TGDS Chapter 68.2

The Good Dad System (Arc 9) Chapter 67.2: Run, Boy! (6)

Pei Xiangdong was so excited at that time, just like the countless wishes he made in his childhood, such as becoming an inventor and going to Harvard. He told himself that he had to win glory for his country. Although in real life, he was just an ordinary school team player, this did not prevent him from imagining other things.

Hanging on the wall is a square photo-frame clock. When you are quiet, you can hear the sound of the second hand moving, just like time flowing quietly.

Pei Xiangdong had already finished most of his homework. Although he would definitely exercise as long as there was an activity class and the teacher did not call him for an exam, he also never neglected his studies.

Although he might not get praise from his father if he did well in the exam, he would receive more criticism if he did poorly. He once had a very short rebellious period, which was so short that it ended with just one exam. He told himself that he would not study anymore. Anyway, no matter how well he did in the exams or how many awards he won, his father would always find problems. But when he walked up to his father with the test paper with a score of only over 80 and waited for his father to sign, he subconsciously backed away. He lowered his head and looked at the ground, not wanting to see the disappointed and sad expression on his father’s face.

As expected, the test paper made his father angry. He looked at the test paper carefully, asked him where the problem was one by one, and asked him if he could correct it next time. After that, he gave him examples. He looked at his father’s furrowed brows and sighed, and his hands clenched tighter and tighter – in short, there was no encouragement, only further criticism and education.

When he was in junior high, he enjoyed reading inspirational books, often borrowed from the school library. The success gurus in these books would summarize the theme with a single phrase, saying things like, “If you bloom, flowers will come to you,” or, “Don’t worry about other people’s opinions or judgments.” He read a lot, but in the end, he sadly realized that he still craved his father’s approval and praise. Rather than give up, he could only try his best to please him, hoping that one day he would be seen.

The old-fashioned door locks had become rusty over time, and they always made quite a noise when they were opened. After the two doors were opened, it was Pei Naochun who appeared. He was wearing a suit and holding a large red plastic bag with two large plastic lunch boxes stacked in it. He closed the door, leaned against the cabinet, and began to change his shoes.

“Dad, you’re back.” Pei Xiangdong walked over, took the plastic bag, walked silently to the dining table, and opened the lunch box. The family hadn’t cooked in many years since there was no hostess at home. The food in the hospital cafeteria was good, from rice, vegetables to soup, everything could be packed up. The only drawback was that it was not that hot, but the microwave saved everything.

“…Hmm.” As soon as he entered the house, he could sense the desolation inside. Since neither the father nor the son could stay at home every day, the atmosphere of life in the room was very faint. If he reached out and wiped the corners, he could still find a layer of dust.

Pei Naochun said with a bit of embarrassment: “Eat.”

“Okay.” Pei Xiangdong said nothing and buried his head in eating. Boys of this age have big appetites and eat very quickly.

In the original body’s memory, the family dinner table had become cold since who knows when. Perhaps it started when Pei Xiangdong grew up? Or perhaps it started when he was completely disappointed? The two of them exchanged only a few words. They sat down to eat in silence, each doing their own chores, and then they both had to go to school. The occasional conversation was either about Pei Xiangdong’s school schedule or Pei Naochun’s concern for his children’s studies. Beyond that, nothing more.

A long time ago, when Pei Xiangdong was three or two years old, the father and son had an exceptionally “sweet” time. After all, it was impossible for the original body to reason with an ignorant child. Even if he really did, he would forget it in a blink of an eye. At that time, little Pei Xiangdong would hug his father’s thigh and act coquettishly, rubbing against him and refusing to let go. Of course, all of this is gone now.

Pei Naochun hesitated and spoke: “You, do you really want to run?” In the original body’s memory, it was also on this day that his son made a desperate plea, but the original body did not take it to heart and only said some hurtful words.

“Yeah.” Pei Xiangdong stopped the chopsticks he had originally stretched out to pick up food in mid-air. He nodded firmly. In fact, he also wanted to talk to his father tonight.

“Why?” He tried to slow down his tone while eating. It was obvious that his original body always had a smile in his voice when explaining things to patients, but he was habitually serious when talking to his son.

Why so many whys? Pei Xiangdong clearly had nothing on his chopsticks, but he just put them empty into his mouth. “Because I love running,” he added. “Coach Wang also said I have a talent for it.”

Pei Naochun’s heart subconsciously twitched. He clearly realized that the child was saying “Coach Wang said”, not that he believed he had the talent. Maybe he was overthinking it, but he actually felt that Xiangdong had lost even the most basic confidence in himself.

“So what do you think?” The food he put into his mouth seemed to taste bitter.

“Me?” Pei Xiangdong hesitated. Before this, he didn’t have such a deep concept of track and field. At most, he just thought he could run fast, or he had some fantasies. He really thought he could step onto the field with a trophy in his left hand and a gold medal in his right hand. Isn’t that a daydream?

“Well, you.” He tried to meet his son’s eyes, but could only see his lowered head.

“…Coach Wang said I can do it.” He struggled to answer calmly, “I, I always run faster than others in school and in competitions…”

“So, you think you have a talent for running, right?” Pei Naochun felt very uncomfortable. Shouldn’t a child of this age be lawless and always think he is the best in the world?

He thought that he might be able to bring glory to his country, but it was just a thought. When he really nodded in agreement in front of his father, a heavy weight suddenly hung on his lips.

Pei Naochun almost sighed, but he held it back, fearing he’d given his child a bad hint. “Dad doesn’t mean anything else, it’s just that this choice isn’t easy. If you’re going to practice running, it’s definitely going to affect your studies. If you’re not even sure you have the ability, how can I make such a decision?”

“…I think I might have it.” Even though he was forced into a dead end, Pei Xiangdong still subconsciously chose a tactful statement.

“Okay.” Pei Naochun was extremely frustrated. He was at a loss when faced with such a little snail that locked its heart and only stretched out its tentacles to sense everything in the outside world. “Then you also understand how much impact this decision will have on you, right?” Before making a decision, you always have to analyze the pros and cons of things with your children.

“Have you ever thought about this question: what will you do if you don’t achieve any results and your studies are delayed?” He put forward a point of view. Pei Naochun could of course let his child practice running directly, but once this decision is made, it will affect his whole life. He hopes that Pei Xiangdong will think it over carefully. However, Pei Naochun did not realize that in this environment, what he said meant something different to Pei Xiangdong’s ears.

——Dad, he still thinks I don’t have the talent. He was used to thinking pessimistically, and his expression became gloomy.

Pei Naochun’s heart skipped a beat, realizing that what he said was not quite right, and he immediately corrected himself: “Dad didn’t mean that…”

“Yeah, I know.” He replied in a low voice.

No, you don’t know. Pei Naochun was helpless: “Dad doesn’t want you to regret it later-”

—So you’re just not going to let me try? I’ve heard that before.

Pei Naochun seemed to be able to see the shadow growing heavier around his son. He put down his chopsticks and grabbed Pei Xiangdong’s shoulders. The physical contact made him subconsciously look up. The eyes of father and son met, one focused, the other full of sadness: “Xiangdong, can you listen to Daddy carefully?”

“Yes.” Pei Xiangdong hunched his shoulders uncomfortably and nodded.

Pei Naochun cut to the chase, “Dad brought this up with you today because Coach Wang came to see me again. He showed me your results and the current domestic data, and I realized I had misunderstood you. You do have a natural talent for running.”

These words were like a sledgehammer, hitting Pei Xiangdong on the head. He stared at his father in a daze, and the light in his black and white eyes seemed to flash by for a moment before becoming dim again.

Well, it’s a dead end. Pei Naochun suddenly realized that although the child longed for his father’s approval, he didn’t believe that his father would approve of him. This was simply a vicious circle. Even if what Pei Naochun said this time was indeed not critical, it would all become gloomy in his heart.

“But to be honest, Dad’s still not sure either, because I don’t understand sports, you know.” Pei Naochun could see the boy suddenly relax, as if his uncertainty was the only truth in his previous words. “Coach Wang made an appointment with me.”

“Ah?” He opened his mouth in surprise, his eyes full of confusion. What was the appointment?

“He told me he wanted me to see you run.” School was still in session on Saturday mornings, so perhaps because of that, Coach Wang hadn’t been able to tell his son yet, “Then run for me. Prove it to me yourself. Tell me you really love running and that you have the talent.”

The father and son were not far apart and could clearly see each other’s expressions. Pei Xiangdong could also clearly see the determination in his father’s eyes. Should he run to show his father? Could he… do it?

“Pei Xiangdong.” Pei Naochun could see the child’s hesitation—in the original body’s memory, even on this desperate night, the child had kept his head down, not looking at anyone, and said, “Dad, I really like running.” He habitually avoided his father’s gaze, as if, without looking, he didn’t know his father’s disappointment in him.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“If you really can run, then run.” Pei Naochun said seriously, “I also want to see what my son looks like when he runs.”