Chapter 9: Mother, Am I Ruthless Enough?

Ye Kun’s lips twitched when he heard this. This teacher is really quite the actor—does he want us to go home and get beaten to death… Ye Qin could even feel the deathly glare their father was emitting.

“Sir, it’s my fault for not disciplining him properly. I will make sure to teach him a lesson today,” Yuan Zhen’s father, Yuan Xinzhou, said, cupping his fists respectfully. He was well aware of Old Master Wei’s status and dared not show any disrespect.

Old Master Wei nodded and recounted the day’s events.

Bang!

Feng Chi, with his fiery temper, slapped his son on the back of the head. “You brat—who told you to bully others!” he scolded, though inwardly he thought, You tried to bully someone and ended up getting bullied yourself. You’ve lost all our face.

Ye Ming still hadn’t spoken, but his expression was so dark it looked as if he’d just been thrashed by his wife.

Old Master Wei didn’t press the matter further. After all, the Feng and Yuan families were prominent in Taixi County. This approach was already giving them face. As for the Ye family, they were apparently a neglected branch, their household in decline and of little consequence.

“That’s enough for today. I need to rest. I hope what happened today won’t happen again. If it does, I’ll be powerless to help and you’ll have to find another teacher.” With that, he stooped and walked into a side room.

“Gentlemen, please see yourselves out,” the doorman said respectfully.

The three fathers led their children out of the private school.

“Brother Ye, don’t take offense. My son is young and foolish,” Feng Chi said with a cupped-fist smile, though the apology seemed far from sincere.

Ye Ming smiled in return. “You’re too kind, Brother Feng. My boy is unruly; I must discipline him properly.”

Yuan Xinzhou laughed heartily. “Boys will be boys—scrapes and scuffles are only natural. Brother Ye, Brother Feng, how about we gather for a meal tonight?”

“Oh, my wife is waiting at home. I’m sorry, but I must decline,” Ye Ming replied with a gentle smile, refusing the invitation outright.

Yuan Xinzhou’s expression shifted, but he quickly forced a smile. “No matter. You should hurry home, then, before your wife gets angry.”

There was a clear hint of mockery in his words, poking fun at Ye Ming’s fear of his wife.

Ye Ming paid it no mind and walked home with his two sons, Zhang Tiantian trailing behind.

The smiles vanished from Feng Chi and Yuan Xinzhou’s faces.

“Is this Ye Ming related to the Ye family in Ankang Prefecture?” Feng Chi asked quietly.

Yuan Xinzhou chuckled. “Whether he is or not, being left in Taixi County is clear enough—he’s been cast aside.”

Feng Chi said nothing. After all, weren’t they in the same boat?

“Are you just going to stand there? Can’t even win a fight!” Feng Chi scolded his son, who shrank back and hurried onto the carriage.

On the other side, Ye Ming returned home with his two children.

Dongmen Meng sat in the main hall, Xiao Ling by her side pouring tea. The atmosphere was tense.

As Ye Kun and Ye Qin entered, they stood at attention, awaiting their reprimand.

Looking at her sons, Dongmen Meng couldn’t help but find it amusing. Was she being too strict with them?

“All right, go bathe and then come eat.”

Ye Qin sensed something was off. What did this mean? Their mother was being unexpectedly kind—it felt unnatural.

“Mother, today’s events were my fault. I didn’t look after my brother properly,” Ye Kun volunteered, feeling he should take the blame for once instead of always letting his little brother bear it.

Ye Ming interjected coolly, “Kun, you did nothing wrong today. If someone bullies you, of course you shouldn’t just stand there and take it.”

Ye Kun almost wanted to cover his face. Father… Mother… couldn’t you scold me just a little? Ever since I was little, it’s always been praise. You’re making me so full of myself I’m starting to think I’m truly outstanding.

This kind of treatment dulls my fighting spirit. I, Kun, want to forge my own path with my hands, not float along on endless praise.

Ye Qin, hearing that even fighting was praiseworthy, quickly piped up, “Mother, I even smashed a desk over that kid. Wasn’t that ruthless?”

Ye Kun: …

Dongmen Meng’s face turned cold, making Ye Qin shrink behind his brother.

He felt utterly wronged. Why was it that when his brother did something, he was praised, but when he did it, he got this reaction?

“Qin! Where did you learn to be ruthless?” Dongmen Meng asked, bewildered at her younger son’s thinking.

“I… I learned it from you, Mother. You always say, ‘A ruthless heart and few words.’”

Dongmen Meng was so exasperated she burst out laughing.

Even Ye Ming found his son’s antics amusing. Son, aren’t you afraid your mother will beat you to death for saying that?

Ye Kun didn’t even know what to say. Sometimes, silence is the better part of valor, little brother.

“Kun, go bathe. Qin, you stay. Mother wants to have a good talk with you.”

Ye Qin’s face fell instantly. Mother, maybe you should have a talk with Father instead.

Ye Kun shot him a sympathetic look. Trouble comes from the mouth, indeed.

Barely out the door, Ye Kun heard his little brother’s cries from inside. For a moment, he truly wished he could take a few blows in his brother’s stead. As an elder brother, he felt ashamed. He’d have to find a way to make it up to him later.

This sort of thing happened about every ten days. By the next day, Ye Qin was lively and bouncing around as usual.

The two brothers went to school as usual. Ye Kun gave explicit instructions: “If there’s any fighting, let me handle it. You just stand aside and watch. Don’t get involved.”

Ye Qin agreed seriously, moved to the core. Truly, his big brother was his idol.

Yet, upon entering the classroom, Ye Kun noticed that Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen were keeping quiet. Had they really turned over a new leaf? Impossible.

But nothing happened over the next few days, so Ye Kun stopped worrying about it.

He began to think of finding some trouble himself, so his parents would scold him for once—just to make things fair for his little brother. Otherwise, this imbalance would eventually become a problem.

But what should he do? It was frustrating—who else in this world would deliberately set himself up to be scolded, if not Kun?

“Today, I want to see everyone’s skills in painting,” the teacher announced. “Don’t underestimate painting. Those with great talent can comprehend the Dao through art. Painting can elevate your state of mind; it must not be taken lightly.”

Hearing this, Ye Kun’s eyes lit up. Perfect.

He couldn’t paint anyway, so why not make a mess of it? This would surely reach his parents’ ears, and he’d finally get the scolding his little brother so desired.

This was the least he could do as an elder brother.

“Big brother, do you know how to paint?” Ye Qin asked quietly from beside him.

“Have you ever seen me paint before?”

“No.”

“There you go. Just do your best… and bring it home for Father and Mother to see.”

“I will. I’ll paint seriously.”

Looking at his little brother’s earnest face, Ye Kun thought, No matter what, he’ll paint better than me.

This was safe. Everything he did was, after all, for his little brother’s sake.