"Thank you, Auntie, but the "Red Class" is for little kids who don’t know anything. I’m a big kid now, and I want to go to elementary school like my older brothers and sisters, wear a red scarf, and be a proud elementary school student." Lian En frowned, politely declining.
Clearly a cute little kid with a chubby face trying to act all grown-up, it was heart-melting!
Du Xuanxuan felt her willpower wavering, wavering, continuously wavering. Deep down, a voice kept urging her: Agree to it, agree to it, what’s wrong with making an exception just this once? There’s no way you should disappoint such an adorable little guy!
After a couple of forced coughs to suppress the temptation in her heart, Du Xuanxuan finally spoke with difficulty, "I’m sorry Lian En, but you’re too young..."
"I know I’m young, but I can listen seriously like the other kids and keep attending school. I can dress myself and go to the bathroom on my own. Principal Auntie, please let me join!" His beautiful phoenix eyes blinked, filled with expectation. Hmm, Dad said he couldn’t resist this trick; hopefully, the principal auntie is the same.
"But you’re still too young..."
"Shi Jincheng says determination isn’t about age, living a century without goals is pointless. I’m small, but I have big goals! Mom also says life often depends on ability, not age or qualifications." Lian En pouted to defend himself. Clearly, you go to school to learn knowledge, so why bring up age? Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you’re smarter; Jianguo and Jiandang are much better than him!
"Wow, little guy, you’re impressive, even knowing about Shi Jincheng? Be good and tell Grandpa Wu what else you can do. Can you recite poems, count numbers, or write ’aoe’? If you can, Grandpa Wu could put in a good word for you with the principal!" He heard that Lianshan brought his child to the school, so he rushed over, only to catch Lian En defending himself.
Wu Liguo was instantly stunned, wasn’t he?
He knew that Shuzhen’s eldest son was smart, but he didn’t expect him to be this clever!
Smack, smack, having such eloquence and spirit at four years old, what will he become in the future?
In just a few words, Wu Liguo already tagged little Lian En in his mind as someone with limitless potential.
Since he was right in front of teachers, and the little guy desperately wanted to attend school, why wait until seven or eight? Let’s hurry!
Quickly get him trained and educated; once taught well, Shuzhen and Lianshan will have someone to rely on for the rest of their lives. Not to mention his own grandchildren will have a strong ally! Hehe, isn’t there an old saying that close family is like broken bones connected by tendons?
The more he thought about it, the more he felt his idea was spot-on. Wu Lao couldn’t help but beam with joy, looking at little Lian En with great expectation.
Having fought alone for so long, suddenly getting an ally, especially a school teacher, Lian En was overjoyed. He climbed the ladder quickly and counted on his chubby fingers: "I can, Grandpa Wu, I can! I can recite phrases from great people’s quotes and poetry collections. I also know ’Song of the Wanderer’ and...some Tang poems.
I can count five hundred numbers and do addition and subtraction within a hundred.
Not only can I write pinyin, but I can also write many Chinese characters! Dad says I’m the smartest, just as awesome as Mom!"
To add some weight to his successful school admission, the little guy was sincere in his recounting. Of course, remembering Mom’s instruction not to flaunt ’Songs of Filial Piety’ and ’Twelve Hours of Filial Piety,’ not a word of those escaped him! Seeing Grandpa Wu and Principal Auntie not noticing his pause, little Lian En sighed like a young adult.
In fact, both Wu Liguo and Du Xuanxuan were stunned, weren’t they!
Goodness, is this tiny child really this amazing?
Lianshan nodded with pride, both father and son were naturally smart, and his wife was just so skillful at parenting.
Of course, saying it so bluntly would be too boastful. Some things need to be personally experienced to be truly shocking.
With this in mind, when Uncle Wu and Du Xuanxuan suggested letting his eldest son join them in quoting great people, Lianshan just smiled and said pleasantries were unnecessary. Then he sat straight and waited for his son to amaze and shock the teacher and principal.
"A single spark!" Considering the child’s age, Wu Liguo deliberately picked something simple.
"Can start a prairie fire." Little Lian En said the next line without a hitch, without a moment’s hesitation.
Wow, he really wasn’t bluffing!
Du Xuanxuan smiled and followed up, "Study hard."
"Make progress every day!"
"Where there is oppression."
"There is resistance!"
"To seize nationwide victory."
"Is just the first step in the Long March."
"Two hundred years of confident life."
"Will span three thousand miles of water!"
"In the dim evening, look at the vigorous pine."
"Amidst turbulent clouds, remain composed."
"The unity of the people and army as one person."
"Look at the world, who can match us!"
Initially, Du Xuanxuan and Wu Liguo had a bit of teasing and joking with the child in mind. But as Lian En kept responding fluently, even with rare and obscure phrases, they were left with nothing but shock.
Oh my, is this really a child?
This must be a legendary genius!
Du Xuanxuan thought that if she ever got married and had children, she would surely have to beg Liu Shuzhen for parenting advice.
This little Lian En, so handsome, smart, with a great memory, and super sweet and polite, he’s every mother’s perfect child!
After being asked and tested so much, Lian En’s little throat was getting a bit dry. Finally, when they stopped questioning him, he quickly asked, "Principal Auntie, Grandpa Wu, can Lian En come to school when it starts and be a proud little student?"
"Yes, absolutely yes! If our smart little genius Lian En can’t be a proud student, who can? When school starts in a few days, you come. Grandpa Wu will teach you and be your teacher!" Wu Liguo laughed heartily, delighted by the cute little guy, scooping him up and giving him a big kiss.
Lian En looked at Du Xuanxuan questioningly, then smiled happily, revealing a row of baby teeth, when he got a confirming nod from her.
The fond Wu Liguo gave him a couple more kisses on his soft cheek, repeatedly calling Lian En a clever and sweet absolute genius.
Lian En frowned slightly, earnestly explaining, "Mom says genius is 1% talent and 99% perspiration. Being smart without hard work isn’t enough. You can’t be lazy, arrogant, or complacent, or you’ll end up like Shang Zhongyong. Better to be a diligent fool than a self-absorbed smart person. I’m not a genius."