After the second aunt’s enlightening explanation, everyone burst into laughter.
Lianshan gave his little boy a big kiss on his tender cheek: "Oh my dear son, you are so clever and sensible, with such a good memory. Little Lian’en, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
The little guy, who was just two and a half years old, furrowed his little eyebrows upon hearing this and pretended to think hard. After a while, he seriously said, "I want to be a policeman and catch thieves. I want to be a good brother and protect my sister!"
Knowing that this child is a girl, Shuzhen was worried that her silly husband might be disappointed, feeling upset about not having a clever son like Little Lian’en and, as a result, might neglect their eldest daughter. Since confirming her pregnancy, Shuzhen subtly murmured that her reaction to this pregnancy was different from the last, wondering if it was a girl.
Seeing her troubled appearance made Lianshan feel tender-hearted, so he lowered his stance and coaxed her for several days, promising that he would love both their daughter and their son. Now that they have a son, having a daughter would complete the "good" character. He even spent days sweet-talking the flat belly, calling it their eldest daughter, before finally managing to lift her spirits. But when he turned to wipe his sweat, he didn’t notice the cunning smile of his wife’s plan succeeding.
Shuzhen, as the mother, went to great lengths to ensure the status of their eldest daughter in the family.
As for the outcome, it is yet unknown, but Little Lian’en is truly convinced that his mother is pregnant with a sister.
From the first day his mom’s pregnancy was confirmed, the child had been constantly instilled with the idea of being a good brother, protecting his sister. Now, subtly, it has become his second biggest aspiration aside from catching thieves as a policeman.
Being somewhat satisfied with her educational ’success’, Shuzhen merely smiled faintly, while Liu Shouren and the others who were not in the know were stunned: Saying he was three years old when in fact he was only two and a half and already this clever enough to be rare, besides he was especially sensible, wasn’t he?
The originally well-behaved, adorable look softened everyone’s hearts, and with that talk of being a good brother and protecting his sister, the small bit of resentment in their hearts vanished instantly, making everyone bow down to his cute and lovable appearance.
Everyone thought, after all, it’s three parts innate, seven parts nurture. With a little sister/big sister-in-law couple of this academic caliber educating him, even a piece of rotten wood could be sculpted into art, let alone the child already shares half of the little sister/big sister-in-law’s blood!
Look, didn’t the little sister/big sister-in-law say to be a good brother, one must start by listening obediently? If sitting at the front of the tractor isn’t safe, shouldn’t the little guy obediently sit at the back in the trailer?
Believing mysteriously in the academic couple’s child-rearing ability, the group unanimously ignored Little Lian’en’s pouty little face and his unconscious gesture of patting his chubby hand on his own behind.
No choice, at home, there’s Mom the boss, Dad second in command, and the baby is the little one.
When making mistakes, he can still act cute to Dad, at most getting a mind full of big ideas to wrap things up.
But if he ends up with Mom, it’s definitely a beating first and a lecture later. Without pleadings it’s still okay, but with pleadings the punishment is even harsher. After a few painful lessons, Little Lian’en has thoroughly understood that his mom’s word at home is final and unyielding. He’s come to grasp that being a good baby means listening to Mom, otherwise, after his palms and backside hurt, he still has to listen.
Seeing everyone seated, Little Lian’en stopped fussing about wanting to come up front to drive together. But as Little Lian Hai regretfully lifted the crank to start the tractor, amidst Liu Shouren’s constant reminders to slow down, take it easy, and avoid bumps without knowing how to decelerate, they slowly headed towards Liu Family Village.
Lian Hai, in his heart, endlessly complained: Clearly it’s a newly made smooth road, where are the bumps and holes? Brother Shouren is just making a big deal out of nothing, seeing his cherished sister coming back he doesn’t know how to express his joy, yet the actual speed is slow enough to rival the old ox-drawn cart.
After all, Brother Shouren’s sister is also his own big sister-in-law, pregnant with his dear nephew or niece!
Having heard early that their female brigade leader and husband returned after finishing their studies, quite a few villagers spontaneously gathered near the entrance of Liu Family Village to wait. As they saw Lian Hai driving the tractor over from afar, the crowd began shouting directives: ’Here they come, here they come, they’ve returned, quickly light the firecrackers, beat the drums!’
Soon after, a burst of firecracker sounds echoed, and a small team of twenty or so children dressed in military green uniforms, wearing red scarves, quickly started beating gongs and beating drums. The two little girls at the front swiftly unfurled a banner inscribed: Welcome back to Liu Family Village, the excellent cadre Captain Shuzhen and her husband.
Shuzhen stared wide-eyed, filled with shock, looking at her own big brother: After two years without seeing you, how did you become so ostentatious?
Liu Shouren held his forehead: "In your eyes, am I really that unreliable big brother? Truly, you underestimate your own charm a bit. These are all villagers, who were emotionally moved after hearing you declined Beijing University’s offer just to better develop our Liu Family Village, who have come spontaneously. As for the children, it should be Du Xuanxuan, the principal’s handiwork.
After all, it’s you who stood alone against the opposition, insisting on an outsider female intellectual becoming the principal of our Liu Family Village Primary School. She is grateful, and wanting to do something for you is only natural!"
Indeed, first create a wave of public opinion, build a great momentum, and then smoothly remind everyone of the many benefits this female captain Shuzhen brings. Then when taking up the position of captain again, it’s even more justified, right?
To prevent this dove from getting too comfortable in someone else’s nest and not wanting to return it, the lady had also gone to great lengths.
Even if she views him with full petty-mindedness, still, it wouldn’t erase her intent to think for her sister.
Simply for this reason, Liu Shouren neither wished nor wanted to be too harsh on her.
Of course, if this lady didn’t perpetually act like she had a persecution complex, first fearing he’d take over his sister’s position, then worrying he’d turn into a big bad wolf snatching her best friend, that would be even better.
Shuzhen raised her eyebrows, never imagining that the one who tried to bribe her at their first meeting just to live more comfortably in Liu Family Village, Du Xuanxuan, besides being realistic and clever, has such a sentimental side.
As expected, you can’t judge people by appearances!
Shuzhen joyfully and warmly greeted and thanked the villagers she hadn’t seen in two years for coming to welcome them at the village entrance and for all they’ve done. She didn’t say many frivolous words, just hoping to use the precious knowledge acquired over these two years to devote herself to optimizing and improving seeds. Striving for success soon, so that everyone’s hard work over one year yields two years’ worth of harvest!