Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 355 - 188: Rewards and Punishments (Part 2)

Laicai nodded repeatedly. He figured standing for a two-hour stretch wasn’t a big deal—it’s not like he was getting beaten.

Yang Dezhi simply couldn’t tolerate the Lin Family anymore. Juhua had bluntly said earlier that she hoped they wouldn’t return too soon, and though she was joking, it was now proving embarrassingly true. They had only been back since mid-afternoon, and a fight had already broken out.

Juhua was so angry she was threatening to leave the next day. If it weren’t already so late, the siblings would probably have left that very night. How could he, their uncle, show his face then?

His eyes burning with rage, he was about to teach his wife a lesson, but a fierce glare from Mrs. Wang stopped him in his tracks.

When Mrs. Wang saw her daughter-in-law pull a long face at her own granddaughter—a granddaughter who hadn’t visited in years, only to be met with such a sour expression—her anger truly flared. As much as she wanted her son to teach that woman a lesson, it was only the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Causing a huge ruckus would just make them the laughingstock of the neighborhood.

’I’ll deal with you after Juhua leaves,’ she thought.

As she thought this, she shot the Lin Family a vicious glare and snapped, "From now on, when your husband is disciplining your son, you are not to interfere. You’d do better to get yourself in order first. Laicai already understood what he did wrong, yet you’re still making a mess of things. Is that any way to raise a son?"

Then she commanded her, "Serve the food. It’s time to eat."

She then took Juhua’s hand, patting it comfortingly to tell her not to be upset.

Juhua saw that her Second Uncle was standing his ground today, and even Laicai was no longer listening to the Lin Family. This put her in a fine mood. Besides, it wasn’t her first encounter with this woman’s attitude, so why would she let it get to her?

Seeing the Lin Family leave sullenly, she smiled at her grandmother and said, "Second Aunt just has that kind of temper. I’m her junior; I wouldn’t get angry with her. I only said a few words because I was worried Laicai was getting spoiled."

Mrs. Wang said with a cheerful laugh, "Well, Laicai certainly listens to you."

Juhua said deliberately, "Grandma, Laicai is a smart boy. Usually, when he’s being naughty, you all can’t bear to discipline him and just let him be. But then other times, you lose your temper and give him a severe beating. That’s no way to do it."

Seeing her speak with such an experienced air, Mrs. Wang asked in surprise, "Then how do you suggest we handle him?"

Juhua was stunned. ’How should I know how to handle him!’ The only thing she knew for sure was that spoiling him the way the Lin Family did was a recipe for disaster.

Raising a child was a profound art. Every parent had their own methods, and no single way could be called absolutely correct. Otherwise, how could so many people once labeled "poor students" or "problem children" go on to flourish and achieve great things in life? Conversely, some students who were stars in the eyes of their teachers and parents would get into university only to do things that defied belief.

Fundamentally, she believed in tailoring the approach to the individual, the time, and the circumstances. A method that successfully raised a child in one family might not work at all in another.

People often analyzed the reasons for a person’s criminal behavior, citing causes like poverty, a lack of education, or divorced parents. Yet, when analyzing a successful person’s achievements, they might point to the very same things—maturing early due to poverty, hardship, or divorced parents. It was clear that identical conditions didn’t always produce identical outcomes.

Faced with Mrs. Wang’s question, she didn’t know how to respond. ’Should I really try to explain the concept of tailoring the approach to the individual and all that to my grandmother?’

Remembering the incident from the afternoon, she had a sudden idea and began to improvise. "When he does something wrong, you have to scold him sternly. If he doesn’t listen, you even have to spank him. But! After it’s all over, you need to sit down and carefully explain what he did wrong and why he was scolded and spanked. You have to make him understand it’s for his own good. And if he comes around, understands his mistake, and is willing to admit it, then you have to praise him."

Mrs. Wang nodded again and again. "Ah! That makes perfect sense. You spank them when they need spanking, and you praise them when they deserve praise."

Qingmu, however, was completely taken aback. ’Of all the kids in the village, Juhua is really only close to Little Shitou. Where on earth did she come up with all these ideas?’

Having finished her little speech, Juhua saw Laicai gazing at her with wide, expectant eyes. She decided to reward the boy for backing her up. Clearing her throat, she said, "Laicai, I didn’t make you stand there just because I was angry. I did it so you’ll remember this lesson. The next time you feel like stomping in puddles, chasing the chickens and dogs, or pulling up people’s vegetable seedlings, you’ll remember having to stand against the wall today. You’ll think, ’If I do this, I might get spanked, scolded, or have to stand against the wall again,’ and then you won’t do it, right? Only a fool would do it again. You were very good today. You admitted you were wrong, and you even took responsibility by going to the wall yourself. So, later, your Sister Juhua is going to make you a special bowl of hot and sour glass noodles with meat—something you’ve never had before. It’ll be just for you. Nobody else gets any, not even your mom and dad."

Laicai was so overjoyed he looked like he was about to cry with happiness. He quickly promised, "Sister Juhua, I’m not afraid of standing there! It was my fault for playing in the water today. I know I was wrong. Having wet shoes is super uncomfortable. Don’t worry, I’ll remember what happened today. I won’t play in the water again!"

He thought for a moment, then added, "I won’t chase the dogs and chickens or pull up vegetables, either! And if I forget, Grandma, you can just make me stand against the wall again."

Mrs. Wang and Qingmu were utterly in awe of Juhua. Whether or not Laicai would truly change for good—a sudden transformation was unlikely—his current attitude and determination were something they had never seen before.

Laishou wasn’t happy about this. He tugged on Juhua’s sleeve and whined, "Laishou is a good boy, too! I want glass noodles! I want meat!"

Juhua quickly hugged him to soothe him, then turned to Laicai. "No one else is getting any, but would it be all right if your little brother had a bowl?"

Laicai was surprised he had a say in the matter. Honestly, he wouldn’t have minded if everyone got to eat. But the fact that his Sister Juhua was making it specially for him was an honor that made him feel absolutely blissful. He nodded eagerly. "Yeah! My little brother is still young. Let him have a bowl."

Qingmu sighed theatrically. "Well, look at that. Getting punished actually earns you a treat. Laicai, you really lucked out."