Since the eldest son is already back, there’s no need to debate about picking him up from the station.
Lianshan saw how close the siblings were and knew he couldn’t get in between them. So, he decided to delegate, washed his hands, and started preparing noodles for Lian En.
"Dad, I can just have some porridge, a bun, and some pickles. No need to go through the trouble of making noodles," Lian En hurriedly declined, even though his dad’s hand-pulled noodles were one of the things he missed the most during his two years away.
But with eight of them to feed, how long would his dad be busy?
"Why not? Dumplings on arrival, noodles when you leave. Your mom and I wish you could all stay by our side forever!" Lianshan smiled at his concerned son, but then sighed with a bit of melancholy: ’It’s a pity, these little eagles have to leave the nest and fly to higher skies. How did they grow up so fast from those little bundles?’
Lian En couldn’t know what was in his dad’s heart, but he saw that fleeting look of sadness on his father’s face!
He knew for sure that during these two years he was away, his dad must have been worrying and missing him immensely.
Otherwise, why would they wait by the phone for his calls twice a week, no matter how busy spring planting and autumn harvests were?
Every call they reminded him repeatedly to take care of himself, to buy and eat whatever he fancied, as the family wasn’t short of money.
Whenever they knew the place he’d be staying a little longer, they would send him some money or clothes, afraid he might be short on money and suffer.
Feeling warm and sweet like being soaked in honey, Lian En quickly responded with a smile: "If Mom and Dad don’t find me a bother, I’ll talk to my mentor and maybe he’ll come over during the winter break, then I can reunite with everyone and continue learning painting, right?"
Under the hopeful and curious gazes of his parents, Lian En nodded firmly: Yes, it’s possible, and if not, I’ll make it work! Just for that look of anticipation in their eyes, he vowed to persuade his mentor—even if it meant acting playfully adorable.
"Awesome! Big brother’s not leaving!"
Watching his younger siblings jump and cheer, Lian En smiled, more convinced that his decision was the right one.
After waiting two years for their big brother to return, it’s no wonder they were all so joyous and excited.
They wanted to take Lian En everywhere they went and would introduce him to anyone they met: "This is our big brother, Lian En, he’s very handsome and talented. He started first grade at four and went to high school at fourteen! Our big brother can play the hulusi, the accordion, play chess, write calligraphy, and is a future famous artist!"
The proud little faces made Lian En both happy and helpless.
Now that the younger ones had a habit of showing off their brother, what else could the brother being shown off do?
He could only strive to be more outstanding, so that no one could say that the young ones were boastful with a penchant for bragging, like an old melon-seller lady!
He had tried to tell them to be humble and low-key, and not to exaggerate.
But the five little ones nodded vigorously: It’s true, we’re all honest kids who never lie. What we say is fact. Our big brother is just that excellent, more so than even several others combined!
With their little chests puffed up high, they were immensely proud of their brother, which truly touched Lian En.
He just wished to work hard to always be the benchmark, the support in his younger siblings’ hearts. Humility and low profile had long been forgotten by now, hadn’t they?
Since he took two years off and returned to skip a grade, Lian En needed to pass the placement test with high scores before he could become a new student at Number One Scholar Village High School.
Of course, this was no difficulty for Lian En, who hadn’t stopped studying and, under Feng Ju’s guidance, had completely self-studied the ninth-grade curriculum.
When the exams in six subjects—Chinese, Math, English, Physics, Chemistry, and Politics—were over, with only a couple of points deducted symbolically from the Chinese essay while all other scores were full marks, Lianshan, who had been secretly anxious for his son, finally breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Lian En full of joy: "Son, my amazing son, you are incredible!
Oh boy, to become so accomplished through self-study. How did this brain grow! Haha, you’ve really made us proud!
Good lad, I think today we won’t go back. Let’s invite your uncle, second uncle, and Grandpa Yang out and have a good meal to celebrate my amazing son!"
Ever since the Number One Scholar Village series started to flourish, more and more people came from all directions either to Liu Village for field studies and to learn advanced experiences; or they came seeking partnerships; or were suppliers and clients handling shipments or orders.
With the increasing flow of people, the demand for food, lodging, and transportation naturally grew larger. Therefore, the village naturally established restaurants, shops, hotels, and the like.
And with the advent of these restaurants, Lianshan, who liked to gather with his brothers-in-law but regretted making his wife endure the smoky and fiery kitchen, no longer invited guests at home.
"This, there’s no need, right? Dad, it’s just that I got into high school," Lian En blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Yes, it’s needed, why not? Any little success of the children is a great success for the parents. My son is this excellent, why shouldn’t I, as his dad, brag a little?" Lianshan waved his hand, urging Lian En to quickly go invite people.
Watching the youngest children boast and brag about their big brother, he could tell you that in his heart, he felt more than a little jealousy and had long wanted to brag along.
"Lian En, hurry along. Just say it’s been a while since a gathering. Today, mom and dad are hosting and inviting your uncle, second uncle, and Grandpa Yang for a good meal." Shuzhen smiled involuntarily, trying to suppress her laughter as she directed him, observing Lian En’s face full of joy, emotion, and a slight stunned surprise.
Lian En turned and walked off, but even after walking a dozen meters, he could still hear his dad complaining with dissatisfaction: "What gathering? Clearly, I’m just thrilled and wish to share my joy and pride with Big Brother, Second Brother, and Old Uncle Yang that our son has grown up, why are you confusing the main point? When you’re pleased and fond of the boy, you should express it. Otherwise, with your introverted nature, what if the kid misunderstands, thinking you aren’t pleased with him or don’t care for him as much?"
Shuzhen glared: "What are you saying? Of course, I believe in my son! Besides, since there’s already a doting father, a mother has to be a bit stricter, right? Otherwise, if we both spoil the child, how would we raise straight a sapling that’s grown awry from indulgence?"