Shi Yihong was wearing a sleeping robe. He leaned against the door with his arms crossed and looked at the two of them with a gloomy gaze. Shi Yunshu looked at the person who didn't want to leave and sighed. He put down the things in his hands and knelt in front of Shi Yihong." I'm sorry. I didn't take good care of Little Ruo."”
Shi Yihong raised his hand and was about to slap him, but he stopped right beside his face and mocked," You can make him drunk right under your nose. Aren't you very good?”
Shi Yunshu did not have any intention of defending himself. He took the responsibility very naturally." My son was careless and did not stop him from causing trouble.”
"Was it your carelessness, or was it your indulgence?”
Xunxun Chang's words were like thunder on the ground. Shi Yunshu suddenly realized that he had already begun to indulge him? He couldn't describe what it felt like, as if he was unconsciously adapting to the change in his identity. As an elder brother, he would never allow a child to drink under such circumstances, let alone get drunk…
"Shi Yunshu, don't forget that you're still his brother.”Shi Yihong narrowed his eyes and his cold tone sounded like a warning.
Shi Yunshu lowered his eyes." I know."”
Looking at the kneeling Shi Yunshu, Shi Yihong said," Go back to sleep first. Come to the study room with Little Ruo tomorrow." He turned around and walked out of the room.
Shi Yunshu replied yes and watched Shi Yihong leave the room. He then suppressed the strong discomfort in his heart and glanced at Pei Ruoqing before turning to leave.
The next day, Shi Yunshu and Pei Ruoqing went to Shi Yihong's study room. Shi Yunshu knocked on the door." Teacher."”
His eyes darkened and he shouted in a low voice," Get up and come in."”
Compared to Shi Yunshu's negligence, he was more angry at Little Rascal's mischief. Looking at the situation last night, he probably drank quite a bit. His body was his. Who would be responsible if he drank too much?
Shi Yunshu and Pei Ruoqing walked in front of Shi Yihong and knelt in front of him. Pei Ruoqing called out," Teacher."”
Without any suspense, the slap that did not land on Shi Yunshu's face landed on his. Pei Ruoqing tilted her head and lowered her head in silence.
"Are you awake?" Shi Yihong clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at him. His tone was as cold as ice.
If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he had seen this little rascal drink. It was his first time drinking, and he dared to drink so recklessly. Did he not want to live? Thinking of this, he gave Shi Yunshu another fierce glare. The young one did not know his limits, and the old one was not much better.
Pei Ruoqing moved her numb lips and whispered," I'm awake.”
"Who gave you the guts to get so drunk? Don't you know how old I am? Can you drink without limit?"
Pei Ruoqing really couldn't say this. In his two lifetimes, his alcohol tolerance had never been good.
Shi Yihong was still in a fit of anger and did not want to waste his breath on them. He reached out to Shi Yunshu and said," Belt."”
Shi Yunshu did not hesitate at all, untying the belt around his waist and handing it over with both hands. Pei Ruoqing panicked and tried her best to restrain herself from snatching the belt.
Unexpectedly, Shi Yihong turned to him and kicked his knee." Give me your hand."”
Only then did Pei Ruoqing realize that he was the one to be punished. He obediently raised his hands and bit his lip." Please punish me, teacher."”
Pa, he fiercely whipped his palm, and a red mark ran through his hands. Pei Ruoqing's body trembled uncontrollably. He did not dare to retract his hand. He could feel his teacher's suppressed anger.
"I don't want to be reasonable today.”Shi Yihong slapped again and said coldly.
"Yes."
Shi Yunshu's heart tightened slightly as he listened from the side. It was as if the belt that had fallen had not only landed on Pei Ruoqing's hand but also on his body. This was a feeling that he had never felt before.
By the tenth strike, Pei Ruoqing was already biting her lip and whimpering. The small cuts on her lips showed the pain that he was enduring.
Shi Yihong stopped and looked at him." If you bite your lip again, I'll slap your face next."”
Pei Ruoqing loosened her teeth as cold sweat broke out on her forehead." It's Ruoqing who has become more upright…"
"Do you know your mistake?" Shi Yihong stared into his eyes and asked.
"I know I was wrong. Teacher, please punish me.”
From the moment Shi Yihong lost his temper, Shi Yunshu did not speak again. He knew that his father must have his reasons. However, when he saw that the child was clearly unable to take it and still had to endure it, Shi Yunshu could not bear it anymore. He took half a step forward and said," Dad, I'll take the rest on his behalf."”
"No." As soon as Shi Yunshu finished speaking, Pei Ruoqing rejected him without any hesitation.
Shi Yunshu glanced at him, his calm gaze carrying a warning. Pei Ruoqing understood the meaning in his eyes, but she refused to show weakness.
Shi Yihong watched on curiously from the side, and even his anger subsided a little. This little rascal was used to being gentle and obedient in front of him, but now, was it because he was drunk?
Shi Yunshu lowered his eyes and did not look at his pleading eyes." Even if Teacher punishes you this time, you will still make the same choice in the same situation. Since the board is useless to you, then let me take it. Perhaps you will still have some scruples.”
" I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Brother, believe me…" Pei Ruoqing said hurriedly. If Shi Yihong had not ordered him to put his hands down, he would have already tugged at Shi Yunshu's sleeves.
"You really don't know how to do it?" Shi Yunshu turned his head and looked into his eyes as if he wanted to look into his soul.
Pei Ruoqing slowly lowered her gaze under his threatening gaze. She said in a trembling voice,"…I don't know.”
Qiao Yuwei made him appreciate her, so when she invited him, he agreed without hesitation. However, without Qiao Yuwei, there was someone he cared about more. He did not know if he would follow his heart or compromise for the sake of the big picture when he was faced with a dilemma.
Shi Yunshu no longer looked at him and said to Shi Yihong," Teacher, please give me your punishment.”
Pei Ruoguang's face was pale and she knew that she was powerless to stop him. She looked at Shi Yunshu with a complicated gaze.
He held his knees and retreated, tacitly agreeing to Shi Yunshu's choice.
Shi Yihong snorted and looked at Shi Yunshu." You don't have to suffer this punishment. Just like him, stretch out your hand!"
Shi Yunshu was rarely silent for two seconds before he raised his hands. There was not a hint of embarrassment on his calm face. Of course, that was if one didn't look at the faint red behind his ears.
Pa. Just like Pei Ruoqing, Shi Yihong did not hold back at all. He had never treated his son or disciple differently. This had nothing to do with age or status. As long as one made a mistake, he had to be punished obediently. No one was an exception. It was still ten hits. Shi Yunshu withdrew his trembling hands without batting an eyelid. He knew that his father had already given him a very light punishment for today's negligence.
Although it was winter vacation, everyone in the family was busy. Shi Yihong had an average of two academic exchanges a day. As his personal assistant, Shi Yunshu naturally had to follow him. Other than that, Shi Yunshu still had to find time to continue filming 'Seeking Power'. Needless to say, An Chengxi basically ran back and forth between the capital and S City.
Pei Ruoqing was probably the most idle among them. Other than her daily fixed tasks, she had almost nothing to do. By the time Shi Yihong was free, it was already a few days later.
After dinner, Shi Yihong dragged Lin Xiran out for a walk. Shi Yunshu went to the kitchen while Pei Ruoqing went to the study.
By the time Shi Yihong returned, Pei Ruoqing had already stood there for nearly forty minutes. Hearing the footsteps behind her, Pei Ruoqing unconsciously curled her fingers, as if Shi Yihong's anger from a few days ago was still hovering above her head.
Shi Yihong walked past him without stopping and stood behind the table in an orderly manner to grind the paper. Pei Ruoqing was unsure of what her teacher wanted to do, but she could not rashly disturb him. She could only stand obediently on the spot as punishment.
"Come here." A few minutes later, Pei Ruoqing heard her teacher's emotionless voice.
He walked to Shi Yihong nervously and called him in a low voice," Teacher."”
Shi Yihong bent his fingers and knocked on the table." Write a few words, anything.”
Pei Ruoqing thought that Shi Yihong was going to test his calligraphy and did not pay much attention to it. Although he had not practiced much recently, he had practiced for many years. Dipping the ink and holding the brush had become an instinct.
He turned his wrist and a poem appeared on the paper. There are fifty strings on the brocade zither for no reason, and one string and one column miss Hua Nian. Zhuang Sheng dreamed of butterflies in his dreams, and the emperor's spring heart entrusted cuckoo.
This was Li Shangyin's poem, and Pei Ruoqing had written the first half of the [Jin Se].
Shi Yihong looked at the words on the snow-white paper and frowned." Tell me, why did you write this poem?"”
"There's no reason. My heart moved at will.”Pei Ruoqing lowered her hands and stood to the side respectfully.
Shi Yihong took a deep look at him and slowly walked to the window with his hands behind his back.
"Little Ruo." Shi Yihong called out to him solemnly. Pei Ruoqing knew that this was the reason why he was here today.
He stood up even straighter." Teacher, please speak. I'm listening.”
"Did Uncle Pei intend for you to take over the Pei family?”Shi Yihong suddenly changed the topic.
Pei Ruoqing was stunned for a moment before he realized that the Uncle Pei Shi Yihong was referring to was his grandfather. He seemed to understand what Shi Yihong wanted to say to him.
"Grandpa said that if I wanted to, he would do his best to nurture me, but if I wanted to take over the Pei family, I had to fight for it myself. If I have no intention, then…set me free.”Pei Ruoqing felt guilty when she said this because he had rejected her without even thinking.
At that time, his grandfather's expression did not change at all. He only replied with three words," Got it."”
After that, Pei Yansong did not force him to study economics and management. If he was willing, he would tell him about the business world. If he was unwilling, the old man would not even mention a word.
"You rejected him?" It was clearly a question, but it carried a certain meaning.
Pei Ruoqing lowered her head." Yes."
"Have you read Silkworm Woman?" Shi Yihong did not get angry or reprimand him. Instead, he asked calmly.
"I have."
Shi Yihong turned around and did not look at him." Since you've read it, then recite it."”
However, Pei Ruoqing could not open her mouth because she already knew what Shi Yihong wanted her to understand.
"What, you can't open your mouth?" Shi Yihong turned around abruptly, his voice no longer as gentle as before.
Pei Ruoqing immediately knelt down." I'm sorry, I didn't think that much…"
"What do you want me to repeat?”Shi Yihong's voice was not cold, but it made Pei Ruoqing tremble inexplicably. It had been a long time since he had been emphasized on the rules of questioning. Indeed, it had been too long since he had been taught a lesson for such matters, causing him to forget that the person in front of him was his teacher.
He pursed his lips, and his voice seemed to be broken by the wind. Yesterday I entered the city, and when I came back, my face was full of tears. All over the body…Luo Qi is not a silkworm farmer.”
"Do you think you are the one covered in silk?”Shi Yihong pointed at the core without any pity.
Pei Ruoqing's hands that were hanging by her side tightly gripped the fabric of her pants. Her heart was placed on a scorching stove, being roasted and questioned mercilessly.
He gently closed his eyes." I was selfish.”
"Those who talk about the joy of the mountains and forests may not really enjoy the pleasures of the mountains and forests. Those who hate the talk of fame and fortune may not completely forget the feelings of fame and fortune. Do you really think you don't need those things now?”Shi Yihong did not wake him up. He walked up to him and asked calmly and indifferently.
No matter what, Pei Ruoqing could not say the words 'no need'. Everything he had now was because of these' mundane things'.
"It is a very pleasant thing to cut open the thorns in one's chest so that people can come and go. Since you live in this society, you have to interact with others and seal yourself in another world. You will never be truly free.”
"To observe the affairs of the world, one must first learn to enter the world and savor the feelings of the human world.”
At this moment, Shi Yihong was like a sage from ancient times. Every word sounded like a proverb of the Great Dao. Pei Ruoqing seemed to have been swept by the horsetail whisk in the hands of the Grand Supreme Elder and was momentarily in a daze.
"Little Ruo, your heart is too indifferent.”A sigh made Pei Ruoqing come back to his senses. He looked at Shi Yihong with an indescribable feeling rising from the bottom of his heart.
"If I was stubborn, would you still teach me?”For some reason, Pei Ruoqing really wanted to know the answer. If he was unrepentant and stubbornly insisted on his point of view, would Shi Yihong still be so patient and reason with him?
Shi Yihong was stunned for a moment before he suddenly smiled." You can try. Let's see if my family law can cure your stubbornness.”
Hearing his answer, Pei Ruoqing exhaled lightly as if she was relieved." Don't worry. That day will never come.”
Not letting go of the family law meant not letting go of responsibility. No matter how unbearable it was, he still treated him as a disciple and a responsibility. What reason did he have to rely on the stability given by the people around him to enjoy the fruits of his labor?
"Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Your father will return to the Pei family tomorrow. You can have a good talk with him and Uncle Pei then.”Seeing that he seemed to have understood, Shi Yihong did not say anything else. Whether it was preaching or punishment, there had to be a limit. Once this limit was exceeded, it would lose its original meaning.
"Teacher, have you calmed down?" Pei Ruoqing suddenly asked.
Shi Yihong raised an eyebrow." Why? I'm still angry, and you're still here to be beaten up?”
"If you think that beating me up will appease your anger, I will go out and fold a willow branch for you now.”Pei Ruoqing smiled at him and said casually.
Shi Yihong's eyebrows twitched and he looked at him strangely." Why is it a willow branch and not a rattan?”
"I'm afraid you'll feel sorry for me." Pei Ruoqing said without blushing.
Shi Yihong was speechless. Was this bastard possessed by a ghost?
"If you want to be beaten up so badly, then go ahead. The willow branches on the east coast are more tenacious.”Shi Yihong suggested with interest.
"Alright." As she spoke, Pei Ruoqing stood up and prepared to leave. Seeing that he was not joking, a light flashed in Shi Yihong's eyes as he shouted in a low voice," Come back."”
Pei Ruoqing stopped in her tracks, took a deep breath, and turned around." What instructions do you have?”
"Have you really thought it through?" Shi Yihong stared into his eyes, not missing a single emotion.
"I'm serious, but…it's a little uncomfortable, and my heart feels a little empty.”Pei Ruoqing lowered her head and spoke softly.
Shi Yihong sighed, rubbed his head, and pulled him into his arms." From the moment we were thrown into this world, we have responsibilities that we have to face. Only by knowing the pain of responsibility can we understand the joy of responsibility. When you really get into it, you'll realize that everything isn't that difficult.”
"One has to experience thousands of sails before one is qualified to say that one has seen through it. One has to be contaminated with enough worldly emotions before one can understand what it means to be cold and warm in the human world. Little Ruo, I hope that your life will be rich and colorful, not just a dull gray.”Shi Yihong stroked the back of his head and said softly.
"Yes." Pei Ruoqing rested her head on his shoulder and responded in a muffled voice.
The next day, the 24th of December, Pei Yuan Shao brought his wife and daughter back to the capital.
When Pei Ruoqing arrived at the Pei residence, Pei Yuanshao and the other two had not arrived yet. Pei Yansong instructed people to prepare lunch while he brought Pei Ruoqing around the courtyard.
The courtyard was not a courtyard. Its area was comparable to a small town.
At this moment, the grandfather and grandson duo were walking on an archaic street. Under their feet were square stone bricks, and lanterns of various shapes were hung on both sides of the street. The fiery red color rendered the festive atmosphere very rich.
The sunlight was warm and the pedestrians were comfortable.
Pei Ruoqing supported Pei Yansong and the two of them walked slowly. No one spoke and the atmosphere was as peaceful as a long-lasting New Year painting.
"Have you decided?" Pei Yansong said without any warning.
"Yes, people have to learn to grow up and learn to bear responsibilities.”
Just like when he heard his rejection, Pei Yansong didn't show any difference." I'll give you another chance to choose. If you still make this decision, there's no room for regret."”
"Alright, I'll think about it." Pei Ruoqing did not make a promise immediately, even though he had already thought about it.
Pei Ruoqing raised her head and looked at the sunlight above her. It was bright and dazzling, but it looked very warm in the winter.
Perhaps it was time for him to have a good chat with his father.
After Pei Yuan Shao arrived, before he could do anything to Pei Ruoqing, he was first reprimanded by his own Old Master.
In the pavilion, Pei Yuan Shao stood at the side with a submissive expression. The old man lifted the tea lid and slowly took a sip." When do you plan to leave?”
"Next year. I've already applied to the higher-ups to be demoted by two ranks and transferred back to the capital.”
"Dilly-dally." The old man coldly gave him a two-word evaluation.
Pei Yuan Shao was a little helpless. Even if he wanted to come back, he had to settle the matters in S City first. He had stayed in S City for more than ten years, so he could not let her go just like that. Moreover, there was Song Yuyan. If he returned to the capital, Song Yuyan would definitely follow him, and he would need to deal with the aftermath.
The old man reprimanded him without any politeness." We started preparing three years ago and only started moving now. Even trash isn't as useless as you."”
Pei Yuan Shao: "…" Forget it, trash is trash, as long as you are happy! Pei Yuan Shao did not show any signs of embarrassment and calmly listened to the old man's scolding.
Towards Pei Yansong, Pei Yuan Shao felt guilty. He had been willful for almost his entire life, putting all the burden of the family on his father, letting him guard this cold big house alone for ten years, guarding the eternal photo of the small temple hall.
He didn't mind the old man scolding him. Being able to scold him proved that he had good energy. Anyway, he wouldn't lose a piece of meat.
On the other side, Pei Ruoqing looked at the little one that pounced on him the moment he entered the door with a dark expression. He thought to himself, Is this little brat not afraid of strangers at all? After all, they had not seen each other for almost half a year.
" Brother, hehe…" Those who didn't understand would think that he was laughing. Pei Siyi, who was more than two years old, could only repeat words, but fortunately, he could enunciate them clearly. At this moment, his fair and tender hands were playing tricks on his brother's head, as if he was thinking about what kind of interesting pose to make.
" Big Brother, Meimei…" The soft, childlike voice was innocent, as if she was immersed in her hobby forever.
Pei Ruoqing was speechless. The corners of his mouth twitched, and he firmly held a certain hand that was constantly wriggling with one hand and stopped the other hand from messing around on his head.
Young Master Pei, who couldn't play with his hair, wasn't discouraged at all. He hugged his brother's head and kissed his face. In an instant, half of his face was covered in saliva.
Pei Ruoqing's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. If it was not for the fact that the creature in his arms had the surname Pei, he would have thrown him out long ago. However, a certain someone who did not feel his brother's pressure drop was still smiling excitedly as if he was asking for credit." Kiss, be good…"
Pei Ruoqing wished he could pull this restless little brat down and beat him up. After thinking about it, he suddenly felt discouraged. He was afraid that if he slapped the person twice, the person who was beaten would be fine, but he would feel heartache first.
He carried the child and headed towards the pavilion where Pei Yuan Shao and the others were. His father and grandfather had already been there for half an hour, so they should have finished chatting by now.
When Pei Ruoqing went over, he saw his father's painful expression. He looked at his father suspiciously. It seemed that every time he came back, his father would be beaten up first, even when he was getting older.
The only difference was that in the past, he had to kneel in front of the door to receive formal family punishment. Now, this kind of painless beating was more like a technique to eliminate the estrangement. Pei Ruoqing's eyes flashed with a smile. She did not sympathize with his father at all.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]