RMM -Chapter 338 So-Called “Disaster Comes from the Mouth”

Amid the back-and-forth of daily life, the days flowed slowly and leisurely. Su Ruo’s life following the army was becoming increasingly comfortable and natural.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye.

“Xi Zi, come over here!”

Su Ruo was busy in the kitchen. The commander was about to return home, and the meal wasn’t ready yet. One person alone was struggling to keep up, so she called for Xi Zi.

“Oh, coming.”

The young voice of Xi Zi sounded in response.

At this point, Xi Zi was already two and a half years old. Long ago, he had learned to stand and walk, and he could talk as well. His appearance had become increasingly delicate and adorable. If someone dressed him in a skirt, he would easily look prettier than a little girl.

Su Ruo had taken great pride in this for a long time. However, Xi Yuechen was not very satisfied. In his view, a man should be robust and heroic, strong and upright. But their son was growing in a way that went increasingly against his expectations—becoming more and more like a pampered little noble boy.

Xi Yuechen had always privately wanted Xi Zi to join the military, so naturally he hoped his son would appear more imposing and resilient. But now, no matter how you looked at him, he was a delicate, noble-looking “porcelain doll,” looking as if a single touch could break him.

As Xi Zi grew, Xi Yuechen became increasingly strict and critical, constantly raising the bar. Under his stern gaze, Xi Zi seemed to be wrong in every way—especially in appearance.

Of course, all of this was only in Xi Yuechen’s private thoughts. He wouldn’t dare speak them aloud; if he did, Su Ruo, who fiercely protected her child, would surely make a scene.

But fate has a way of surprising us. One day, while Su Ruo was teaching Xi Zi to draw, Xi Yuechen looked at their son—quiet and beautiful in the sunlight—and couldn’t help but speak, and disaster came from his mouth.

First, he criticized Xi Zi’s appearance. Then he complained about his delicate, gentle nature, saying he was almost like a girl.

Only after speaking did Xi Yuechen realize what he had said in a moment of impulse. A chill ran up his spine, and his face stiffened.

Because Su Ruo was looking at him. Her eyes were icy, as if a layer of frost had formed.

“What did you just say?”

Suppressing the urge to rush forward and strangle him, Su Ruo asked in a deep voice, her expression far from pleasant.

Xi Yuechen moved his fingers slightly. He knew Su Ruo was angry—angry in a serious way—and regret immediately set in. Why had he spoken his mind so carelessly?

“Ahem… I mean, Xi Zi is becoming more and more handsome,” he said, covering his mouth with a fist and attempting to cough lightly, trying to salvage the situation.

Su Ruo glared at him, clearly not believing his words. “Just look at how you usually nitpick Xi Zi. I even thought you were a strict father, but it turns out you don’t even like him. Why don’t you like him?”

Su Ruo scolded angrily. Having long been labeled by He Wen and the others as a “child-obsessed mother,” she took her role seriously. Hearing someone speak ill of her child, especially such groundless words—even from his own father—was intolerable.

“I didn’t mean that, I…”

The usually eloquent commander was at a loss for words, unsure how to explain. Though he regretted speaking too quickly, it was the truth in his heart. He wasn’t the type to chatter endlessly, and this wasn’t some undercover mission requiring acting skills.

“You didn’t mean that? Look at you, trying to cover up your guilt. What’s wrong with Xi Zi? Is it a crime for him to be good-looking? Besides, did he choose his appearance? Why don’t you blame yourself for giving him these genes? Take a look in the mirror—doesn’t he look like you? According to you, would you only be satisfied if he grew up ugly and misshapen?”

Su Ruo’s words were relentless, her gaze fierce. Her fury burned. She had given birth to this son with great effort and raised him with love and care. And now, to hear him dismissed as worthless by his father? How could she endure it?

Seeing Su Ruo’s expression, Xi Yuechen realized she was serious this time. He sighed internally. Well, this was going to be tricky.

“I meant that Xi Zi should develop comprehensively. These artistic skills are excellent, but it would also be good for him to learn some self-defense techniques. That would benefit him when he grows up.”

Xi Yuechen quickly organized his words, explaining firmly while reinforcing his determination to have his son trained in the military. If he was delicate in nature, he could be strengthened through training. A few years in the military, and he would become more resilient.

Xi Yuechen’s plan was good in theory, but reality doesn’t always comply. Xi Zi, despite following his father’s wishes and joining the military early, did not transform into a heroic, imposing soldier like Xi Yuechen. He remained elegant, refined, and noble-looking, just as before—nothing about his appearance suggested he had been hardened by military life.

Of course, that was for later. For now, it didn’t need mentioning.

Su Ruo knew the importance of Xi Zi learning some martial skills. Boys should be strong, after all. But what did his appearance have to do with it? Why could her proud son’s looks never meet Xi Yuechen’s approval? Who said only burly, broad-shouldered boys could be capable?

So Su Ruo refused to back down. “I want my son to learn the arts, to master music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. When he grows up, he’ll be talented in everything. Isn’t that wonderful? You don’t agree? As for self-defense, let it depend on his interests. You can’t force him anyway, since you don’t like him.”

Su Ruo nearly put her hands on her hips, standing resolute as if ready to fight to the end. Xi Yuechen watched helplessly. He had just spoken one careless word—was it really necessary for her to be this uncompromising?

“Fine, fine. We’ll let him learn the arts. He can pursue whatever interests him—we won’t force him,” Xi Yuechen said with a light smile, calming her excitement.

He quickly and willingly conceded to Su Ruo. For his wife, a little indulgence was no big deal. It didn’t affect his dignity.

But Su Ruo, accustomed to his unique pampering, was not moved. Her anger remained, and she glared stubbornly. “Of course you can’t force him. In your eyes, he’s not important anyway. Go on, tend to your soldiers. My son, I’ll educate myself.”

Though she told Xi Yuechen to leave, she stood up herself. With a cold snort, she put on her heels and left with a proud stride, not even glancing back at Xi Yuechen—or Xi Zi.

Xi Yuechen watched her decisive departure and shook his head, smiling helplessly. How had he never noticed before? This little woman was just like a chili pepper—spicy!

He wasn’t worried she’d run away. This was the army—where could she go? And though she left in a huff, she wouldn’t do anything reckless. Xi Yuechen was amused and reassured. She had probably gone to Li Lizhen’s house to see her daughter-in-law.

As for the source of the conflict—Xi Zi—he carried on calmly, his hands moving steadily, as if unaware of his parents’ disagreement. In fact, he was almost finished with his drawing.

Xi Zi could now handle simple thoughts. He knew his father wanted him to be tougher, so he had already decided to follow his father to the military and train. He believed he would grow up to be as strong as his father, so he wasn’t upset by Xi Yuechen’s criticisms. He quietly resolved to work hard, never letting his father look down on him.

As for his appearance, Xi Zi snorted in displeasure. He knew he was good-looking—but hadn’t that been thanks to his parents? What choice did he have?

Poor Xi Zi had been caught in the crossfire, but he had a good attitude. Otherwise, such a small child would have been completely upset by his father calling him delicate and girlish—harsh words indeed.

That day, Su Ruo left in anger—or rather, in calm composure—and returned obediently at dinner time.

After all, she was only angry with the father. The child was innocent. Even if she didn’t serve Xi Yuechen, she couldn’t deny food to Xi Zi. She couldn’t bear the thought of her son going hungry, and she wanted Xi Yuechen to eat properly too.

Su Ruo silently scolded herself for being so pathetic, worrying over Xi Yuechen despite their argument.

But her return didn’t mean she had relented. She was still angry. Who allowed Xi Yuechen to criticize Xi Zi? That was his own son, not some stranger!

Little did Su Ruo know, in the future, Xi Yuechen’s demands on his son would only grow stricter. His gaze would be like a spotlight, and his criticisms endless. Su Ruo initially defended her son, but over time, she realized the problem was insoluble. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t solve the strange dynamic between father and son.

Even worse, Xi Zi seemed to enjoy it. Though he never spoke, Su Ruo could see that after each critique, he treated it like a challenge, energetically entering a new round of effort. His father criticized, he strove… even though Su Ruo thought he was already perfect.

Eventually, she decided to stop caring. Their father-son issues were none of her business. As long as no one got hurt, it was fine. Let each do as they wish.

Although later, Su Ruo would laugh at the memory, saying that Xi Yuechen criticizing Xi Zi’s appearance was trivial, at the time, she couldn’t let it go. After that day, she ignored Xi Yuechen for a full two days, not even glancing at him.

Xi Yuechen was at a loss. Finally, on a dark, windy night, he dragged Su Ruo to bed. After a thorough “punishment,” they reconciled.