Chapter 2

PS. Here's today's update, and I'm also taking the opportunity to promote the 515 Fan Festival on Qidian. Everyone has 8 votes, and you get Qidian coins for voting, so I humbly request your support and appreciation!

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Ye Jing stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

The lines sounded familiar, and Ye Chunqiu immediately got goosebumps. Every time he said these words to his father, it seemed his father would beat him.

"Hmph..." Ye Taigong sneered, his face dark. "You still know to come back? Do you still see me as your father? You... you... good..." Ye Taigong was so angry that he trembled, and his second uncle hurried to pat his back.

Ye Jing remained silent.

Ye Taigong raised his eyes and said coldly, "Since you've come back, you should give an account to our ancestors. Bring the whip."

Ye Chunqiu thought to himself, "A father beating his son is only natural, sigh..." He could only mourn for his father in his heart.

But when someone brought the whip, it startled Ye Chunqiu. The whip was only two feet long but incredibly thick, and the most terrifying part was that the tip was covered in spikes. If this were to hit someone...

Grandfather must be furious at his father's disobedience and lack of ambition, and he intended to give him a severe lesson.

One lash would probably keep him in bed for months.

Ye Taigong, trembling, took the whip, his whole body shaking with anger as if he had an irreconcilable grudge against Ye Jing. He walked to Ye Jing, raised the whip high, and it looked like he was going to beat him to death.

Ye Jing was kneeling on the ground, silent and submissive, ready to accept his punishment.

Ye Chunqiu was anxious. Over the years, their father-son relationship had deepened, and this time his father had brought him back to improve his future prospects and provide a better environment.

Without hesitation, Ye Chunqiu said, "Grandfather..."

The clear call of "Grandfather" made Ye Taigong pause, and he finally noticed Ye Chunqiu.

After all, Ye Chunqiu was Ye Taigong's eldest grandson, and he was handsome and well-liked.

Elders are always more lenient with children. Ye Taigong's expression softened, no longer as fierce as before.

The second uncle's gaze fell on Ye Chunqiu, and he smiled. "You must be the nephew mentioned in your brother's letter, Chunqiu? Hmm... a good child, but are you the son of Xiuniang?"

Xiuniang... of course, she was Ye Chunqiu's birth mother, the peasant girl his father had run away with. She was naturally pure and unblemished, but...

Ye Chunqiu could already sense that the slight softening in Ye Taigong's expression had turned to a hint of killing intent.

This second uncle... was no good. He was deliberately bringing up the sore spot. Ye Taigong's greatest grievance was that his son had disobeyed him and run away with his mother. Now, by bringing up the past, he was only adding fuel to the fire by reminding everyone that Ye Chunqiu was Xiuniang's son.

Ye Chunqiu narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but smile. After all, he had lived two lives and couldn't be so easily stabbed in the back by this second uncle.

One must know one's strengths and weaknesses, and Ye Chunqiu was very clear about his advantages.

He was young, and youth was capital. So, Ye Chunqiu put on an innocent and pure look, blinking his eyes to appear obedient and cute. Since the second uncle had introduced him, he should make a good impression.

Ye Chunqiu obediently stepped forward and said to Ye Taigong, "Grandson greets Grandfather."

He was polite and courteous, like a young gentleman.

His face still had a hint of childishness, and no one would suspect that a child could have ulterior motives. Young people... are always pure.

Ye Taigong was taken aback. After all, one doesn't hit a smiling face, and Ye Chunqiu had come over and called him "Grandfather" so affectionately. He couldn't continue to beat his son.

The Ye family was a family of scholars, and even if Ye Taigong didn't accept this grandson, he wouldn't be overly rude.

Ye Chunqiu made a beautiful bow and then, without pausing, stepped forward to greet the second and third uncles. "Nephew greets Second Uncle, greets Third Uncle. Chunqiu is respectful."

The second uncle, who had been watching coldly, waiting for the show, was taken aback by Ye Chunqiu's respectful bow. He had to maintain his composure, and he couldn't be worse than a child.

The second uncle stroked his beard, looking composed, and reluctantly said, "Good."

The third uncle laughed and waved his hand. "Nephew, no need for such formalities."

Their reactions were different. The "innocent" Ye Chunqiu understood that the second uncle had a grudge against him and his father. He only said "good" in a perfunctory manner, clearly not recognizing him as a nephew.

As for the third uncle, although he was also perfunctory and a bit impatient, he didn't seem to be a deeply scheming person, so he at least acknowledged Ye Chunqiu as a nephew.

Ye Chunqiu then went to the aunts standing to the side, greeting each one, and even the children his age, he greeted affectionately.

Ye Taigong's whip was still raised high, and his face was still extremely angry. He glared at Ye Jing as if he wanted to tear him apart. As for Ye Chunqiu, his feelings were complex. Ye Chunqiu was a byproduct of Ye Jing's great mistake. Although he was a grandson, he was the son of the woman Ye Taigong had hated for over a decade.

Ye Taigong was filled with mixed emotions. He saw a resemblance to Ye Jing, reminiscent of his youthful charm, but he also saw a hint of that detestable woman. Although this boy was polite, he couldn't swallow his anger.

Disobedient offspring!

Ye Taigong was still furious.

Ye Chunqiu's next move was somewhat shameless.

He suddenly rushed to Ye Taigong, hugged him, and said pitifully, "Grandfather, please don't beat my father, okay? Beating a son by a father is natural, but every time my father was about to beat me, he couldn't do it if I recited an article. Grandfather, if you want to beat my father, can I recite an article for you? If I recite it, will you not beat him?"

The innocent voice was filled with father-son love, drawing everyone's attention.

This little guy, speaking without reserve, made Ye Taigong a bit dazed. His emotions were too complex, and he was momentarily at a loss looking at this grandson.

In Ye Taigong's heart, this boy had both lovable and hateful aspects.

The second uncle narrowed his eyes. He didn't detect any depth in this boy and couldn't help but laugh. Did he really think that a few words would make Grandfather's anger disappear? How could he vent his anger without enforcing family discipline?

He smiled and said, "Yes, Father, since Elder Brother has returned, this is a happy event. Let's forget about Xiuniang."

Left and right, he mentioned Xiuniang.

Ye Taigong immediately flared up again. The mention of Xiuniang made him want to beat this disobedient son.

"Grandfather, don't be angry. I'll recite an article." Ye Chunqiu timely defused the situation. He sensed the deep malice from the second uncle. Could it be... that with his father's return, this second uncle was concerned about the inheritance?

Hmm... very likely. If his father never returned, this family would belong to the second uncle.

[The 515 Fan Festival is coming soon. I hope to continue to make it to the 515 Red Packet List, and on May 15th, the red packet rain will reward readers and promote the work. Even a small amount is love, and I will definitely update well!]

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