That night, Lin Dong and Lin Chun slept in the Western House.
Only after taking off his clothes did Lin Dong truly see the dark purple bruises covering his older brother's back and arms, some of which had already scabbed over severely.
Lin Dong frowned with distress and dared not ask loudly, "Big brother, does it still hurt?"
He knew all too well how ruthlessly their father could strike.
In the past, he too had suffered the lash of the heavy leather belt. Lin Aiguo didn't care where his blows landed—whether on arms or back—it didn't matter to him.
It was one thing for the boys to endure the beatings, but his mother and older sisters had also been on the receiving end.
"Dongzi! It's nothing! It'll heal with some rest!" Lin Chun didn't wish to share with anyone how he spent the previous night lying on the cold kang, starving and shedding tears through the pain.
