But after a moment's thought, he came up with another idea.

He took the bowl of porridge, gobbled it up and licked the bottom of the bowl, then threw the empty bowl to Dalang. He waved his hand, motioning the four brothers and sisters to gather around him, looking like a father who was very sad for them, and asked with concern:

"You must have suffered these days when Dad is not at home. Tell Dad if you have any grievances. I will take care of it for you when I get better."

Erlang shook his head, not knowing what euphemism meant, and said directly, "No."

Sanlang held his sister's hand in ignorance, and the brother and sister said loudly and seriously: "Follow the stepmother and you will have meat to eat."

Dalang glanced at his father's petrified expression, turned his head away, and the corners of his mouth curled up, but he quickly suppressed it, turned around with a serious face, waved his hand, and drove his younger brothers and sisters out.

"Dad, you need to change the medicine." Dalang reminded.

Liu Ji covered his wounded heart and looked at Da Lang who was mixing herbs for him with satisfaction. He said with emotion:

"Son, Dad knows that you are the most filial."

Dalang didn't respond. He mixed the powder with water and boiled it into a paste. He climbed onto the bed and helped his father change the medicine on his face.

After finishing, I took a small stool and sat at the gate, watching my younger brothers and sisters play with stones.

Liu Ji couldn't help but be curious, "Da Lang, what are you doing sitting at the door? Come in and talk to Dad."

"No, Auntie told us to look after the house."

Housekeeping?

Liu Ji sneered. What’s so good about this shabby house?

Oh, no, that evil woman brought back so much food and valuables, we have to keep a close eye on them to prevent them from being stolen.

We are all family, and he has a share of these things too.

"Yes, we need to watch it carefully." Liu Ji agreed.

Dalang glanced at his father and saw that he was relatively well behaved. He looked towards the road by the river and stayed at home, waiting for his stepmother to come back.