Now that big brother’s here, she needed to cook more dishes.
Qin Xiangyang was indeed tired. As soon as he lay down, he fell asleep, even letting out soft snores.
"Brother Qin, Brother Qin..."
Jian Zhiqin shook Qin Xiangyang awake, "Time to get up, it’s time to eat, sister has finished cooking. There are so many dishes today, I’m almost starving."
Qin Xiangyang then sat up groggily. For a while, he didn’t even know where he was. But as soon as he saw the little face before him, he was alert again.
He pinched Jian Zhiqin’s little cheek.
"Let’s go, time to eat."
"Okay," Jian Zhiqin happily grabbed Qin Xiangyang’s big hand and pulled him outside. He really liked this brother who was as tall as his own brother. He looked so formidable. In the future, he wanted to be tall and strong like his two brothers so no one could beat him, and even if he didn’t bring Conghua around, those stinky kids would still be afraid of him.
He touched his nose and snorted softly.
Jian Zhiqing came out from the kitchen just in time, carrying a dish.
"You’re up," he said with a smile and placed the dish on the table. "The dishes your sister has made are really delicious. We’re all lucky to have you here. Usually, she wouldn’t even stir-fry an extra dish, but today, there’s a whole table full."
There was also his favorite candied sweet potatoes. Jian Zhiqin was about to jump up with joy. Where were his sweet potatoes? His sweet potatoes, where did they go? Finally, today, no one was there to compete with him for the sweet potatoes. Didn’t sister forget to make them, did she?
"Here they are," Qin Xiangnuan brought out the last dish from inside, placing on the table a platter of candied sweet potatoes.
"Thank you, sister," Jian Zhiqin said, his eyes lighting up with happiness as he volunteered to fill bowls with rice for the adults, not because he was trying to be cute, but because he wanted to start eating sooner.
At first, Qin Xiangyang was a bit embarrassed, but he quickly relaxed.
His sister was indeed his own sister, and he was no stranger to the Jians’ brothers. Although they hadn’t met many times, they kept in touch by phone occasionally. Besides, Jian Zhiqing knew a lot, and now he had become a new target for him.
He was determined to become the most outstanding soldier in the military school; at the very least, he could not let Jian Zhiqing, who helped him enroll, lose face, let alone disappoint his sister.
With Qin Xiangyang around, it had to be said, the home became much livelier. Every day Jian Zhiqing would take him and the little imp, Jian Zhiqin, to the park for a jog. After helping Qin Xiangnuan with the stall in the morning, the group would go to the park for exercise.
Qin Xiangyang had sandbags tied to his legs, not only practicing running but also simple weight carrying and grappling. Fortunately, he was raised doing farm work back home and was used as a half laborer from a young age, so he had a strong physique and willpower. Plus, he exercised at home using methods taught by Jian Zhiqing no matter the weather. So, although Jian Zhiqing’s training for him was tiring and high-intensity, he could still grit his teeth and persist.
For Qin Xiangyang’s perseverance, Jian Zhiqing was very satisfied. As long as one was willing to endure hardship, at least, the first requirement to enter the military school was met.
Returning from training, Qin Xiangyang couldn’t just rest. He had to feed Conghua, take Conghua out for walks, also feed and take care of his own life. He was learning to adapt to military life, but taking care of Conghua was a task he had asked for himself.