Published at 15th of September 2019 12:01 am

Chapter 3 What a Lousy Father!

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Tang San excitedly look at his younger brother Tang Qing, with caring loving eyes, 'For once, he is starting to grow up right before my eyes, instead of the usual layback lazy type of person he is. I no longer have to do stuff by myself. We can both share the responsibility, together.'

Picking up three already worn out old wooden bowls, which is more than ten inches away from the kitchen counter to the side. Tang Qing then very cautiously ladled, scooping up a large spoonful of the rice soup, then pouring it all into the three bowls, one for each of them. And then finally placing them on the table right behind him.

Tang San called out to Tang Hao like usual, "Father, the food is ready. Come out and eat...", but the expected response was dead silence.

Tang Qing then deeply sighs in his heart, feeling the pain of Tang Hao's loneliness. He thought, ' something must have happened in the past to make him this way, but what is it?'

But before Tang Hao begins to wake up, Tang Qing looks towards Tang San, and said, "Da Ge, could you help me out for a bit. I'm not used to handling the butcher knife, I can't neatly dice meat into pieces as efficiently like you chop wood." Tang San felt a bit happy, seeing as how his younger brother Tang Qing still relies on him. In response, Tang San said, "I understand you're not good with knives. It's quite dangerous for people who don't understand the dangers of wielding a sharp blade. Let me handle this task, Xiao Di."

Tang Qing looked at Tang San, with an embarrassed look, and then said, "That is not what I meant. The butcher knife is too heavy for me to hold. And I'm afraid that I may accidentally chop my fingers. That's it, Da Ge. I'm not that weak."

Tang Qing then handed over the large steel butcher knife, over to Tang San, which he handled it easily like lifting an axe. To Tang Qing, the extremely large steel butcher knife seems to weigh over 2kg, simply too much for little Tang Qing's arms to handle. Though he is able to carry out large batches of firewood by himself, strapped on his back, the weight is equally distributed to the rest of his body, but the thought of him chopping off his fingers accidentally, causes his hands to waver uncontrollably. Not being able to hold the steel butcher knife firmly.

Laughing inside, Tang San retorted back at Tang Qing, in a slightly joyously mocking manner, "Right... I understand. Xiao Di, go and wait behind. I will bring the meat over quite shortly.", which Tang Qing happily replied, "Yes, brother."

After a long time, the inner room door cloth draped over, lifted slightly upwards, and a large figure emerged out from within, with somewhat staggering steps. He walked out to the front table.

It was a middle-aged man, his appearance seemed to be close to around fifty years of age. His stature was still quite extraordinarily large and stalwart, though one may dare not to compliment on his style of dress.

He wore a worn out robe, covered in dirt, with tattered holes, without so much as a single patched fixed, exposing his tanned bronze colored skin.

His previously good facial features now appeared waxen in color. He had a pair of sleepy eyes in a very dazed manner; with messy dark hair that seems to make him looked just like a bird's nest, a large bushy beard that had been left unkempt for who knew how long, without being straightened out or cut.

A dim and lifeless look was quite visible in his eyes. Even though the night had already long passed, he still reeked of alcohol, yet Tang San didn't frown.

This was none other than Tang Hao, Tang San and Tang Qing's father in this world.

Whilst growing up, Tang San never once knew what paternal love is. Though he has Tang Qing with him, so that he will never be alone by himself, but that is still in it's right, still not the same way as the unconditional love between parent and child, which he deeply longed for.

The way Tang Hao treated him, was always the same, regardless if it is Tang San or Tang Qing, always being firm and upright from the very beginning. Although, Tang San knew how to make as little food for himself and his little brother to eat.

Nevertheless, as the time passed, right after Tang San started taking the initiative to cook, Tang Hao became even the more uncaring of anything. In this way their home was so impoverished that they didn't even have decent furniture. Food also was a problem, mainly due to Tang Hao using all of that meager blacksmith income on buying alcohol.

While Tang San and Tang Qing are both growing child. Their father was really also about 30 years old in age, and already married so early even before turning thirty years old, but Tang Hao nevertheless must be compared to someone much older than what they expected. He sorts of rather resembled more of their grandfather than being a father.

With regards to Tang Hao's behavior, Tang San holds no resentment. But Tang Qing, on the other hand, bears a deep seen regret and distaste for his father lifestyle. Tang Qing deeply hates drunk alcoholic, seeing them nothing more as a nuisance.

Whilst, in Tang San's former life, he was born and discarded as an orphan. Even in this lifetime, even though Tang Hao treated him badly, he at least still had a family. For Tang San, this already made him feel a bit content for the least. At least here, there was a person that he himself could call father.

Tang Hao then grabbed a bowl lying on the table, not worried about scalding, and with big gulps, he poured the rice soup down into his belly. Then reaching out with his hand, he grabbed the largest piece of chicken drumstick for himself, then biting it down like a savage beast. His dull shallowed face once again appeared to have gained a bit of luster, that was once loss long ago.

Tang San shouted at Tang Hao, "Dad, slow down, it's still quite hot.", but Tang Hao turns to death ears, not listening to Tang San's worries that he may burn his tongue. Tang Qing retorted, "Don't bother, Da Ge. Whatever you say to him will just enter and exit out the other ear. It's almost like he doesn't see us as his own kids."

Watching his younger brother Tang Qing insults their father like that, Tang San felt a bit disheartened and sad, but deep down he realized that it was the untold truth. Whatever Tang Qing just said was not wrong there.

Even if they were to be adopted into a much poorer family, or get taken in by Grandpa Jack, at least it would not be that much worse than they are now.

Both Tang San and Tang Qing looked at their father Tang Hao. He didn't even flinch or react, as much as showing any signs of being angered on his face, upset by whatever Tang Qing just said about him, almost like he was telling the truth.

Tang San sighs, then turn to look at his bowl, before continuing to eat his fill. For the first time, filling up his stomach whole.

In Tang Sect, he was never able to leave and very rarely came into contact with outside matters. It goes without saying that just like a blank slate, ending up in this world he became like a little child again, and also had nothing which he could not accept.

Very quickly, a pot of porridge with seven or eight bowls all entered Tang Hao's stomach. Letting out a breath, he then placed the bowl on the table. The drooping eyelids opened somewhat, looking at Tang San and then slowly turned to Tang Qing, before switching back to Tang San. Not even showing Tang Qing a second glance.

Tang Hao said to Tang San, "You continue with the work you have here, and I will work in the afternoon. So I'll go to sleep for a little while.", not even the least bit angered at Tang Qing's previous statement. Turning a blind eye, not even acknowledging his existence.

Tang Hao's work and rest habit had a very regular pattern: sleeping all morning, making a few farm tools in the afternoon, obtaining income, and drinking in the evening.

Tang San replied honestly, nodding his head, "Ok, Dad."

Tang Hao stood up. Having had several bowls of congee, he was no longer swaying and walked towards the inner room.

Tang San suddenly called out to Tang Hao, "Dad."

Which caused Tang Hao to stop in his track, before turning his head to the side, and look at him. His brows slightly raised, clearly indicating that he is a little impatience to leave.

Tang San then pointed towards the corner, at the shining black chunks of pig iron. Then he said, "These chunks of iron, can you please give them to me to use?"

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