My 1995 Small Farm.

Chen Ling then stood up and said to Wang Susu, "Take him inside to wash his face, and let him think it over tonight."

Wang Susu sighed and pulled the sobbing Rui Rui into the house.

She knew Chen Ling was right; sometimes, it's necessary to be strict when educating children, especially boys.

She understood the saying, "A doting mother often spoils her son."

Chen Ling watched her son's retreating figure, and her heart ached with pain.

But he knew even better that a sapling won't grow straight if it's not pruned, and children are like saplings; if they grow crooked, they must be straightened in time.

Today's strictness is to ensure he can live an upright life in the future.

He used to play the virtuous mother at home, while Wang Susu was the strict mother.

As a result, he usually dotes on his son and rarely scolds him harshly.

I always felt that the child was still young, and that being naughty was in his nature, and that I could teach him slowly.

But what he absolutely cannot tolerate is his child learning to lie; that's a matter of principle.

The courtyard quieted down, with only the rustling of autumn wind through the leaves remaining.

Afu walked to Chen Ling's side and rubbed his leg with its big head, as if to comfort him.

Chen Ling patted Afu and let out a long breath.

He also knew that his outburst of anger this time had terrified Rui Rui.

Because he was always kind and gentle, and rarely even spoke harshly to anyone at home.

Rui Rui wasn't afraid of him. Sometimes when he and Wang Susu went out, Rui Rui would miss his father more than his mother.

But he was so angry today, and so stern, that Rui Rui, such a young child, definitely couldn't handle it.

really.

Rui Rui was so scared that she didn't eat well that night.

It was late at night when I finally fell asleep, sobbing in bed.

At night, Chen Ling lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Wang Susu said softly, "You were really fierce today. This is the first time I've ever seen you get so angry at Rui Rui."

Looking at the bright moon outside the window, Chen Ling sighed and said, "The child has grown up and his mind has become more active. We can't just spoil him; we have to set rules when it's time to do so."

"Especially for boys, they need to know what is right and wrong, what they can touch and what they cannot touch."

"We're a good cop and a bad cop, it's time to switch roles."

Wang Susu leaned closer to him: "I know you mean well, but it's heartbreaking to see the child crying like that."

"Does that make me feel better?" Chen Ling gave a wry smile. "But we have to help this sapling grow straight and upright. The road ahead is still long..."

Over the next few days, the weather got better and better, and the sunshine was golden.

The autumn crops in the fields are growing very well, and the tiny white buckwheat flowers form a continuous expanse, attracting many bees to collect nectar.

Buckwheat flower honey doesn't taste good; it has a strange flavor.

South of Fenglei Town, there's a man named Lao Xing. Chen Ling got two jars of buckwheat honey from him a couple of years ago.

It can be called the durian of the honey world.

As to what it's really like, only those who know will know.

Buckwheat can withstand cold.

Like barley, it has a very strong vitality.

This year there was a flood, and the heavy rain soaked the ground, so we won't plant corn.

The same applies to growing buckwheat.

The other vegetables are also growing very well.

The radish green leaves are vibrant and the cabbages are sturdy, foreshadowing a bountiful autumn harvest soon.

However, the atmosphere at the farm was somewhat subtle.

Rui Rui looked like a wilted eggplant, listless and dejected.

Chen Ling's unusual outburst of anger that day truly terrified him.

He no longer did what he used to do, rushing out with Xiaoming and Liu Nier as soon as he finished eating.

Instead, he became somewhat silent, often sitting alone on the threshold, resting his chin on his hand, watching Ah Fu and Ah Shou doze off in the yard, or watching Little Iron Egg chase its tail in circles.

Wang Susu felt sorry for him, but knowing that Chen Ling was determined to discipline him properly this time, she didn't say anything more.

She just quietly put the dishes that Rui Rui liked into his bowl.

Rui Rui remembered his father's punishment and stopped being picky about food.

After finishing his meal, he picked up a broom taller than himself and carefully swept the fallen leaves in the yard, stroke by stroke.

Although the sweeping wasn't very clean, with haphazard sweeping here and there, the clumsy yet diligent little face made Wang Susu turn away and secretly wipe the corner of her eye.

When Wang Susu feeds the chickens and ducks, he will follow along, grabbing a handful of chaff with his little hands and carefully scattering it into the feeding trough.

Watching the chickens and ducks scramble for the food, his eyes wandered, as if he was still thinking about his father's stern words that day.

Wang Susu felt sorry for him and said to Chen Ling in private, "It's good that the child knows he was wrong. Look at him these past few days, he hasn't been eating well and he's not as cheerful as he used to be."

Chen Ling felt heartbroken, but he knew he had to teach Rui Rui a lesson this time.

He shook his head and whispered to Wang Susu, "Jade must be carved to become a useful object. If we feel sorry for him now, we'll only hurt him. Let him figure it out himself; that's more effective than us telling him a hundred times. Look, isn't he doing what I said? That's progress."

Yes, although Rui Rui was in a low mood, she carried out the punishment proposed by Chen Ling meticulously.

They don't eat snacks, don't buy new toys, clean the yard, and help feed the poultry.

Xiaoming wanted to share his snacks with him, but he firmly shook his head and refused, saying softly, "Dad said I can't eat snacks for a month, and I have to keep my promise."

Seeing Rui Rui like this, Xiao Ming also became somewhat sullen and lost his enthusiasm for playing.

Seeing this, Wang Susu gently comforted the two children.

Tell them that children who can admit their mistakes and correct them are good children, and that Dad criticizes them because he loves them and hopes they will become upright and kind people.

Rui Rui listened, nodding as if she understood, but the gloom between her brows finally dissipated a little.

The "low-pressure atmosphere" at home didn't last long.

Because two even younger "happy pills" have started to take to the stage and cause mischief.

These two are naturally Kang Kang and Lele.

Kang Kang and Lele, these two little ones, have no idea about their older brother's troubles.

With the weather fine, they walked more and more steadily and were able to run around on their own without holding onto anything.

The twins were like two tiny, fully charged motors, brimming with boundless curiosity about everything on the farm.

That noon, after lunch, the adults were all taking a nap.

Kang Kang and Lele broke free from Gao Xiulan's watchful eye and tiptoed into the orchard.

Inside the chicken coop, several hens were dozing in their nest. Kang Kang opened his big, dark eyes and stared at the fattest speckled hen. Suddenly, he cried out "Ya!" and wobbled towards it with his little arms outstretched.

The speckled chickens were startled and clucked loudly, flapping their wings and flying wildly around the coop, scattering feathers and dust everywhere.

Seeing this, Lele giggled excitedly and, imitating her younger brother, stumbled and chased after another hen.

The joyful shouts of the two children and the commotion caused by chickens and dogs immediately shattered the afternoon tranquility.

Little Iron Egg was the first to rush over. It thought its little owners were playing a game with the chickens, so it excitedly circled the chicken coop, squawking and jumping around, only making things worse.

Rui Rui and Xiao Ming were also attracted by their younger siblings' adorable antics, and often squatted down to watch them play, their faces breaking into smiles again.

That evening, the sun had just set.

After playing for a while, Kang Kang and Lele each hugged one of Afu's front legs and dozed off.

Wang Susu and Gao Xiulan gently carried them back to the kang (heated brick bed) inside the house.

In the yard, only Chen Ling, Rui Rui, and Xiao Ming remained, along with a few animals keeping them company in silence.

Chen Ling moved a small stool and sat down, pulling Rui Rui to her side, her tone returning to its usual gentleness:

"Rui Rui, you've been doing well these past few days. You keep your word and are a real man."

Hearing her father's praise, Rui Rui's eyes lit up, but then she lowered her head and whispered, "Dad, I was wrong... I shouldn't have cheated other people out of their money."

Chen Ling patted his head, her voice even gentler: "It's good that you know you were wrong and have corrected it. Dad wants to talk to you about something else today."

He pointed inside the house: "Look, Kang Kang and Lele are growing up day by day. They can run and jump now. As the older brother, you will be their role model when you take your younger siblings out to play. You have to take good care of them, understand?"

"I understand." Rui Rui nodded, looking a little confused.

Chen Ling pulled him closer, looking into his eyes: "More importantly, look, when Kang Kang and Le Le play now, who do they like to imitate the most? Isn't it you and Brother Xiao Ming?"

Rui Rui suddenly remembered his younger siblings clumsily imitating him stacking stones, and nodded.

"So you'll be their role model from now on. Whatever you do, they'll think it's right."

"If you learn to be clever and lie, they might think that lying is nothing when they grow up."

"If you are honest, brave, and responsible, they will learn from your good qualities."

"Being an older brother is both an honor and a responsibility."

"When you take your younger siblings out to play in the future, you should not only make sure they have fun, but also protect them and teach them the right principles. Can you do that?"

Rui Rui puffed out her little chest slightly, looked at her father earnestly, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I can do it! I will take good care of my younger brother and sister!"

"Good son."

Chen Ling smiled, her smile full of satisfaction.

“Rui Rui, let me ask you another question. If… I mean, suppose, there’s a big boss from the city who really likes A Fu, A Shou, or Little Leopard, or even Hei Wa and Xiao Jin. He gives you lots and lots of money, enough to buy lots and lots of candy and toys. Would you be willing to sell them to him?”

This question came out of nowhere, and Rui Rui was stunned for a moment.

He subconsciously turned his head to look at the farm gate.

Afu was lying there lazily, his huge head resting on his front paws, his amber eyes looking at them gently.

Ah Shou paced cautiously along the edge of the ditch, occasionally poking at the fish with his paws, seemingly quite interested in the fish swimming in the water.

Little Iron Egg ran around at their feet, wagging its tail happily.

Inside the woodshed, two clouded leopard cubs were probably fast asleep in their mother's arms.

These figures have been a part of his life since he can remember.

Although Afu and Ashou are fierce, they will gently nudge him up with their heads when he falls.

The little leopard would play with him and lick his fingers.

Heiwa Xiaojin stayed by his side every day, protecting him without fail.

They are not toys, nor livestock; they are family members, companions.

Thinking of that "what if," Rui Rui's face turned deathly pale, and her heart was filled with an unprecedented panic.

He grabbed Chen Ling's arm tightly, his voice trembling with tears: "I won't sell! I won't sell them for any amount of money! Daddy, I don't want money! I don't want to sell Afu! I don't want to sell Xiao Tiedan! They are my good friends! I can't bear to part with them!"

Seeing the fear and attachment in her son's eyes, Chen Ling knew that this lesson had truly touched the child's heart.

He hugged Rui Rui tightly and said softly, "Okay, we won't sell. We won't sell any of us. Dad was just giving an example."

"Look, Ah Fu and Ah Shou are priceless treasures to us, something that money can't buy."

"Similarly, honesty, integrity, and family affection are things that money can't buy."

"Compared to this, isn't the few dozen yuan you swindled as insignificant as a feather?"

Rui Rui buried her face in her father's arms, nodded vigorously, and choked out, "Dad, I understand... I really understand... I was wrong... I'll never take other people's money again. I want to stay with Afu, Ashou, and my younger brother and sister forever..."

Wang Susu listened to the conversation between the father and son, and her eyes also welled up with tears.

She walked over and gently patted Rui Rui's back.

Wang Cunye and Gao Xiulan, however, remained silent.

Wang Cunye only dared to mutter behind his back: "Why not just beat him up if he made a mistake? Why all the fuss?"

"Shut up! If you can't take care of children, then don't bother..."

Gao Xiulan glared at the old man: "You don't understand anything. Rui Rui is like his father and also like everyone in our family. They are all stubborn. If we keep being forceful, we can corrupt a good child. We have to be more tactful."

"Explain things to him slowly and clearly. He'll realize he was right or wrong and won't repeat the mistake."

Wang Cunye thought about it and agreed.

He thought of Rui Rui's meticulous little face these past few days.

Rui Rui did whatever punishment Chen Ling asked for.

There's a stubborn streak in him.

He feels sorry for such a small child, and sometimes it would be better to give him a good beating.

However, when the young couple was teaching the baby, they didn't dare to interrupt too much.

Now that I can see Rui Rui isn't holding this in anymore, that's good.

……

They were right; the next day, Rui Rui's face was beaming with smiles again.

On that very day, Liang Hongyu, Qin Rongxian, and Liu Yinhuan arrived, intending to take Xiaoming back home to stay for a few days.

As a result, Rui Rui stopped her, saying that she had bullied Brother Xiao Ming before and was very sorry, and that she didn't want Brother Xiao Ming to leave.

Everyone was surprised when they heard that.

So Wang Susu quietly recounted the whole story.

When Wang Susu said this, Rui Rui didn't dare to listen and covered her ears in shame, hiding behind Chen Ling.

"Rui Rui, you're such a good baby. Were you scared by your dad? Your great-aunt is here today to help you get revenge and teach him a lesson!"

"Mom, what are you doing!" Liu Yinhuan glared at Liang Hongyu when she heard her say this: "You're going to corrupt the children that Fugui and Susu just taught well!" (End of Chapter)