Chapter 116
Fang Zichen's mouth hung wide open. Zhao Ger frowned, and immediately punched him: "Listen to that, is that proper talk?"
Fang Zichen was utterly wronged: "Then hit our son! Why hit me?"
Zhao Ger glared at him and said: "It's all learned from you, isn't it?"
Fang Zichen: "......"
Fang Zichen felt sulky, this was truly hard for him to refute. Thinking carefully, it seemed it really was the case.
Fang Zichen had never raised a child before, had no experience, and was rather careless. In front of Guaizai, he spoke without restraint. Guaizai was at an age where his ability to learn through imitation was strongest. Spending every day with Fang Zichen, over time, Guaizai learned to say all sorts of things.
Guaizai looked at Zhao Ger, then at Fang Zichen, his expression full of disapproval. "Daddy, why hit father? Hitting people is wrong. Father, does it hurt? Guaizai will blow on it for you. Daddy is not good for hitting people. Guaizai has decided not to kiss him anymore today."
Zhao Ger felt helpless and had a bit of a headache, supporting his forehead with his hand.
Even though that punch had landed on the back, Guaizai cupped Fang Zichen's face with both his small hands, blowing intently on his left cheek. After blowing for a good while, he seemed shy and embarrassed as he asked: "Father, help Guaizai, okay?"
Fang Zichen wiped the saliva off his face, feeling there was nothing he could do: "Your own grudge, why ask me to help?"
Guaizai's eyes shifted guiltily. "Father said that digging up graves is a wicked deed. Guaizai mustn't do it. If children do bad things, they won't grow tall, and their hands and feet will rot away."
"So you know this is a wicked thing to do?" Fang Zichen felt the urge to spank him. This little rascal—forget about giving him a fright just now—if you know it's wicked and don't want to do it yourself, you send your father instead? Is this how you set your own father up?
Moreover, is Ma Laosan even dead yet that you already want to go dig up his grave?
Zhao Ger felt that if things continued like this, this child was probably going to grow up crooked. But thinking about how much suffering Guaizai had endured with him before, he simply couldn't bring himself to be harsh.
Guaizai squirmed out of Fang Zichen's arms and pattered off to the kitchen, disappearing from view. Zhao Ger nudged Fang Zichen with his elbow: "You educate him properly!"
"How should I educate him?" Fang Zichen asked hesitantly: "Give him a beating?"
In the village, when raising children, if a child did something wrong, those who doted on their children would pretend not to see or just lightly scold them. Those who were stricter might resort to the rod if scolding didn't work.
Guaizai was still young now, silly and naive, what did he understand?
But seeing Zhao Ger's deeply furrowed brows, Fang Zichen stood up: "So that the two of us don't get buried alive in the future, I'll go give him a beating."
Zhao Ger also stood up, took two steps forward, and blocked Fang Zichen halfway: "Don't stop me, I'm going to teach him a proper lesson."
"...... I'm not stopping you!" Zhao Ger pulled out a stick from who-knows-where, handed it to Fang Zichen, and urged: "Go on!"
Fang Zichen looked at the stick as thick as a wrist, swallowed, and said: "Zhao Ger," he licked his lips, speaking seriously: "Is Guaizai really your biological son?"
He suddenly felt sympathy for his son.
Ah...
This poor stepson of mine—his real father was a brute who violated someone and fled, and his birth daddy... well, some things are better left unsaid.
With neither his father nor his dad showing him affection, if I don't stand up for him, who will? The poor boy would have no one.
"Father..." Guaizai came out of the kitchen holding a bowl of water. The bowl was filled too full, spilling with every step, making the back of his hand wet. His little face was flushed red, smiling with curved eyes: "Father, drink water."
How could anyone bring themselves to hit him after this!
Fang Zichen sighed, resigned to his fate, squatting down to take the water: "My son is truly filial." As soon as the words left his mouth, he heard Zhao Ger cough.
It was already the middle of the tenth month. The temperature dropped sharply each morning and evening, and the air had grown distinctly cold.
He played dumb, pretending not to understand: "The weather's getting cold, remember to wear more clothes, especially during this season change. If you catch a cold and pass it to our son, I'll spank your bottom until it's bruised!"
Zhao Ger: "......"
Fang Zichen patted his chest and said: "Don't worry, I will properly educate our son for you."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ger could only go into the kitchen to cook. Fang Zichen carried Guaizai into the main room.
After the rice was steamed, laughter from Guaizai came from the direction of the main room. Zhao Ger wiped his face... he knew it.
Relying on Fang Zichen was no different from hoping for a pie to fall from the sky.
Guaizai ate three pieces of candy, laughing happily.
Normally, he could only eat one piece a day, but today he was too happy. He clung to Fang Zichen's leg, rubbing against him like a little puppy. Fang Zichen picked him up and tossed him into the air. The father and son started playing again.
Zhao Ger came over and said gloomily: "Husband, didn't you say you were going to educate our son? Is this how you educate him?"
Fang Zichen spoke confidently and with full of assurance: "Yes, everyone's educational methods are different! I already told him, if he doesn't behave, I won't buy him good food or toys anymore. He said he understands, and will be a good boy from now on, won't think about those nonsense anymore. If you don't believe me, ask him."
"Guaizai knows he was wrong." Guaizai got down from Fang Zichen's arms, hugged Zhao Ger's leg, lifted his big head and said: "Daddy, digging up people's graves is wrong. Doing bad things, if the commotion is too big and leaves traces, then you get caught by official uncle and go to jail. If you go to jail, there's no food to eat, no candy to eat, no clothes to wear. In the jail cell there are also big rats that bite your bottom, and you won't get to see daddy and father anymore. So Guaizai won't go dig his grave anymore. Guaizai will pee, Guaizai will give him smelly pee. When it dries, no one will find out, so Guaizai won't have to go to jail!"
Zhao Ger: "......"
Fang Zichen: "......"
Fang Zichen's face twisted into a knot upon hearing Guaizai's words. He had just told the boy not to speak of this aloud—why was he blabbing it all now? Did the child think his father had nine lives?
Zhao Ger offered a skin-deep smile. "Husband..."
"This..." Under Zhao Ger's gaze that seemed absolutely itching to skin him alive, Fang Zichen felt a cold sweat break out on his back. "You know, educating a child is not only physically demanding, but it takes time. The effect isn't quick when the time is too short. Give me another half a shichen." He tucked Guaizai under his arm and sped off to the bedroom as if fleeing for his life.
From outside, Guaizai's excited voice could still be heard: "Father runs so fast! Father has lightning legs! Guaizai's legs have grown hair too, so Guaizai can run super fast as well!"
Zhao Ger was utterly speechless.
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