While the bathwater was heating, Xu Tongdao answered a barrage of questions from his mother, his younger brother, and his sister.
Although he had already changed clothes after jumping into the river to save someone, the river water had been muddy, and his body still felt uncomfortable. As soon as he got home, he went straight to the kitchen to boil water, preparing to bathe.
When Xu Tongdao explained that Xu Tonglin had been frightened by a snake and fallen into the river, Ge Xiaozhu, Xu Tonglu, and Ge Yuzhu were all startled.
Especially when they heard that no one had dared to jump into the water, and that Xu Tongdao had leapt in himself to save Xu Tonglin, Ge Xiaozhu's face turned pale with fright.
Even though Xu Tongdao was standing there perfectly fine now, she still couldn't help worrying and kept asking what had happened afterward.
Xu Tongdao had no intention of frightening them further, so he glossed over the details and described the outcome lightly.
"Mom, has your fever gone down?" Xu Tongdao asked, suddenly remembering.
Ge Xiaozhu smiled reassuringly. "I'm much better. Don't worry."
Still uneasy, Xu Tongdao stood up and touched his mother's forehead, then his own. His brows knit slightly—her fever still hadn't gone down.
"Did you take your medicine tonight?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," Ge Xiaozhu replied. "It should go down by tomorrow. Don't worry about me. By the way, I'll go back on duty at the embankment tomorrow. I don't dare let you go again."
"No, Mom," Xu Tongdao shook his head. "You should rest. Yuzhu, I'm giving you a task—tonight you sleep with Mom. During the night, keep checking her forehead. If her temperature gets too high, come and notify me and your second brother immediately. Remember?"
Ge Yuzhu nodded obediently.
Ge Xiaozhu frowned. "That's not necessary. I've taken my medicine. It should go down tonight. Tomorrow I'll go back on duty. You and your brother and sister should stay home."
Xu Tongdao shook his head again. "Mom, don't argue with me. Even if your fever goes down tonight, you won't have any strength tomorrow. I'll go instead. I'm not like Tonglin—I'm not that timid, and I can swim. It's settled. Yuzhu, help Mom go rest. I'll sleep after I bathe."
After Ge Xiaozhu and Ge Yuzhu left, only Xu Tongdao and Xu Tonglu remained in the kitchen.
Xu Tongdao sat by the stove tending the fire, while Xu Tonglu sat on top of the water vat lid, his legs dangling, staring at his brother in silence with a deep frown.
"Why aren't you going to sleep?" Xu Tongdao said lightly. "Go to bed."
After a few seconds, Xu Tonglu suddenly spoke. "Mom said you're planning to go out and work…"
He paused, then added, "What if you get into high school? You still won't go?"
Xu Tongdao lowered his head, casually added a piece of firewood, and replied with a simple "Mm."
Xu Tonglu's frown deepened. He jumped down and raised his voice. "No! I don't agree! If you don't get into high school, fine—but if you do, then I'll go work instead. I'll support all of you!"
Xu Tongdao remained calm. He looked at Xu Tonglu and said flatly, "I wasn't discussing this with you. Whether you agree or not won't change my decision. And—I'm your older brother. It's my responsibility to earn money, not yours. Unless I'm useless and can't support this family. Only then would I accept your decision."
"No!" Xu Tonglu shouted. "Stop acting like my big brother! You're only a year older than me! I don't need you to support me, and I don't want to study anymore!"
Xu Tongdao narrowed his eyes, stood up, and walked straight toward him. Stopping right in front of Xu Tonglu, he stared him down coldly.
"I told you—I'm not asking for your opinion. Xu Tonglu, listen carefully. If your grades drop badly, I'll break your legs. I'm the eldest. Making money is my responsibility. Your responsibility is to study properly. If you don't get into high school next year, I'll still break your legs."
Xu Tonglu had never seen this side of his brother. Under Xu Tongdao's piercing gaze, he instinctively took half a step back—but his pride flared. His face flushed red as he shouted, "You don't scare me! You can't control me! You're not my dad! And besides—you might not even beat me!"
Before his words had fully fallen, Xu Tongdao suddenly reached out and grabbed Xu Tonglu by the throat.
The kitchen echoed with gasps.
"Let go! Let go of me!" Xu Tonglu struggled desperately.
But Xu Tongdao tightened his grip, his expression ruthless.
"What's going on? What happened?" voices came from the main room.
Xu Tongdao shoved Xu Tonglu away, sending him stumbling back against the water vat.
Lowering his voice, Xu Tongdao said coldly, "Don't think I'm joking. From now on, this family listens to me. I tell you to study, you study. Disobey me, and I'll beat you."
Turning toward the main room, he called out calmly, "Mom, it's nothing. Go to sleep. Really."
Ge Xiaozhu and Ge Yuzhu peeked in, suspicious, but seeing both brothers apparently fine, they retreated.
Xu Tonglu shot Xu Tongdao a resentful look, then stormed off.
Left alone in the kitchen, Xu Tongdao sighed.
He hadn't wanted to raise a hand against his brother. But he knew how rebellious Xu Tonglu was—especially after their father's disappearance. Words alone would never restrain him.
If reason wouldn't work, then fear would.
Better for Xu Tonglu to fear him, than to fear no one at all.