Fatherly love is like a mountain; brother has younger brother's attack 1

Cao Yucheng had two children, who were the most precious treasures in his heart. Although his eldest son, Cao Xiaorui, was not his biological child but was brought directly into his family when his wife remarried.

Back in those days, Cao Yucheng's mother vehemently opposed his wife's entry into the family. His wife was nine years older than him and was a divorced woman with a child. Any mother - in - law would be averse to such a daughter - in - law. Cao Yucheng himself was tall, young, and promising. He could have chosen any decent woman. Why on earth did he have to pick a "pre - owned" woman with a child tagging along?

Nevertheless, Cao Yucheng paid no heed to his mother's objections. He secretly got a marriage certificate with his wife and embarked on a life for their three - member family.

For Cao Yucheng, who became a step - father right after stepping into society, he not only didn't feel ashamed of this situation but also didn't think that a six - or seven - year - old child would impose much additional pressure on his life. Instead, he was extremely grateful to his wife for bringing him such a well - behaved, sensible, and obedient son.

When Cao Xiaorui first came to his home, he was already far more sensible than ordinary children. When his parents were away, he would take on all the housework within his capabilities. Mopping the floor, wiping the table, washing vegetables, and folding clothes were all effortless for him. His academic performance was also at the top of the class. All these brought great pride to Cao Yucheng. Many biological fathers might not have a son as enviable as Cao Xiaorui, yet he, as a step - father, reaped all the glory and had far less of the ceaseless concerns that a biological father would bear. Cao Yucheng was truly content with his life at that time.

After getting married, his wife gave birth to a biological son for him. The entire Cao Yucheng family was immersed in extreme elation, believing that there could be nothing more blissful in life. He used his happy life to demonstrate to all those who had opposed his marriage how right his choice had been.

Regrettably, people cannot always enjoy uninterrupted success and happiness throughout their lives. Just after his younger son, Cao Xiaoqi, celebrated his tenth birthday, his wife encountered a mudslide during a group outing organized by her workplace. Only four people survived in the fully - occupied vehicle.

This incident was highly sensational at that time, and major newspapers and media vied with each other to report it. One could easily spot Cao Yucheng's wife's name on the list of victims if they paid attention.

All those who knew Cao Yucheng offered their condolences, urging him to come to terms with his grief. However, these were merely words of consolation. A man in his thirties, having to raise two half - grown sons, although the eldest son, who was already sixteen, could assist to some extent, yet he was not biologically related. With the death of his biological mother, there was no blood connection between them any longer. Continuing to live together might seem somewhat awkward.

And the younger son was at the age of starting junior high school. A single father would endure so much hardship and fatigue to raise a young child.

Cao Yucheng's mother was the most anxious one. Three months after his wife's funeral, his mother began arranging blind dates for him. The elderly couple could take care of their biological grandson, but a household simply couldn't do without a mistress. Their son was still so young. The elderly couple discussed that since Cao Xiaorui was not their son's biological child anyway, they might as well ask his maternal grandparents if there was a way to contact his biological father. Their son had no reason to raise someone else's child for nothing.

In this way, with only one son, it would be easier for Cao Yucheng to find a step - mother.

After his mother made her intentions clear, Cao Yucheng's mind seemed to explode. His thoughts were filled with the image of Cao Xiaorui's tear - stained, delicate face when he heard about his mother's accident. Instantly, his heart felt as if it were being stabbed by hot oil. Without a second thought, he interrupted his mother.

"Mom, if you still consider me your son, never mention this matter again. Xiaoya is no longer with us. Her son is also my son. Even if I never remarry, I will never abandon him."

"Oh, you silly child. You have your own biological son. Why are you so stubborn!" His mother was exasperated with his obstinacy. However, she knew that once her son made up his mind about something, not even ten oxen could pull him back. She could only keep grumbling to Cao Yucheng's father about how stubborn their son was.

In fact, Cao Yucheng himself wasn't sure why he was being so persistent. Perhaps he had always believed that there was a predestined bond between him and that child from a previous life. Although they couldn't be biological father and son in this life, they had still become a family. Cao Yucheng was a straightforward and somewhat rough man, yet he had to exercise all the tenderness in his life when it came to his eldest son because Cao Xiaorui was an extremely sensitive child.

He remembered when he and Xiaoya first got married, Xiaoya asked him to ask the child to call him father. Cao Xiaorui, seeing his tall figure, was a bit scared. The ten - year - old boy hid behind his mother, tightly grasping the hem of her skirt. He dared not resist but called out "father" in a timid, hesitant, and barely audible voice.

At that moment, Cao Yucheng's fatherly instincts were fully awakened. He wished he could embrace the child in his arms, give him a hug and a kiss, and tell him that from then on, he was his real father. He would beat anyone who dared to bully him until they were black and blue.

Cao Yucheng knew that the child's biological father was addicted to gambling and alcohol. Every time he got drunk, he would beat his wife and child. Therefore, Cao Xiaorui had an instinctive fear of tall and burly adult men. But Cao Yucheng was all bark and no bite. Not to mention domestic violence, he wouldn't even lay a finger on his wife and children.

Since Cao Xiaorui's household registration was at his mother's natal home, the school was quite far from Cao Yucheng's house. It would take him more than half an hour to get there by bus. Cao Yucheng thought to himself, his son was so slender and frail. How could he carry a ten - plus - jin schoolbag and travel such a long distance to attend classes? Absolutely not. So, he took it upon himself to ride a bicycle to send and pick up the child from school, rain or shine.

The first time Cao Xiaorui sat on the back seat of his bicycle, he was too scared to touch him. Cao Yucheng took the child's slender hand and wrapped it around his thick waist, saying, "Hold tight, my dear. Dad won't let you fall even if I do!"

What he didn't know was that along the way, Cao Xiaorui held onto him tightly, not out of fear but because he was experiencing the sense of security that should belong to a father for the first time.

After the birth of Cao Xiaoqi, Cao Yucheng treated Cao Xiaorui even better. He thought that the child had endured so much hardship in his childhood and was so sensitive. Would he be afraid that after having a biological son, he would treat him poorly and abandon him? The eldest son was so obedient and well - behaved. If he were to neglect him just because of having a biological son, he would be a real scoundrel.

When the family of four had a meal together, Cao Yucheng's first chopsticks would definitely go to Cao Xiaorui, a privilege not even his wife enjoyed. When he bought two cakes for his sons after work, he would always let Cao Xiaorui choose first. His silly younger son, like himself, was straightforward and carefree, eating anything without caring whether the cake was strawberry - flavored or chocolate - flavored.

Sometimes, Cao Yucheng even felt as if he were raising Cao Xiaorui like a daughter. He didn't know why he cared so much about this child's joys and sorrows. His wife would sometimes joke that Cao Yucheng treated the eldest son better than his biological son. Outsiders would surely not be able to tell that they were not biological father and son.

In fact, how could they not tell? Cao Xiaorui was fair - skinned, gentle, and delicate, much like his mother. With his own straightforward nature, he could only have a rambunctious son like Cao Xiaoqi.