“Even if it’s just a small dose of laxative?”

  Mu Jingzhe nodded in affirmation. “Yes, Shao Nan, someone could get killed by this. Even if the possibility is very small, there are many repercussions that can be caused by diarrhea.

  “Diarrhea can affect a lot of things. It can delay a lot of events and it might even affect a person’s life. For example, if you have to go to an interview at the agreed time, you might be able to change your life after passing the interview, or you might miss your lover for an entire life. Anything can happen.

  “Therefore, Shao Nan, we can’t think that it’s not a big deal just because it’s only a little bit of laxative. Many opportunities are fleeting, and losing that one opportunity can mean missing out on it for good.”

  Shao Nan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

  What Mu Jingzhe told him was already heavy enough, but Mu Jingzhe still had something to say. She squatted down and looked at Shao Nan. “Little Nan, there’s one more thing. You know that I lied for you just now and threw a tantrum for you, right?”

  Shao Nan nodded. “Mom, I’m sorry…”

  “Don’t apologize now. This isn’t a problem that can be solved with an apology. If an apology was useful, why would we need the police?” Mu Jingzhe accidentally said a line from a television drama, but it was also the truth. She didn’t laugh. She only continued.

  “Let’s talk about the legal aspect of this day. Think about the legal clauses that you have learned about. If something serious had happened to Tian Xiaoxiao and her mom today, you’re not the only one who would have been responsible. I have also lied for you. From a legal point of view, it means that I have committed perjury. Therefore, I would also be punished along with you and might even go to jail. As the beneficiary, Little Bei would also be implicated.”

  Shao Nan’s expression changed drastically. “No, I did it alone. It had nothing to do with you and Little Bei. I don’t want you to go to jail.”

  “But it’s not up to you, Little Nan. It’s up to the law.”

  Shao Nan gritted his teeth. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Mommy, you shouldn’t have lied for me.”

  \r \r \r

  Mu Jingzhe exhaled. “But I don’t want you to be punished either. You see, even though I know that this is wrong, because it’s you, I still lied for you. Therefore, I have to take responsibility for this.

  “Little Nan, before you do something in the future, think more about whether what you did was right or wrong. I know that you felt bad for Little Bei and wanted to help avenge her, but you can’t use a method like this. Look at this situation. Even though we were in the right initially, after what you did, that’s no longer the case. There’s even a big latent danger.”

  The children used to have no one to protect them in the past, and because they were only children, they were used to using someone else to get rid of an adversary or take revenge afterward. These were the only methods they had been able to use previously.

  But this couldn’t develop into a habit, nor could they allow such behavior to snowball.

  “Little Nan, think about it before you do anything in the future. You guys have me now. You also had your Young Uncle previously. You can discuss it with me and Uncle, right? We adults don’t fight back directly and take revenge like you, but it’s not because we’re weak, nor is it because we don’t care about Little Bei and don’t wish to take revenge for her. It’s because we know better than to act rashly.

  “Regarding today’s matter, your uncle isn’t familiar with the crew, so he might not have been able to do anything about it. However, you only had to wait for me to come back. If you hadn’t drugged them with laxatives, I wouldn’t have had to lie or throw a tantrum today. I would just have confronted them with facts.

  “No matter what, I won’t let Little Bei suffer. No matter what, I will show Tian Xiaoxiao her mistake. I will make sure she doesn’t dare bully Little Bei again. Do you believe me?”

  Shao Nan nodded. “I believe you.”

  This was the first time his thoughts were such a mess, and it was also the first time his mind was so clear. The words that Mu Jingzhe had subtly said or influenced him with previously were now working.

  This lesson had left a deep impression on him, and he knew that Mu Jingzhe was doing this for his own good.

  He could see her emotions in her eyes.

  Shao Nan reached out and hugged Mu Jingzhe. “Mom, I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

  His actions showed his reliance. This was the first time he relied completely on Mu Jingzhe. This time, his apology was sincere. He was willing to accept whatever Mu Jingzhe said.

  Actually, he knew that such behavior was wrong. It was just that no one had ever taught him that before, let alone been so thorough about it. Of course, no one had stood up for them. No one had cared.

  When given a choice, who would like to use such a method? Everyone liked to be protected. They’d had no choice in the past, but they had Mommy now.

  He would remember Mommy’s words. He’d also learned that his actions would affect his family, so he would be cautious from now on and would never do such a thing again.

  Shao Nan felt that he had to be more familiar with the legal provisions and use them in real life. He couldn’t make such a mistake again. Just like Mommy had said, he had to think before acting in the future.

  Mu Jingzhe let out a sigh of relief when she heard Shao Nan sincerely admit his mistake. “It’s good that you’ve recognized your mistake.”

  Little Bei, who had been watching anxiously from the side, heaved a sigh of relief too. “Mommy, don’t be angry.”

  After Mu Jingzhe let go of Shao Nan, she looked at Little Bei. “Now that I’m done with Shao Nan, let’s talk about you, Little Bei.”

  Little Bei got nervous when she heard that. She stood up straight obediently and looked flustered. “Mommy, I… I shouldn’t have pretended…”

  “That’s not the only problem.” Mu Jingzhe looked at Little Bei and recalled what had happened in the book. Little Bei had done this many times in the entertainment industry. There were many people like that in the industry, and everyone spoke half-truths. No one dared to reveal their true colors. However, her reputation was the worst, and she had been known as a drama queen and a liar.

  Many people lived their lives wearing masks, and framing and backstabbing were common in the industry, but she had suffered the most backlash.

  “Little Bei, strictly speaking, you actually weren’t wrong to do that this time. By doing that, you cleverly resolved the crisis and made everyone see Tian Xiaoxiao’s true colors. You indeed helped yourself.”

  Mu Jingzhe changed the topic. “But this time, everyone believed you mainly because Tian Xiaoxiao really hit you. She was in the wrong in the first place. Although you were acting, no one could tell. They really believed you. One of the reasons is because you’re really in pain, and the other is that you’re still a child. No one will think that you’re acting because of that.

  “However, you can’t play too many tricks like this because there will always be someone who will see through you. If you’re discovered, your pain will seem fake. Even if you’re really in pain, that person will think that you’re acting and that you’re no different from Tian Xiaoxiao.”

  Little Bei opened her mouth, but no words came out.

  “Just because everyone believed you today, it doesn’t mean that they will always believe you in the future. Besides, what about when you grow up? Will it be like this every time?”

  Mu Jingzhe looked into Little Bei’s eyes. “Little Bei, although I’ve always praised you for being smart, and you are indeed smart, we can’t belittle everyone in this world and think that they are stupid.

  “If that’s what you think, then you’re the stupid ones. Everyone else may not be as smart as you, but we’re not stupid. We’re all smart people. You can’t have too much confidence in yourselves.”

  These words were directed at both Little Bei and Shao Nan.