Wang the Carpenter listened to Wang Gensheng's account, gently ruffling his son's hair with a pained expression. Then he led him to Qin Yong and apologized sincerely:
"This incident was caused entirely by Gensheng. Da Tou was only inadvertently involved, and because of him, Shuanzi and Zhuzi also got caught up. I am truly sorry."
Qin Yong set the two children down, smiling: "I've already heard Da Tou's version. I don't think Wang Gensheng did anything wrong."
He ruffled Wang Gensheng's hair, who was hiding behind his father, and crouched down to Gensheng's eye level, sincerely requesting:
"Gensheng, Da Tou doesn't always fit in with others, so it's rare to see you get along. Please take good care of him from now on."
Wang Gensheng looked up and nodded firmly: "Yes, I will."
Just then, Qin An, arriving a bit late, approached Da Shan, said nothing, and without a word, kicked him to the ground. He then grabbed Da Shan by the back of his collar and brought him in front of Qin Yong, face stern:
"Da Yong, the boy is at fault. I will teach him a lesson when we return."
Qin Yong frowned, shaking his head: "I'm not concerned with how you punish him. I just want to understand the cause of this incident, to prevent it from happening again. Can I ask Da Shan a few questions?"
Qin An stared at Qin Yong for a moment, then nodded, tossing Da Shan forward:
"Answer honestly what Uncle Yong asks. Lie, and see how I deal with you later."
Da Shan trembled as he stood, looking down, unable to meet anyone's gaze.
Qin Yong crouched, ruffling Da Shan's hair. When Da Shan looked up, he said:
"Don't worry. Uncle Yong isn't blaming you. I just want to understand what happened. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, you'll still be good brothers, right?"
Da Shan glanced at his father Qin An, whose expression remained unchanged, then nodded stiffly.
"Da Shan, do you have any problem with Wang Gensheng? Why did you say anyone who played with him would get hit?"
Da Shan lowered his head: "Father said Wang the Carpenter's arrows were too expensive. All the money I earned hunting went to him. Wang the Carpenter is bad. I'm too young to deal with him, but I can deal with his son, so…"
Qin Yong finally understood the root of the conflict, smiled, and ruffled Da Shan's hair, then looked at Qin An.
Qin An had no idea the problem originated from his own words. Frowning, he sincerely apologized to Wang the Carpenter:
"Master Wang, I only complained once when I first bought your iron-bamboo arrows. I didn't realize my child overheard it, which caused this misunderstanding. Please forgive my careless words."
If Qin Yong hadn't asked, Wang the Carpenter wouldn't have known that the cause of his son being bullied traced back to Qin An. Seeing him apologize, Wang the Carpenter was furious but restrained himself:
"The iron-bamboo arrows you bought were made with the finest iron-bamboo, carefully forged and polished over three months. They combine the hardness of iron with the lightness of wood—it's the best arrow."
"If you thought it was expensive, you didn't have to buy it. Many people in nearby villages want these arrows."
Qin An nodded earnestly: "You are right. The arrows are excellent. My hunting improved after using them. I no longer complained, but I regret my careless remark caused this misunderstanding. Please forgive me again."
He then pulled out one of Wang's iron-bamboo arrows and, holding the tip backward, thrust it toward his own thigh.
Wang the Carpenter was shocked. Qin Yong reacted just in time, stepping forward and grabbing the arrow to stop it.
Qin Yong laughed: "An Ge, this is unnecessary. It's a small matter. There's no need to hurt yourself."
Qin An looked at Qin Yong's hand for a long moment, then nodded: "After all these years, Da Yong, your skill is still impressive."
Seeing the near accident, Wang the Carpenter quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, it's just a small matter. No need for bloodshed."
Qin Yong laughed heartily: "See? Once we clear the air, it's fine. As they say, no fight, no understanding. After this, Da Tou, Wang Gensheng, and our three children will be closer than real brothers."
Wang the Carpenter's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, they will be as close as brothers."
Qin An nodded at Qin Yong and Wang the Carpenter: "Okay."
Qin Yong ruffled Da Tou's and Wang Gensheng's heads and suggested: "Since this involved our children and affected others, we should apologize to their parents and close the matter properly."
Both Wang the Carpenter and Qin An agreed.
Qin Yong, with Zhuzi and Shuanzi, and Zhenniang holding Da Tou, went to apologize to the other children's parents.
The small children quickly reconciled in front of the adults, as if nothing had happened, playing together again.
Once everything was resolved, Qin Yong and Zhenniang returned home. Zhenniang went to cook, while Qin Yong called the three children over:
"From now on, Da Shan and Wang Gensheng are your sworn brothers. Treat them as real brothers, and respect their fathers as you would your own uncles. Understand?"
"Yes, Father," they replied in unison.
End of Chapter