Marrying for someone else and being a widow? Stepmothers open classes to raise children

Xie Yunce was sitting alone on a rosewood chair in the living room. The moonlight shone through the window lattice onto his face, revealing a complex and incomprehensible expression.

"Mother, why did you leave these books to me?" Xie Yunce's fingers gently slid across the cover of the book, and a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes. He slowly opened the first book, and his childhood flashed before his eyes like a movie. Those carefree days seemed like yesterday.

The booklet recorded his childhood memories with his four brothers and sisters, and every page was filled with his mother's handwriting and her love for them. He saw his naive appearance when he first learned to walk, and saw his four brothers and sisters gathered around their mother's lap, listening to her stories. Those warm scenes made his heart tremble slightly.

"Mother, your love for us is so deep." Xie Yunce whispered softly, tears glistening in his eyes. He gently turned to the second booklet, which was the booklet for his second brother.

Every stroke in the booklet revealed the mother's expectations and love for her second brother. Xie Yunce felt warm in his heart as he read it. However, when he turned to the third booklet and saw the one for his fifth brother Xie Yunlin, his heart suddenly tightened.

"Mother, you are so eager for my fifth brother." Xie Yunce's fingers gently stroked the words on the booklet, with a flash of pain in his eyes. He saw his mother's worries and expectations when she gave birth to his fifth brother. Even though she knew that giving birth might be life-threatening, she still insisted on welcoming his fifth brother in person.

"Why? Why did you do this?" Xie Yunce's emotions collapsed. He held the book tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. He suddenly remembered Gu Zhiyi's words, and the anger and self-blame in his heart surged like a tide.

"Gu Zhiyi, are you making me regret it? Do you think my mother's death was caused by me?" Xie Yunce's voice was choked, his eyes widened, sparks of pain and anger flashed in his eyes.

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the night outside, feeling a pang of sadness in his heart. He recalled the scene when his mother gave birth to his fifth brother. He was still young and ignorant at that time, and only knew that his mother was in pain. He looked at his mother's pale face, but she still held his hand tightly and told him to be strong.

"Mother, I was wrong, I was really wrong." Xie Yunce's voice trembled, he knelt on the ground, tears blurred his vision. He suddenly felt a deep powerlessness, he could not save his mother's life, nor could he change the past.

Gu Zhiyi walked out of the room slowly, her steps were steady and her expression was calm, as if everything was under control. She came to the hall and glanced at Xie Yunce, who had an upright posture, but seemed a little uneasy at the moment.

"Yunce, come here." Gu Zhiyi's voice was gentle but firm. She gently patted the seat next to her, motioning Xie Yunce to sit down.

"Your mother loves Yunlin very much, and Yunlin feels guilty." Gu Zhiyi said softly, "I hope you can behave like a brother and not make enemies with your fifth brother. Family harmony is the foundation of our Ningguo Mansion."

Xie Yunce's brows were furrowed, his eyes became sharp, and he held the letter paper tightly in his hand. He had never been told this before, and his heart was filled with anger and hurt.

"Mother, what do you mean?" Xie Yunce's voice trembled slightly, and there was a dangerous spark in his eyes. "Am I not your son? Why do you favor Yunlin?"

Gu Zhiyi gently patted Xie Yunce's hand: "Yunce, I know you have many questions in your heart, but please believe that I have never favored anyone. I just hope you can understand that Yunlin is also your brother, and he needs your love and support."

Xie Yunce's face became increasingly gloomy, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging. He felt a rage burning in his heart, as if it was going to devour him whole.

"I don't need your teachings, mother." Xie Yunce said coldly, "I will handle the matter with Yunlin myself. Don't worry, I won't let him hurt me again."

Gu Zhiyi frowned slightly. Xie Yunce had a lot of resentment in his heart, and it was not easy to resolve it. She took a deep breath and tried to speak in a softer tone: "Yunce, I know the pain in your heart, but please believe that time will dilute everything. Your mother is gone, and we must learn to cherish each other."

Gu Zhiyi opened her red lips and said slowly: "Yunce, let me tell you, Yunlin doesn't have mysophobia. His so-called illness is just a scar in his heart."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunce's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he became even more angry. He said coldly: "Mother, are you quibbling? Everyone in the mansion knows about Yunlin's mysophobia. Why do you want to beautify his illness like this?"

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly, her eyes revealing an unquestionable firmness: "I am not embellishing, I am just stating the facts. I remember that day, I took Yunlin to fly a kite, and the kite string accidentally cut my hand. He did not refuse to touch me, but instead bandaged my wound nervously."

Gu Zhiyi's eyes showed kindness: "I have observed him for a long time and found that he is not really afraid of contact with others. The reason why he does this is because he feels that his fate is bad and he does not want to implicate others. Yunlin is a kind child, he does not want us to be hurt because of him."

Xie Yunce's expression changed slightly, as if he was recalling something, but then he returned to his indifference: "So what? Maybe he didn't realize his illness at that time."

Gu Zhiyi shook her head and said more firmly, "No, Yun Ce, you are wrong. Yun Lin is not really mysophobic, but because of your words 'Kematsu', his mind has been severely traumatized. He doesn't want to face this world full of accusations anymore, and only wants to convert to Buddhism and seek peace of mind."

Xie Yunce's expression became increasingly ugly. He widened his eyes, anger burning in them: "Mother, are you blaming me? I never thought of hurting Yunlin, I..."

Gu Zhiyi interrupted him, saying in a cold tone: "Yunce, you don't have to explain yourself. I know you didn't do it on purpose, but the fact is that your words were the last straw that broke the camel's back for Yunlin."

Xie Yunce was silent for a moment, then suddenly roared: "So what? Mother, why did you tell me this? Do you want me to blame myself and feel guilty for this?"

A trace of sadness flashed across Gu Zhiyi's eyes. She sighed and said slowly, "Yunce, I'm telling you this not because I want you to blame yourself, but because I hope you can understand Yunlin, truly accept him, and stop hurting him with your words."

Xie Yunce's expression gradually calmed down. He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he slowly said, "Mother, I understand. I was indeed too harsh on Yunlin in the past. In the future, I will try my best to understand him and never hurt him with words again."

Gu Zhiyi showed a relieved smile on her face. She patted Xie Yunce's hand gently and said softly, "Yunce, I'm glad you understand. Yunlin is a good boy. He just needs more love and understanding."