CHAPTER 242: CHAPTER 242: REFLECTION

Fourth Uncle Sun viciously used his cane to beat Sun Manbo, then started shouting at his eldest son, "Dalin, are you going to take charge of your son? If you don’t, I’m going to toss him aside! He’s got no skills, all he knows is how to hit the kids."

This time, before Sun Dalin could speak, his wife stepped forward and jabbed their third son, "Why are you always causing trouble? Apologize to your sister quickly, and promise never to hit the kids again."

Sun Manbo was bewildered by his mother’s behavior. Normally, whenever he hit those two girls, his mother was particularly pleased, which was why he kept beating them—to make his mother happy.

Why today was his mother not letting him hit the kids?

Who does Sun Manbo listen to the most? Undoubtedly, it’s his own mother and father, though his father ranks behind his mother.

Even though Sun Manbo didn’t understand, he still reluctantly told Yu Xiaolian that he wouldn’t hit the kids anymore.

Yu Xiaolian said coldly, "You gave me the same promise just a few days ago, and less than two days passed before you did it again. How can I trust anything you say when you’re so untrustworthy?"

Sun Manbo grumbled, "Then what do you want?"

Yu Xiaolian pointed at Sun Dongxue and said, "Do you see how swollen her face is? Unless you slap your own face until it’s as swollen as hers, I won’t let you come with us, no matter what you say."

Sun Manbo didn’t respond. Isn’t this just making it difficult for him? How could anyone slap themselves?

"What’s the matter? Can’t do it? Afraid it’ll hurt to hit yourself, is that it? Your daughter is so little, but you can bear to hit her? You’re just wasting food living in this world; why don’t you die in place of some good person!" Yu Xiaolian yelled carelessly.

She was truly furious. Some people constantly refresh your understanding of the innate flaws of humanity.

"Starting today, you’re not allowed to eat. Reflect on your actions, and you can eat when you realize your mistakes," Yu Xiaolian continued.

Sun Manbo was so hungry he went to search his daughter’s bag for buns, but Yu Xiaolian’s offhand remark ensured he wouldn’t get any porridge to drink either.

Yu Xiaolian wasn’t finished, "Later, when everyone takes the carriage, you will walk. No rest until you treat your daughter as kindly as you do your mother; then you’ll deserve to eat and ride the carriage.

Also, tonight we will camp outdoors, and you’re responsible for the night watch."

Sun Manbo internally lamented but reluctantly agreed. Was he born to serve daughters or parents? How come he has to be filial to them too?

Sun Dalin’s wife dragged Sun Manbo far away, then repeated word-for-word what she had said to Sun Manyu earlier.

Sun Manbo muttered, "Isn’t it said that Chunfang gave birth to a pair of twins? Why keep what was picked up?"

When there were no children of their own, he could understand keeping Yu Xiaolian around as some comfort.

But now they have their own, why still raise this freeloader?

Sun Dalin’s wife replied, "I originally thought if Sun Chunfang couldn’t give birth to a son this time, we’d adopt Huaiwen to the Yu Family. But unexpectedly, Chunfang managed to give birth to another son."

Sun Manbo frowned, "Mother, what are you thinking? If Yu Changhe wants to adopt, it has to be someone named Yu. How could the Yu Family raise a Sun Family child?"

Sun Dalin’s wife said, "What’s wrong with our Huaiwen? If Yu Changhe wasn’t rich now, I wouldn’t even consider giving up my precious grandson.

But talking about it now is useless, it depends on whether Sun Chunfang’s newly born son can thrive.

If he can’t, I’ll give her Huaiwen from the second family, then whatever fortune the Yu Family accumulates, won’t it all be for our family’s benefit?"

Sun Manbo laughed, "Mother, you don’t say, but there might be something to it. I hear many twins don’t survive."

Sun Dalin’s wife laughed too, "That’s the saying."

Neither Sun Dalin’s wife nor Sun Manbo realized their conversation was relayed word-for-word by Su Jingchen to Yu Xiaolian.

Yu Xiaolian was livid, and when it was time to eat, she personally served coarse rice porridge to everyone.

When serving Sun Dalin’s family, everyone got only half a ladle, and watery at that.

Sun Dalin’s family noticed Yu Xiaolian’s deliberate targeting of them, but having no choice, they didn’t dare speak up while under the roof.

Yu Xiaolian regretted coming along immensely; she was certain if she took these people back, it would be anything but peaceful.

Yet she couldn’t discard this hot potato.

Sun Dalin’s family wasn’t entirely unreasonable; aside from Sun Manbo, his mother, and Sun Manyu, the others seemed decent enough.

Even Sun Manying’s wife, despite being Sun Dalin’s wife’s niece, didn’t seem to possess the same temperament as Sun Dalin’s wife.

But Yu Xiaolian hadn’t been around them long enough to tell if she was pretending or what.

To be honest, Sun Dalin’s wife, from start to finish, never argued with Yu Xiaolian; she consistently played the role of peacemaker, being skillful at pretending.

Because Yu Xiaolian looked down on Sun Dalin’s family now, she also had objections to Fifth Uncle Sun. If you’re willing to seek their aid, do it yourself; why drag your fourth brother’s family along?

See, how troublesome this is.

Yu Xiaolian squatted on the ground, gloomily sipping a bowl of rice water.

Sun Daji’s wife approached with porridge, whispered to Yu Xiaolian, "That Manbo in the village is used to beating his wife and kids, he’s an animal.

You can’t change him; once you’re distracted, who knows how he’ll beat those two kids."

Yu Xiaolian had a headache, "Aunt, then what do you suggest?"

Sun Daji’s wife took a sip of porridge, looked around, and said in a low voice, "Such a person’s nature is like that, they don’t change for the better. Do you hope he becomes a good person?

If you ask me, don’t bother with his family matters. He can’t kill the kids, can he? Even if he beats his own daughter to death, he’d go to jail.

If he hits the kids again, just ignore it. Too much involvement, and they’d resent you. Besides, they are his own kids; let him hit them if he wants.

In the end, if he can’t have a son, see if his daughter supports him in old age—people like him only realize their mistakes then."

Yu Xiaolian thought Sun Daji’s wife might have some good ideas, but it turned out to be no help. If she let Sun Manbo hit the kids and didn’t intervene, she couldn’t do it.

Oh, it’s said that even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs, but Sun Manbo’s heart must be crueler than any tiger.

Fourth Uncle Sun lectured while drinking porridge. He recounted the story of Old Li’s family from the neighboring village: Old Li had three sons and three daughters, the old couple gave the family fortune to their sons, but then the sons kept pushing it away, saying one got more, another got less, none willing to take care of the elderly. In the end, the old couple had to rely on their daughters to survive.

Sun Manbo sat on the ground grumbling, unclear if he was actually listening.