Chapter 289 - A Little Apology (1/2)
Back at the Xin Villa...
Xin Xiaoli had been staring at his younger brother intently who had been holding his daughter in his arms cooing all this while. Even though the little girl was asleep, her father wasn't willing to put her down.
”Aren't you gonna talk to dad?”
Ah-Si didn't look up but answered, ”He... isn't in a good mood.”
”Do I have to remind you why he isn't in a good mood?”
Hearing his brother's question, he slowly looked up and shook his head. ”I know.”
Xin Xiaoli stood up and stretched his hands towards his brother, ”Give Ava to me and talk to dad.” When Ah-Si didn't move, Xin Xiaoli tried to take the sleeping baby from his hands but Ah-Si moved back. Xin Xiaoli was really feeling annoyed by his brother but he still ended up smiling. ”I'll take care of her. I promise.”
Ah-Si kept staring at his brother's face for a long moment before he nodded his head and let him carry Ava however, he did so very reluctantly. Xin Xiaoli could tell how reluctant he was and he could also guess that it was because of the sudden trauma he had to face.
Ah-Si took a long time calming himself and gathered his courage before he knocked on the door of his father's study and twisted the doorknob with his clammy hands. Inside the study, the lights were off but through the window soft moonlight fell in. Right before the window was resting Xin Zimen on a recliner with his eyes closed.
As Ah-Si slowly came close to his father, he could clearly see the deep lines etched between his father's brows. He looked stressed and that made Ah-Si's courage to go 'poof' in the air. In just one night, his father who looked like a domineering king on usual days seemed to have aged.
”Dad...” he called out so softly that it was hardly audible to himself.
”I'm sorry!”
Ah-Si was stunned as he heard his father's voice and was completely lost for words. It was supposed to be the other way around. Why was his father apologizing?
Xin Zimen opened his eyes but didn't look at his son, instead his eyes were glancing at the moon shining in the sky. ”I shouldn't have reprimanded you like that. My emotions got the best of me momentarily.” Saying that he clenched his fists tightly as if suppressing his emotions even now. As if some distant memory was torturing his soul.
Ah-Si who had been holding on to his courage finally broke as he fell on his knees before his father and burst out in tears. ”Dad, I'm really sorry for keeping it a secret from you. I really didn't want to but...” He choked on his words and couldn't continue.
”Why did you then? Why did you choose to hide it?” asked Xin Zimen looking at his son who was crying like a kid now. He frowned seeing how a father of a little girl was actually crying himself like a baby.
Ah-Si didn't dare look up as he began, ”I was scared that you'd be disappointed in me.” Xin Zimen's frown deepened while he went on, ”Me being a single father and that too without marriage if this really came to light... You'll be scorned by the whole family for not raising me well. I didn't want anyone to question your principles and teaching or the way you chose to raise us both brothers all alone.