Chapter 361: Punishment

Really vicious!

This is the most truthful description of Liu Guangfu's behavior by everyone present.

What situation is this right now?

The neighbors in the Siheyuan.

Everyone knows it full well.

In a situation where pulling a single hair moves the whole body, even a trivial matter could cause one's death and implicate innocent family members.

Everyone tried to be as careful as possible.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been frightened by the book in Liu Guangfu's hand and dared not move.

The most formidable people in the Siheyuan.

Liu Jianguo of the Red Star Factory, Yagangchang canteen director Shazhu, and Publicity Department film projectionist Xu Daming—even they stood there honestly, as if Liu Guangfu could do as he pleased; not to mention the ordinary folks in the Siheyuan, who all obediently stood where Liu Guangfu wanted.

Some things.

As long as one isn't a fool.

Everyone knows what the result will be.

Liu Guangfu questioned whether Liu Haizhong was destroying the flowers.

It was obvious.

His resentment toward Liu Haizhong had been suppressed to the breaking point.

As the leader.

How could Liu Guangfu not know what concrete consequences this statement would bring to Liu Haizhong?

He knew.

Yet he still said it.

This shows that Liu Guangfu no longer feels any father-son affection toward Liu Haizhong.

There is.

Only endless resentment and the pleasure of wanting to take revenge on Liu Haizhong.

This clearly aims at Liu Haizhong's life.

Liu Haizhong appeared calm, but his slightly trembling body clearly told everyone present his true thoughts at that moment.

He was afraid!

The happiest person.

Undoubtedly Liu Guangfu, seeing Liu Haizhong—who had beaten him for years—now looking so timid and frightened, his repressed anger instantly turned into a refreshing pleasure.

"Liu Haizhong, do you plead guilty?"

Liu Haizhong's heart gave a jolt.

This is clearly forcing him to die.

Can the charge of destroying flowers be admitted so casually?

Admitted.

He would definitely go to the underworld to chat with Yi Zhonghai, who had been dead for years, about the Siheyuan's affairs and Huaihua's situation.

He is not stupid.

He would not casually give up his life.

with a calm face.

He began to speak softly to Liu Guangfu.

"Guangfu, I apologize to you; the past is my fault—I failed as a father, causing you grievance; all these years, I've made you suffer; here, before the neighbors, I say sorry again; I hope you won't hold it against me; I was wrong, I shouldn't have hit you."

Liu Haizhong played the emotion card.

He hoped the emotion card would work.

Being soft toward his own son is better than losing his life.

"Think about it, I had no choice; the old saying goes, 'no punishment, no talent'; a child needs discipline; as the proverb says, 'under the rod grows a filial son'; I hadn't thought of anything then, I only had you all in mind; from now on, let's put our family matters behind us; I promise not to hit you again."

Er Da Ma quickly echoed Liu Haizhong.

She couldn't just watch her man die.

The two are like grasshoppers tied to the same rope.

Nobody thinks they can escape.

Liu Haizhong died.

Given the beastly nature of Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, Er Da Ma will certainly not be filial; her life cannot compare to that of Jia Zhangshi at all.

Just consider it for herself.

Er Da Ma put on the airs of Liu Guangfu's mother.

"Guangfu, your father is right; back then you few were mischievous to death—either ruining the east family's cabbage or the west family's sweet potatoes, stealing needles, stealing gold; seeing your mischief had no bounds, your father hit you few; if your father hadn't hit you, how could you have achieved what you have today?"

"That being said," Liu Guangfu said with amusement, "I still have to thank Liu Haizhong."

"What for? He's your father; hitting you is deserved." Er Da Ma realized she misspoke and quickly corrected: "Helping you is what's due, Guangfu; considering your father's help, let's just drop this."

"Guangfu, I know you hold resentment; it's because I failed to treat everyone equally, or as the saying goes, a thousand mistakes are all my fault; I'm sorry to you."

"The Siheyuan's sanitation is all your responsibility."

Liu Haizhong felt as if he had accidentally swallowed a dead fly.

His mood was extremely gloomy.

I had thought I would humble myself in public.

Apologize.

Liu Guangfu no longer bothered to argue with him about these things.

As it turned out, he had underestimated Liu Guangfu's resentment toward him.

Sometimes.

Being alive is far more painful than being dead.

For an enemy, the suffering of wishing death were better than life is the ultimate revenge.

Liu Guangfu never intended to beat Liu Haizhong to death from the outset.

One reason is that it would sound bad for his reputation.

He drove his own father to death.

On the other hand, Liu Guangfu wanted to keep playing this game.

He wore a faint smile, looking at Liu Haizhong with a kindly expression.

"You say you hit me—that's the old saying that under the stick come filial sons. I recall we have the rule that mistakes must be punished. If you admit you're wrong, then take charge of cleaning our courtyard."

Seeing Liu Haizhong hesitate in place.

The conversation shifted.

"How about it? Are you unwilling to clean the courtyard's sanitation? Then I can arrange a job for you cleaning the public toilets outside the Siheyuan; you'll be responsible."

Even sweeping the Siheyuan makes them unhappy; they feel it's losing face.

Let alone having to clean the public toilets outside.

"Not wanting to clean the courtyard or the toilets shows that your verbal apology is merely lip service, without genuine realization of your fault; thus hitting me and Old Two is purely out of anger, using us as targets to vent your fury, wantonly destroying future blossoms—what's your motive?"

"Guangfu, Dad has truly realized his mistake from the bottom of his heart; he will take charge of the courtyard's sanitation and guarantee it will be spotless—feel free to watch."

Take the best of both.

Realizing he had to back down, Liu Haizhong went through this brief psychological struggle and opted for the slightly lighter punishment of sweeping the courtyard.

Being laughed at by the neighbors is still better than being mocked by outsiders.

"Have you decided?"

"If you make a mistake, you must accept punishment."

"No psychological burden is fine; there's nothing else—you start sweeping now." Liu Guangfu pointed at the broom at Liu Haizhong's feet and arranged for the neighbors to supervise, saying, "If you notice Liu Haizhong not sweeping conscientiously, or if he resists cleaning, please tell me."

The neighbors all nodded in agreement.

Who would dare not give Liu Guangfu face?

He didn't see that even his own father Liu Haizhong had already given in, completely subdued.

"Guangfu, how long must Dad keep cleaning the courtyard's sanitation?"

"When? Depending on your actual performance—if you work conscientiously, it'll be about a month; if not, it could last a year."

Liu Haizhong felt somewhat disappointed.

He thought he would at most have to sweep for a week.

As it turns out, there is no deadline.

"Right, you must write a self-criticism of no less than a thousand words; tomorrow evening we'll hold a courtyard meeting, and in front of the neighbors you'll publicly self-criticize, fully recognizing your mistake."

It's about killing the person and destroying his heart.

Not only did he sweep away Liu Haizhong's face, he didn't even leave him any inner dignity.

A true-to-name unfilial son.