Chapter 72: Self-Reflection

Chapter 72: Self-Reflection

In an open area some distance from the cliff, the three children stood in a row as Su He was scolding them.

"Who was the first to rush up and grab my leg just now?" Su He asked sternly, her face serious.

This was the first time she had spoken in such a harsh tone since coming to her senses.

Ji Liangchuan glanced at Niu Niu, then stepped forward and said, "Aunt Su, I was the first to go up."

Niu Niu, terrified that the old version of her mom had returned, went pale with fear.

Su He sighed, not sure if she believed Ji Liangchuan.

Not wanting to frighten the children, she continued, "Didn’t I tell you to stay right where you were? That’s the cliff's edge—not safe at all. What if you had fallen? I’ll ask again: who was the first to go up?"

Suddenly, a loud "Waaah!" broke the silence—Niu Niu started crying.

"Mom, I’m sorry. I was the one who ran up and grabbed your leg. I was so scared something would happen to you. I’m sorry, Mom."

Seeing her daughter cry again because of her, Su He’s heart ached.

She sighed and walked over to Niu Niu, gently stroking her head before saying, "I’m not mad at you. I just want you to put your own safety first in dangerous situations."

But Niu Niu didn’t think she was wrong. Stubbornly lifting her head, the girl who was usually spacey now looked at Su He with rare seriousness, disagreeing with her words.

"But Mom, I want to protect you too. I don’t want you to get hurt or be in danger."

It hit her like a punch to the chest. Su He’s chest tightened.

Yes, she had always treated them as children—or even as the antagonists from the novel—always trying to steer their lives and shape them to fit her own vision.

Yet, though they were barely three years old, they were still individuals with their own personalities and thoughts.

If she arrogantly controlled their lives under the guise of doing what was best for them, forcing them to grow up the way she wanted, would that even be *their* life anymore?

Moreover, she had always aimed to raise the two kids into happy, kind kids. Now that they were so concerned for her safety, why should she take that pure kindness away from them?

Immediately, she gathered Niu Niu into her arms and comforted her, "You’re a good kid. I was wrong. I want to protect you, and of course, you want to protect me too. I’ll change from now on. I’m sorry."

Niu Niu stayed silent in Su He’s embrace. Su He then asked, "Niu Niu, can you forgive me?"

Feeling the little one nod against her chest, Su He smiled in relief.

She turned to the two boys standing frozen nearby and gave them a reassuring smile. "You two were brave too. Well done."

But for Ji Liangchuan, today’s events set off a whirlwind in his heart.

So—adults could say sorry to children too.

In his family, kids were always expected to obey the adults no questions asked.

Their military compound ran the household like it was still the army—orders were barked and obeyed without debate.

But Aunt Su didn’t parent like his folks did. She was so gentle, always making him feel cared for.

Yet when his parents made mistakes, they never admitted it, much less say sorry.

The reason he had been sent to his grandmother’s house this time was because he had gotten into a scrap with a neighbor’s kid in the compound. When he returned home, his parents had scolded him without even letting him explain.

He felt so wronged—it wasn’t even his fault.

Later, his dad kept making him go next door to apologize to the kid he fought with. When he refused, he got sent to his grandma’s place.

His mom’s idea was that the conditions here were tough, and she wanted him to experience how difficult life could be in poorer areas so he’d behave better.

But after arriving here and meeting Niu Niu, Zai Zai, and Aunt Su, he was thrilled.

He didn’t find this place hard at all—he actually wanted to stay.

If only he could just become Aunt Su’s child. Ji Liangchuan didn’t want to return to that icy, lonely house at all.

But no way he’d actually say it.

If Zai Zai knew he was trying to steal his mom, he’d definitely stop playing with him.

On the way down the mountain, the mood went back to being easy and cheerful.

Su He had a bundle of firewood strapped to her back, walking behind the kids.

"Mom, can we stir-fry mushrooms tonight?"

Niu Niu, as if forgetting the earlier unpleasantness, started babbling away again.

The kid didn’t remember a thing, but she never forgot about food.

Even now, none of the kids bothered to ask Su He what she had been looking for near the cliff earlier.

"Sure. Do you guys want dumplings too?" Su He suddenly asked.

Thinking about it, she hadn’t made dumplings for them yet.

Ji Liangchuan had eaten dumplings before and didn’t think they were anything special, but since Su He was making them, they’d probably be way better, right?

So he answered, "I’d like some."

Zai Zai and Niu Niu, though, figured anything their mom made had to be good.

They’d never had dumplings before, but they were sure they’d be great.

By the time they got home, it was already past four, so they could start on dinner.

For the dumpling fillings, Su He planned to make three kinds: pure minced meat, egg and chive, and mushroom with greens.

She left the firewood in the backyard to dry out before use, then went to the vegetable garden to grab some greens, chives, and scallions.

When Ji Liangchuan saw the vast vegetable garden in Su He’s backyard, he blurted out, "Whoa!"

"Aunt Su, did you guys grow all this?" he asked curiously.

Right now, the garden was overflowing—all kinds of vegetables were ready to be harvested.

"Yes, we planted them with Mom!" Niu Niu answered proudly before Su He could reply.

"If you ever come to our house again, you won’t have to worry about running out of vegetables," Zai Zai added seriously.

Just as Su He finished preparing the ingredients and was about to wrap the dumplings, Zhuang Zhuang barged in with a group of kids from the Fu family.

"Aunt Su! Aunt Su!"

Su He hurried out to see what was going on as soon as she heard the call.

"What's wrong, Zhuang Zhuang?"

Seeing a group of kids at her doorstep, Su He assumed something was wrong.

"Auntie, where did you go just now? We wanted to play at your house, but no one was home," Zhuang Zhuang replied.

"Some of Niu Niu and Zai Zai's friends came over, so I took them to the hills to play."

Su He's answer made the kids envious, and then the three children inside came out too.

Ji Liangchuan looked at Zhuang Zhuang and Niu Niu standing outside the door, feeling a bit awkward.

He was a child who was slow to open up and wasn't particularly liked by his peers.

But then Zhuang Zhuang ran up to Ji Liangchuan and said, "Are you Zai Zai and Niu Niu's good friend? Then you're our friend now too."

Ji Liangchuan: "...You guys don’t waste time, huh?"