It Takes Real Pain to Learn a Lesson
Qin Shi and Gu Qinghai returned home. The twins immediately rushed over as if they hadn’t seen them in hundreds of years, clinging to them and acting cute.
When they saw the bruise on Gu Qinghai’s face, their eyes widened.
“Big Brother! You’re hurt!”
“What happened?” Pingping and An’an let go of Qin Shi and each hugged one of Gu Qinghai’s legs, their faces full of worry.
“It’s nothing. I accidentally bumped into a door,” Gu Qinghai said with a smile, patting their heads.
Qin Shi looked at the twins. “Go. Take your big brother to the clinic and let the doctor put some medicine on him.”
The twins nodded immediately and pulled Gu Qinghai outside.
“Come on, hurry!”
“I’m fine. Some medicinal oil will do,” Gu Qinghai said, not wanting to go.
Before Qin Shi could speak, the two little ones puffed up their cheeks and dragged him with all their strength.
“No!”
Seeing them leaning backward so hard, Gu Qinghai was afraid they would fall, so he quickly moved with them and could only let himself be pulled away.
“Be careful on the road. Come back once you’re done,” Qin Shi reminded them.
“Don’t worry.”
“Okay!”
The three children answered together and left.
The clinic wasn’t far, so Qin Shi wasn’t worried. After they left, she went to do her own things.
After leaving the house, Gu Qinghai glanced back at their front door, then looked around. Once he was sure no one was nearby, he whispered to the twins, “Pingping, An’an, Big Brother has something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
The twins looked up at him.
“Well…” Gu Qinghai felt a little embarrassed. After pausing for a moment, he said, “No matter what, we should call Qin Shi ‘Auntie.’ Big Brother was wrong before. My brain must have short-circuited when I told you not to call her that. When we go home later, we’ll apologize to her and then… then change how we address her and call her Mom. Got it?”
The twins nodded casually. “Okay.”
Seeing that they weren’t resisting at all, Gu Qinghai froze. “Why aren’t you reacting?”
An’an sighed like a little adult. “I think it’s pretty good for her to be our mom. I like her. Recently, the more I thought about it, the more I felt we were wrong. I was just about to talk to you about it with Pingping, but you said it first.”
Then she glanced at him. “It’s all because of you, Big Brother. Otherwise, we would’ve changed what we called her ages ago.”
Pingping pressed his lips together and said shyly, “Actually, I already called her Mom before.”
An’an and Gu Qinghai both looked at him.
Pingping grinned. “That time after I woke up from my nap, none of you were there. Mom was with me, and I couldn’t control myself, so I called her Mom.”
An’an quickly asked, “How did she react?”
Pingping smiled again. “She smiled. And it was a really pretty smile!”
An’an immediately relaxed. Now she didn’t have to worry about Qin Shi rejecting her. But then she looked up at Gu Qinghai. “Big Brother, you have to apologize properly. You’re the naughtiest. Mom definitely won’t accept you that easily.”
Gu Qinghai: “…”
After a few seconds of silence, he fiercely ruffled An’an’s little head. “You should worry about yourself instead!”
An’an immediately squealed, refusing to let him mess up her hair. “Bad Big Brother! You’re messing up my hair again! My braid’s crooked, waaah!”
“It’s not crooked.”
An’an pouted and glared at him. “You’re still bad!”
Gu Qinghai laughed and led the two of them forward.
…
Lu Zetian came home earlier than usual. As soon as he entered, he saw the injury on Gu Qinghai’s face, and his gaze instantly changed.
Just as he was about to ask what happened, he heard Qin Shi shout from the kitchen.
“Zetian, come help me for a moment.”
Lu Zetian paused, then turned toward the kitchen, planning to ask Gu Qinghai later.
“What do you need me to do?” Lu Zetian looked toward the stove.
“Peel some garlic for me.” Qin Shi was kneading dough and didn’t look up.
Lu Zetian glanced at her movements, then at the dough in the basin. As he washed his hands, he said, “Should I knead it?”
Qin Shi shook her head. “It’s almost done.”
Lu Zetian nodded, found a bulb of garlic, and began peeling it skilfully.
Qin Shi asked, “By the way, do you know Zhao Haoran’s father, Regiment Commander Zhao?”
Lu Zetian looked up at her. “Fairly well. Why?”
Qin Shi carefully explained everything that had happened that day. Lu Zetian’s face turned dark, his expression extremely ugly.
Qin Shi said, “You know where his family lives, right? After dinner, let’s take Gu Qinghai over and apologize.”
Lu Zetian understood the hidden meaning in her words and nodded decisively. “Alright.”
“Thank you for today,” Lu Zetian sighed.
If Qin Shi hadn’t been there, he would have come home, seen Gu Qinghai’s injured face, learned he had fought again, and probably punished him with the family rules.
But now, after hearing Qin Shi explain, Lu Zetian couldn’t bring himself to do that. Gu Qinghai wasn’t wrong in this matter.
Qin Shi glanced at Lu Zetian. “You shouldn’t hit the children so casually in the future. That ruler hurts a lot when it strikes the palm.”
“And you should care more about the children. They need their father’s company too.”
Lu Zetian nodded, guilt in his eyes. “I know.”
After a pause, he added, “The army has a mission coming up recently. I was selected.”
Qin Shi’s hands paused. “You’re going?”
Lu Zetian shook his head. He held up the peeled garlic for Qin Shi to check. Seeing her nod, he stopped and began cleaning up the garlic skins.
“I don’t want to go.”
“It’s only rumours for now. The final list hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I don’t want to go.”
Although going might earn him merit and rewards, he still didn’t want to go. Right now, he didn’t want to fight so hard. He only wanted to spend more time at home.
Lu Zetian’s gaze moved to Qin Shi’s face, his eyes flickering slightly.
Qin Shi nodded casually. Whether he went or not didn’t matter to her, as long as he gave her his salary and living expenses in advance.
Hmm… it had already been half a month. Tonight, she should show Lu Zetian the account book again and ask for his salary.
She still wanted to buy some new fabric to make a trench coat. Since the weather was getting cold, a coat and trench coat set would be fashionable and stylish. One piece could probably earn quite a bit of money!
Just as she was thinking this, Qin Shi heard Lu Zetian say, “The political commissar told me that for this mission, I, Regiment Commander Zhao, and one other person are on the list. As for the other man… he told me today that his wife is pregnant. They’re both not young anymore, and this is their first child. He probably won’t go.
“So I plan to give the opportunity to Regiment Commander Zhao.”
Qin Shi looked up at him and understood immediately.
A smile curved her lips. She took the dough out and slapped it onto the chopping board. “Then tonight, let’s go tell him this good news.”
Lu Zetian smiled too. Once again, he felt that talking to smart people was truly comfortable.
After dinner and some time to digest, Qin Shi asked Gu Qinghai to watch his younger brother and sister, while she and Lu Zetian went out.
Gu Qinghai knew they were going to Zhao Haoran’s house and was extremely happy. He pulled the twins along and began playing wildly at home, rarely letting his true nature show as they made noise together.
At this hour, most people were either eating or resting after dinner, so Qin Shi barely saw anyone along the way.
When they arrived at Zhao Jianjun’s house, before they could knock, they saw Zhao Haoran in the courtyard.
Zhao Haoran saw them too. His face instantly turned pale, and he turned to run inside.
Qin Shi and Lu Zetian exchanged a glance. Lu Zetian knocked on the gate.
“Who is it?” A slightly plump woman walked out of the room. She was Zhao Haoran’s mother, Liu Cui.
The sky was a little dark, and there was no light in the courtyard. Liu Cui, who was somewhat short-sighted, squinted toward the gate and asked again, “Who are you?”
Lu Zetian raised his voice. “It’s Lu Zetian. I’m here to see Old Zhao.”
Liu Cui knew Lu Zetian. Hearing his voice, she quickly trotted over to open the door. “Oh, Regiment Commander Lu. Are you here to see our Old Zhao?”
Only when she got closer did Liu Cui notice Qin Shi beside Lu Zetian. Her heart skipped, and she felt inexplicably guilty.
Zhao Haoran had already told her everything after coming home, but she hadn’t dared tell Old Zhao. Were they here to complain?
While Liu Cui was panicking, Zhao Jianjun came out after waiting for her for a while. Seeing Lu Zetian at his house, he was truly surprised.
He smiled and welcomed Lu Zetian and Qin Shi inside, asking Liu Cui to pour tea.
Lu Zetian introduced Qin Shi to Zhao Jianjun. After a few polite exchanges, the three sat down.
Zhao Jianjun smiled and asked, “What made you come to my house today? Is something important going on?”
Lu Zetian smiled too. “Brother Zhao, you also know about the upcoming mission, so I’ll be direct. Brother Bao’s wife is pregnant, and I don’t plan to go this time either.”
Zhao Jianjun’s expression immediately became serious. “Are you serious?”
Lu Zetian nodded. “I wouldn’t joke about work.”
Hearing this, Zhao Jianjun immediately smiled. He was different from Lu Zetian. It didn’t matter if Lu Zetian skipped one mission, but he needed merit and rewards.
“Then I really have to thank you!” Zhao Jianjun was delighted. Seeing Liu Cui return with tea, he quickly told her to bring out fruit to entertain them.
Liu Cui was surprised and didn’t know why he was being so generous, but she never interfered with his decisions. Even if she felt uncomfortable, she obediently went to get some.
Unexpectedly, Qin Shi smiled and stopped her. “No need to trouble yourself. We were planning to leave soon.”
Lu Zetian also chimed in. “Actually, we were supposed to bring that little rascal of ours over today to apologize, but he wasn’t feeling well, so only the two of us came.”
Zhao Jianjun didn’t understand. “Apologize? For what?”
Lu Zetian sighed. “Xiao Hai and your Haoran fought at school this afternoon. I failed to discipline him properly. I’m sorry, Brother Zhao.”
Only then did Zhao Jianjun understand who had beaten his son. But since Lu Zetian had just given him a big favour, and the child wasn’t seriously hurt, Zhao Jianjun waved it off carelessly.
“I thought it was something serious. So it was that! It’s fine. Children fight and mess around. Boys will be boys!”
Qin Shi and Lu Zetian exchanged a glance but said nothing. Seeing that, Zhao Jianjun immediately realized the matter wasn’t that simple. He stopped smiling and looked at Lu Zetian.
“Don’t beat around the bush with me. Just say what you need to say.”
Lu Zetian responded and explained everything that had happened that afternoon in detail, including how Zhao Haoran had spoken about Qin Shi and how he had threatened Gu Qinghai.
Zhao Jianjun’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Beside him, Liu Cui grew restless with fear when she saw his expression.
After Lu Zetian finished explaining, he added, “This matter is truly too vile. You know Xiao Hai’s background too. Saying such things is really inappropriate.”
“And my wife…” Lu Zetian sighed and said nothing more. Then he stood to leave.
Zhao Jianjun couldn’t even force out a smile. He could only stiffly see them out.
After they left, Zhao Jianjun closed the gate, unbuckled his belt, and walked toward the bedroom.
Seeing his posture, Liu Cui knew he was truly angry. She no longer cared about her guilt and quickly tried to stop him.
“Don’t, don’t, don’t hit him. Let’s talk properly!”
Zhao Jianjun was strong. If he really used the belt, Zhao Haoran definitely wouldn’t be able to take it.
Zhao Jianjun shoved Liu Cui aside and glared at her angrily. “You still dare stop me? You think I don’t know Haoran learned those words from you?”
“You’ve made me lose all face! I told you to stop gossiping, but you never listen! Because of that rotten mouth of yours, how many times have I been criticised? How many excellence awards have I lost? Huh?”
With a dark face, Zhao Jianjun looked coldly at Liu Cui. “Tomorrow, you’ll bring gifts with me to apologize at their door. Then you’ll go back to your mother’s home. I’ll call my mother over to look after Haoran.”
Liu Cui panicked and burst into tears. “What are you doing? What are you trying to do? You’re driving me away? Do you want a divorce? I gave birth to your son! Even if I have no merit, I’ve suffered for this family!”
“Shut up!” Zhao Jianjun roared, frightening Liu Cui so much that she swallowed her cries.
“If it weren’t for Haoran, I would have divorced you years ago! Who would’ve thought you still hadn’t learned your lesson? Every day, you gossip about others and talk behind their backs. It’s one thing for others to laugh at me, but now you’ve even led our son astray!”
With red eyes, Zhao Jianjun pointed at Liu Cui and said word by word, “Go back home honestly and reflect properly. If I find out you secretly came back while I’m away on the mission, then we really will divorce.”
Seeing that he had become calm from anger, Liu Cui knew he had truly hardened his heart. She no longer dared make trouble and could only keep crying.
Zhao Jianjun didn’t even look at her. Holding the belt, he entered the room.
Zhao Haoran, who had heard everything, was truly frightened. He no longer dared hide anything and told the whole truth.
When Zhao Jianjun learned that things really were just as Lu Zetian had said, and that his own son had truly spoken such vicious words, he became so angry his head spun.
He said nothing. Ruthlessly, he held Zhao Haoran down and beat him with the belt until his backside bled before finally stopping.
Looking at his son lying weakly on the bed, his face covered in tears and unable to speak, Zhao Jianjun cried along with him.
“I neglected you. I should be punished too.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll call your grandmother over. For now, stay home and recover. Think properly. I hope that when I return from the mission, I’ll see that you truly understand your mistake.”
Zhao Haoran looked at his father, who was crying in guilt and heartache. The hatred that had risen in him from being beaten suddenly vanished completely.
He buried his head in the pillow and cried silently.
Watching his son tremble all over, Zhao Jianjun felt as if his heart were about to split apart. He wiped his face, picked Zhao Haoran up, and opened the door to take him to the clinic.
When the bedroom door opened, Liu Cui had collapsed by the doorway, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. Zhao Jianjun only glanced at her indifferently, then carried Zhao Haoran out.
Seeing her son’s bloodied backside, Liu Cui cried even harder. She raised her hand and slapped herself across the mouth again and again until her face quickly became red and swollen.
This time, she had truly learned her lesson.
From now on, she would never dare gossip recklessly, run her mouth, or talk about people behind their backs again.
—
**Author’s Note:**
Today’s updates add up to eight thousand words! *Hands on hips.*
[A reader pointed out the issue with the name Meng Haoran, and only then did I realize something was wrong… I’ve replaced it. From now on, he’ll be called Zhao Haoran!]
As I was writing, I suddenly started crying. It reminded me of when I was little and my dad hit me with a broom. QwQ It really hurt. I limped for two days!
In the past, education really was all about the stick. No matter what happened, they’d beat you first and talk later. *(:з」∠)*
I’m so jealous of kids nowadays… childhood is so wonderful.
My childhood toys: marbles, sandbags, sheep bones, jump rope, all kinds of cards…
Kids nowadays: smartphones, tablets, computers, amusement parks…
I’m so jealous!! Waaah…
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