Chapter 1067: Fatherly Love Is Like A Mountain
Chapter 1067: Fatherly Love Is Like A Mountain
Su Li barely had time to process what was happening before two oversized sandbags were unceremoniously dumped into his hands. His arms sank under the sheer weight of them.
Good lord—these were significantly heavier than his last set! So this was what Mom meant by “a father’s love is as heavy as a mountain.”
Gu Zi had just stepped outside with Su Le to play in the courtyard when she locked eyes with Su Li’s bewildered expression. Her gaze flicked down to the brand-new sandbags in his hands, then shifted to Su Shen, who had just returned from wherever he had disappeared to.
Ah. So that’s why Su Li looked like his entire worldview had just been shattered. Truly, a father’s love was as immovable as a mountain.
And before Su Li could even begin to protest, Su Shen declared, “Let’s start with some horse stance. Just to help you adjust. If the weight isn’t quite right, we can always… make adjustments.”
Su Li was no fool. He immediately fastened the sandbags to his legs and got into position. After weeks of special training, he had learned at least one crucial survival skill—accept reality, abandon all hope of negotiation, and most importantly, never expect his father to show mercy. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe the weight would ever be reduced. As long as it didn’t increase, he would count it as a win.
Across the street, Xu Fan was taking his son, Xu Sheng, out for some sun. As they passed the Su family’s gate, Xu Sheng clung to the bars, peering inside with bright-eyed curiosity.
“Daddy, why is Mommy so different from Su Li’s mommy?” the boy asked. “Mommy hardly ever lets me play outside, but Su Li’s mommy takes him out every day. And why is Su Li’s daddy making him squat like that? Did he do something wrong?”
Xu Fan hesitated. Why did his son instinctively assume that the horse stance was a form of punishment?
“People are different,” he replied carefully. “Your mother has become… rather rigid over the years. Even I don’t fully understand her anymore. Has she ever made you hold a horse stance?”
Xu Sheng nodded solemnly. “When I do something wrong or don’t get good grades, Mommy makes me face the wall and squat like that. I hate it. But when I see Su Li doing it, he doesn’t look like he’s being punished. He looks… happy. Why, Daddy? Is it because I’m not good enough?”
Xu Fan’s chest ached at his son’s words. No wonder the boy thought of it as punishment. ‘Oh, Huang Fei… how much have you changed? Do I even know you anymore?’ he thought miserably.
He crouched down, ruffling his son’s hair. “It’s not because you’re not good enough. And Su Li isn’t being punished. Do you see the sandbags on his legs? This is weighted training—it’s something used in military-style conditioning.”
Xu Sheng was an intelligent boy. He understood immediately and his expression turned downcast. “So Su Li is training his body… I see. So horse stance isn’t just a punishment.”
Xu Fan knew exactly why his son was upset, but what was done was done. All he could do now was help the boy navigate reality. He squeezed his son’s shoulder. “That’s right. A strong body is your greatest asset. Once you’ve fully recovered, I’ll train with you too. When your immune system is stronger, you won’t get sick so easily.”
Xu Sheng’s face lit up. “Okay! Daddy, I want to be strong like Su Li! If I’m healthier, maybe Mommy will like me more. I want to surprise her when she comes back.”
Xu Fan fell silent. He had already decided—his marriage with Huang Fei was over. He would never again entrust his son’s well-being to an unfit mother. He hadn’t even realized that, after all these years, the only role Huang Fei still played in his life was that of his child’s mother…
Back in the courtyard, Su Li remained in his deep squat, his mind plagued with dissatisfaction. Why did his father make him practice the horse stance day after day, yet never taught him any new, powerful moves? Unable to suppress his frustration, he finally asked, “Dad… you’re not just making me do this to mess with me, are you?”
Su Shen, who had been casually watering the potted rosemary plants Gu Zi had lovingly cultivated, finally set the watering can down. He turned and assumed a flawless horse stance—posture rigid, presence imposing. “Can you tell the difference between my stance and yours?” he asked.
Su Li scrutinized him, then reluctantly admitted, “You stand firmer. More powerful. But, Dad… what’s the point? What does it actually do?”
He simply didn’t get it. Horse stance just meant squatting in place. It wasn’t a defensive maneuver. It wasn’t an offensive move either. So what was the use in perfecting it?
Su Shen didn’t answer. Instead, he called over Su Bing. “Sweep my legs with a low kick. If you can make me budge even an inch, your brother won’t have to train like this anymore.”
Su Li’s eyes lit up. Was this for real? His father was just standing there, motionless. How could he not get knocked off balance? Sure, Dad was big and strong, but this was basic physics! He turned to Su Bing with anticipation. “Bro, go for it!”