Chapter 148 The Inevitable Storm
After leaving the police station, Lan Xichen still had some business to attend to, so he handed Lan Sizhui over to Xie Lian and Hua Cheng. They were silent the entire way, the atmosphere in the car oppressive and suffocating.
Lan Sizhui huddled in the back seat, his hands tightly clutching the corner of his shirt, his eyes reddened, not daring to look at Xie Lian and Huacheng in the front seat. Huacheng, in particular, had been acting incredibly cold since the moment they arrived at the police station, his gaze as cold as ice, making him cringe.
The car stopped at the entrance of Yunshen Pavilion. Huacheng got out first, opened the back door, and said in a cold tone, "Get down."
Lan Sizhui shrank back in fear, hesitating to move. He stole a glance at Xie Lian, his eyes full of pleading.
Xie Lian sighed inwardly, got out of the car, walked around to the back seat, and gently touched his head: "Si Zhui, don't be afraid, come in with us first."
Lan Sizhui finally mustered up the courage to get out of the car. As soon as he landed, he saw Huacheng standing at the entrance, his back to them. His figure was straight, yet he exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers away.
The child panicked and subconsciously hid behind Xie Lian, his little hands tightly grasping the corner of Xie Lian's clothes, like a frightened little animal, trying to seek shelter from his uncle.
Xie Lian sensed his nervousness and his heart softened, but he still gently pushed him away.
"Si Zhui," Xie Lian's voice was soft, yet filled with undeniable seriousness, "You were wrong this time, and you must face the consequences yourself."
He took a step aside, leaving Lan Sizhui alone in front of Huacheng, with a hint of expectation and determination in his eyes.
Some storms cannot be avoided and must be borne by oneself. This is not because I don't love him, but I hope he can understand that if he makes a mistake, he must bear the consequences and can't always rely on others.
Lan Sizhui was stunned. He watched his uncle retreat to the side. Looking at the cold and stiff figure in front of him, tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't understand why even his uncle, who loved him the most, wouldn't help him.
But he also knew that he had done something wrong this time. He had skipped school, run around, made everyone worried, and even made his father angry...
He sniffed, clenched his hands, and trudged forward, step by step, towards Huacheng. With each step, his fear grew, but thinking of his father's pale face and his uncle's words, "Daddy's vomiting blood," he gritted his teeth and forced himself to move forward.
Hua Cheng heard footsteps and slowly turned around.
His eyes were still cold, without any of his usual gentleness. Like a knife tempered with ice, they fell directly on Lan Sizhui.
"Do you know you're wrong?" Hua Cheng's voice was low and majestic, even more frightening than when Lan Qiren was lecturing.
Lan Sizhui trembled all over when he looked at him, but he still managed to raise his head, looked at him, and whispered, "I...I know."
"What's wrong?"
"I... I shouldn't have skipped school, shouldn't have run out alone, shouldn't have made everyone worry..." Lan Sizhui's voice was choked with sobs, and he couldn't hold back his tears. "I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have made Daddy angry..."
When he mentioned Wei Wuxian, his tears fell even harder, and the self-blame in his heart surged like a tide.
Hua Cheng looked at his red eyes from crying, and saw how he was trying to suppress his fear but still admit his mistake. The coldness in his eyes subsided a little, but he still looked unhappy.
"You're done with it just because you know you're wrong?" Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow, his tone still stern. "Do you know how dangerous it is for you to run around the streets alone? Do you know how anxious we were when we were looking for you? Do you know that your father was worried about you..."
He paused at this point and didn't say anything more. Some words are too heavy to be borne by such a young child.
But Lan Sizhui understood. He nodded vigorously, tears falling even harder: "I know... I was wrong... Uncle, please punish me. Any punishment is fine, as long as Daddy is fine..."
Seeing him like this, Hua Cheng's anger finally subsided. Although the child was stubborn, he was not ignorant. He knew how to care for others and admit his mistakes.
He sighed, walked up to Lan Sizhui, squatted down, and his eyes finally softened: "Punishing you is not my purpose, I just want you to remember this lesson."
"Don't be so willful anymore. Don't make your father worry anymore. Do you hear me?"
“Yeah!” Lan Sizhui nodded vigorously, his face covered in tears and snot, but he responded emphatically, “I won’t do it again!”
"Also," Hua Cheng reached out and gently wiped his tears. His movements were a little awkward, yet carried a subtle tenderness. "Go to school tomorrow and apologize to the teacher. When you come back, copy the House Rules three times."
"House Rules" are the rules of the Lan family. Although he is not required to strictly abide by them, they are meant to teach him a lesson.
"Yes! I will!" Lan Sizhui agreed without hesitation. He would be willing to copy it ten times, let alone three.
Hua Cheng looked at his obedient appearance, finally nodded, and stood up: "Go wash your hands and face, then go eat."
"Oh." Lan Sizhui responded and turned to go to the bathroom, but then stopped and looked back at Huacheng, asking softly, "Uncle... Daddy, is he... is he okay?"
Hua Cheng glanced at him and said in a softer tone, "Your father is resting. When you behave well, I'll take you to see him."
"Really?" Lan Sizhui's eyes lit up.
"real."
After receiving a positive answer, Lan Sizhui seemed to be instantly motivated. He nodded vigorously, turned around and ran into the bathroom.
Xie Lian walked over to Hua Cheng, looked at the small figure, and said with a smile, "You still have a way."
Hua Cheng snorted, but his tone softened: "If I don't take care of you, you'll spoil me sooner or later."
Xie Lian smiled and shook his head, but there was relief in his eyes.
Some growth is achieved little by little in such wind and rain.
I hope this child can remember this lesson, be more sensible in the future, and stop making his father worry about him.
There was a sound of running water coming from the kitchen. I guess it was Lan Sizhui washing his hands.
In the living room, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng smiled at each other. The oppression in the air finally dissipated, leaving only a faint warmth.
The moonlight coming in from the window illuminates this home that has just experienced a small storm, and also illuminates the path of a child who is quietly growing up.
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