Chapter 2807 - 2869: For Fathers

"I’ve considered it, there’s actually another reason!" Li Yifei said.

Wu Shuwei immediately asked, "What reason?"

"Did either of us have such radical or extreme thoughts at that age?"

"No, I was fine at the time, but you... had early relationships and got into fights, even involving Wu Shuwei... so you’re different from me."

"Let’s not always bring that up, I was young and reckless then! Hmm, that’s not the point. What I want to say is, nowadays, many kids who go online, especially those active on platforms like Twitter or certain Q&A knowledge-sharing sites, there’s a common phenomenon among them; that is, since birth, they’ve lived relatively privileged lives, far better than my time, so much so that some are privileged enough to never worry throughout their lives, even without working they can live comfortably, buying whatever they want, playing whatever they want!"

"Are you implying me? Well, my family was strict, I never experienced those things, now I can buy and play but I’m not interested," Wu Shuwei said.

"I’m not talking about you, but about a large group of children, whose parents work hard, earn money, just so their children don’t have to endure hardships like they did, and that’s precisely what creates the immaturity in their thought processes. They might have been exposed to astronomy, geography, various instruments, even TV dramas and gossip news from a young age, but they lack life experience. I wonder if you can understand this; they barely participate in real life, like washing clothes, cooking food, and dealing with everyday life situations. They are often sheltered by their parents, pampered by their family, and opposed by their own resistance, so they rarely engage in such activities at their age."

Wu Shuwei nodded in agreement, "That’s true, but for some children, it’s not pampering, it’s their parents working hard so they don’t have to endure that hardship!"

"As a father with several kids, I have to consider whether my children should endure some hardships from an early age. Honestly, seeing these kids online, I feel a bit scared, and even lean towards believing enduring hardships should be necessary for both boys and girls. Maybe it’s my peasant mindset, but Mengxin agrees with this perspective to some extent."

"Can you be more specific?"

"For example, on those knowledge-sharing platforms, people pose many questions, and both professionals and non-professionals answer. I once saw a question where several responders shared their personal stories, and the comments section exploded with: ’Oh, how could such things happen? My goodness, impossible, you must be making this up,’ or ’I don’t believe it, I’ve never encountered such things myself.’"

"Uh-huh."

"In fact, those events are just some negative encounters in life, making those kids confused and incredulous, thinking that just because they haven’t experienced them, they don’t exist in life. But as I see it, those events are everywhere; they can’t see them, and it’s not their fault, it’s the relatively comfortable environment created by their parents’ hard work and efforts."

"So, it’s that ’small happiness’ feeling, right? I’ve encountered such people too, maybe I’m one of them. Even though I’ve gone through some things, hearing you today, I’m still a bit shocked, feeling my Three Views have been altered," Wu Shuwei said.

Li Yifei smiled slightly, nodding, "I’m not trying to change you, it’s just that knowing about certain things is good. It doesn’t mean you have to change because of it. Like an error, knowing it’s wrong, you steer clear of it, not that you have to try it to fully grasp it."

"So, are the parents to blame for this?"

"No, they aren’t to blame. As a parent myself, father of several children, if I had to choose between the newly discharged me and the current me, I’d choose now one thousand times over. Despite the many things now, I can provide a lot for the kids and family. From birth, I never worry about child-raising expenses as long as money can buy it. It’s just about how to educate children, schooling is second, education is first! I have to consider how to educate my children so they aren’t like this, so they understand more from a young age without having to experience every principle... Alas, speaking of this makes me sigh because it’s so tough!"

Wu Shuwei somewhat understood Li Yifei’s heart, he sighed multiple times tonight, all from a father’s perspective, considering his children. The Li family, having family rules, requires them especially for nurturing the next generation. These family rules exist in major provincial families, especially in raising the next generation, though often wrongly implemented. As the Li family has been established a few years, rules are necessary especially as the younger generation has started growing robustly. In a few short years, even the eldest and second daughter would become graceful young ladies; these rules should be established sooner rather than later.

She leaned on Li Yifei’s shoulder, "Earlier, I thought you were magical, like a superhero, but today I understand a more real side of you, besides being profound, omnipresent, and obsessed with beauty, also your contemplation as a father!"

"Wait, where am I obsessed with beauty?" Li Yifei immediately interrupted Wu Shuwei.

"Aren’t you obsessed with beauty? There are so many women in the house!"

"Heaven’s truth, was I obsessed with beauty tonight? Otherwise, with our current relationship, if I were that impatient, wouldn’t it be..."

"What are you trying to do? I’m warning you, don’t even think about it, or else..." Wu Shuwei said, raising her fist in a threatening gesture, prompting Li Yifei to burst into laughter, lifting his hand to hold Wu Shuwei’s small fist, wrapping it in his palm and giving it a gentle squeeze. Li Yifei said, "Whenever you’re ready, we can... Oh, are you serious?"

Halfway through his words, Li Yifei was jabbed in the stomach by Wu Shuwei’s elbow, it didn’t hurt, but he pretended it did since he had spoken too bluntly.

"Stop casually speaking, or I’ll be harsher next time!" Wu Shuwei warned.

Li Yifei waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, I won’t say more, but I really can tonight, can’t deny that!"

"You better dare!" Wu Shuwei teased.

Anyway, as a parent, Li Yifei has plenty to consider. Tonight’s conversation was just casual chat, saying whatever was in mind, and Wu Shuwei never really considered these parenting issues, which are quite distant for her, as she doesn’t even have a boyfriend, let alone kids. But tonight, she was slightly stimulated by Li Yifei, feeling his words were full of truth and insight.

Li Yifei’s fingers twirled a strand of Wu Shuwei’s silky hair, gently wrapping it around his finger one loop after another... The two talked plenty tonight, especially Wu Shuwei, deepening her perception of Li Yifei, truly feeling he was excellent.

The shift in her mindset was physically manifested as she relaxed; Li Yifei, having time with her hair, even had the chance to slowly lower his extended hand, sliding from her shoulder directly to her waist; if Wu Shuwei didn’t tense up, she naturally had a reaction but didn’t push him away.

"I’m feeling sleepy." After about five minutes like this, Wu Shuwei finally spoke.

"How about heading upstairs to sleep?" Li Yifei asked.

"Mm, okay!" Wu Shuwei nodded.

Li Yifei was slightly disappointed, hoping to hold her, even just cuddling on the couch would be fine, but Wu Shuwei didn’t grant the chance. So he let go of her, stood up, helping Wu Shuwei to her feet, "Let me walk you upstairs!"

"I... okay." Wu Shuwei initially wanted to say she could go up alone but ended up agreeing.

The two went upstairs one after the other, Li Yifei accompanying Wu Shuwei to her bedroom, waving, "You go lie down first, I’ll turn off the lights!"

"Thank you." Wu Shuwei obediently lay in bed, covering herself, while Li Yifei made a gesture of blowing a kiss, pressed the switch, and the room instantly quieted, Wu Shuwei’s vision temporarily dimming yet Li Yifei saw her clearly, watching Wu Shuwei purse her lips, a strong smile surfacing; Li Yifei’s heart warmed, wanting to move over and kiss this woman but seeing her yawn, knowing she truly was tired, decided to leave instead.

As Li Yifei went downstairs, Wu Shuwei rubbed her face gently, muttering softly, "A good man, just too obsessed with beauty, otherwise he’d be absolutely first choice."

"Take it slow, step by step!" Li Yifei also muttered, of course, not planning about Wu Shuwei but feeling this slow approach to romance was quite enjoyable. The words tonight, evaluating and analyzing certain groups, have crossed Li Yifei’s mind several times, just never voiced them. If he were to speak these words on Twitter, it would certainly provoke heated discussions, quickly trending.

However, Li Yifei wasn’t planning to speak out, since some things are best left unsaid. Voicing them might ruin someone’s Three Views, and he understands some words don’t change facts, those who have already formed won’t change, and those demanding money in his private messages won’t decrease.

After tidying up, Li Yifei also lay down, feeling no sleepiness.