What to Do When Your Child Rebels Most Likely Just Pretending, a Good Spanking Will Fix It

Lin Yu pondered for a moment and felt this speculation was likely correct.

After all, was there anything those creators of risqué comics wouldn’t dare to draw?

But he couldn’t jump to conclusions either—what if there was some misunderstanding here?

Thinking this, Lin Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. If only there were a photo—if he had a picture of her brother, he could immediately tell whether the boy with the pained expression was Xia Muzhu’s younger brother, the second female lead in the story.

With this in mind, Lin Yu couldn’t resist calling out to the graceful figure in the kitchen:

"Big sis, didn’t you mention at the bar that your brother was being bullied?"

"Do you have a photo of him?"

"I’d like to see if I recognize him. If I ever run into him getting picked on, maybe I could help."

"That would be wonderful."

Xia Muzhu’s grateful voice drifted from the kitchen as she replied:

"There are photos in the coffee table drawer. You can take a look."

She let out a soft sigh, her tone laced with helplessness as she added:

"He’s so unruly these days. He won’t listen to anything I say. I don’t even know how to handle him anymore."

After hearing her words, Lin Yu pulled open the drawer beneath the coffee table. Sure enough, there was a stack of photos inside. The one on top showed two people—a smiling, gentle Xia Muzhu and a scowling boy who looked like he was still in elementary school.

Staring at the child whose face practically screamed "I’m pissed," Lin Yu frowned.

This wasn’t the boy from his memories.

The more he compared the photo to his recollection, the deeper his frown grew.

Had he been mistaken?

Was the boy from his memories not Xia Muzhu’s brother after all?

Or was this photo just too old, and her brother had since matured beyond recognition?

With these thoughts, Lin Yu took out the entire stack and began carefully flipping through them, hoping to find more recent pictures.

There were many photos—some of Xia Muzhu alone against scenic backdrops, others featuring the grumpy kid by himself. Aside from the two of them, the only other people in the photos were an older man and woman, their affectionate poses suggesting they were Xia Muzhu and her brother’s parents.

Among the pile, Lin Yu did find more recent shots. The scowling boy had only grown slightly taller—his face remained just as dark and sullen, the very image of a brat lacking the "loving discipline" of a father’s belt.

So, Xia Muzhu’s official love interest wasn’t her brother, but another boy around the same age whom Lin Yu didn’t recognize?

Lin Yu scratched his head, feeling thoroughly confused.

Xia Muzhu had finished her work in the kitchen. She walked out, untied her apron, and hung it up before giving Lin Yu a warm smile.

"The fish just needs a little more time to simmer, and then we can eat!"

Lin Yu nodded with a grin, then glanced at the bedroom doors that had remained silent since his arrival. Curious, he asked:

"It’s getting late—has your brother not come home from school yet?"

At his question, the warmth in Xia Muzhu’s blue eyes faded, replaced by a tinge of melancholy.

"He’s at a friend’s place tonight."

"Oh, got it."

Lin Yu nodded and didn’t press further, returning to his thoughts about the risqué comic’s plot.

Xia Muzhu’s expression remained troubled. She sat down on the single sofa to Lin Yu’s left, her face clouded with hesitation.

After a moment, she finally spoke up softly:

"Lin Yu."

"Yeah?"

He turned to her, curious. "What’s up?"

"I wanted to ask you something. Since you’re still in school, you probably understand better than I do—what goes through kids’ minds these days?"

Her delicate brows furrowed with worry as she continued:

"For some reason, around fourth grade, my brother Xia Yueshan suddenly started hating me. He just started middle school this year, and it’s only been a few months, but now he doesn’t even bother telling me when he’s not coming home."

"I only found out he wasn’t returning tonight because his friend’s parent texted me."

"Do you think someone’s been influencing him? Could he have fallen in with a bad crowd?"

Lin Yu frowned in thought before shaking his head.

"Hard to say. Maybe he’s just hitting his rebellious phase."

"Kids mature pretty early nowadays."

Xia Muzhu sighed softly, her beautiful eyes shadowed with concern.

"I’m just afraid someone’s leading him astray."

"Our parents are working abroad. If they come back and find Yueshan’s turned into a troublemaker, I wouldn’t know how to face them."

"No big deal!"

Lin Yu thumped his chest confidently. "Leave it to me. I just got through my own rebellious phase—I bet I’ll have plenty to talk about with your brother."

"Really?"

Xia Muzhu’s blue eyes sparkled with hope. "You think you can help?"

"Absolutely!"

Lin Yu nodded firmly.

Dealing with rebellious kids?

Piece of cake~

"That’s such a relief."

Xia Muzhu exhaled, her gratitude evident as she smiled at him.

"If you can talk some sense into Yueshan, I’ll give you a big red envelope when you graduate high school."

"Easy! Consider it done!"

Lin Yu declared with unwavering confidence.

...

"Mmm, sis, your fish is amazing! Can I come over to eat again?"

Lin Yu, already on his third heaping bowl of rice, eagerly reached for a fourth while gazing at Xia Muzhu with puppy-dog eyes.

"Of course."

She replied with a gentle smile.

After dinner, Lin Yu proactively helped clear the table.

Once most of the dishes were in the kitchen, his eyes fell on a few toppled drink bottles. Instinctively, he moved to toss them in the trash.

"Don’t throw those!"

Xia Muzhu, who had been storing leftovers, hurried over to stop him.

She gently took the empty bottles from his hands and said, "Let me handle these."

Then she placed them into a large bag already filled with assorted beverage containers before resuming her tasks.

Lin Yu watched, puzzled.

Xia Muzhu didn’t seem like someone strapped for cash—why would she care so much about a few empty bottles?

Was it just her frugal, waste-not attitude?

What a kind soul!