking up, "That is a book of quotes which combines the ideology of Buddhism and Confucianism, suitable for scholars to read."
It was actually not a recipe book…
Nan Guang's face turned red from blushing and stared at Xiao Yi fiercely.
Nan Baoyi wanted to laugh but she did not dare. She turned her face to a side, holding it in with difficulty.
Nan Guang wanted to save his face, tried to be wise and pointed to the bookshelf again, "This book is also not bad, [Spring Autumn], talking about the different sceneries in spring and autumn. Jiaojiao, you should read this when you are free and increase your knowledge!"
Xiao Yi: [Spring Autumn] is a history book describing the history of the first half of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty."
"Will you die if you don't say anything?!"
Nan Guang turned green and scolded him harshly. He turned around not wanting to see him.
He did not want to stay for long so he did not bother to talk in circles. He kindly took Nan Baoyi's hand, "Jiaojiao, how much money do you have? I'm a little tight recently, why don't you support me a little?"
Nan Baoyi's heart went cold.
She was curious as to why her father would suddenly come to find her. As it turned out, he needed money.
She blinked and said innocently, "Father, I used all my money to buy that inkstone."
"Nothing is left?"
"Nothing at all."
Nan Guang lamented, "You are still young so you don't know how to manage money. Like this, why don't you let me manage your dowry, in case you squander it away under other people's bad influence."
Nan Baoyi's eyes turned cold.
Her father was actually going after her dowry, he would be a laughing stock if the news was spread around!
She had not said anything when Xiao Yi closed his book and sneered, "What does Third Uncle mean by this?"
"No other meaning!" Nan Guang said forcefully, "As elders, we should help our children manage their dowry, isn't this reasonable? I am a man who has his pride and wouldn't spend a woman's money to purchase things. What do people in the streets call this kind of person? Adonis, yes, spending women's money is called an adonis!"
Nan Baoyi was furious at her father.
She was still trying hard to make nice with Xiao Yi and her father was doing the opposite, labeling Xiao Yi an 'Adonis' the minute he came in!"
"Father!" She pulled Nan Guang angrily to a side, "Tell me honestly, did Nan Yan influence you to come here?
With her father's brains, he would not think of touching her dowry.
Nan Guang said sternly, "So what if it's true? She is also thinking about me!"
Looking at Nan Baoyi pouting her lips unhappily, he tried to persuade her again, "Jiaojiao, your sister has been living outside all these years and it's not an easy life! Your Aunt Liu is poor and does not have extra money for her dowry. Your Grandmother also dislikes her, so she can only rely on you, her sister. You have to be understanding and help out your sister!"
Nan Baoyi smiled annoyingly, "How does she want me to help her?"
"Like this, you give her half of your dowry. Let me manage the shop and land deeds in your dowry. I'm only doing this for your own good, you have to understand father's good intentions!"
Nan Baoyi wanted to take a wooden club and beat her father's head!
In the previous life, the Nan family was framed by people and lost their status, a lot of money went to Madam Liu's pocket after that.
Besides Nan Yan having a position in the Cheng residence, Nan Yan's own brother Nan Jing became an official and so Madam Liu's status rose accordingly. In the end, even her father had to listen to Madam Liu.
She was bullied harshly in the Cheng residence and so she lamented tearfully to her father. Her father wanted to say a few words for her but Madam Liu dragged him back home before he could say anything.
Later on, she was sold to Chang An by Cheng Deyu. Before she left, she was fortunate enough to meet her father. He was not even forty and all his hair already turned white, looking deranged and filthy. He looked at her secretly from a willow tree.
She walked over and he took out some candy from his pocket, saying that Jiaojiao liked the candies in Shenjin Shop. He did not buy candy for her for many years and now he heard that she was going to a faraway place, he stole some money to buy her candy. But he waited for her in the intersection for many days and his Jiaojiao did not come.
He asked her if she saw his Jiaojiao, he wanted to see his daughter.
He was such a father, selfish and cowardly and couldn't even protect his own child.
But Nan Baoyi had to acknowledge this father.
When she rebirthed, Nan Baoyi understood that crying children will get candy. She teared up and gently held on to Nan Guang's sleeve.
She lowered her head, tears rolling down, "Father, the dowry that mother left for me, why must I give it to people...You love sister, and don't love me?
"When I was young, you always bought me candy from Shenjin Shop. But since Mother left, no one bothered you and you always go out and be with sister. It had been many years since you bought me candy… When you finally came to see Jiaojiao, it was only to ask me to share my dowry with sister…"
Perhaps she was really moved by her emotions, she actually choked back her sobs.
Nan Guang was stunned.
Indeed, he had not spent time properly with Jiaojiao for many years.
The Jiaojiao in his mind was still a little pink dumpling running around clumsily. He did not realize that she was now grown up, looking delicate and cute.
He was embarrassed and lifted his sleeves to wipe Nan Baoyi's tears, coaxing her, "It's all Father's fault, Father should not go after your dowry. Jiaojiao don't cry, I'll go buy some candy from Shenjin Shop for you, okay?"
"Wahh…"
Nan Baoyi cried in his embrace.
After Nan Guang left, Nan Baoyi wiped her tears, suddenly realizing Xiao Yi was still there.
She scolded with teary eyes, "Second Brother don't know how to leave us alone while father and daughter are having a moment here?"
Xiao Yi supported his chin with one hand like he was watching a show, and smiled slightly, "I thought Nan Baoyi was a pampered and bossy little miss, even if you're turning into a new leaf, you will still be as stubborn as before and bully people with your status… I never thought that there are times you will also turn into a little crybaby."
"Second Brother is so annoying!"
"What?"
"Nothing…"
Nan Baoyi ran to his side and suddenly threw herself in his embrace. She looked up and said softly, "Second Brother, is little crybaby cute?"
Xiao Yi stiffened his body, a complex look on his face.
The little girl in his embrace had a soft body and her fair tender face had tears rolling, like a hibiscus with dews on its branches.
Cute?
Definitely…
He turned around and said softly, "So ugly."