Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 257 A Delayed Carving of Rotten Wood: A Father and Son's Fishing Trip

"Hey, whose child is being beaten so early in the morning?"

"The Jia family, who else could it be? I recognized the voice of Bang Geng immediately."

"This is a rare thing. Jia Dongxu actually dared to hit the stick."

"It's not the first time, so what's so special about it? But this is indeed a rare occurrence."

"It seems that Banggeng woke up early this morning and started clamoring to eat Fengzeyuan's leftovers... Hey, who wouldn't want that!"

"But this was earned by Yan Bugui helping Li Hongbing exchange sweet potatoes; we don't have that opportunity."

"Sigh, it's still better to live in the front yard. You can always sneak a bite out of Li Hongbing, especially in these famine years..."

"Who says it isn't?"

"..."

The commotion caused by Jia Dongxu hitting the stick quickly attracted the attention of all the residents in the front, middle and back yards, and also aroused everyone's gossip and discussion.

In the past, if someone in the neighborhood beat their child, everyone would usually say a few words of advice.

However, until Jia Dongxu had had his fill, apart from Qin Huairu who was so anxious that she kept crying, no one in the courtyard made a sound.

the reason is simple.

On the one hand, Jia Dongxu's beating incident happened in his own house, which is his "private domain," not in front of others, and no one wants to meddle in other people's family affairs.

If you beat your child behind closed doors, no one can stop you.

on the other hand.

Bang Geng, being a mischievous child, is not likable. When he usually causes trouble, his parents, Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu, often protect him, which has long aroused everyone's resentment. It's rare to see Bang Geng anger Jia Dongxu and get beaten up. Everyone is too busy watching the show to stop him.

This is absolutely delightful!
As Jia Dongxu stopped, Bang Geng's screams gradually subsided. The people who had been silently listening to the commotion felt a surge of exhilarating satisfaction.

"Bang Geng, Bang Geng, my son!"

"Don't cry, don't cry!"

"Does it hurt?"

"Oh dear, it's all turned blue."

"Let's go back inside, Mom will apply the medicine for you."

"..."

Inside the Jia family's house.

When Qin Huairu saw Jia Dongxu stop, she quickly stepped forward and hugged Bang Geng in her arms. Then she began to check Bang Geng's injuries. When she saw the red marks and even bruises, Qin Huairu's heart almost broke.

However, she dared not blame Jia Dongxu, let alone scold him. She could only silently comfort Banggeng and take him back to the inner room to apply medicine.

Seeing the same thing happen to Bang Geng, Jia Dongxu also regretted that he had acted impulsively and gone too far.

What really angered Jia Dongxu wasn't Bang Geng's gluttony and immaturity, but rather his frustration at being completely dominated by Li Hongbing. The leftover soup that Li Hongbing didn't care about and could easily give away was something he desperately wanted but couldn't have.

In reality, it's because of what I've been through recently and my increasingly difficult and precarious situation.

Taking advantage of Bang Geng's disobedience, Jia Dongxu clearly vented his frustration from the past few days on him, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Not long after.

Qin Huairu finished applying the medicine to Bang Geng and coaxed Xiao Dang, who had been woken up and cried earlier, back to sleep. The three of them quickly sat down at the table and began eating breakfast.

The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive and awkward; apart from the sounds of chopsticks being used and food being eaten, almost no one spoke.

Seeing Bang Geng sitting there sulking and not touching his chopsticks, Jia Dongxu, realizing he had hit him too hard, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking: "Bang Geng, you're six years old now, and you'll be seven after the New Year. It's time for you to be sensible. You should listen to what your mother and I say."

You must remember that even if the whole world bullies you, your parents will never bully you. No matter what they do, even if they hit you, it's all for your own good.

I hit you just now because you were disobedient and didn't know any better..."

Jia Dongxu, speaking from his position as a father, made these righteous and eloquent remarks, and declared his correct stance and starting point.

Obvious.

Even if Bang Geng wasn't innocent, Jia Dongxu couldn't possibly admit that he acted with other negative emotions and simply shifted all the blame onto Bang Geng.

"Banggeng, did you hear that? Your father hit you because it's for your own good. You need to understand your father's good intentions."

Faced with Jia Dongxu's explanation to Banggeng, Qin Huairu didn't think much of it and obviously accepted it, helping to educate and persuade Banggeng.

to be frank.

Qin Huairu has now realized that because of the trouble he caused before, Bang Geng has now aroused the dissatisfaction of the residents in the courtyard. If Bang Geng continues to be allowed to go on like this, it will definitely not work.

However, Bang Geng is not young anymore, and he has been used to being unrestrained in the past. It is obviously too late to intervene and teach him now.

In the past, Qin Huairu only felt that others were targeting her family. In addition, Banggeng was her own flesh and blood. Even though she knew that Banggeng was wrong, she still couldn't bear to let him be punished or blamed. Naturally, she always protected him and "stood up" for him. Even if someone reminded her that she couldn't indulge Banggeng like this, Qin Huairu obviously wouldn't listen.

Looking at Bang Geng and other kids his age now, not only is there a difference in how people treat them, but also in their usual behavior, Qin Huairu clearly regrets it.

When children are young, it's common for them to cause trouble and misbehave. Qin Huairu thought it was normal and that the children would get better as they grew older. But now that the children are all grown up, she sees other children becoming more sensible and obedient, while Bang Geng is still the same as before.

When Jia Dongxu made his move earlier, Qin Huairu was naturally heartbroken and tried her best to dissuade him, but now that she has calmed down, she agrees with what Jia Dongxu did this morning.

No matter how Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu tried to educate and persuade him, Banggeng was clearly determined to fight back. Although he had just been beaten and dared not do anything "rebellious," he simply ignored them and acted as if he had no ears.

"Bang Geng, be a good boy. Dad is going fishing today and he'll definitely catch two big fish for you. You stay home and wait, listen to your mom, and don't be naughty or cause trouble. Tonight, I'll have your mom stew big fish for you. Is that okay?"

Seeing that reasoning with him was not working, Jia Dongxu turned to bribery.

really.

Upon hearing Jia Dongxu's words, Banggeng reacted. After hesitating for a moment, he fearfully moved closer to Qin Huairu and asked Jia Dongxu for confirmation, "Dad, you're not lying this time, are you?"

The effect was obvious immediately after the treatment; the pheasant was noticeably more "well-behaved".

"When have I, your father, ever lied to you?"

Seeing that Bang Geng had reacted, Jia Dongxu was overjoyed and confidently asked the question.

I was going to complain, but Banggeng hesitated for a moment and then fell silent.

In Banggeng's memory, Jia Dongxu, as a father, has broken his promises many times!
However, in order to avoid being beaten again, Bang Geng had no choice but to shut up.

Thanks to Banggeng's sensible action, no one "ignorantly" exposed Jia Dongxu to his face, and the atmosphere at the Jia family's dinner table this morning quickly became harmonious.

……

the other side.

After finishing breakfast at home, Li Hongbing and Chen Xueru quickly prepared to leave. However, besides Li Hongbing, Li Jianwu was also among those taking Chen Xueru to work today.

Li Jianwu suggested going fishing with Li Hongbing after hearing that Li Hongbing was going fishing that day.

This time, Li Hongbing did not refuse.

The main reason is that Li Jianwu is a bit older than before. After the New Year, he will be five years old (by Chinese reckoning). Moreover, he usually behaves well and is not afraid of causing trouble or running around.

Moreover, Li Hongbing only plans to fish a few times today, and once he has caught enough fish to satisfy his desires, he will stop fishing, so it won't take him much time.

Pushing the bicycle outside, Li Hongbing lifted the small Li Jianwu onto the crossbar and made him sit properly. Chen Xueru also got on the bicycle, and then they set off.

As is well known, the 28-inch bicycle actually has three seats.

The most classic design feature of the 28-inch bicycle is the front crossbeam, which can be used not only for transporting goods but also for carrying people.

This was Li Jianwu's favorite spot when they went on outings.

Especially in summer, a gentle breeze brushes against your cheeks, bringing unparalleled coolness and comfort in the scorching heat.

However, it is already late autumn, the weather has turned cool, and the temperature has dropped significantly, especially in the mornings and evenings, when it is particularly cold.

So Li Hongbing specially prepared a coat to wrap Li Jianwu up tightly, leaving only his eyes showing. He looked exceptionally cute, and Li Hongbing couldn't help but want to pinch his little face.

"Jianwu, come fishing with Dad. Be good and don't run around. Got it?"

Li Hongbing took Chen Xueru to the silk shop. After getting off her bicycle, Chen Xueru couldn't help but say something to Li Jianwu.

Seeing this, Li Hongbing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Don't worry, with me here, even if we lose the fish, we won't lose Jianwu."

Although fishing is one of Li Hongbing's hobbies now, he still knows how to prioritize.

Moreover, for Li Hongbing, hobbies are just hobbies; he is not obsessed with fishing. His own child is naturally of utmost importance, and there is no reason for him to neglect Li Jianwu for the sake of fishing.

"Red Soldiers, wait for me a moment."

Even though Li Hongbing said that, Chen Xueru was still a little worried. She gave him a brief instruction and then turned and ran into the store.

soon.

Chen Xueru emerged from the silk shop with a long strip of silk in her hand, which she then tied around the wrists of Li Hongbing and Li Jianwu.

"Alright, now we don't have to worry about Jianwu running around and getting lost."

Looking at her own "rhythm," Chen Xueru couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Li Hongbing couldn't help but laugh.

Despite her mature appearance, Chen Xueru can be quite childish and abstract at times, just like a mischievous young girl.

However, Li Hongbing also knew that Chen Xueru did this mainly because she was worried. After all, many people go fishing now, especially since today is a weekend when most people are resting, so he didn't have any complaints or objections.

"Li Jianwu, remember, you are not allowed to untie this yourself, understand?"

Before leaving, Chen Xueru solemnly gave Li Jianwu some instructions.

"I remember, Mom, I won't run around."

Hearing Li Jianwu's assurance, Chen Xueru returned to the silk shop with peace of mind.

As Chen Xueru left, Li Hongbing first shrugged, looking at his wrists that Chen Xueru had tied together with Li Jianwu with a strip of cloth, then at the innocent and obedient-looking Li Jianwu, and couldn't help but laugh.

When Li Jianwu saw Li Hongbing smile, although he didn't know why he was smiling, he also smiled and let out a childlike laugh.

soon.

Li Hongbing led Li Jianwu to the other side of the moat, and the father and son's "special appearance" naturally attracted a lot of teasing and jokes.

"Hey, Mr. Li, is this your son? He's such a handsome little guy!"

"Thank you for the compliment, haha."

"Master Li, are you afraid your child will run away? Why are you tying him up with strips of cloth?"

"Haha, my wife was afraid I'd forget about this little guy while I was busy fishing, so she specially got it for me."

"Haha, Manager Chen is really something. He loves his son so much, I can understand, I can understand."

"Little boy, what's your name?"

"Li Jianwu, Li in plum, Jian in building the country, Wu in both literary and martial arts!"

"Wow, you're quite something! You can even speak idioms and talk about building the country. Here, take this White Rabbit milk candy from your uncle!"

"..."

As Li Hongbing pushed his bicycle along the way, he kept greeting people he knew. Little Li Jianwu also won the affection of many people and received a lot of candy.

In this area, Li Hongbing is quite a celebrity. Even disregarding his identity at Fengzeyuan, his fishing skills over the past few years, along with the fishing techniques he occasionally teaches, have already garnered him a large following of anglers.

Li Jianwu is so young now, and the reason why Li Hongbing dared to bring him fishing is not only because he is well-behaved and sensible and won't run around, and because he will keep an eye on him at all times, but also because there are many people he knows here who will help keep an eye on him, so there is no need to worry about him getting lost.

As for human traffickers.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the authorities launched an extremely severe crackdown on this group that was deeply hated, and the phenomenon of human trafficking was basically eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s.

Even in the 1970s, the number of human traffickers and traffickers was very small.

Simultaneously.

Thanks to the current household registration system, without proper procedures and documents, human traffickers can hardly move an inch.

Of course.

Nothing is absolute, and Li Hongbing would not let his guard down because of this, after all, he was his own son.

Li Hongbing arrived relatively early, but there were already quite a few people there. He didn't even need to look for a fishing spot; many people offered him their spots and extended invitations.

Fishing alongside Li Hongbing not only allows you to observe and learn fishing techniques, but also provides an opportunity to ask him questions in person – a truly rare chance.

Li Hongbing didn't stand on ceremony. He chose a spot he thought was pretty good, put his bicycle aside, started assembling his fishing rod, and took out the bait he had prepared in advance at home.

These baits were actually one of the upgrade rewards unlocked when fishing skills were upgraded.

Li Hongbing's fishing skills are so amazing not only because of the technique itself, but also because of the bait he uses.

Fish in this era haven't eaten anything good, nor have they had any high-tech or aggressive bait. The bait rewarded by the system is simply deadly tempting.

After making all the preparations, Li Hongbing skillfully baited the hook and cast it. After shallowly preparing the bait area, he started catching fish one after another after the first bite, which excited Li Jianwu who was watching from the side.

However, Li Jianwu did not shout excitedly. His well-behaved and sensible behavior was truly admirable.

(End of this chapter)