"No...Dad, that's not the case."
He said slowly: "It's not that I'm dissatisfied with this marriage, nor am I dissatisfied with Bai Hao or my father. Bai Hao always considers me, so I'm more grateful than her feelings. Besides, she and I..."
At this point, the sentence stopped abruptly. Dongfang Shiming paused suddenly, and at the same time, the fleeting inner truth slipped into the depths of his heart again.
Both father and wife looked up. But Dongfang Shiming's eyes were slightly confused. It was when he came into contact with this problem under his father's guidance that he suddenly realized the real crux of his heart.
Previously, whenever he thought about the seemingly implicated marriage with Bai Hao, he would avoid it unconsciously. He always felt that he didn't care about the relationship between men and women, but what really made him avoid it was the shame deeply embedded in his blood.
The Dongfang family and the Bai family are both Shengpingtian's three major families. And all this should have nothing to do with him.
The self he identifies with in his consciousness is still the ordinary self who was born in Shigudukou. His thoughts naturally conflict with the bloodline of unknown origin. His feelings towards the Dongfang family are complicated, let alone the daughter of the Bai family who has the same status.
Especially after seeing the love the Bai family members have for Bai Hao, it seems that this inner self-demarcation gap has become even wider. His background was like a piece of duckweed. Even if he had the Dongfang family to live in, how could he hope to reach a higher level?
This distance will always make all wisdom eclipse. This body full of contradictions and those old memories always make him unwilling to face these things. Once he thinks of these things, he would rather be simple or return to Shigu Ferry.
"...that's fine."
After a short moment of silence, he finally spoke slowly.
"Dad, you should rest assured. After all, Bai Hao and I have only known each other for half a year, and we need to get to know each other better." Dongfang Shiming smiled, "It's not as complicated as you think. I know it myself."
The head of the house and his wife nodded after hearing this. The head of the family also thought for a moment, and then smiled broadly: "That's a good thing. Ahem... Sigh. Don't think I'm annoying you by asking these questions. If your elder brother is too concerned about this matter, I shouldn't send it now. I’m looking forward to you, hehehe.”
Dongfang Shiming smiled: "The eldest brother is waiting for the woman who is suitable for him. This kind of thing cannot be forced."
"Yes, yes." The head of the family raised his hand and gently stroked Dongfang Shiming's hand on his shoulder, "When I talk to children, I am always taught by them. It is really hard for me to be called dad, haha."
Dongfang Shiming and his wife were laughing. The head of the family looked sometimes at his son, sometimes at his wife, and suddenly said: "Hey, there is one more thing this time."
"What's the matter?" Dongfang Shiming asked.
Following the slowly rising gaze of the owner of the house, Dongfang Shiming found that his father was pointing at his wife not far away.
"I know, I can't force this on you."
The wife also noticed the master's intention, her face changed slightly, and she unconsciously lowered her head. Dongfang Shiming listened to his father's speech quietly, as if he were still in a lake.
"So I think, let you change your name to something more acceptable. You can't go on like this." The head of the family took a deep breath and continued, "Her surname is Huang. From now on, when you call her Huang Niang, it should sound nice." Some, it’s better to call him some; now Shi Ming has also called me dad, and he is considered a regular member of the Dongfang family, so you can call him Young Master according to the previous title."
Although this kind of title is often weird, it is easier to say than the two people directly calling each other mother and son. Dongfang Shiming realized his father's good intentions and felt warm in his heart.
"You guys, just address each other in front of me." The head of the family said, "I can rest assured about that."
Dongfang Shiming looked at his father's wife, paused for a moment, and then whispered: "...Huang Niang."
Huang Niang's face was also a little excited. She responded immediately, then lowered her head and said, "Young Master."
When Dongfang Shiming heard this sentence, he always felt a tingling sensation in his back. He is not suitable for the title "Young Master" after all, let alone being called that by his father's current wife. But since his father thought there was no problem, it didn't matter to him.
"Abi is your sister. I know that she has many bad traits, but I still hope that you will be willing to communicate more with her and tolerate her more." Father said, "When your relationship is harmonious, I... can rest assured."
Dongfang Shi clearly understood what his father meant and nodded in agreement. Huang Niang seemed a little ashamed. She was silent for a moment before saying, "Abi, I didn't teach her well... I'll talk to her."
"Huang Niang, don't blame yourself." Dongfang Shiming shouted as naturally as possible, "It's still because I came suddenly as a stranger, which is a little hard for her to accept. I will find a way to get along well with her."
"Ah good."
Huang Niang lowered her head.
The owner of the house looked up at the window paper in silence and realized that it was already noon. He broke the silence in the room: "Okay, I've asked you to rub my shoulders here for so long, so it's time to take a rest. Go out for a walk, and remember to come back as soon as you have lunch."
Dongfang Shiming then stood up and said goodbye to his father and Huang Niang. When I opened the door and walked out, the yard was already quite quiet.
The courtyard was filled with bright lanterns, red silk cloth and Spring Festival couplets, which looked particularly festive and lively. Dongfang Shiming walked through the pavilions and pavilions, walking aimlessly and following his heart.
Just now, his father finally relieved himself, and he also breathed a sigh of relief. It was only now that he seemed to feel truly accepted by this family, and all the warmth here became within reach.
I met the eldest brother by chance, but he seemed to be still busy, directing the various servants in the family to do their work, and he was also practicing what he did. Dongfang Shiming stood in the corner where his eldest brother could not see, paused quietly for a moment, then turned and left.
The Dongfang Family has a large facade, and the clan feeling is especially evident during the Chinese New Year. In addition to his familiar father, elder brother, and others, relatives and family members he had met before and those he had never seen before gradually appeared in this huge patio.
After saying hello a few times, Dongfang Shiming gradually moved to a place with fewer people. After getting away from the sound of people, Dongfang Shiming stepped on the snow that had not completely melted on the path and heard a familiar sound again.
"Heh-yeah!"
Along with a clear and childish cry, a "boom" sound of leaving the string came at the same time.
Dongfang Shiming took a few steps forward and stood behind a clump of dried crabapples. The figures that can be seen in front are her sister Dongfang Bi and the young man accompanying her.
I had never looked closely before, but this time I looked at them where they couldn't see them. Dongfang Shiming had a new view of them.
That boy was a few years older than Dongfang Bi, and seemed to be only a year or two younger than himself. He has a majestic appearance and extremely superb archery skills. It seems that he is instructing Dongfang Bi in archery.
