Xu the Second had aged considerably. A middle-aged man supporting a family, he was exhausted every single day.
'I wonder how that rebellious son of mine ever managed to endure it.'
Having worked in the mines for two years, he now understood their horrors. It wasn't just the exhaustion; it was the constant risk of being buried alive in the tunnels.
That was the most terrifying part.
He had witnessed several mining disasters, which scared him so much his legs gave out. He'd tried to run away a few times, but with no money to his name, he'd had no choice but to grit his teeth and return.
It was only then that he recalled the hardships his son, Xu Yang, had endured at such a young age—not only having to support his younger sister, but also being extorted by his own father from time to time.
After collecting his wages for the month, he dragged his weary body into the courtyard.
