Siheyuan: I live next door to Xu Damao, my last name is Cao

Liu Guangfu, who had been silent all this time, finally couldn't help but speak.

He lowered his voice and said in a tone close to a whisper: "Brother, this money is not easy to come by. We have to think carefully about how to spend it."

His voice was as soft as the breeze blowing across the lake. He was afraid of disturbing the quiet tranquility of the night, and even more afraid that someone else would overhear their secret conversation.

Liu Guangtian raised his head slightly, his eyes quickly swept across his brother's face, which looked a little pale due to the cold and nervousness, and then he looked around vigilantly like a frightened rabbit.

After making sure that no one around noticed them, he nodded with confidence and responded, "Yes, now there is only one dollar and seven cents left. Didn't we agree before that we would split it equally, but this extra cent..."

Having said this, Liu Guangtian suddenly paused, his eyes revealing a trace of dilemma as he was unable to make a decision.

He hesitated for a moment, and finally looked at Liu Guangfu and smiled generously: "Forget it, this extra penny is yours, brother!"

There was a hint of helplessness in his eyes, but also doting on his younger brother.

In his heart, his younger brother is much more important than this penny. Although life is difficult, the friendship between brothers is one of the few warmth he has.

And, most importantly, I had already taken one extra point when the money was divided for the first time, so it would be inappropriate to ask for more now.

Liu Guangfu couldn't help feeling helpless and speechless, because this thing originally belonged to him!

However, when the scene of Liu Guangtian taking out his own money for them without hesitation emerged in his mind, a deep feeling of gratitude instantly surged into his heart like a tide.

Liu Guangfu raised his mouth slightly, revealing a simple and honest smile, and said softly: "Brother, what on earth are you doing? Just take this cent. After all, you just gave your own money without hesitation for me. I really feel bad about it."

As he spoke, the smile on his face revealed a hint of unspeakable bitterness.

But more than that, it is the heartfelt respect for his brother.

In this family, his brother Liu Guangtian has always been his solid support.

Although both of them were often severely beaten and scolded by their father, it was each other's constant companionship that gave them the courage to continue to face the hardships of life bravely.

At this time, Liu Guangtian gently shook his head, then reached out his hand, gently patted his brother's shoulder, and comforted him: "Good brother, don't be silly! What is the difference between us brothers? Such a small amount of money is nothing. As long as we can grit our teeth and work hard together to get through this difficult time, I believe we will have a better life in the future!"

His words were full of longing for the future, but also helplessness about the current situation.

He often fantasized at night that one day they would be able to leave this home, go to a place where no one knew them, start a new life, and no longer be beaten and scolded by his father and bullied by his brother.

Liu Guangfu nodded: "Brother, you are right. But where should we hide the money? It will be terrible if Dad finds it."

His brows furrowed even more tightly, his eyes full of worry. This money was too important to them, they had been beaten and scolded countless times in exchange for it, once it was discovered, the consequences would be disastrous.

Liu Guangtian pondered for a while, and his eyes suddenly lit up: "We can hide the money in the cracks of the rocks under the old tree in the yard. It's hidden there, and Dad won't notice it normally."

There was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, as if he had found a perfect hiding place.

That old tree was where they often played when they were young. They knew every corner of the tree and felt it was the safest place.

Liu Guangfu frowned: "But what if the money is washed out by rain someday?"

His worries were not unfounded, as the old tree often collected a lot of rainwater on rainy days.

He remembered that after a rain, the cracks in the rocks under the tree were filled with water. If the money was hidden there, it would probably be washed away.

Liu Guangtian scratched his head: "Well... let's find another place. How about hiding it in our old toy box, and then put the box in the grocery room, Dad rarely goes there."

There was a hint of hesitation in his tone, and he was trying to think of a better solution.

The old toy box is their childhood memory. Although it is worn out, it can bring them a sense of security.

Liu Guangfu frowned slightly, thought for a moment and then said slowly: "Okay, brother, let's do as you say. But we really have to be extra careful. You know, this money is what we saved up with great difficulty. If we lose it or something goes wrong, it means that all the beatings we received before were in vain!"

Having said this, his originally relaxed expression gradually disappeared, replaced by a solemn and serious look.

Because he himself knows best how much hardship and effort they have put in to save up this money.

Liu Guangtian at the side sighed and echoed his brother's words: "That's right, brother. When we grow up and become capable, we won't have to be as afraid of Dad as we are now, and we won't have to live in fear and fear all day long."

As he spoke, he raised his head and looked into the distance, his eyes revealing a deep desire - an extreme yearning for a free life and an earnest expectation for his own growth.

At this moment, a seed has already been planted deep in his heart, and that seed is waiting for the right time to break through the soil and grow healthily.

It carries Liu Guangtian's dream, which is that one day he will become an extremely powerful man and will no longer be scolded and beaten by his father for no reason.

At this time, Liu Guangfu turned his gaze to the bright moon hanging high in the night sky.

I saw him staring blankly, his eyes seemed to be twinkling with stars, full of infinite longing for a better future.

In his eyes, the moon, as bright as a silver plate, was like a bright lamp, silently illuminating and guiding his way forward; it was also like a torch, burning his deep inner ardent expectations for future life.

For him, growing up not only represents the gradual development and maturity of the body, but also symbolizes an important turning point in which he can completely break free from the suffocating and oppressive family cage and step into the vast world and embrace a free life.

Thinking of the beating just now, Liu Guangfu suddenly bit his lower lip, his eyes reddened, and his voice trembled with a hint of unwillingness.

"Brother, tell me, isn't the beating we received today too unfair? It's obvious that Dad was turned down by Big Brother and was pissed off by him, but now he's venting all his anger on us. We're like a punching bag with no power to resist. We can only endure it obediently without even daring to say a word."

The more Liu Guangfu spoke, the more aggrieved he felt. Tears kept welling up in his eyes, as if they would burst out at the next second.

Whenever he thought of his father's ferocious appearance and the belt that mercilessly whipped him, he couldn't help but feel waves of intense fear and deep resentment in his heart.

Liu Guangtian, who was standing aside, also had a look of sorrow on his face. He sighed heavily and said, "Ah, is there any need to ask this? Dad has always been partial to the eldest brother. He only hopes that the eldest brother can take care of him until the end of his life. But our hearts are as clear as a mirror. With the eldest brother's bad temper and stubborn personality, how can he be willing to take on the heavy burden of taking care of Dad in his old age!"

Having said that, Liu Guangtian couldn't help but shook his head, his face full of helplessness and endless sadness.

He felt extremely disappointed with the unfair situation at home.

Although he knew very well that his father had always been particularly fond of his eldest brother, he was also very clear about what an unreliable person his eldest brother was.

It is almost a pipe dream to expect the eldest brother to take care of father wholeheartedly until the end of his life.

Liu Guangfu nodded repeatedly, becoming more and more excited. "That's right! From childhood to adulthood, what has Guangqi's attitude been towards us? The brotherhood is as thin as a piece of paper. If there is a little conflict of interest, it will be broken immediately. When we were young, didn't he grab any good things first? He also always bullied us, just because he was the eldest and his parents were on his side."

His voice grew louder and louder, the anger in his heart becoming hard to suppress.

He recalled that when he was a child, his brother snatched his candy and pushed him to the ground, but his parents just blamed him for being ignorant, and his heart was filled with injustice.

Liu Guangtian was also reminded of the past grievances and frowned, "Just last time, I finally saved up some pocket money, but he took a fancy to my slingshot and snatched it away without saying a word. I argued with him, but he pushed me. My parents saw it, but instead of teaching him a lesson, they said I was ignorant and told me to give in to my brother. Is this fair?"

Liu Guangtian's eyes were full of resentment, and he was dissatisfied with his brother's domineering and his parents' favoritism.

He felt like an insignificant person in this family and had never been treated fairly.

Liu Guangfu was so angry that his face turned red, veins popped out on his forehead, and his voice unconsciously rose eight octaves: "Now it's really great! Just for Qi Sihui, big brother didn't even listen to dad and openly opposed dad. Isn't this telling us clearly that he doesn't take dad seriously at all! How can we expect him to take care of dad in his old age? In my opinion, dad's wishful thinking before will not come true this time!"

At this point, Liu Guangfu's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a sarcastic smile, obviously full of doubts and dissatisfaction with his father's actions.

At the same time, Liu Guangtian, who was standing aside, bit his lips, clenched his hands into fists, and his eyes flashed with anger and determination.

He snorted coldly and said indignantly, "Humph! Don't even think about asking me to take care of Dad in his old age. No way! Over the years, we have suffered so much hardship and grievance in this family, and has anyone really cared about us? Especially Mom, who only knows how to obey Dad's arrangements all day long and never speaks a fair word for us. Do we deserve to be treated like this?"

At this moment, Liu Guangtian was furious, as if the anger that had been suppressed in his heart for a long time had finally found an outlet and burst out in an instant.

He felt that the unfair treatment he and his brother had suffered for a long time had reached an unbearable point, and they were no longer willing to continue to compromise.

Liu Guangfu's face was filled with anger, and he stomped his feet hard, as if he wanted to stomp a big hole in the ground beneath his feet.

He shouted angrily, "We are just like two superfluous people in this family! When have we ever been looked at by them? I have completely seen through it. This so-called home is not a warm harbor for the two of us, but a cold and ruthless cage!"

At this time, Liu Guangfu's body was trembling slightly, and every movement was filled with uncontrollable anger and deep helplessness.

Any sense of belonging he once had for this family had now vanished, replaced by endless despair and a strong desire to escape.

He wished he could grow wings immediately and fly away from this suffocating place to find a happy life that truly belonged to him in the vast world outside.

At this moment, Liu Guangtian on the side turned pale with fright.

He quickly stretched out his hands, tightly covered Liu Guangfu's mouth, and said in a very nervous voice: "Shh - keep your voice down! Don't shout so loudly anymore! If our father hears us, we will be in big trouble! You know his hot temper. Once he gets angry, he will beat us half to death!"

As he spoke, beads of sweat appeared on Liu Guangtian's forehead, and his eyes revealed an unconcealable fear.

He knew his father's character too well. If his father knew that the two brothers were complaining here, the consequences would be absolutely disastrous.

Liu Guangfu opened his eyes wide, and his eyeballs seemed about to fall out of their sockets.

He nodded vigorously to show that he understood what his brother meant.

After Liu Guangtian slowly let go of his hand, he was still frightened and looked around cautiously.

After carefully confirming that there was no unusual movement around him, he breathed a long sigh of relief and relaxed a little.

However, despite this, the two people's hearts are still shrouded in a thick haze that lingers for a long time...

The two of them stood in the cold moonlight, looking particularly lonely and helpless. Their dissatisfaction and disappointment with their families surged like a tide, but they could only bury the bitterness deep in their hearts.

In this oppressive family atmosphere, I continue to survive with difficulty, hoping that one day I can break free from the shackles and find my own freedom and happiness.

The bright moon is still hanging high in the sky, but it cannot shine into the dark corners of their hearts. They can only lick their wounds alone in this cold family and look forward to the dawn.

They know that the road ahead is still long and full of unknowns and challenges, but as long as the two brothers are together, they have the courage to face everything.

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