Chapter 24: I’d Rather Die Than Apologize

Chu Shuangsheng was a little frightened and quickly stretched out her arms to block their way.

Jiang Yunhe raised her eyebrows slightly and said bluntly, “Perfect, you’re coming too.”

Chu Shuangsheng: “……”

She really didn’t want to go.

But if she didn’t go, what would happen to her second brother?!

After a brief internal struggle, Chu Shuangsheng followed them.

Chu Shuangjiang, on the other hand, was far from obedient. Even while being carried in Jiang Yunhe’s arms, he kept wriggling and kicking, trying desperately to escape her grasp.

But how could he possibly succeed?

With his measly strength, Jiang Yunhe didn’t even take him seriously.

Not only did she ignore his struggling, but seeing him bounce around, she gave his bottom a firm swat. That was pure insult to injury—she didn’t leave him any dignity at all.

Chu Shuangjiang’s face turned a shade of green. He yelled, “Jiang Yunhe! You crazy woman! How dare you hit me?!”

Jiang Yunhe sneered, “What? At your age, all you’ve learned is how to curse? Are your ears useless now? Didn’t you hear me say I’m your future sister-in-law?”

Chu Shuangjiang: “What kind of bullcrap sister-in-law? I don’t agree!”

Jiang Yunhe: “……”

Typical brat—absolutely in need of a lesson!

If she didn’t discipline him now, he’d be dancing on rooftops in no time. A child who should be playing in the mud was trying to meddle in adult affairs.

If he doesn’t get a beating, who does?!

Luckily, Jiang Yunhe had her own methods for dealing with kids like this. For wild brats, one good beating usually worked. If not? Then another one.

And of course, a beating alone isn’t enough—coercion and enticement had to follow.

Behind the Chu family house was a small hillside. Jiang Yunhe, carrying him, picked up her pace and soon pulled ahead of Chu Peihan.

Chu Shuangjiang panicked. What if she left him on the hill?!

He’d heard way too many stories about vicious women.

Chu Shuangsheng struggled to keep up behind them, crying her eyes out in fear: “Second Brother, please just apologize! What’s the harm in saying sorry?!”

Chu Shuangjiang yelled back, “Absolutely not! A man would rather die than apologize!”

Jiang Yunhe: “……”

Well, he’s stubborn, she’ll give him that.

She looked around, made sure Chu Peihan couldn’t see them, then found a big tree, stood on tiptoe, and plopped the kid right on a thick branch.

Chu Shuangjiang froze, his face contorting slightly as he instinctively clutched the branch beside him.

He’d never been up this high before!

Jiang Yunhe’s methods were quick and direct—fight fire with fire. “Come on, curse away. We’re far enough that Chu Peihan can’t hear you. I’d love to know what kind of garbage you’ve picked up.”

She knew well that Chu Peihan’s uncle wasn’t a good man.

He claimed he took in the two kids out of kindness, but really, it was all for Chu Peihan’s military allowance. Life had been hard in the early years.

With Chu Peihan’s help, the family lived quite comfortably, spending the money he worked so hard to earn.

But when Chu Peihan got injured, not a cent came from them. They didn’t even show up—didn’t visit him, didn’t help, nothing. Even when he was discharged and came back to the village, he returned alone.

That might’ve been forgivable.

But now, they were even sending the kids to cause trouble? Mooching off him was one thing—but dragging up old wounds, cursing him outright? That was crossing the line.

Chu Shuangjiang trembled. He still put on a tough face, but deep inside, he was scared stiff. He had no idea what to do.

Apologize? Absolutely out of the question.

Chu Shuangsheng stood at the bottom of the tree, wiping her tears and pleading, “Second Brother, just come down first, please. This woman’s really scary—didn’t you see even Big Brother is afraid of her!”

Jiang Yunhe curled her lips. “Well, aren’t you sharp—you know he’s your big brother.”

Chu Shuangsheng pouted and went quiet.

Of course she knew.

Not only that, she also knew that her big brother had never cared about them. Ever since he returned, he just closed his door and lived his own life, while she and her second brother had to depend on others.

Jiang Yunhe gently rubbed her head. Her expression softened—after all, she was a girl, and girls had to save face. Even Jiang Yunhe had to show some extra care.

Chu Shuangsheng sniffled and said softly, “I’m sorry. We won’t do it again. Really.”

Jiang Yunhe replied, “Shengsheng, you can only speak for yourself.”

Chu Shuangsheng: “……”

Confused.

She didn’t entirely understand what Jiang Yunhe meant, but deep down, she felt like it somehow made sense.

Jiang Yunhe didn’t want her to live according to Chu Shuangjiang’s will. On the contrary, she wanted her to have her own voice—to know what she was doing and why.

Even though she was still young.

But it was better to start now than try to fix her later.

Chu Shuangjiang looked stubborn as ever—still refusing to back down!

He even dared to keep running his mouth: “Jiang Yunhe, if you’ve got the guts, kill me! Otherwise—”

She interrupted coldly, “It’s nearly noon. Snakes come out to drink water around this time. What do you think a snake would do when it sees a dark little kid standing here?”

“……”

What would it do?

Eat him, obviously!

Chu Shuangjiang’s face turned deathly pale. He nearly fell off the branch in fright!

Jiang Yunhe watched him like it was a comedy show. Yep, she was scaring him on purpose. If a little brat like him didn’t behave, he deserved a good scare.

But right at that moment, from the other side of the tree came a series of sinister hissing sounds—getting louder and closer—headed straight for Chu Shuangjiang.

Chu Shuangsheng shrieked, “Second Brother! There’s a snake!”

Chu Shuangjiang panicked: “I want to get down!”

Jiang Yunhe: “Don’t know how to apologize yet?”

Chu Shuangjiang shouted, “Okay, I’m sorry! I won’t push you again!”

Jiang Yunhe: “That’s not what I meant.”

Chu Shuangjiang: “……”

Then what did she mean?!

He was totally lost.

Jiang Yunhe saw his thick-headed expression and lost her patience. “I want you to promise: from now on, you’ll be polite to Chu Peihan. No more causing him trouble, and definitely no more nasty words meant to hurt him. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting rough with you.”

And trust her, she meant rough.

She really couldn’t stand anyone mistreating Chu Peihan. Hearing people insult him right in front of her? No way. No one got a pass—not even his own brother.

Chu Shuangjiang, hearing the snake getting closer, quickly cried out, “Alright! I won’t cause him trouble again!”