Afterward, Shujun thought carefully before answering deliberately. "Everyone values different things, for example, some people treasure wealth as their life, while others regard gold and treasures as worthless as dung. I used to think, if only you could restrain yourself a bit, no longer abusing and cursing our brothers, that would already be a great fortune. After you changed into who you are now, I still don’t quite understand why you suddenly changed, but I feel only fortunate, because to me, the way you are now, it makes me very satisfied." If the person before him were still that vicious and malevolent woman from before, he thought he could never grow to like her. After all, no one would like a woman who beats and kicks them every day, spews venomous words, and even endangered his family’s lives several times. Shujun was very honest, he shared his thoughts with Dong Huiying, who then appeared wistful, but soon a smile spread across her face, and she perked up with strained effort, "It seems, people really are very different..." After breakfast, Shujun prepared to work in the fields with a hoe on his shoulder, Dong Huiying came towards him with a water bladder in her hand. "This is goji berry honey water. Remember to drink it when you’re thirsty." Shujun was somewhat flabbergasted. Was she...taking the initiative to care for him? His mood instantly brightened, he joyfully took the water bladder, uncorked it, and took a sip. Then he smiled sweeter than the honey water in the bladder. "This water is so delicious!" He hugged her in one swoop, happily planting a kiss on her, then, with eyebrows dancing with joy, he hoisted the hoe on his shoulder, taking along his expressionless fourth brother and the resentful looking fifth brother, and they all walked off into the distance. After the brothers left, the second brother also returned to the room. He saw Yixuan standing by the window, seemingly more silent than ever. Shu Yu curved her lips, "You see, you’ve also changed. She has conquered you, you’ve started to like her." Yixuan looked at Shu Yu, "Does that matter?" Shu Yu tilted her head and thought, "I’m not sure, after all, I haven’t experienced that kind of emotion." Yixuan turned his gaze back to the window, "Indeed, I really am a monster." He let out a soft chuckle, yet his eyes seemed to hide unspoken thoughts. Is that kind of emotion important? From a very young age, he started to understand something—they, the six brothers, were not liked by their mother. It was so while their father was alive, and after their father passed away, leaving their mother paralyzed, it remained so. Even when later the mother taught them all those skills, like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, it was only because she feared that the estrangement between her and her sons was too deep, afraid that no one would take care of her after she became paralyzed. Perhaps the mother was selfish from the beginning. When she suddenly disappeared mysteriously, alive yet not to be found, dead without a trace, although the brothers did try to look for her after discovering her absence, in truth, they were not unduly troubled in their hearts, everything was done simply out of filial duty and obligation. The mother seemed to always think the worst of people, even her own sons were not exceptions. She believed that only benefits could sustain a relationship. But in reality, the hearts of the brothers were truly not that bad. Even if she had not taught them music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, out of the grace of having given them life, they would never abandon her. But from some time or another, perhaps even Yixuan himself had forgotten, a seed was unknowingly planted in his heart—maybe among the six brothers, the one most like their mother was actually him. Call him heartless or cold-blooded, even he couldn’t help but doubt whether under this seemingly gentle and modest exterior, there was a monster hiding?
