Chapter 195 - 195: Real Growth
Gu Zi finished speaking and Su Li chuckled, “No, no, no, Mom won’t turn into a big turtle.”
Su Li was quickly appeased. He then hooked his pinky finger with Su Le’s, trying to disguise his feeling of jealousy.
Turning to him, Gu Zi said, “You not only need to teach Su Le to hook pinkies but also teach her to study! You’re her big brother.”
Su Li found the advice very logical. Looking at his elder brother Su Bing already engrossed in a book, he said, “Mom, I’ll start studying now. I’ll teach Su Le how to study in the future.”
Su Bing was amazed at how effective their mother was. When he used to encourage Su Li to study, it was a struggle. He never expected that with just a couple of words, Mom could sort it out.
During dinner, Gu Zi prepared egg vegetable pancakes, braised pork ribs, tofu in sauce, and also made a soup with winter melon greens.
She planned to make the remaining winter melon greens into a porridge tomorrow and take it in a small cart to the pig farm for everyone to share.
Winter melon greens, a native vegetable, had been cultivated widely since the Spring and Autumn Period.
They were known for their ability to clear heat, relieve cough, soothe the nerves, and promote bowel movements, offering certain heart and stomach-nourishing effects. However, excessive consumption could be hard on digestion, hence they were best used for soups and porridges.
Su Li looked hesitantly at the vegetable soup before him. Granny Chu used to frequently serve them winter melon green soup to save trouble; it filled their stomachs and wasn’t easy to get hungry afterward. Plus, any leftover soup could be used to cook noodles in the evening.
Su Bing noticed his brother’s unease, knowing he recalled unpleasant memories associated with the soup. He wasn’t particularly fond of winter melon greens either.
However, not wanting to disappoint their mother, Su Bing took the lead by taking a sip. Oddly enough, he found the winter melon green soup wasn’t as unpalatable as he remembered.
Following suit, Su Li also took a sip and even ate a piece of winter melon green leaf, smooth and not as distasteful as expected.
They exchanged a glance and continued sipping the soup.
It turned out they didn’t dislike eating winter melon greens; they carried a shadow from their past memories of it. Now, their mother had dispelled the darkness lingering in their hearts.
The next day, before Su Bing and Su Li went to school, Gu Zi specifically instructed Su Li about a few things.
That rascal Chen Fu would definitely cause trouble for Su Li again. Neither she nor anyone else could be with Su Li forever. Therefore, she wanted to teach Su Li how to independently handle and resolve problems.
Only when Su Li could solve problems on his own would he truly grow in this matter.
As soon as Su Li entered the classroom, as Gu Zi anticipated, something happened. Chen Fu swaggered over and intercepted him.
However, unlike before, Su Li wasn’t scared this time. After the events of yesterday, he realized he had someone strong backing him up—his mother. Thinking of his mother gave him confidence.
To bolster himself, he straightened his posture and calmly asked, “Chen Fu, is your butt still sore from yesterday?”
The surrounding classmates burst into laughter, surprised at how Su Li had seemingly transformed overnight.
Chen Fu didn’t expect Su Li not to be afraid of him. Before, Su Li was the most timid, quietly shedding tears when bullied.
Now, not only was Su Li unafraid, but he was also leading other students in mocking Chen Fu’s embarrassing incident!
Chen Fu was angry when he thought of how his pants were taken off in public yesterday. Despite his mother repeatedly urging him not to provoke Su Li again, he was unwilling to listen. After all, his mother’s words didn’t carry weight.
He pretended to be fierce, stepping onto Su Li’s chair with a menacing expression. He threatened, “If you mention that incident again, you’ll regret it!
Su Li, come here now and apologize on your knees for yesterday’s incident. Otherwise, you’re finished. After school, I’ll bring my fifth-grade cousin to beat you up.”
Hearing Chen Fu mention bringing his fifth-grade cousin, the other kids in the class stopped laughing. He often used this elder cousin to intimidate everyone, and everyone was afraid of him.
Su Li felt a bit apprehensive. What if Chen Fu’s fifth-grade cousin actually came? Even if Su Bing came to help him, there was no guarantee he would win the fight. After all, Chen Fu’s cousin was in the fifth grade!
Most younger students had a strong sense of obedience and awe towards older students. They often viewed higher-grade students as powerful and almost godlike.
But Su Li remembered Gu Zi’s words: “Even if you feel fear inside, don’t show it. Remember, you are the strongest. Every problem has a solution. Stay calm and don’t panic.”
Taking a deep breath, Su Li unexpectedly said something that surprised everyone, “Hmph! Let him come! I’m not scared of you. So what if you have a fifth-grade cousin? My brother and I have money!”
HIS DOICI response stunned ms classmates..