TSWPF -Chapter 464 Scolding

“You’re doing it wrong.” The little girl held her small face seriously, her eyes sharp as she looked up at Liu Zhilan, who was much taller than her. “Great-grandfather said that throwing away a gift in front of the person who gave it is impolite and very ill-mannered. You can’t do that.”

Saying this, she bent down, picked up the little hair accessory from the ground, and stuffed it back into Liu Zhilan’s hand. “Here. Take it.” Her tone brooked no refusal.

Whether it was the little girl’s imposing presence or something else, Liu Zhilan instinctively clenched the small flower tightly in her hand.

The little girl nodded in satisfaction and then gave the last small flower in her hand to Liu Zhixin.

Liu Zhimou withdrew the foot he had stepped forward with, smiling proudly at how well the little girl had handled the situation.

Truly, she was his daughter—so young yet so commanding.

It wasn’t just Liu Zhimou; even Old Master Liu looked at the little girl appreciatively. Her fierce, commanding presence reminded him of their family.

His eyes shifted to Liu Zhilan. Before she could speak, he said, “Zhilan, apologize to Xiaoxiao.” How dare she scorn the gift of his precious great-granddaughter right in front of him? She had no sense. “You’re older than Xiaoxiao by several years, and you don’t even know this much?”

Being scolded by her grandfather in front of everyone, Liu Zhilan felt humiliated. She stomped her foot hard and ran off crying.

Zhong Qing ground her teeth, feeling that her face had been completely ruined by her own daughter.

She crouched down and held Xiaoxiao’s little chubby hand. “Xiaoxiao, Auntie Zhilan didn’t mean it. I’ll apologize to you on her behalf. Will you forgive her?” Xiaoxiao really was very cute, but since coming back, she had embarrassed their second branch, which irritated Zhong Qing.

Children were sensitive; they could instantly sense who was good and who wasn’t.

“Second madam, can you let go of Xiaoxiao’s hand?” The little girl frowned as she spoke. She didn’t like the second madam in front of her. “You’re hurting Xiaoxiao.”

Hearing this, Zhong Qing quickly released Xiaoxiao’s hand and apologized, saying she hadn’t meant to squeeze so hard.

“Second aunt, I don’t think it was just a little force, right?” Liu Zhirou frowned, looking at the finger marks on the little girl’s hand. “Xiaoxiao, tell me, does it hurt?”

Xiaoxiao pouted a little in grievance and nodded that it did hurt.

“Xiaoxiao, come over to great-grandfather.” Mr. Luo called out, and Xiaoxiao wiggled her little legs as she ran over. “Come, show your hands to great-grandfather.”

Xiaoxiao held out her little hands. Seeing the marks on her fingers, Mr. Luo’s face immediately darkened. He scooped her into his arms, stood up, and said dominantly, “If someone doesn’t welcome us, then we won’t stay here.” How could he allow anyone to bully his precious little girl?

“Old Luo…” Seeing Mr. Luo carrying his great-granddaughter away, Old Master Liu hurried to follow. “Old Luo, can you be reasonable?”

Mr. Luo’s face was as dark as ink. “Reasonable? My precious child just came back and got bullied, and you want me not to be angry? If they won’t keep us here, we’ll leave. We don’t need to stay.”

Old Master Liu’s face went pale and flushed alternately. He was angry, feeling that the second branch had insulted him.

Liu Zhihao gave Liu Zhimou a look, signaling him to stop Mr. Luo.

If Mr. Luo left with Xiaoxiao and outsiders found out, who knew how they would ridicule the Liu family?

Although Liu Zhimou felt unhappy inside, he knew this wasn’t Old Master Liu’s fault and couldn’t let him be upset.

He sighed inwardly and walked over to Mr. Luo, quietly trying to persuade him.

After a while, Mr. Luo softened and agreed to stay at the Liu residence.

He glanced at Old Master Liu and snorted coldly. “If it weren’t for Mo’er, I wouldn’t have stayed. I would have already taken them back to my mansion. It’s much larger, cleaner, and more comfortable there.”

He was only staying a few days because he didn’t want to be apart from Xiaoxiao.

He disliked the complicated family environment of the Liu household. Once Mo’er was transferred back to the capital, he would find a way to have them live elsewhere. Living here, who knew what could happen?

Seeing Mr. Luo nod, Old Master Liu quietly exhaled. Seeing the back of Xiaoxiao’s hand, he felt a deep pang of concern and gently asked if it hurt.

Xiaoxiao nodded but shook her head, saying, “Just put some medicine on it, great-grandfather. Don’t worry.” She didn’t want them to quarrel.

“Good child.” Old Master Liu felt even more protective. “Mo’er, take Mr. Luo and the others back to the courtyard to rest. We’ll have dinner together tonight.”

Liu Zhimou acknowledged and led them back.

Once they left, Old Master Liu’s expression darkened. His eyes swept to Zhong Qing.

With his aura fully unleashed, even his sons dared not meet his gaze, let alone Zhong Qing.

She forced herself to suppress her trembling and lowered her eyes. “It’s my fault. I didn’t expect Xiaoxiao’s skin to be so tender. I didn’t mean to…”

“Children’s skin is naturally tender. Second sister, you also have children; how could you not know that?” Jiang Yingying, eager to stir trouble, sneered. “Second sister, were you trying to take revenge for Zhilan, deliberately hurting Xiaoxiao?” Finally, Zhong Qing made a mistake, and she seized the opportunity.

Before, Zhong Qing laughed at her; now the tables had turned.

Truly, fortune changes hands!

Zhong Qing forced herself not to glare at Jiang Yingying, thinking: this humiliation today, I will repay someday.

“Big sister, what are you saying? Would I be that kind of person?”

“Hard to say…” Jiang Yingying waved her handkerchief and laughed lightly. “You can never tell what’s in someone’s heart.” Between the two sisters-in-law, she was the most cunning. She would rather get along with Zhang Yun’er than Zhong Qing.

She always felt that Zhong Qing was a hidden snake, ready to strike when unnoticed.

From the bottom of her heart, she disliked Zhong Qing.

“Big sister…”

“Enough!” Old Master Liu shouted, cutting off Zhong Qing. “Second branch, send someone to hire a governess to properly educate Liu Zhilan. Don’t let her embarrass us in front of others.”

“Yes, father…”

“You follow and learn too.” This completely slapped Zhong Qing in the face. Her expression turned alternately pale and red, and she quietly replied, “Yes.”

No matter how much she resented Old Master Liu and Liu Zhimou’s family, she displayed respect outwardly, leaving no room for criticism.

The more she behaved like this, the more Liu Zhihao thought she was deep and capable of tolerating what others couldn’t.

This person was formidable.

Liu Zhimou silently resolved to warn Mo’er later to be careful of the second branch, so they wouldn’t be schemed against.

The Liu family had many members, and many hearts were complicated. Who knew what some might do secretly?

Xiaoxiao was still too young to protect herself. She couldn’t be harmed.

Old Master Liu waved his hand, dismissing everyone.

Such a good reunion had been ruined by the second branch. Truly…

He worried whether Xiaoxiao would start disliking the Liu family and refuse to return.

“Ah, I need to check on Xiaoxiao. I hope she didn’t cry too much.”

“I’ll go too.”

Liu Zhihao followed Old Master Liu to the fourth branch.

Meanwhile, the second branch was far from peaceful. Zhong Qing returned to the courtyard to hear her daughter sobbing. Irritated, she walked in with a dark face.

“Crying, and you have the nerve to cry?” She glared at Liu Zhilan. “Didn’t I tell you to control your temper? Not to conflict with the fourth branch? Why didn’t you listen, huh?” She had been scolded too, losing face.

Seeing her mother return, Liu Zhilan sat up, wiping her tears, and choked out, “It’s just a little kid. Why does everyone like her so much? Why does grandpa like her?” She liked the bracelet grandpa gave Xiaoxiao. “I hate her. I hate her so much.”

Zhong Qing sat in front of her, face cold. She told her that no matter how much she disliked her, she had to endure it and not show it.

She had spoiled her too much, leaving her unable to distinguish the proper time to throw a tantrum.

“Later, I’ll get a governess. You’ll learn from her. Once you’ve learned properly, you can go out and play.”

Zhong Qing’s daughter must never be naive and gullible; such a person would get betrayed and still count the money for the betrayer. Too foolish.

“Mom, can I… not learn?” Liu Zhilan’s little friend had told her that the governess was strict and would hit palms. She didn’t want to learn.

“No, you must learn,” Zhong Qing shook her head. “Your grandfather instructed it. If you don’t want to learn, you can ask him if it’s okay.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhilan wilted, not daring to speak.

Even with a hundred guts, she wouldn’t dare speak to her grandfather. He was too fierce.

Seeing this, Zhong Qing sighed and explained it carefully to her.

Afterward, Liu Zhilan hesitantly asked, “Do I really have to wear the little flower Xiaoxiao gave me to apologize?”

She resisted in her heart. Bowing to a little kid? She couldn’t do it.

“Yes. Where’s the little flower? You didn’t throw it away, right?”

The little flower?

Liu Zhilan searched the ground for a long time before finding the crumpled flower. “Mom, it’s ugly. I really don’t want to wear it.” She had damaged it further, making it even less presentable. How could she wear it outside?

Zhong Qing glanced at the flower and instructed Liu Zhilan not to lose it and to wear it tomorrow to apologize to Xiaoxiao.

Reluctantly, Liu Zhilan nodded.

She knew her mother’s words were final and dared not disobey.