Observing that the atmosphere was ripe, I promptly grabbed the rusty hoe from the corner. With determination, I prepared to dig the first piece of this highly anticipated project right in front of the doorway.
Unexpectedly, my drunkard father suddenly emerged from the crowd, forcefully grabbing the hoe from my hand and loudly halting me, "Don't dig!"
Having grown accustomed to my father's unreasonable behavior, I asked impatiently, "Why?"
"You... You just can't do it!"
My father had always been adept at making baseless arguments, but this was the first time I had seen him blushing and speaking incoherently.
I had been fighting with him for half my life, and I had never seen him so panicked.
At this moment, I was not in a hurry. I let go of the tools, looked at him with a playful look, and sneered, "This house has been empty for more than ten years. Why can't I do it?"
However, being arrogant all the time, my father quickly came up with a plausible reason. He responded with a domineering tone, "This house was left to his children by your grandfather. Who are you do alter it?"
Upon hearing that, I understood instantly. It seemed that my father stopped me for the sake of the benefits of him and his siblings!
So I softened my tone and negotiated, "You're right! I didn't think it through. Then you can talk to my uncles and aunts and I want to buy the house at the market price. Does that work?"
I thought I could finally start the work, but my dad still insisted, "No! We won't sell this house!"
After hearing this, I completely realized that my father was deliberately making things difficult for me.
However, I had been impulsive and undisciplined since childhood, and I had never gotten along with my father. After being embarrassed by him in public, I felt that I had to dig it out.
My face turned grim. Ignoring him, I just focused on digging hard at his feet with the hoe.
This time, he was completely panicked.
Frustrated by his inability to restrain me, he shouted, "You bastard! That's your mother down there!"
As soon as he uttered those words, the hoe in my hand, which I had been swinging vigorously just moments before, appeared to be enchanted and remained suspended in mid-air, defying my attempts to bring it down!
I couldn't believe my ears!
My mom? Didn't my mom run away 20 years ago because our family was poor?
With a lot of doubt, I asked, "Why is my mother down here?"