Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The consequence of the warrior's brave defiance was shared punishment.

The old master really didn't have many demands for Yuanting.

Yuanting, brought into the family by his daughter-in-law, was naturally ensured good treatment by the Cheng family. They would educate him as much as possible, but not in the same way as Cheng Nanyi.

The old master was aware of the strictness with his grandson, but what could he do? At over sixty years old, with Cheng Nanyi being only ten, as the leader of a conglomerate, Cheng Nanyi had too much to shoulder. The old master felt he had no choice but to be stern.

However, if Yuanting himself stepped up... the old master wouldn’t mind nurturing him as well.

Having someone by Nan Yi's side who is wholeheartedly loyal and supportive would naturally be the best.

Shu Zhilan and Cheng Shaolin, of course, had no objections, as Yuanting’s behavior was indeed very rude. Shu Zhilan even broke out in a cold sweat because of Yuanting's recent actions, resolving to find time to properly discipline him.

At this moment, Yuanting, with his curly hair drooping, followed behind Cheng Nanyi towards the front door.

What a misfortune…

How did this turn into a heroic rescue?

……

The old master’s method of punishing Cheng Nanyi was to make him write calligraphy with a brush.

However, the place for writing wasn’t the study but a stone table near the main entrance, specifically prepared for Cheng Nanyi.

Whenever Cheng Nanyi made a mistake, he had to stand there writing calligraphy, regardless of the scorching summer or freezing winter, without meals, practicing for four hours.

The intention was to help him remain calm and composed, able to face any situation with equanimity.

Cheng Nanyi was already accustomed to this, arranging the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. He poured a little water into the inkstone and picked up the ink stick to grind the ink.

Yuanting lay sprawled on the stone table, his eyes rolling around.

The main entrance, of all places – he hadn't left the house in four years.

Perhaps due to being confined for so long in his previous life, since being reborn, he hadn't even thought about going outside... The effects of being cooped up were truly dreadful.

Cheng Nanyi estimated the distance between him and Yuanting: one meter.

And yet, he felt no discomfort.

"Why are you being punished with me?"

"Because my mom said I should try to please you," Yuanting turned his head, tilting it cutely, "That way, when you become rich, you'll share some with me." This was the excuse Yuanting had concocted.

He didn't want Cheng Nanyi to think that he was aiming for shared hardships just because of his own outburst.

"Brother, is what my mom said true?"

Got it, young man? My mom and I are here for your family's money.

To please?

Cheng Nanyi's brow furrowed, realizing it wasn’t affection but flattery.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Cheng Nanyi said to Yuanting with a serious expression, "It's possible, but you have to promise to continue to...”

Cheng Nanyi paused, then slowly enunciated three words: “Please – me.” He wouldn’t mind giving him some money if it continued like this; after all, money was what he least lacked.

Yuanting: "..." Please you?

To keep pleasing him... what a beautiful thought.

Once I manage to get my stepfather and mother to divorce, I'll pack up and leave, never to cross paths again.

Besides, was the focus of his earlier statement really on pleasing others?

Do all members of the Cheng family have the same serious misconception?

Yuanting remained silent, leading Cheng Nanyi to assume agreement. For some reason, he felt unusually cheerful, a stark contrast to the dejection he usually felt during his grandfather's punishments.

In contrast to Cheng Nanyi's contentment, Yuanting was feeling somewhat unsettled.

The Cheng family now resided in a large villa complex for the convenience of Cheng Nanyi's schooling, meaning it wasn't just their family there, but neighbors as well.

Standing and writing at the entrance, he and Cheng Nanyi undoubtedly made an eye-catching spectacle.

The passersby weren’t numerous, but there were some, and each one glanced their way, with some pointing and commenting.

"Look at that young man writing with a brush. You should learn from him, understand?"

"I don't want to learn that. Who writes with a brush these days..."

An elderly man, hands clasped behind his back, came closer for a better look: "Good, he writes well, but the wrist strength needs work, needs more practice..."

A familiar person passed by, rolling down their car window: "Nan Yi, in trouble and being punished again, huh? Try to make your grandfather less angry in the future..."

……

Yuanting clenched his teeth.

In his previous life, he had seen Cheng Nanyi practicing calligraphy at the gate countless times.

Cheng Nanyi was actually already quite perfect, but due to the old master's harshness and intolerance for even the slightest flaw, Cheng Nanyi was often punished.

Back then, Yuanting, like these passersby, was just an outsider passing by, sometimes even sneaking to the butler to gossip and inquire about Cheng Nanyi’s latest misdeeds.

Now, standing alongside Cheng Nanyi, experiencing those gazes and hearing those comments, Yuanting felt a surge of irritation. Damn it, doesn't the old master’s method of punishment risk causing psychological issues for Cheng Nanyi?

The thick skin of adults is built up gradually through life's hardships, while children’s skin is thin, especially at the sensitive age of early teens, when saving face is paramount.

Yuanting understood the old master’s intentions, but was this approach more beneficial or harmful?

Perhaps the upbringing of an heir to a corporation is inherently different from that of an ordinary child.

Not being an education expert, Yuanting couldn’t critique, only consoling himself with the thought: Enduring the bitterest trials is the making of a great person.

"Do you feel embarrassed by this?" Yuanting leaned closer to Cheng Nanyi and asked softly.

Cheng Nanyi measured the distance between them, half a meter.

"It's okay. I used to feel embarrassed at the beginning, but not anymore." Cheng Nanyi looked at him, "Do you feel embarrassed?"

"Not really." Yuanting, at heart an adult and one who had been confined for four years at that, considered these minor embarrassments. If Cheng Nanyi had expressed discomfort, he would have been ready to stand up for him.

"Grind some ink for me," Cheng Nanyi requested.

Yuanting obediently picked up the ink stick and began grinding.

Cheng Nanyi had to stand and write for four hours, a difficult task even for an adult, let alone for a ten-year-old child.

On an August evening, still muggy and hot, Cheng Nanyi’s forehead soon became dotted with fine beads of sweat, his wrist trembling slightly.

Yuanting couldn't hold back anymore and tiptoed with a tissue to wipe Cheng Nanyi's sweat.

Although writing was tiring, it truly allowed one to enter a realm of undisturbed focus. Over the years, Cheng Nanyi had learned to quickly concentrate and isolate himself from the surrounding hustle as soon as he picked up the brush. So, when Yuanting's small hand reached out, he didn't react immediately, and the next second, the tissue had already brushed across his forehead.

Cheng Nanyi tensed up, a tingling sensation rising on the back of his hand.

"Maybe you should stop writing," Yuanting muttered softly, "I can go and talk to Grandfather for you. Continuing like this, you might get a heatstroke."

Sigh, Yuanting could never forget the scene of Cheng Nanyi lying bloodied at the car accident scene in his past life. So, having the chance to relive, it’s best for Cheng Nanyi to remain healthy and safe.

Who could blame him for feeling guilty?

Cheng Nanyi slowly exhaled, finding that the image from before wasn't as unbearable as he had thought.

His hand had already been licked; this close contact of wiping sweat didn't seem like such a big deal anymore.

His desensitization progress leapt from minus three hundred to ninety percent.

Perhaps this was a form of breakthrough after destruction?

Seeing Cheng Nanyi not responding, Yuanting suddenly realized what he was doing, then squinted his eyes and started to deliberately wipe Cheng Nanyi’s face all over: “Brother, I’m helping you wipe off the sweat... Hahaha…”

Cheng Nanyi dodged his hand, saying indifferently, “If you're hot, go sit in the shade. There's a little over an hour left, it'll be over soon.”

Yuanting sighed. He really wanted to seek some cool shade himself, but he found it incredibly hard to leave Cheng Nanyi alone here.

Yuanting suspected he had trauma-induced aftereffects; the trauma was brought by Shu Zhilan, and the aftereffect was his inability to see any member of the Cheng family suffer.

The child, red-faced from the heat, still refused to leave, something Cheng Nanyi had never seen before in a child.

This left Cheng Nanyi both surprised and at a loss.

Slowly shifting his gaze away from Yuanting's face, Cheng Nanyi lowered his eyes and continued writing.

"When I have time, I'll teach you how to write with a brush."

"No," Yuanting refused without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Because it's tiring, and I don't want to learn." Yuanting had tried it in his previous life, only to give up after a short while because his hand shook like a sieve whenever he held a brush, resembling someone with Parkinson's.

"It is indeed tiring. What would you like to learn, then?"

"To make money," Yuanting’s eyes suddenly sparkled, "I want to earn lots and lots of money…" In his previous life, he was cared for by the Cheng family, so he never worried about food or clothing. But now, planning to leave the Cheng household, he naturally couldn’t continue spending their money.

He would have to leave Shu Zhilan eventually and probably return to his grandmother's house, a place that sorely lacked money.

As a pampered pseudo-young master, he wondered if he could endure such hardship.

Money?

Cheng Nanyi frowned, "Aren’t you planning to stay by my side? I will give you money." Since the child wanted to please him, he must intend to stay close, and Cheng Nanyi would surely not let him be short of money.

Yuanting: "???"

When did he ever say he wanted to stay by Cheng Nanyi's side?

As Yuanting was trying to recall which of his words might have led to this misunderstanding, a bicycle screeched to a halt in front of them.

"What did you do to get punished by your grandfather again?" Mo Yikai propped himself on one foot, his face full of curiosity.

"Nothing much." Cheng Nanyi continued his calligraphy without pausing, not even lifting his eyelids, "Are you going out?"

Mo Yikai’s expression turned grotesque at the question, his sinister gaze falling on the short figure beside him, gritting his teeth: "I’m going to get my teeth cleaned."

After returning home, the more Mo Yikai thought about it, the more disgusted he felt. Even after brushing several times, he couldn’t shake off the feeling, so he decided to visit a dental clinic for a thorough cleaning.

"Kid, you better not let me catch you, or I'll beat you to a pulp." Mo Yikai waved his fist threateningly at Yuanting.

"..." Yuanting turned his head, his eyes instantly welling up, "Wah, brother..."

Cheng Nanyi looked up, "Don't scare him. He's timid, and he didn’t lick your apple, so don't worry."

"Really?" Mo Yikai perked up, "Are you sure?"

"I asked Uncle Liu. The kid didn’t touch your apple."

Mo Yikai heaved a sigh of relief. He knew Cheng Nanyi wouldn't lie to him. That was a close call, almost becoming a lifelong trauma.

"He doesn’t just disinfect for anyone," Cheng Nanyi added.

"What??" Mo Yikai's eyebrows shot up in shock, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I don't deserve his ‘disinfection’?"

Mo Yikai laughed as if he'd heard the biggest joke: "Cheng Nanyi, are you crazy? Did this little brat infect you or something?"

Cheng Nanyi remained silent, continuing with his writing.

Mo Yikai no longer wanted to stay, but before leaving, he casually asked, "School's starting in a few days. Have you finished writing my summer homework?"

Yuanting: "?? Ha?" If he remembered correctly, Mo Yikai was a year older and would be going into the sixth grade, while Cheng Nanyi was in the fifth grade.

A sixth grader getting a fifth grader to do his summer homework?

What a talent.

"I've finished it. You can come and pick it up when you’re free," Cheng Nanyi said.

"Alright, did you change your handwriting? My mom’s going to check it. Don’t let her realize."

"She’ll know without even looking," Yuanting said, tilting his head back and blinking up at Mo Yikai.

"What’s it to you, little brat?" Mo Yikai glared at him. "And how do you know my mom will know without looking? Stop talking nonsense."

"Because..." Yuanting raised a hand and pointed behind Mo Yikai, "Your mom is right here. She heard everything."

Mo Yikai froze, turning around instinctively as a sinister and terrifying voice rang out: "Mo, Yi, Kai..."

"Mom..." Mo Yikai’s legs wobbled, and his bicycle clattered to the ground.

The woman walking her Samoyed, pointing at Mo Yikai incredulously, was furious: "You actually had Nan Yi do your homework? Are you an idiot? Nan Yi is two years younger than you, and you’re getting him to do your work..."

Mo Yikai's mother grew angrier as she spoke, grabbing a branch from a flowerbed, snapping it off, and starting to beat Mo Yikai with it.

"Ahhh…" Mo Yikai turned and ran.

Did he not check the almanac before leaving the house today?

Why so much misfortune…

Mo Yikai's mother, wielding the branch, chased after him: "You deadbeat child, I’ll beat you to death..."

"Wow..." Yuanting's eyes widened in excitement, "His mom is really something..."

Seeing the abandoned dog, Yuanting picked up the leash and then dashed after Mo Yikai and his mother, not wanting to miss the spectacle. Missing such a scene would surely be regretted in the middle of the night.

"Yuan..." Cheng Nanyi could only utter a word before the child had run out of sight, leaving only his clear childlike voice echoing in the distance: “Auntie, you dropped your dog…”

Author’s Note:

A big thank you to the angels who supported me with their votes and nutritional liquid from 2023-07-04 20:58:24 to 2023-07-05 17:56:19~

Special thanks to the angels for their nutritional liquid: Lovely and Cute for 19 bottles; Lost in Fog for 1 bottle;

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!