Chapter 25: Disciplining the Brother-in-law (2)

Han Yangting brought Bai Shuhua into his room and gave him a spare laptop.

"Whatever games you usually play, just download those," Han Yangting said.

Bai Shuhua took the computer and, feeling confident, downloaded Fengyun Legend.

He was serious about playing games; if he had talent, maybe he wouldn't need to study and could go straight into a professional career.

After logging into the account, Han Yangting made a phone call to someone, asking them to PK with Bai Shuhua.

The person on the other end grumbled for a while, blaming Han Yangting for causing trouble so late at night, but since they had to listen to Han Yangting, they had no choice but to start a PK with Bai Shuhua.

Perhaps unhappy about being woken up, the opponent had no patience and was merciless with every move; Bai Shuhua was eliminated in every round before he could last a minute.

Bai Shuhua knew he had encountered a master, and he couldn't help but ask aggrievedly, "Brother-in-law, who is this?"

"Just an amateur player, not a professional."

"..."

After holding on for a dozen rounds, Bai Shuhua was already deflated. He yawned and said, "Brother-in-law, I can't beat them. How about... we just call it a day?"

"No way. You want to follow the professional gamer path, how can you give up so easily!" Han Yangting lay leisurely on the bed, playing on his phone while speaking.

The opponent also called to ask Han Yangting how much longer they had to play. Han Yangting told them to keep going; they couldn't stop until he said so.

After Bai Shuhua had been brutally crushed for a hundred rounds, he finally couldn't take it anymore. He forced his panda-eyed gaze open: "Brother-in-law, I'm really tired. Can we just stop?"

Han Yangting called that friend again and put it on speakerphone: "Xiaoyi, what do you think of my brother-in-law's skill level? Can he pursue a professional career?"

"Professional career? Him? He can't even last a minute playing against me. Tell him to practice for eight or ten years first."

Bai Shuhua heard these words clearly, and his young heart was riddled with holes from the critical hit.

Han Yangting hung up the phone and said to Bai Shuhua, "You'll stay here with me tomorrow. No need to go home. Start practicing from the moment you wake up in the morning until your sister gets off work. If you persist for eight or ten years, maybe you really could become a professional player."

Bai Shuhua didn't dare to practice anymore. He realized Han Yangting was doing this on purpose, so he had to beg for mercy: "Brother-in-law, I'll do my homework properly from now on and stop playing games, okay?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," Han Yangting said.

Bai Shuhua let out a sigh of relief. It was past two o'clock; he could finally go to sleep.

Bai Shuruo hadn't slept the whole time. During this, she had secretly gone to the door to eavesdrop. Knowing the situation inside, she couldn't help but feel secretly delighted.

Although Bai Shuhua wasn't a bad kid, he was definitely a spoiled one. He was full of mischievous ideas and often lazy. In the family, besides Bai Shunan who could keep him in check, no one else could do it at all. But Bai Shunan was too busy; how could she have time to watch him every day?

Moreover, the fact that he could argue with Lin Wanfen and run away from home showed his attitude was poor and he didn't respect his mother. It was good for Han Yangting to discipline him.

The next day was Saturday.

When Bai Shuruo got up, she was surprised to see Han Yangting and Bai Shuhua making breakfast in the kitchen.

It was mostly Bai Shuhua doing the work, with Han Yangting guiding him from the side:

"Add oil before frying the eggs... add salt after they're fried... now it's time to flip them..."

Seeing Bai Shuruo come over, Bai Shuhua immediately looked at her with pleading eyes, his panda eyes full of exhaustion, "Second Sister, Brother-in-law told me to get up and make breakfast."

Bai Shuruo felt another wave of secret delight in her heart.

When had Bai Shuhua ever entered the kitchen? He couldn't even tell salt from sugar, right? It was good for him to learn a little.

But she pretended to be fine on the surface and said, "Then... then just do it. Brother Han's cooking is excellent; the apprentice he trains won't go wrong!"

"Brother-in-law said I also need to warm the milk. Second Sister, can you help me?" Bai Shuhua asked in a fluster.

In the past, when they were at home, it was always Bai Shuruo who went into the kitchen to help.

But before Bai Shuruo could answer, Han Yangting said from the side, "Forget about Ruoruo. She works hard every day. Go out and sit down to wait for the food."

"..." Bai Shuhua seriously suspected that this couple had conspired in advance to fix him.

Since Han Yangting had given those instructions, Bai Shuruo had no choice but to sit in the dining room and look at her phone.

Lin Wanfen had sent a WeChat message early in the morning, asking if she should come over to pick up Bai Shuhua. Bai Shuruo replied: No need, Aunt Fen. Shuhua is very well-behaved here and is doing things diligently.

Lin Wanfen asked if it would disturb them. Bai Shuruo said it wouldn't, and having Shuhua here actually added some atmosphere.

Lin Wanfen was finally reassured.

Before long, Bai Shuhua clumsily brought out the breakfast—very simple eggs, milk, and bread.

Bai Shuruo immediately commented, "Shuhua, your skills are not bad. You'll be able to make your own breakfast from now on."

Bai Shuhua's smile looked worse than crying.

Han Yangting also sat down to eat breakfast.

With him there, the atmosphere was very oppressive.

Of course, Bai Shuruo had already adapted to this aura, but Bai Shuhua was not used to it; eating felt like sitting on pins and needles, like having thorns on his back, like having a bone stuck in his throat.

"Is Ruoruo going to work overtime today?" Han Yangting asked while eating.

"Yes, at least for half a day," Bai Shuruo said.

Han Yangting immediately looked at Bai Shuhua: "Then Shuhua, prepare lunch at home. Your sister will want to eat when she gets off work."

The siblings: "..."

Bai Shuhua hesitated for a while before saying, "But Brother-in-law, I still have homework to do."

Han Yangting said indifferently, "Whether you do your homework or not doesn't matter much, but you can't skip meals. Come with me to the supermarket to buy groceries in a bit."

Bai Shuhua didn't want to go, but he had to endure it.

Fine, he'd go. Isn't it just buying groceries? What's the big deal? He refused to admit defeat!

Bai Shuruo went to work after finishing breakfast, and Han Yangting really did take Bai Shuhua out.

They picked out a pile of groceries at the supermarket—pork ribs, chicken, tomatoes, carrots, and greens—all of which Bai Shuhua had to carry. Bai Shuhua's fingers were almost deformed from the weight.

Back home, Han Yangting directed Bai Shuhua to wash the vegetables and cut the carrots. He guided him the whole time from the side, while Bai Shuhua did the actual work, clumsy and awkward, nearly cutting his hand several times.

Bai Shuhua was full of anger, but he didn't dare to vent it.

He had seen Han Yangting's skills yesterday; he couldn't beat him.

While the pork rib soup was stewing and the chicken was marinating, Han Yangting told Bai Shuhua to mop the floor and wipe the tables, saying the hourly cleaner wasn't coming today.

Bai Shuhua finally couldn't take it anymore; she threw down the rag and said to Han Yangting, "Brother-in-law, why do I have to do so much? I'm here as a guest, not to do chores. If you don't like me, you can just kick me out."

Han Yangting retorted, "Is this a lot of work? Doesn't your mother do these things every day at home?"

Bai Shuhua: "..."

This was indeed a fact.

He remained unconvinced: "She is my mother, so it's only right for her to take care of me, and housework is her job too."

Han Yangting maintained his naturally imposing demeanor: "In this world, nothing is 'only right.' If you were still small, your mother would have the responsibility and obligation to take care of you, but you are already 14 years old and a head taller than your mother; you should learn to be considerate of her hard work instead of lying to her and fooling her."

Bai Shuhua lowered her head, feeling as if she had been slapped countless times.

Yet, what Han Yangting said was right.

"Your second sister is getting off work soon; it's time to stir-fry the chicken."