TGDS Chapter 69.2

The Good Dad System (Arc 9) Chapter 69.2: Run, Boy! (10)

He started out earnestly explaining, trying to convince them that what he practiced wasn’t basketball or hurdling, and certainly not football’s highest honor, the World Cup. But they ignored him completely, their minds concluding, “We’re all athletes, so what’s the big difference?” “One skill can teach you a hundred things,” he thought. “At worst, I can just switch to something else. Easy.”

If they just praised him, it would be fine, but they also took pictures. Pei Xiangdong felt like an animal sent out from the zoo to perform. He sat there obediently, waiting for relatives to come around him, hug him, make “V” signs, touch him, and even say that they were taking pictures with athletes. But he was obviously not an athlete yet.

At this point, Pei Xiangdong couldn’t sit still any longer, wishing he could run away, but he had to sit down obediently because of his relatives’ face. Then two familiar uncles and aunts came to chat with him. They started by saying that their child, someone Pei Xiangdong didn’t know, was very talented in swimming, running, and some ball games this year, and they wanted him to help guide them, to be a teacher and give them some guidance. Hearing this, he immediately felt embarrassed and ashamed. He was only half-baked and relied entirely on talent. Wouldn’t it be misleading to teach others? Even if he really learned, he wouldn’t be good enough to be a teacher.

He looked around in confusion, not knowing what to do, but his father noticed the scene at once. He came over with a wine glass and made an excuse for him, saying that he had to have a blood test tomorrow and couldn’t eat too much meat and fish, and had to go to bed early. He then rushed him into the house and stayed behind to deal with relatives and friends.

Pei Xiangdong entered the house and sat at his desk as usual. There was a textbook in front of him, but he couldn’t concentrate on reading. His ears were perked up. The house had poor sound insulation. Even with the door closed, he could still hear the noise outside. He didn’t listen to a word and was about to find something to kill time when he heard the signature loud voice of his second uncle.

His second uncle is very authoritative in the entire family. He has a wide range of knowledge and knows many people. He is quite capable of taking on too much responsibility. After drinking, perhaps because he was drunk, he spoke with full energy: “Naochun, hasn’t your Xiangdong always done well in exams? Why do you want to send him to learn sports! Study hard, and after graduation, even if you can’t find a job, we can arrange it for you.” He has no interest in sports and is not optimistic about it.

Although he knew that eavesdropping was not a good thing, when he heard his second uncle’s words, Pei Xiangdong got so nervous that he moved closer, like Spider-Man, with his arms and legs spread out and his ears pressed against the door, wishing he could squeeze out through the crack.

Pei Naochun’s voice was faint: “If he likes it, I’ll let him go…”

“Nonsense.” Second Uncle slammed the table, his voice getting louder. “How can learning sports be that easy? Xiangdong grew up under our watch, and he hasn’t shown any extraordinary talent since he was young. Just go for it if you like it? That’s completely nonsense. What if it doesn’t work out? You’ll waste several months of your time and then have to come back later?”

Pei Xiangdong was extremely nervous, fearing that his second uncle would persuade his father to change his mind.

“Cousin.” Although he called him Second Uncle, he and Dad were actually cousins. Pei Naochun’s voice also became louder. “Xiangdong has the ability and talent. As a father, I believe in him!”

His powerful voice could be heard clearly even in the room: “Since he wants to do it, I support him, and I believe he can do it.”

“Okay, if you say it’s okay, then it’s okay. What else can I do?” The second uncle replied with a thick tongue, not very satisfied, but Pei Xiangdong no longer paid much attention to what the other party said. He just maintained this awkward posture, and then smiled at the door, looking very stupid, like a little boy.

There were sounds of wine glasses clinking, people coming and going, doors opening and closing, and then the sound of water splashing while cleaning. Tonight, the restaurant staff were invited to deliver the meal, and after it was over, they would come and take away all the tableware, so the Pei father and son would not have to do it themselves.

“Xiangdong, are you asleep?” It had just been quiet outside for a while when someone knocked on the door again. Pei Xiangdong could tell it was his father’s voice. The other party seemed to be very drunk, speaking unclearly and with a strange tone.

“I’m not asleep, Dad!” Pei Xiangdong hurried over to open the door. Sure enough, the person who appeared in front of him was his father. He had drunk too much, his face was flushed, and he had a big smile on his face. Before he could take a breath, a burst of alcohol stench was sent out, which made people frown. At this age, Pei Xiangdong had not yet experienced the temptation of alcohol, and did not understand why alcohol could be so irritating. He just hurriedly helped to support his father, fearing that he would fall to the ground.

“Son!”

“Dad, I’m here.” This was something unprecedented for Pei Xiangdong. Due to his father’s job as a doctor, he had few holidays on weekdays and was often called back to the hospital for emergency overtime. He would just have a few drinks at parties, so he had never let his son see him drunk.

“Son!” he shouted again, like a tape recorder, but his eyes were particularly bright.

Pei Xiangdong was now even more certain that his father was drunk. He wanted to help his father back to the room, but half of his body was leaning on him, so he couldn’t help him. He could only slowly reply: “I’m here, I’m really here.”

Pei Naochun staggered to his feet, leaning against the wall. He looked at Pei Xiangdong, then pulled his son into his arms and hugged him twice: “You are Daddy’s pride, do you know that?”

Pei Xiangdong was stunned for a moment. He had just distanced himself from his father. He pursed his lips and said nothing, just lowered his head.

“You’re really great.” He didn’t hug him this time, but just stood there with all his strength, reeking of alcohol.

He was drunk, so he should take him back to his room, Pei Xiangdong convinced himself, but he subconsciously replied: “No, I never knew.” Maybe his father was too drunk, he tilted his head to look at him, blinking, as if he didn’t understand.

Pei Xiangdong is not much shorter than his father now. The father whom he used to look up to and follow can now walk side by side with him. But in his heart, he will always be that little kid who only knows how to look up at the adults stupidly, always full of hope but always disappointed.

“How should I know?” He smiled dimly, “You know? This is the first time… well, it can’t be considered the first time, yesterday was also the first time.” Dad’s eyes were full of confusion, but Pei Xiangdong felt fortunate instead. If his father was really awake, he would not be able to say anything.

“You praised me. Do you know how rare such praise is? It’s so rare that I’ve waited so many years for it.” He laughed at himself. “Actually, many people have praised me, really, teachers, classmates… But to me, ten thousand of their compliments can’t compare to one of yours.”

At night, everything turned into tranquility, even the neighborhood was quiet, with only the occasional sound of motorcycle anti-theft vehicles outside, echoing for a long time. In the house with the lights on, the drunk Pei Naochun was already sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall, not quite sober. The boy was standing, clenching his fists stubbornly, with tears in his eyes.

“You said… I’d be proud, arrogant, and that I needed an education. But have I ever been proud? It’s as if I’ve never possessed that feeling. In front of everyone, especially you, I’m a complete loser, completely worthless.” He was quite bewildered. “Look, you suddenly complimented me like that, and I should have taken it lightly. But I’m actually, secretly, incredibly happy. I wish I could write a huge notice right now and tell everyone in the world, ‘Look, my dad said I can do it, I can do it.’ In his heart, I’m not some useless, worthless son who can’t do anything right.”

He laughed so hard that tears were about to fall. He didn’t know where it came from, but a manly stubbornness forced him to hold it back. He raised his head, chin facing the man, and suppressed the tears. “Do you know what you taught me? It’s not about humility, but about low self-esteem. Every time I feel wronged, I tell myself that if I have a child in the future, I will love and cherish him, and praise him to the sky. Even if he is made of clay, I will praise him for his good shape. Only I know how important these words that you think are unnecessary are to me.”

Pei Xiangdong squatted down and put his father’s hand on his face. After drinking, his blood circulation probably accelerated and he could feel the temperature was even a little high. He looked at his father for a long, long time: “Praise me more, Dad.” All the thoughts in his heart came to his lips, and only these words were left.