Chapter 232: Love?

In the morning, they worked. In the afternoon, they studied.

Lessons were usually conducted personally by the director, Li Kaoshan.

“Today, we have a new child joining us,” Li Kaoshan said, his voice dripping with false warmth. “His name is Lu Ye. Come up to the stage, Lu Ye.”

Lu Ye obediently stepped onto the stage.

“This child is a genius, exceptionally clever,” Li Kaoshan said, patting Lu Ye’s shoulder. “Unfortunately, he lost both of his parents. Such a tragic fate.”

“But it’s alright. From now on, we’re all a family here. I am the head of this family. You promised me before that you’d always listen to me, didn’t you?”

Li Kaoshan’s smile widened as he leaned closer to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye nodded, his small hands clenched tightly at his sides.

“Good. So, if you ever have any questions or concerns, come to me. Tell me everything,” Li Kaoshan said, patting him again. “Now, introduce yourself to everyone.”

Lu Ye glanced ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) around at the rows of children, his small face tightening.

He was only four years old. The crowd made him nervous.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?” Li Kaoshan leaned closer, his shadow falling over Lu Ye.

Lu Ye’s heart raced. He had no idea what to say.

“Well, it seems you’ve already broken the first rule,” Li Kaoshan said, his tone suddenly darkening. “I told you to do something, and you didn’t do it. That means I need to give you a little punishment. It’s for your own good. After all, you’re still young. Your values and worldview aren’t fully formed yet. This punishment is just a part of your education.”

Li Kaoshan’s hand moved to Lu Ye’s neck.

Slowly, he tightened his grip.

He lifted Lu Ye off the ground by the neck.

Lu Ye’s small legs dangled, his hands clutching at Li Kaoshan’s wrist as he gasped for air.

Yin Qingcheng’s face twisted in fury, but before she could move, another figure was already in action.

Shen Xitong lunged forward.

“Bang!”

Li Kaoshan was sent flying. Shen Xitong’s fist landed squarely on his face, her expression twisted with rage.

“How dare you lay a hand on my host! How dare you! How dare you!”

The world around them began to blur.

Everything became hazy, as though the entire scene were nothing more than a fragile illusion.

Shen Xitong’s intervention had shattered the balance of the Three Lives Tribulation.

Shen Xitong was furious.

For some reason, watching the older Lu Ye get hurt didn’t bother her as much. But seeing this tiny, vulnerable version of him being strangled — she couldn’t bear it.

She beat Li Kaoshan to a pulp.

Then, with a wave of her hand —

“Restart!”

The illusory world reformed.

Once again, the scene reset to the moment before.

“So now, I need to give you a little punishment...”

Once again, Lu Ye was lifted by the neck.

“Ding! I can’t stand it! Restart again!”

Shen Xitong attacked again.

And again.

And again.

This cycle repeated ten times.

Each time, Shen Xitong’s rage grew, her frustration mounting to the point where thunder began to rumble in the skies.

She didn’t even notice the faint smirk forming at the corner of Lu Ye’s mouth.

This system...

After the tenth reset, Shen Xitong finally clenched her fists and closed her eyes.

“This is pointless,” she muttered. “I can’t keep breaking the sequence. Fine! I’ll ignore it!”

Lu Ye was once again lifted by his neck.

The Three Lives Tribulation resumed its natural course.

But while Shen Xitong forced herself to endure it, Yin Qingcheng could not.

“Let him go!” she shouted, charging toward the stage.

But before she could reach it, a foot swung toward her.

“Bang!”

Yin Qingcheng managed to block it, but the caregiver’s strength far exceeded hers.

She was sent flying, crashing to the ground.

“What do you think you’re doing, little brat?” The other caregiver roared, eyes flashing with anger.

Li Kaoshan glanced at Yin Qingcheng, then looked at Lu Ye with a mocking smile.

“You’ve only been here for half a day, and you’re already making friends?”

Lu Ye’s vision blurred. His lungs burned. The lack of air was making him dizzy.

His face was turning purple, his mind going blank. He could feel his consciousness slipping away.

“Wang, take Yin Qingcheng outside and give her a good lesson,” Li Kaoshan ordered.

“Yes, Director!”

Yin Qingcheng lay sprawled on the ground, unable to even crawl.

She was dragged out.

Meanwhile, Lu Ye felt the darkness closing in. He was about to die.

He wasn’t afraid of death. But the primal instinct to survive made him desperately grasp at the air, his small fingers clawing at nothing.

Finally, Li Kaoshan released him.

Lu Ye fell to the ground, gasping desperately. He coughed violently, each breath searing his throat and lungs.

“This was just a little punishment. Are you okay?” Li Kaoshan said with a warm smile.

Lu Ye’s eyes were red, tears streaming down his face. He shook his head.

“That’s good. That’s good. In the future, be careful who you make friends with. Some friends will only get you into trouble.”

“Now, go back to your seat. We’re going to start our lesson.”

Lu Ye struggled to his feet, his small body trembling as he forced himself to walk back to his seat.

“Today, we’re going to talk about a very important topic: Love!” Li Kaoshan said, his smile as gentle as ever.

“What is love?”

“Love comes from parents, from friends, from partners, and from society.”

“You’re still young, so talking about partners is too early. Let’s start with parents.”

“All of you are orphans. Your parents, for various reasons, have passed away. Thus, you are missing the love that should come from your parents.”

“But don’t worry. Here in the Sunshine Welfare Home, we are all a big family. I am both your father and your mother. As a father, I go out to earn money to keep this place running. As a mother, I take care of your daily needs.”

“And as a friend, I’m older than you, but I am always willing to listen to you, to give you advice and guidance. But unlike parents, friends require mutual exchange.”

“A parent’s love is unconditional, but a friend’s love requires give and take.”

...

“Now, let’s talk about society’s love.”

“You are all still young, so for you, the welfare home is your society. The beds you sleep on, the blankets that keep you warm — they are all provided by this little society.”

“I am very proud of you all. You’re all good kids, willing to help out with small tasks. I am grateful, and deeply moved!”

“So, you must always feel grateful. The welfare home is wonderful, but it can never replace the love of real parents, friends, or society. And certainly not the love of a partner. So, you are all lacking in love.”

“And the more you lack love, the more you will crave it. But that’s wrong. Because what you’re craving is not really love — it’s someone else’s love.”

“A good, healthy person is someone who gives love, not just seeks it. The more love you give, the more love you will receive in return. Isn’t that right?”

Li Kaoshan continued his speech, his words sickly sweet and dripping with false kindness.

Below, the children sat in silence, their eyes blank and empty.

One child began to cry softly. A caregiver quickly dragged the child out of the room.

Just once was enough. After that, that child would never cry during class again.

Night fell.

Another truckload of garbage arrived.

Several children were selected to leave the welfare home and handle the trash.