Chapter 345
Chapter 345 - Xu Moyu's Way of Education
“Mom?”
Xu Mochen, roused from sleep, rubbed his eyes and searched for Xu Moyu.
“Over here.”
Xu Moyu set his phone down and stooped to lift Xu Mochen.
“Is Mom talking to Sect Leader Han? Is he upset?”
Yawning, Xu Mochen inquired groggily, nestling against Xu Moyu's chest.
“Do you understand why he's upset?”
Instead of consoling Xu Mochen, Xu Moyu redirected, opting to take him outside to sidestep the question, knowing his son wasn't at fault.
Xu Mochen grimaced, “It was Sect Leader Han's fault! I only asked Uncle to give me a ride, then suddenly he scolded me.” He pouted, tears welling, recalling Han Shaolin's earlier reprimand.
“Tian Tian, remember our teachings? Do you understand why your father scolded you?”
Xu Moyu's demeanor shifted, stern, quelling Xu Mochen's tantrum.
Xu Mochen remained silent, gripping his head, perhaps contemplating.
Eventually, he murmured, “Sect Leader Han was upset because I treated Uncle like a pet.”
“But I just wanted a ride! Besides, Uncle volunteered. Yet, Sect Leader Han scolded me harshly, even spanking me till I cried.”
Tears streamed down Xu Mochen's cheeks, staining Xu Moyu's clothes.
Xu Moyu sighed. He and Han Shaolin doted on Xu Mochen, shaping his character.
“Those uncles will support you in the future. They'll groom you into a worthy successor. As a future leader, think before you act, understand?”
Xu Moyu remained composed, offering patient counsel.
“But I don't want to lead Han's faction! Shouldn't Xiaoxiao take over? She's more suited.”
“I dislike violence. It hurts to get hurt!”
Xu Mochen whispered inwardly, withholding his words from Xu Moyu's ears.
Xu Moyu understood Xu Mochen's character well. While it seemed unlikely for him to inherit Han Shaolin's position, being the son of the Chinese Sect Leader, he couldn't lack capability. Otherwise, they'd face scorn and become easy targets.
Why did it seem like his daughter was defying traditional gender roles regarding her son? Xu Moyu couldn't help but wonder, though it wasn't the first time he'd pondered this.
“Mom, I get it. You worry about me because Sect Leader Han has many foes and fears for my safety. But I'm not like Xiao-Xiao, all brawn and no brain. I can take care of myself.” Xu Mochen reassured Xu Moyu, confident in his intelligence.
Xu Moyu felt a sudden urge to laugh; in terms of intelligence, Han Feiyu surpassed Xu Mochen.
“If your sister heard that, she'd surely wallop you again.”
“Xiaoxiao's quite the hothead. She must've been mixed up during delivery,” Xu Moyu joked.
Having endured bullying since childhood, Xu Mochen held strong opinions about Han Feiyu, yet they got along well.
“Then maybe I was the one mixed up, unlike either of us or Sect Leader Han,” Xu Moyu chuckled.
“No, I must have taken after another ancestor. I'm my mother's son,” Xu Mochen exclaimed, suddenly wide awake.
Xu Moyu teased Xu Mochen, surprised by his earnest response.
“Sleep now! Your father will be here in the morning,” Ye Zichen murmured, drifting off while holding Xu Mochen.
Xu Mochen suddenly felt a pang of fear, pleading with Xu Moyu, “Mom, if Sect Leader Han gets upset tomorrow, you have to defend me!”
“That depends on how you handle it. You shouldn't have provoked my husband. I'll see how I feel tomorrow,” Xu Moyu replied casually.
Xu Moyu wasn't above teasing her children.
“Mom.”
Xu Mochen shook Xu Moyu like a child seeking comfort.
“You need to admit when you're wrong. Otherwise, you'll grow up to be troublesome. And then, Sect Leader Han won't just scold you; he might even string you up for a thrashing.”
Xu Mochen dreaded the thought of Xu Moyu saying such things, which would terrify him.
“I-I understand. I'll apologize to Sect Leader Han tomorrow,” Xu Mochen conceded tearfully, facing the harsh reality.
“That's better. Now, sleep tight!” With a kiss on Xu Mochen's forehead, Xu Moyu switched off the light.
But Xu Mochen couldn't sleep. His eyes remained wide open, trembling, as if already anticipating Han Shaolin's wrathful visage.