Chapter 153 Reflection
After dinner, Wei Wuxian leaned back on the sofa to rest, and Lan Wangji asked Sizhui to follow him into the study.
Lan Sizhui knew what he was facing. He kept his head down the entire way, his hands tightly clutching the corner of his clothes, but he didn't resist at all. After what happened last time, he knew his father wouldn't punish him without reason. He really needed to reflect on his mistake this time.
In the study, Lan Wangji took a blank rice paper book from the bookshelf, placed it on the desk, and handed him a brush.
"Sit down." Lan Wangji's voice was calm, without any emotion.
Lan Sizhui followed his instructions and sat down at the desk, his hands on his knees, sitting properly.
"Write down all your mistakes this time." Lan Wangji looked at him, his tone becoming more serious. "Write them clearly and concisely, don't be perfunctory."
Lan Sizhui nodded, picked up his brush, and dipped it in ink, but didn't start writing immediately. He bit his lip, replaying the scenes of skipping school, taking a taxi to find his father, and crying in the police station in his mind, and the guilt in his heart gradually surged.
After a long while, he slowly started writing.
The childish handwriting spread out on the rice paper, each stroke showing seriousness:
"First, you shouldn't have lied to the teacher and skipped school by saying you had a stomachache."
"Second, you shouldn't run out of school alone and make the teacher worry."
"Third, you shouldn't be wandering around the streets, disregarding your own safety and causing your family to worry."
"Fourth, you shouldn't let your willfulness make Daddy angry and hurt him."
He wrote very slowly, pausing between each line as if in deep reflection. When he reached the last line, his pen paused, the ink dotted across the paper in a small cloud, and his eyes welled up.
Lan Wangji stood behind him, looking at the words on the rice paper, without saying a word. He didn't want a simple apology, but wanted the child to truly understand the consequences behind every mistake.
Si Zhui wrote a full page, put down his pen, held the rice paper book in his hands, handed it to Lan Wangji, and whispered, "Father, I'm done."
Lan Wangji took the booklet and read it carefully. There was no sophistry or concealment between the lines, only a sincere admission of fault and guilt.
He put the booklet down, squatted down, and looked Sizhui in the eye. "It's good to know you were wrong, but you must remember not to make the same mistake again."
"Yes!" Lan Sizhui nodded vigorously, "I won't do that again."
"Your father is in poor health and can't stand being frightened." Lan Wangji's voice softened, yet with a hint of solemnity, "You must be sensible in the future, be more considerate of him, and take care of him. Do you understand?"
Lan Sizhui's eyes turned even redder when Wei Wuxian was mentioned. He hummed heavily, "I will take good care of Daddy! I will bring him water, cover him with a blanket, and not make him angry!"
Seeing his son's serious expression, Lan Wangji's last bit of worry dissipated. He reached out and ruffled Sizhui's hair, his tone filled with a hint of relief: "Okay, father believes in you."
He stood up and picked up the page of rice paper covered with mistakes: "Keep this for yourself. If you forget the lesson today, take it out and read it."
"Um!"
When he left the study, Wei Wuxian was dozing on the sofa, covered with a blanket. Lan Sizhui walked over quietly and carefully pulled the blanket up for him, his movements so gentle as if he was afraid to disturb the butterflies.
Lan Wangji stood at the door, watching this scene, the smile in his eyes gentle and satisfied.
Maybe this is what growing up is like.
You will make mistakes, get hurt, reflect, and then get better little by little.
What they can do is to teach their children to take responsibility when they make mistakes; to guide them when they are confused; and to give them a warm hug when they need it.
As the night deepened, Yunshen Pavilion became quiet.
The rice paper on the desk still exudes a faint scent of ink. Although the handwriting on it is childish, it carries the most sincere reflection and mark of a child's growth.
The road ahead is still long, but as long as the family is together, supporting each other and protecting each other, there will be no obstacles that cannot be overcome.
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