Chapter 7 Storybook_2

Junior Ms. Qian couldn't help but laugh, "Has our Manbao grown up?"

"Yes, I'm six years old now."

Feeling indignant at her words, Zhou SiLang promptly reached out and tousled her short hair, mocking, "Still six years old, you're not even five yet. Do you even know what a 'full year' means?"

Manbao, staggered by his shaking, let out a loud yell. Before she could lift her head, Zhou SiLang had released his grip and run off in a puff of smoke, leaving Manbao with her hair in a mess, crying out loud with a "wah" sound.

Junior Ms. Qian was taken aback; her little sister-in-law rarely cried, and hardly ever since she turned one 'full year' old. Seeing her cry so hard all of a sudden, Junior Ms. Qian was stunned for a moment before she went to hold her.

Ms. Qian in the room dropped her sewing basket with a "snap," agilely jumped out of bed, boots half on, and ran out asking, "What's happened, what's happened, what's wrong with my Bao'er?"

Manbao was feeling a brief moment of grievance. After the first cry, she was almost fine, the unnamed grievances were already fading, but seeing Ms. Qian, for some reason, she felt more upset. She threw herself into her mother's arms, crying and complaining, "Mom, Four bullied me. Look what he did to my hair."

Ms. Qian immediately smoothed out her messy hair, fuming, she ordered sternly, "That little rascal really needs a spanking. He is not getting dinner tonight, let him go hungry."

Junior Ms. Qian agreed without hesitation, immediately responding loudly.

Ms. Qian, feeling sorry for her daughter, wiped her tears away and said, "Alright, no more crying, our Manbao. How about I cook you an egg, would that be good?"

Junior Ms. Qian then asked, "So she's not going to school?"

"No, I will cook eggs for Manbao, cook a meal."

Junior Ms. Qian felt a bit pained by the expense, but considering that her little sister-in-law had been provoked to tears, it seemed right to comfort her, so she nodded in agreement. However, Manbao was not willing and pulled away from her mother's embrace, asserting, "No, I have to go to school."

Her reason was also very valid, "Tomorrow I have to go to the market, I won't be able to attend school, I need to tell Mr. Zhuang."

Junior Ms. Qian then said, "My little sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll tell Mr. Zhuang for you."

"No, I'll say it myself. And today, I still have to check if Mr. Zhuang's draft is finished; if it is, I need to bring it back."

"That..." Junior Ms. Qian hesitated, looking towards Ms. Qian.

Seeing her daughter wasn't sad anymore, Ms. Qian touched her little cheek and smiled, "Alright then, if you want to go, you go."

Manbao turned around and happily went off to school with Junior Ms. Qian.

As soon as the aunt and niece had left, Ms. Qian got up from the ground, her expression darkened, and she said to the two daughters-in-law and two younger sons who were watching, "Go catch Four for me. He's really taken things too far. Out there he can act all high and mighty, lose money gambling, and has the nerve to come back and bully his own family."

Following orders, they scattered through the entire village to catch Zhou SiLang.

As soon as Manbao got to school, she leaned against the window to listen to Mr. Zhuang's lesson. They were discussing The Analects today. Manbao had heard a bit of it before, but she had never systematically memorized it. This time, Mr. Zhuang was giving a major lesson, and all the children were studying The Analects, starting from the first lesson.

Manbao listened for the entire class, but Mr. Zhuang's lesson only involved repeatedly instructing everyone to recite the text without explaining the meaning.

Without a book, Manbao just mumbled along vaguely. She had an excellent memory and managed to memorize the text after reading it three or four times, but she didn't know which characters exactly were involved, let alone their meaning.

Seeing Mr. Zhuang continuing with this repetitive approach.

Ordinarily, Manbao would have eagerly continued along, but today she felt a bit down, somewhat affected and unable to concentrate fully.

After memorizing the text, she decided to slip down from the windowsill and sneak off to Mr. Zhuang's yard.

Mr. Zhuang's study was always unlocked. It wasn't clear if this was due to habit or to make it easier for a certain child who always snuck in to clean for him.

Manbao roamed around the yard and study, finally sitting down on the steps with her chin propped up, daydreaming, actually chatting with the system.

"Keke, do you think Four hates me now?"

The system said, "Host, no one can always be liked in this world, even money can be disliked by people."

"But I'm not money, I'm Four's sister, how can he not like me?"

The system was silent for a moment, then responded, "In this world, it's quite normal for fathers to dislike their children, mothers to detest their offspring, and for siblings to resent each other."

"That's nonsense, how can there be parents in this world who don't like their children? Aren't siblings supposed to love and help one another?"

"That's only what you wish," the system thought it might be too lonely, which was why it was discussing these topics with its young host, but it believed this foundation was also for his safety and future development. If the host was too naive, then it would really be going out of its mind with worry in the future.

So, after a search in the Encyclopedia, it found a book titled Top 10 Evil Fathers in History for Manbao and said, "Host, consider this a loan from me. Borrowing books costs points, and you'll have to pay me back once you've earned some points."

Out of nowhere, a book appeared in Manbao's hands. Her eyes sparkled, and she quickly forgot the hurt Four caused her, excitedly asking, "Is this for me?"

The system emphasized, "This is lent to the host for reading, and must be returned after."

Manbao was extremely touched, "Keke, you're really nice. This is my first book."

The system reiterated, "Host, remember to return it after reading, or many points will be docked."

Manbao waved her little hand magnanimously, "Take them, books cost a lot of money anyway."

The system: "…Host, you have no points."

Manbao had already lowered her head to flip through the book.

The text in the book had been replaced with characters from this era. Manbao could recognize many words, and the book was written in plain language, so she read with great interest, just like reading a storybook.

In fact, it was a storybook, telling about the ten most despicable fathers in history.