I Only Punished You a Little. Did You Have to Hit Me So Hard?

After Kong Fanxing was sent to the doorway, his collar was crumpled from being grabbed, and his shoulders jerked like those of a frightened little animal.

Tears welled in Kong Fanxing's eyes. He held them back for a few seconds, but they finally streamed down his rosy cheeks and fell onto the scuffed white toes of his sneakers, leaving tiny wet marks.

Kong Fanyue pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Xingxing's tears. "Don't cry, little brother. Can you tell me what happened just now?"

Little Kong Fanxing's shoulders heaved, his face was flushed red, and a glistening tear hung from the tip of his nose. Every so often, he drew a shuddering breath. His broken sobs caught in his throat, and his words came out slurred. He called for his brother between sobs, his whole body trembling with grievance.

Li Huanhuan came over too. Standing on tiptoe, he stroked Xingxing's hair and said softly, "There, there, Sixth Brother. Don't cry. Big Brother said little crybabies don't look nice."

Held in Kong Fanyue's arms and comforted by Huanhuan, Kong Fanxing gradually sobbed more quietly, and his trembling shoulders slowly grew still. No one knew how much time had passed.

He sniffled as the tears on his lashes slid down his cheeks. He blinked and wiped his face haphazardly with his little hand, leaving two wet streaks. Quietly pressing his swollen little lips together, he stopped crying.

After straightening his brother's collar, Kong Fanyue asked gently, "Can Xingxing tell me what happened now?"

"Brother, am... am I... a bad kid?" Kong Fanxing asked between sobs.

Kong Fanyue and Li Huanhuan spoke at the same time. "Xingxing/Sixth Brother isn't a bad kid!"

Kong Fanxing looked at them. "Really? Then Big Brother probably won't stop wanting me, will he?"

Kong Fanyue comforted him. "Big Brother would never stop wanting Xingxing. Our Xingxing is the best kid."

Li Huanhuan chimed in from the side, "Mm, Sixth Brother is the best!"

Reassured by his brother and Huanhuan, Kong Fanxing said, "In class just now, I remembered Big Brother said we should make new friends and could give cookies to our friends. So I was going to give my deskmate a cookie. I called her several times, and then she told the teacher."

Kong Fanyue stroked Kong Fanxing's head and said patiently, "Xingxing didn't do anything wrong. Wanting to share a cookie with a new friend is a very kind thought. But you should pay attention in class and wait until class is over to share cookies with your deskmate. Then the teacher won't scold you."

Li Huanhuan nodded too, his eyes shining. "That's right, that's right! Next time, Sixth Brother, give your deskmate the cookie after class. She'll definitely be happy and become good friends with you. Big Brother won't stop wanting you either. Big Brother really likes Xingxing."

The light returned to Kong Fanxing's eyes, and he nodded hard. "I understand, Brother, Huanhuan. Next time I'll give my deskmate a cookie after class."

Then Kong Fanxing sniffled and carefully took a slightly squashed cookie from his pocket. He held it out to Kong Fanyue and Li Huanhuan. "Brother, Huanhuan, this is for you."

Kong Fanyue and Li Huanhuan exchanged a smile, then both opened their mouths and each took a bite of the cookie.

Just then, the teacher suddenly came over. Seeing that the three of them were still in the mood to eat cookies, she flew into a rage. "Are you three staging a rebellion? I told you to stand there as punishment, but you came to the doorway to eat cookies!"

Kong Fanxing was just about to explain when the teacher slapped him across the face. Five finger marks instantly appeared on his fair, tender cheek.

Seeing his brother struck, Kong Fanyue flew into a rage. "What gives you the right to hit my brother?"

When the teacher saw that Kong Fanyue dared to talk back, she reached out and slapped him too. Seeing his brothers hit, Li Huanhuan hugged the teacher's leg. "Please, don't hit my brothers anymore."

The teacher said sternly, "I have plenty of ways to deal with lowly students like you. I'm not afraid you won't submit. Since you've all eaten cookies, I don't think you need lunch."

With that, the teacher kicked Li Huanhuan away, grabbed Kong Fanxing and Kong Fanyue, one in each hand, and locked them in empty classrooms at the school.

Kong Fanxing clutched the teacher's hand tightly. "Teacher, I was wrong. Don't lock up my brother. It was all my fault. Please."

The teacher did not hear Kong Fanxing's words. She threw Kong Fanyue inside and locked the door. Then she shut Kong Fanxing in another classroom.

Kong Fanxing and Kong Fanyue pounded on the doors with all their might. Kong Fanxing cried his heart out. He missed his brothers. He didn't want to go to school anymore. It was so dark in here. Xingxing was so scared.

In the other room, Kong Fanyue was just as anxious when he heard his brother's heart-rending cries. He wanted to go and see his brother right now, and he hated how little strength he had.

Listening to Kong Fanxing's cries outside the door, the teacher felt as though she were hearing beautiful music, and her mood seemed to lift. Then she suddenly remembered there was another lowly student she hadn't dealt with.

When the teacher returned to the classroom doorway, Li Huanhuan was no longer there. She began looking for him in the corridor.

By then, Li Huanhuan had already run to the security booth. He wanted to get out and go home to ask Big Brother to save his brothers. Just as Li Huanhuan reached the entrance, the security guard came out.

Li Huanhuan saw the guard's fierce gaze and said fearfully, "Don't hit me, please."

The guard looked at Li Huanhuan's little expression and smiled. "I won't hit you, little boy. Tell me, why are you skipping school? Where's your teacher? Why did she let you out?"

Tears welled in Li Huanhuan's eyes as he said urgently, "Uncle Guard, I'm not skipping school. The teacher hit my brothers and locked up my sixth and fifth brothers. I'm going home to get Big Brother to save them."

A flicker of surprise crossed the guard's eyes. Then he frowned. "Something like that happened? Don't panic. Tell me clearly which teacher it was."

Between sobs, Li Huanhuan told him what had happened.

The guard hesitated, then asked, "Do you know your family's phone number?"

Li Huanhuan nodded. "I do. Big Brother taught us."

The guard took his phone from his pocket and handed it to Li Huanhuan. "Call your big brother now and ask him to come over."

Li Huanhuan took the phone and called Fu Yanzhi using the number he remembered. Meanwhile, Fu Yanzhi was eating with Lin Mo and discussing plans for the company's future.

When Fu Yanzhi heard the phone ring, he saw that it was an unfamiliar number. He hesitated, but answered it anyway, only to hear someone crying and calling for Big Brother on the other end.

Recognizing Huanhuan's voice, Fu Yanzhi immediately tried to comfort him. "What's wrong, Huanhuan? What happened? Why are you crying?"

Hearing Big Brother's voice, Li Huanhuan said, "Big Brother, the teacher hit Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother and locked them up. Please hurry and save them!"

When Fu Yanzhi heard that Xingxing and Yueyue had been hit and locked up, he hurriedly said, "Don't be afraid, Huanhuan. Big Brother is coming to get you right now. Don't be afraid."

Fu Yanzhi hurriedly put on his coat. Seeing how anxious he was, Lin Mo said at once, "Brother Yanzhi, where are you going? I'll take you there now."

Fu Yanzhi had no time for pleasantries with Lin Mo. "Victory No. 1 Middle School. Hurry, Brother Lin. It's urgent."

Lin Mo hit the gas, and the car sped toward Victory No. 1 Middle School like wind and lightning. When they arrived, Fu Yanzhi rushed through the school gates. Seeing him at the entrance, Li Huanhuan ran straight over, crying, "Big Brother, I'm scared. Save... Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother."

Fu Yanzhi picked Li Huanhuan up and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Huanhuan. Big Brother's here. Where's your teacher? Where is she?"

Li Huanhuan cried, "She's still looking for me in the corridor. She wants to lock me up too."

After comforting Li Huanhuan, Fu Yanzhi handed him to Lin Mo to hold, then ran straight to the corridor in the classroom building.

The teacher was still looking for Li Huanhuan in the corridor. When Fu Yanzhi saw her, he strode over, seized her by the collar and demanded, eyes blazing, "Where are my brothers? Where did you lock them up?"

Startled by the sudden attack, the teacher forced herself to stay calm after getting a good look at Fu Yanzhi. "Who are you? This is a school. Don't do anything reckless!"

Fu Yanzhi sneered. "I'll ask again. Where are my brothers? Where did you lock them up?"

The teacher tried to argue, but Fu Yanzhi refused to listen. He punched her in the face, sending her flying backward.

After landing, the teacher touched the blood at the corner of her mouth and was terrified. As Fu Yanzhi walked over, she thought he looked like a devil escaped from hell.

Fu Yanzhi gritted his teeth. "I'll ask one last time. Where are my brothers?"

The teacher was scared out of her wits by now. She stammered, "They made a mistake. I only punished them a little. What did I do wrong? You dared hit me. Just you wait."

"You're fucking courting death!" Fu Yanzhi slapped the teacher across the face, then rained several punches on her. Her screams echoed throughout the corridor.

Just then, the principal heard the commotion and hurried over. Seeing what was happening, he rushed to smooth things over. "Please, sir, let's talk this out. We'll certainly handle this properly. Please spare this teacher for now."

Fu Yanzhi stared at the principal. "I don't care how you handle it. Find my brothers right now. If anything happens to them, I'll make sure not a chicken or dog in this school knows peace."

The principal nodded hurriedly and sent people to find the classrooms where Kong Fanyue and Kong Fanxing were locked up. Before long, they heard knocking and crying from the classroom at the very end.

Without waiting for the principal to find the key, Fu Yanzhi told his brother to stand back, then kicked the entire door open.

When Kong Fanyue saw Big Brother, he ran out with red-rimmed eyes and threw himself into Fu Yanzhi's arms. Crying, he said, "Big Brother, Xingxing was locked up too. I don't know where he is."

Fu Yanzhi held him and comforted him. "It's all right. Don't worry, leave it to Big Brother."

Fu Yanzhi kicked open the door to the classroom next door too. Kong Fanxing was crouched on the floor, the tear tracks on his face already dry.

The moment Kong Fanxing saw Big Brother, his eyes lit up. A loud wail burst from his hoarse throat, and he threw himself into Fu Yanzhi's arms. "Big Brother! I'm scared..."

Fu Yanzhi held him tight, his heart aching, and gently patted his back. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Big Brother's here."

Just then, the police arrived at the school. The principal had called them.

After learning what had happened, the police looked at the bruised and battered teacher, then at the three pitiful children. They said sternly to the teacher, "As a teacher of the people, you beat students and confined them without authorization. You have seriously violated both professional ethics and the law."

The teacher went pale with fright and slumped to the floor.

Looking at the teacher, Fu Yanzhi thought, You're lucky someone called the police for you. Otherwise, tonight would have been the night you died.

Fu Yanzhi said coldly, "I'll hold you responsible. I won't let you get away easily."

Then, after glancing at the principal and picking up Feng Yunxiao, he left the school with his brothers.

After Lin Mo drove Fu Yanzhi and the others home, Fu Yanzhi thanked him profusely. Following a few pleasantries, Fu Yanzhi took his brothers inside.

As soon as they entered, Zheng Long saw the injuries on Xingxing's and Yueyue's faces and immediately brought over the first-aid kit. When Meteor saw his owner come home, he leaped straight into Kong Fanxing's arms. Fu Yanzhi carefully examined the injuries on his two brothers' faces, his heart aching.

He decided to make the teacher receive the punishment she deserved. Just then, Kong Fanxing's stomach rumbled. Fu Yanzhi smiled and said, "You must be hungry. What would you like to eat? How about Big Brother makes it for you?"

Kong Fanxing, usually the liveliest and quickest to ask for things, now sat quietly on the sofa, holding Meteor without a word.

Seeing Xingxing like this, Fu Yanzhi pulled him into his arms and took his hand. He asked softly, "Is Xingxing still scared? It's all right. Don't be afraid. Big Brother's here."

Kong Fanxing felt the warmth of Big Brother's hand. After a long while, he said quietly, "Big Brother, I caused you trouble today. Will you stop wanting me?"

Fu Yanzhi's heart ached, and he held Kong Fanxing even tighter. "How could Xingxing have caused trouble? You just wanted to share with a friend. That teacher was the one who was wrong. Big Brother will never stop wanting you. I'll always protect you."

Tears filled Kong Fanxing's eyes. Between sobs, he said, "Big Brother, I don't want to go to school anymore. The teachers there are so scary."

Fu Yanzhi stroked his head and comforted him. "Don't be afraid, Xingxing. Tomorrow Big Brother will transfer you to a better class. The teachers there will all be gentle, and there'll be lots of children who'll be good friends with you."

Kong Fanxing nodded gently. "Brother, I want sweet and sour crispy pork. Can I have that?"

Fu Yanzhi smiled. "Of course. Whatever Xingxing wants, Big Brother will make it for you. Go play with your brothers for a while. I'll go cook."

Then Fu Yanzhi went to the kitchen and made a lavish dinner for his brothers. When he was done, he checked the time and saw that Second and Third Brother would soon be out of school.

Fu Yanzhi wiped his hands and said to the four little ones playing in the living room, "Big Brother and Brother Zheng are going to pick up Second and Third Brother now. Be good while you're at home."

The four little ones nodded, and Fu Yanzhi and Zheng Long set off for the school.

Not long after they arrived, they saw Wen Shiming looking around for something.

When Fu Yanzhi saw him come out, he waved and called, "Third Brother, over here!"

Wen Shiming saw Big Brother and ran straight over. Fu Yanzhi told him to get in the car first while he waited for Second Brother. After a while, Bo Qing came out of the school too. When Bo Qing saw Fu Yanzhi, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and he quickened his pace. "Big Brother, what brought you here?"

Bo Qing asked. Fu Yanzhi stroked his head and smiled. "I came to take you home. Something happened to Xingxing and Yueyue at school. Comfort them when you get back."

Bo Qing and Wen Shiming both grew anxious and hurriedly asked what had happened. Fu Yanzhi gave them a brief account, and both were furious. Wen Shiming clenched his fists. "That teacher went too far. Big Brother, we can't just let this go."

Fu Yanzhi nodded. "Don't worry. Big Brother won't let them suffer this grievance for nothing."

They discussed the matter all the way home, the mood somewhat heavy. When Bo Qing and Wen Shiming saw the injuries on Xingxing's and Yueyue's faces, their hearts ached. They gathered around their two younger brothers and comforted them softly.

When Kong Fanxing saw his second and third brothers return, he threw himself into Bo Qing's arms and started crying again. Bo Qing held him, patted his back and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Xingxing. Your brothers are here. No one will be able to bully you again."

The family sat together, and the atmosphere gradually grew warm and cozy.