Papa Zhao was a simple worker so he didn't have a habit of embellishing his words and just got straight to the point. It wasn't clear what kind of stupid expression Yang Tian was making but Papa Zhao thought that he didn't understand and repeated the question:
- I want to ask you, do you like our daughter?
This time, Yang Tian reacted accordingly, he was a bit shocked the first time the question was asked:
- Uncle, I do like her. However she only sees me as her student.
Papa Zhao heard what Yang Tian said and joy could be seen clearly on his face:
- You don't have to worry about this. We'll create an opportunity for you both. You only need to try your best. She has positive feelings towards you, that much we can tell.
As he said that, Papa Zhao stopped for a bit and then seemingly remembered something. He let out a long sigh:
- It's been such a long time since Xin-er has positive feelings towards any man. I hope you do love her sincerely and not like that bastard.
- That bastard?
Yang Tian was taken aback. He didn't know who Papa Zhao was cursing at. He then remembered the documents that Li Pan gave him. Zhao Wu Xin was involved with someone long ago. He remembered that they were about to get married before suddenly broke up.
- You mean Instructor Zhao's ex-boyfriend.
- Who could it be if not him. That bastard, don't let me see him again. If not, even if I have to risk this old life, I wouldn't let him off easy.
Seeing Papa Zhao all riled up, Yang Tian tried to calm him:
- Everything is in the past, you don't need to get so upset. Can you tell me about him?
- You want to hear about him?
- That's right, I want to know about Wu Xin.
Yang Tian switched from Instructor Zhao to Wu Xin seamlessly. This made Papa Zhao feel closer to Yang Tian quite a bit. After a sip of tea, Papa Zhao began his story:
- I don't know much about him. The first time Xin-er brought him back was her sophomore year in college. He was handsome and very well-spoken. However I was immediately against it. She was still in school so how could she lose focus for such things1.
- No matter how much we tried to stop her, Xin-er was adamant. In the end we could only obliged her. According to Xin-er, although that guy was young, he already had his own business and it was very successful.
- I heard that and was at eased quite a bit. A man with his own business is someone that a woman can lean on. I've asked Xin-er that since he was so excellent, there were bound to be many women pursuing him. Xin-er tried to dodge the question but with my persistence, she finally confessed. That guy was a womanizer, he had many beauties at his side. However Xin-er was confident that she could win him over.
Yang Tian heard the story up until this point and his face darkened. He looked at himself up and down and found that he wasn't that much different from that guy. If he didn't know that Papa Zhao was an honest man, he would've thought that the man was insulting him. Of course Papa Zhao didn't know what Yang Tian was thinking and continued:
- The reality proved her wrong. We had settled on a wedding date but the day before the ceremony, he vanished and we couldn't contact him at all. Finally the wedding was cancelled. We were criticized by everyone and even lost a large deposit to the venue.
- After more than a month he finally resurfaced. He even brought along a woman. She wasn't that pretty but from her clothing you can tell that she was from a rich family. He said that although Xin-er was beautiful, she couldn't help him at all on his career path. He left her some settlement money and then left.
After pausing for a bit, Papa Zhao looked at Yang Tian smiled:
- After that whole affair, Xin-er had always kept a distance with other men. I've thought that she would spend her entire life like that but luckily you showed up. Maybe it's because you are her student that she wasn't so adverse to you.
Yang Tian wiped the sweat off his forehead. If Papa Zhao knew Yang Tian's true story, who knows if he would have the same amiable attitude.
- Right, that's right. It was very lucky indeed.
This time, there was noise coming from the door and young man with a backpack walked in. Seeing Yang Tian, he bowed in greetings, dropped his backpack in the corner and then sat down next to Papa Zhao:
Papa Zhao looked at the youth with loving eyes and said:
- That's right. Xiao Hang, this is Yang Tian.
The youth turned to Yang Tian with enmity in his eyes:
- I truly appreciate that you've saved my mother. However, don't get any ideas with my sister.
After that he immediately went inside leaving Yang Tian speechless and Papa Zhao with embarrassed expression.
- I'm sorry about that. After that whole affair, Xiao Hang got very protective of his sister and tries his best not to let anyone hurt her.
- It's fine, he's still young. I'm not angry at him.
The two continued to chat for a while and Papa Zhao also asked about Yang Tian's background. Aside from his miraculous medical skills, Yang Tian's family was also something that Papa Zhao was very interested in.
Yang Tian initially wanted to brag about his company to make good impression. However after hearing that story, he didn't even mention it once. He just said that he was an orphan and was raised by his master who taught him medicine. When he got older, his master left him behind. This was the background of many male main characters of those online webnovels that he has read. Yang Tian only borrowed it for his use.
Zhao Wu Xin and her mother finally finished with dinner and they set the table. Papa Zhao immediately arranged for Yang Tian and Zhao Wu Xin to sit next to each other. Yang Tian didn't even have time to thanked him before Zhao Hang quickly took his sit and looked at him with a smug face. A great man doesn't bother with a petty man so Yang Tian didn't take this to heart.
However the reality proved that a human can only endured for so long. Especially for someone as high and mighty as Yang Tian, his tolerance was even less than the average person. At this time he was about to blow to a fuse cap. During the entire meal, whenever Yang Tian wanted to talk to Zhao Wu Xin, Zhao Hang immediately spoke up to interrupt him.
When he wanted to give Zhao Wu Xin some food, Zhao Hang immediately intercepted him with his bowl and even pretended to be grateful. This made Yang Tian even more furious. Luckily Mama Zhao sense what was going on and chatted with Yang Tian so he didn't feel left out. When the meal ended, the entire family gathered around the TV and Zhao Hang quickly pulled Zhao Wu Xin to a corner.
Mama and Papa Zhao looked at each other and smiled helplessly. Papa Zhao immediately said in a stern voice:
- Xiao Hang, go and do your homework. You have a test coming up don't you?
- But we just finished dinner.
- You've already rested for half an hour, go and study.
Zhao Hang was seemingly very scared of Papa Zhao and sulkily walked inside. When he passed by Yang Tian he even gave him a glare.
With the third wheel finally gone, Yang Tian immediately seized on his chance. However things didn't go the way he wanted since at that moment, a flash of warning sounded within Yang Tian's head. He immediately stood up and said his goodbye:
- Uncle, aunty, Instructor Zhao. I have some urgent business to attend to. I'd like to do this again sometimes.
As he said that, Yang Tian bolted to the door without waiting for anyone to answer him. Papa Zhao and Mama Zhao looked at each other dazedly as they didn't even know what happened. Zhao Wu Xin looked at the two of them and said:
- Mom, dad, I know you want to match-make me and Yang Tian. However it would never work between us.
- Why? Is something wrong with him? I feel that he has very good character and very talented too. He also likes you a lot.
Zhao Wu Xin shook her head:
- You won't understand, our paths were never meant to crossed in the first place.
As a teacher, Zhao Wu Xin had a somewhat understanding of the situation in her class. She clearly knew that Yang Tian and Qin Xue was a couple even though they've never gone public about it. Yang Tian was outstanding for sure but they ways he treated women reminded her of that guy.
Seeing Zhao Wu Xin with a devastated expression, the two quickly deduced that she was remembering out that bastard. They both couldn't help but sigh:
- Xin-er, that has happened a long time ago. You should give yourself another chance.
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1. No joke, Vietnamese parents are serious about schooling. I remember my sister had to hide the fact that she had a boyfriend when she was in college too since my parents said the exact same thing. Times are changing though.