Chapter 25: Erhu Got Beaten

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Lin Sanshui heard that his child had done something wrong. He had even affected the business of the shop. A trace of shame flashed across Lin Sanshui’s face. He didn’t dare to say anything more.

However, the self-righteous Master Li had a brief look of guilt in his eyes when he spoke. Gu Nian saw it and seemed to be deep in thought.

“Erhu, what’s wrong with you? How did it end up like this? Who did it?” Lin Sanshui’s frightened voice could be heard from behind. When Gu Nian realized what was going on, Dahu had already run past him. Gu Nian quickly followed behind him.

In a room in the backyard, Erhu was lying on a wooden bed with his body covered in injuries. His numb expression immediately burst into tears when he saw Lin Sanshui. “Father, I didn’t get the size wrong. I didn’t do it. They’re accusing me…”

The twelve-year-old child cried so hard that he vented out all the injustice he had suffered in the past few days.

Lin Sanshui’s heart ached. At the same time, his expression suddenly turned serious. “Erhu, do you still remember what I taught you?”

“Father!” Erhu not daring to cry anymore. He looked at Lin Sanshui in a daze.

Lin Sanshui sighed, “I’ve taught you that a man must be brave enough to bear his mistakes and never shirk his responsibility. Although I’m heartbroken that your master beat you up, it was your mistake. It’s normal to be beaten up after making a mistake. This way, you will remember your lesson and avoid making mistakes again!”

“But it wasn’t me! It was Shen Yang who set me up!” Erhu said.

“You…”

Lin Sanshui thought Erhu was trying to quibble and was so angry that he wanted to beat Erhu up.

After all, Erhu had been working in Master Li’s carpenter shop for more than a year. Even though Master Li was stingy and never gave Erhu a single copper coin, they didn’t have any conflicts.

If Erhu didn’t do anything wrong, why did they have to wrong him?

Gu Nian had already felt something was wrong when she saw Master Li. When she saw Lin Sanshui raise her hand, she quickly stepped forward to stop him. “Father, let’s let Second Brother finish what he was saying. Maybe there’s a secret behind this?”

Only then did Erhu notice Gu Nian’s presence.

Then, there was a sudden noise at the door. Master Li’s voice sounded. “Since you’re here, hurry up and take him back. I still need to do business. You’re not here to cry and make a fuss.”

Regardless of who was right and who was wrong, Master Li’s anxious look of driving them away made him seem too impatient.

“We were listening to my second brother explain what exactly happened. This way, we can find out more and see if there’s any way to remedy it. But why are you in such a hurry to chase us away? Could it be that what my second brother said was true? Was Shen Yang who framed my second brother?”

Gu Nian’s seemingly innocent question reminded Lin Sanshui.

“Erhu, your master is here. Tell me what happened.” Lin Sanshui said in a low voice.

Dahu also comforted him, “Don’t be afraid, Second Brother. Father and I are here. Tell us the truth. If it’s your fault, you will bear it. If it’s not your fault, you can’t take responsibility.”

Erhu wiped his tears and said, “Master Liu’s daughter is getting married. He came over a while ago and ordered a carved wooden bed and cabinet made of the best pear wood. I’m usually more careful, so my master asked me to take the size, but the size of the wooden bed was wrong. A few days ago, Master Liu’s family sent the dowry. However, the wooden bed did not fit in the house. Master Liu made a fool of himself and got people to beat me.”