Chapter 036: Returning in Defeat

This story is entirely a work of fiction.

On the opening days of the World Football Championship, the Supreme Ball Bar by the Great River was abuzz with excitement. Whether day or night, the bar had become a second home for football fans who gathered there to watch the games.

Xiao Yi’s grades had plummeted. During class, she couldn’t focus on a single word the teacher said; her mind was consumed by thoughts of her mother and that man. She didn’t know what kind of relationship her mother had with him, but it was certainly not an ordinary one.

She was constantly distracted in class. Even when the teacher walked up to her desk, she was still lost in her worries about her mother and that man. Only when the teacher tapped her head with a book did she finally snap out of her trance, raising her head to find the entire class staring at her. Embarrassed, she nodded to the teacher.

The teacher returned to the podium, rapping the table emphatically. “Everyone, you need to concentrate! The college entrance exam is only a few days away. You must be responsible for your own future. Don’t waste your youth and regret it when you’re older. My time as your teacher is almost at an end. If you let other matters interfere with your exam, it will not be worth the loss. Xiao Yi, your grades have fallen from the top ten to over two hundred in the year. I don’t know what’s caused such a change, but I worry for your exam. How do you feel about it now?”

After class, the students played and joked on the playground, but Xiao Yi sat alone on the sidelines, lost in thought.

Her mind felt empty, unable to think or remember anything, wandering the days like a soulless shell. While her classmates fought for their futures in the final month, she drifted through in a daze.

Xiao Jin worked by day and spent his nights at the bar.

Bored, he called his friend Zheng Zhe. “Why can’t I get through to your friend Chi Zhaoming these days?”

“You mean the one from the TV station?” Zheng Zhe asked.

“Yes! It’s the most exciting time of the World Cup. Doesn’t Chi Zhaoming love football? Watching the games at Supreme Ball Bar is incredible. You can enjoy the matches and even earn some money. Isn’t that great?”

“It is, but not as great as what Chi Zhaoming is experiencing. He’s at the World Cup in M City, Country D, watching the games live. Because of the time difference, you won’t be able to reach him,” Zheng Zhe replied.

Disappointed, Xiao Jin packed his things and went home. When he arrived, Jin Yan was nowhere to be seen.

He checked Xiao Yi’s room, but she was not there either. He called her, but she didn’t answer.

In fact, when Xiao Jin left the bar, he and Xiao Yi had just missed each other.

Troubled by her family circumstances, Xiao Yi’s mother, Jin Yan, was out enjoying herself, while Xiao Jin was obsessed with football.

The college entrance exam arrived as scheduled. Like every student, Xiao Yi faced those critical days. She had always ranked among the top ten in her class, and though she’d become distracted in the last few months, it shouldn’t have affected her results much—she ought to have performed well.

But only Xiao Yi knew the pressure her mother put on her was overwhelming. She disliked her mother’s strict demands.

In her heart, Xiao Yi feared disappointing her mother and bringing shame to her. During the exam, her body was present, but her mind was elsewhere. She failed completely, and she knew it.

There was no need to wait for the results; when that day came, a storm was sure to follow.

In M City, after more than thirty days and nights, Chi Zhaoming had tasted both joys and sorrows.

His wish to see the world’s best teams and players had come true at the stadium. But his bets on matches outside the stadium had not gone as planned. He’d hoped to make a little extra, so he could bring home gifts for free, but that hope was dashed.

The little money he’d brought from home was almost gone, but fortunately he had a work credit card that could be used abroad, which kept him from despair.

At the airport, about to return home, Chi Zhaoming thought of all the matches during the World Cup—so full of hope. Yet, after more than a month of betting, the results were mixed. Because of the odds, he hadn’t gained anything, and the record on his betting site showed a loss of over four thousand yuan.

Though four thousand wasn’t a huge sum, Chi Zhaoming felt he’d incurred a massive debt. He regretted it—the matches he’d bet on had turned out so differently from the last World Cup, with few upsets, but still he gained nothing. He also regretted not keeping in closer touch with Xiao Jin for insider tips. Remembering Xiao Jin boasting on QQ about his winnings, Chi Zhaoming could only sit in the airport lounge, dazed and shaking his head.

When his flight arrived at the Great River’s airport, he hung his head, looking utterly dejected.

Back home, Du Juan helped him unpack the gifts he brought from M City, sorting them carefully before packing them away.

Seeing how exhausted he looked, Du Juan knew it was the long journey and the time difference. She urged him to sleep and adjust.

The exam results came out, and as Xiao Yi expected, they were unbearable to look at.

Having failed, Xiao Yi was depressed and had not eaten for days.

Seeing her state, Jin Yan unleashed all her pent-up anger. “If you want to die, I won’t stop you. You haven’t eaten or drunk anything for days—is this some kind of protest? You did terribly on the exam and now act as if you’re justified. No one can live your life for you, so don’t expect anyone to take responsibility for your path.”

Jin Yan raged on, regardless of Xiao Yi’s feelings.

Xiao Jin, listening on the side, felt his head go numb. He wondered if his wife was being too harsh. Failing the exam was bad enough, but now their daughter hadn’t eaten for days. His first priority was to get her to eat.

“Go to work. I have the day off—leave Xiao Yi to me. I’ll make sure she eats and drinks. Don’t worry about it,” Xiao Jin declared confidently.

Jin Yan, hearing this, stopped scolding Xiao Yi. She turned to Xiao Jin, saying, “Teach her properly at home. If you don’t, one day she’ll cause you real trouble.”

“All you do is nag. I don’t know what else you’ve given her besides that. She was your pride all through high school; now she failed once and you keep scolding her. She’s already feeling terrible, and now you’ll only push her to rebel even more,” Xiao Jin said, pushing Jin Yan toward the door.

Once Jin Yan had left, Xiao Jin hurried to his daughter’s room. “Your mother’s gone. I can see you’re starving. Come, get up and brush your teeth. I’ve got something delicious for you—a treat you can’t resist.” He stroked her cheek affectionately. “My little darling’s so thin now. It breaks my heart.”

At the mention of durian, Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up. She leapt from the bed, hugged Xiao Jin, and planted a sweet kiss on his cheek. “Dad, you know me best. Thank you!”

“The floor is cold. Put on your socks and freshen up. Eat some durian to get your strength back—eating durian is as nourishing as chicken soup. Otherwise, you’ll get sick from weakness,” Xiao Jin said, full of fatherly love.

“Okay, Dad. I’ll be quick,” Xiao Yi replied, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

After washing up, Xiao Yi devoured half a durian in one go. After days without food, she felt alive again. She patted her stomach. “Wow, that feels so good!”

Seeing her revived, Xiao Jin smiled.

Xiao Yi ran up to her father, looking at him silently, as if she had something to say.

Noticing, Xiao Jin asked, “Do you have something to tell me?”

“Um, well…” Xiao Yi hesitated, unable to speak.

“My sweet girl, are you embarrassed to ask for money?” Xiao Jin guessed.

“You really know me, Dad—my dearest dad!” Xiao Yi gave him another kiss.

A wave of joy washed over Xiao Jin. He’d always heard that daughters are their fathers’ little quilted jackets, and now he knew it was true. He’d felt this joy many times before, but never as deeply as today.

He took out his wallet, filled with cash and cards, pulled out a thick stack of bills, and handed them to Xiao Yi. “Is this enough?”

“It’s plenty, more than enough!” Xiao Yi waved the money and shouted, “Thank you, Dad!”

“I’m off today, so at noon, I’ll take you out to eat—whatever you want, a real feast,” Xiao Jin said, glancing at the sports paper.

“I’ve got my own plans. I’m meeting friends to shop and see a movie. You’ll have to eat on your own,” Xiao Yi replied.

“All right, but be careful out there. Last time, one of the bar owners told me you got drunk and passed out at their place. Luckily, a young man named Dai Yunjiao rescued you; otherwise, a gang of punks might have taken advantage of you. It’s complicated out there—don’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd. As a girl, you need to maintain your dignity. Don’t be so careless—it’s not how a proper young lady should behave.”

He paused, then continued earnestly, “Learn from me, your father. I never associate with the wrong people—only the best in society. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Stick with people who share your ambitions. Trust me, I’ve crossed more bridges than you’ve walked roads. Even though you didn’t do well this time, I believe in you. It’s not your ability, just a bad day. If you want, I’ll send you to the best private school to repeat the year. Let those who look down on you see you rise. Next year, I’ll throw you a grand celebration for your success,” Xiao Jin encouraged her.

“We’ll see. I need to think about it. I’m heading out now—see you tonight,” Xiao Yi said.

Xiao Jin watched her leave, returned to the living room, and settled onto the sofa. He turned on the TV to a replay of an English Super League match. Sitting there, he cheered loudly—a recording, but still it filled him with excitement. Just last night, this team had filled his wallet.

The living room echoed with the commentator’s shouts: “Goal! Goal! The referee did not call offside. This goal shatters the Eel Team’s dream of winning the championship.”

Since returning from Country D, Chi Zhaoming had been listless, as though his trip had brought him no joy. When colleagues asked about it, he merely shook his head. “It was nothing special.”

After work, he went straight to Mingyue’s vegetable stall at the market, handing her some gifts from his trip.

Seeing how exhausted he was, Mingyue asked, “Are you very tired? You look worn out—it’s worrying.”

Looking at her hard work, Chi Zhaoming wanted to ask to borrow some money, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. “It’s nothing. I’m heading home. Xiyu’s still waiting for me at school.”

“Be careful on your way. Take some vegetables home—save you a trip to the store,” Mingyue said, packing up some greens for him in a bag.

(To be continued)