"Who's this, kid? Do you know them?"
Seeing the newcomer standing there, staring intensely at the boy without saying a word but clearly acting like they knew each other the mother stepped forward, took he son's arm, and asked softly,
"He… he's Teng's guardian. Name's Tod, Teng's dad."
"Wait, don't tell me the kid came
here and the father doesn't know?"
"Well… Teng's mom asked Tan to take care of him. Tod and Teng's mom never discussed the kid, but Tan didn't do
anything wrong just bring Teng on a whim."
"And… why is he here? Don't tell me he's jealous because Tan got involved with his ex-wife?"
"N-no! Tan didn't cross any lines with Teng's mom, really!"
CXLIII
As the two mothers whispered quietly to each other, a small voice spoke up, observing the scene, addressing the one known as Teng's father
"Why are you here?"
The little boy tilted his head, eyes fixed, tone curt.
"Teng…" Tan called the small figure in
alarm.
The aggressive, unwelcoming stance of the father and son meeting for the first time felt like a miniature
battlefield, sparks flying across the family line, right in front of Tan.
"It's adult business. Someone like you wouldn't understand." The sharp gaze looked down at the small, defiant face,
feeling a mix of emotions.
CXLIV
"I do understand. I understand better
than you. This is Tan, Teng's homeroom teacher at Wat Sa Si
Kindergarten. We sleep together, eat together, do everything together. Tan loves Teng, and Teng loves Tan. When Teng grows up, we'll get married!"
The tiny kindergartner stood firm,
confronting his biological father, boldly declaring war in front of the adults.
The man with the title of father
frowned, eyes locked on the small boy without looking away.
"Whaaaaat!!"
The adults in the jewelry shop all gasped in unison the moment little Teng boldly declared open war, daring to stake a claim on Tan against his own father.
The tall figure smirked, letting out a low chuckle huh, what a fiery little brat, a perfect miniature of himself.
CXLV
"Getting married, huh? Don't get me wrong, kid, I'm not here to crush your sunny little dreams. But by the time you grow up, the teacher's probably going to be eaten alive by some dog already, little one."
The tall man crouched down,
squatting to get level with his son, eyes scanning the small frame closely taking in the face, the eyes, the nose, the lips for the first time.
A strange feeling surged through him the moment he got close to the boy…
Why do I want to hug him?
"If any dog gets near my teacher, I'll smack it so hard it won't even think of
touching the teacher!"
Father and son stared each other
down, as if ancient enemies had been
resurrected. Just a pair of rivals, molded from the same mold.
CXLVI
Everyone around stood with mouths agape, witnessing this extraordinary first encounter between
father and son, silently thinking
Damn… this is intense!!
"Tan, your father wants to have a word with you."
The real owner of the jewelry shop had been standing with arms crossed, watching the situation unfold for a long time. It seemed like things were getting out of hand and his son wouldn't be able to manage it alone, so he called his precious son aside for a private conversation.
"Yes, Father? You called me?"
Tal's posture shrank slightly, avoiding his father's gaze, fully aware that some sort of decree was about to be given that would make things uncomfortable.
CXLVII
His father loved his family deeply, spoke little, and always protected them. Tan felt a strong sense of respect and caution.
"Your father doesn't know how
important it is to you that you've chosen your own path taking out student loans instead of using family money, studying accounting in comfort, and going to work in a remote, underdeveloped area. But you must know how much your parents love you. I allowed it back then to teach you the value of hardship. But whenever your choices put your life in danger… you know I will never simply go along with it."
"Father… I love being a teacher so much… please don't tell me to quit. I'm sorry. Honestly, while I was there, I got carried away playing underground lottery. I got hooked and ended up in debt to the lottery operator… and the person who came in earlier was the very operator I owe money to."
CXLVIII
"What?! You've been reckless
enough to get hooked on the lottery like that? To the point the lottery operator had to come collect the debt at home? Luktan… I can't believe a
teacher could behave like this!"
The father's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend that his child, a teacher, could gamble irresponsibly and get into debt.
"It's not like that, Father. Luktan has
already paid back all the debt. I honestly don't know why he came his family has been living apart from the start. And little Teng… he's my student, someone I care for deeply. That's all."
The young-looking teacher bowed the head, hanging it low like a kindergartener being scolded.
CXLIX
"Do you even realize you're getting involved in someone else's family problems? And that man just now… he doesn't seem like a good person at all.
He's selfish, immature, ruled by emotion, completely unable to control himself. Meeting your child yet acting like he's facing an enemy!"
The father's words carried both a
warning and a judgment for the tall, tattooed man who had no manners
standing there staring at Tan's son