Chapter 15: Lele Was Bullied

If Ji Yang weren’t here, Su Ai would have told her son, “Don’t worry, Mom will teach you how to fight, and you’ll never lose.”

She’d kick the North Sea kindergarten and punch the South Mountain nursing home; she’d be invincible.

In Su Ai’s eyes, children fighting was commonplace.  Youth is for being unrestrained.

Especially for such young children a little push here, a little push there as long as her child doesn’t lose, everything is fine.

But in front of Ji Yang, Su Ai behaved obediently and followed the rules.

“Come on, tell Mommy why you want to fight.”

Su Ai hugged her son, looking at his soft face.

Earlier, when four people occupied five seats, no one dared to say anything.

Su Ai was even more forceful, driving the four away.  The three of them occupied five seats, and no one dared to say anything.

Su Ai held her son in one arm and supported Ji Yang with the other.

The bus started slowly, heading towards the city.

“Because I always lose when I fight Goudan.”

“Goudan always calls me a bastard.”

“Mommy, what’s a bastard?”

“He often says I’m not Dad’s biological son, and that Dad likes wearing green hats. But Dad has never worn a green hat.”

“I didn’t like what he said, so I argued with him, and we often fought. But he’s so much bigger, I can’t beat him. He always beats me.”

Lele’s voice became sad, burying his face in Su Ai’s embrace.

“So, Mommy, can you teach me how to fight?”

“I want to beat him to the ground!”

Seeing his distress, it was clear he had been bullied repeatedly.

Su Ai’s eyes turned cold.

Children also have their groups.  If it weren’t for adults, children wouldn’t know such things!

“Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

Even Ji Yang looked unhappy.

“He hit you, why didn’t you tell Dad?”

Even though his wife acted recklessly, Ji Yang, as the only doctor in the village, wasn’t openly defied, though people might gossip behind his back.

Everyone gets sick sometimes.

Ji Yang wouldn’t allow his son to be bullied. If he had known, he would have confronted them long ago.

“It’s no use. If I tell my parents about everything, no one will play with me anymore.”

Su Ai understood. Adults have their groups, and so do children. If a child constantly runs to their parents over trivial matters, other children will call them a tattletale and exclude them.

Su Ai lifted her son, cupping his face.

“Okay, Mommy will teach you how to fight, and you’ll win next time.”

“But besides fighting, Mommy will teach you other ways to make sure Goudan never bullies you again.”

“Lele, remember, fighting is the lowest form of conflict resolution.”

“There are many better ways to solve problems.”

“Also, some things children say are wrong. You can solve some minor conflicts among yourselves without telling your parents.”

“But sometimes, if someone hits you hard or bullies you often, no matter what they say, you should tell your parents. Don’t listen to them; you still need to tell your parents.”

“Because only your parents will always unconditionally stand by your side.”

“If your parents don’t protect you, they’ll bully you even more. Do you understand?”

So much school bullying stems from this:  being told not to tell their parents.

Seeing the warmth and acceptance in her mother’s eyes, Lele nodded vigorously.

“I understand, Mommy.”

“From now on, if anyone bullies me, I’ll tell them my mom can kill a bear with one punch!”

“If anyone dares to bully me, I’ll have my mom beat them up.”

The child’s boastful attitude made Su Ai laugh. She ruffled his hair, saying nothing.

Let him say what he wants; she’s here to be his protector.

“But Mommy, you said there’s another way to make him listen without fighting.”

“What is it?”

Su Ai became mysterious.

“I’ll tell you when we get back from the city, okay?”

“Okay!”

Su Ai had quickly resolved the child’s educational issue and proactively instilled anti-bullying ideas.

Ji Yang kept hearing Su Ai’s words echoing in his mind:  “Your dad and I will always be your protectors.”

He felt his life had changed drastically in just one day.

He held his son, playing simple games, making the child laugh.

He also held Ji Yang, letting him lean on her shoulder, half his body resting on the seat. Su Ai felt life was perfect.

Husband on the left, child on the right, life is worry-free and happy.

Ji Yang alone occupied four seats.

Though his leg was injured and lying down was more comfortable, he felt ashamed.

“Everyone else doesn’t have a seat. This isn’t right.”

Su Ai would have said it was fine earlier, four people had occupied five seats, and no one had said anything.  If it was okay for them, why not for them? But Ji Yang was shy.

Seeing the strange looks from others, Su Ai knew Ji Yang would sit up if she didn’t do something.

So, Su Ai took out more money and gave it to the conductor.

“We’ll buy three more tickets.  I’ve bought all five seats in the back.”

Paying for the seats would allow them to lie down comfortably.

The conductor readily accepted the money, delighted.

Those five seats had been sold several times.  The four thugs had occupied them, but they had paid for the tickets.

Now Su Ai had paid for five tickets, making his trip quite profitable!

“Now you can lie down comfortably,” Ji Yang said, looking at the domineering Su Ai, saying nothing more.

He wanted to say that money shouldn’t be spent so carelessly, but since Su Ai spent it on him, he didn’t want to spoil the mood.

The bus ride took three or four hours to reach the city.

The hospital was filled with people carrying luggage and patients.

Hospitals weren’t as complex then; there was no need for registration or appointment cards.

Su Ai carried Ji Yang directly to the orthopedics department, placed their luggage on a chair outside, had Lele stand guard at the door, and then carried Ji Yang into the doctor’s office.