Xie Guifang was terrified by the sight of Grandfather Wang beating Wang Yong. Her family had favored boys over girls when she was growing up, so even though she was a girl, she'd been beaten plenty as a child.
That beating with the stick reminded Wang Yong of his miserable childhood. It also brought back the hard times for Xie Guifang, so both of them looked at Grandfather Wang with a little fear.
Grandma Wang was much the same. She used to be afraid of her husband, worried that he would neglect her just as her parents had. It wasn't until she gave birth to a son that things slowly began to change.
Now, seeing her husband suddenly become so imposing again, Grandma Wang thought of all the trouble she'd stirred up over the years. She was also worried that Grandfather Wang might turn the stick on her.
After all, although Grandfather Wang didn't dwell on the friction between her and Xie Guifang, he'd said many times that a doting mother spoiled her son. Wang Yong had become so unfilial because Grandma Wang had spoiled him.
In that situation, Wang Yong suddenly felt completely alone. The more he cursed, the harder he was beaten. And as his childhood fear of his father resurfaced, he gradually began to beg for mercy.
But when Wang Yong first started pleading, Wang Yue didn't let go. Grandfather Wang kept beating Wang Yong until his voice grew hoarse. Only then did Grandfather Wang stop, but Wang Yue still held Wang Yong firmly in place.
Grandfather Wang looked around at everyone in the room. Seeing that the adults and children alike were all frightened, he turned to Wang Yue and said, "Little Yue, let your father go. I want to talk to him for a bit."