CHAPTER 477: CHAPTER 477: WHY PAMPER HER

"Lai surname, stop meddling. What’s the rush to coddle her? It’s all your spoiling that’s led to this. Otherwise, what would a teenage girl understand? I’m telling you, when we get home today, I must strictly discipline her. Otherwise, she’ll soon grow wings and fly off. You are not to protect her, understand?" Seeing Lai Xiuhuan trying to soothe his daughter, Liu Feng, the mother of Lai Xiuxiu, was so angry that she was both blowing her nose and glaring, and then she didn’t forget to throw in some harsh words about needing to properly educate her daughter!

Xu Xiuxiu, herself a mother, found Liu Feng’s public display of discipline amusing, as privately she probably didn’t care much about the issue at hand. Xu Xiuxiu could tell at a glance that this was not a parent who was very strict with their children. Imagining who could be fooled by such a fierce facade, Xu Xiuxiu couldn’t help but find it amusing.

On one hand, Liu Feng was spouting harsh words; on the other, the young girl with her head bowed heard them and became even more ostrich-like in her demeanor. Lai Xiuhuan, father of Lai Xiuxiu, wearing glasses with gold rims, gently tried to calm his slightly irascible wife. Clearly, within their home, the roles of ’good cop’ and ’bad cop’ between husband and wife were already well assigned. They cooperated tacitly: one disciplining, one defending; one issuing threats, the other taking care of their daughter’s emotions.

"Fine, fine, fine, this girl indeed needs to be disciplined. Just go home and spank her, with bamboo shoots or sticks, your choice, just don’t be too upset over such a disobedient child. It’s not worth getting angry over!"

Lai Xiuhuan nodded in agreement and then gave Lai Xiuxiu a meaningful look.

Understanding the signal, Lai Xiuxiu blinked and then burst into tears, wailing, "Wah, Mom, I’m sorry! I won’t make friends anymore, okay? I will go to and from school on my own every day." As Lai Xiuxiu spoke, she couldn’t help but start crying, perhaps because she had been frightened by their form teacher, He Yuan, earlier. The girl had intended to fake cry, but once she started, she couldn’t stop, and soon her eyes were red, and she began hiccupping uncontrollably, making it hard for the adults around her to remain unaffected.

He Yuan, who had initially been very stern, felt sad upon hearing Lai Xiuxiu cry and was somewhat at a loss. He hesitantly spoke, "Well, Lai Xiuxiu’s parents, I must tell you, domestic violence or corporal punishment is wrong. Our school promotes a progressive education philosophy of teaching and nurturing students to be both knowledgeable and morally upright. I do not advocate for you to physically punish your child at home. Whatever the issue, let’s resolve it here at school."

This young girl continued to be silent, but he thought it was due to her stubborn temper. Little did he expect it was due to the overly strict education at home. Now, hearing her parent mentioning bamboo sticks and shoots, he, a full-grown man, shuddered at the thought, let alone her, a young teenage girl!

Lai Xiuhuan had intended to calm his wife’s emotions, but seeing his daughter cry like this, Lai Xiuhuan couldn’t help but panic. Previously calm and collected, his demeanor suddenly changed. Perhaps it was the dual nature of a military man that, when putting on a stern face, he could be quite intimidating, even if he was just a military doctor speaking to a teacher at school.

"I also agree with the teacher. Punishing children physically is indeed not right. Teacher Song Chengguang, what do you think about this proposal from Teacher Zhao to have both children copy school rules a hundred times as a form of discipline?"

"Sure!" Xu Xiuxiu agreed easily, as she was already in favor of lightly glossing over this early romance incident.

"Thank you," Lai Xiuhuan expressed his gratitude and then gave a meaningful look towards his still-crying daughter.

Because the school’s teachers had already proposed a punishment for the two children, and the parents had discussed it, the matter was almost resolved. After all, both sets of parents were reasonable and not the type to unreasonably blame others, so solving the issue was quite easy.

When Xu Xiuxiu left the school, Song Chengguang was also taken out by Xu Xiuxiu under some pretext. Because of the previous punishment of standing, Xu Xiuxiu promptly gave him a day off.

"Mom agreed with the teacher to have you copy lines as a punishment. Do you feel it’s unfair?" After all, from start to finish, Song Chengguang was an innocent victim in this incident. The lad hadn’t even received the love letter, yet he had to be inexplicably punished through association. She was afraid the young man might feel resentful.

"No." Song Chengguang shook his head. Having always been instilled by Song Yuanhuan with the idea that boys should bear heavy responsibilities and bravely accept outcomes whether right or wrong, Song Chengguang felt that, although the incident had nothing to do with him, since he was involved, he would accept whatever the outcome, even if it was a punishment.

"Good! Chengguang is really well-behaved." Xu Xiuxiu said reassuringly, praising him. She reached out to pat Song Chengguang on the head but he nimbly dodged.

"Mom..." Song Chengguang turned his head, his voice carrying a hint of grievance.

"What’s wrong? You’ve grown up, so mom can’t pat your head anymore?" Xu Xiuxiu saw Song Chengguang dodge, her outstretched hand hung awkwardly in the air, then she withdrew it both annoyed and amused. At this moment, she always felt that her eldest son, Song Chengguang, was growing up to be less cute. She really, really missed the picky, adorably chubby young Song Chengguang!

"Mom, dad said that a man’s head should not be touched carelessly!" Song Chengguang pulled out this excuse from Song Yuanhuan.

"What your dad said is not right," Xu Xiuxiu retorted, her eyebrows raised.

"..." Responding to her was Song Chengguang’s very complex look. The boy, who was already sensible, was incredibly sharp-witted, and many things Xu Xiuxiu, as a person from a later generation, simply couldn’t keep up with this little guy’s pace of life, but she understood well the meaning behind his gaze.

"Alright, alright, mom won’t touch your head anymore, okay? You don’t need to dodge that far." Xu Xiuxiu compromised helplessly, slightly disheartened. She took Song Chengguang to a nearby large shopping mall, "Chengguang, you’ve been wronged at school today, so mom plans to properly reward you. Whatever you like, mom will buy it for you. Go ahead and choose!" Xu Xiuxiu said, gesturing generously as if wanting to make it up to Song Chengguang.

"Okay." Song Chengguang agreed crisply, then headed to a shop particularly favored by girls, featuring decorative dolls, and hugged a huge, cute stuffed doll.