It seems like Mom’s worries aren’t entirely unfounded!
In the dream, didn’t Lian Mingsi just go astray?
To prevent myself and my adorable brothers and sisters from becoming the second Lian Mingsi and causing our parents sadness and worry.
Lian En thought that while he was striving to be disciplined, he also needed to tighten the reins on his brothers and sisters.
Even if they don’t grow up to be pillars of society, they should at least align themselves with that direction.
Following the five virtues and four loves, not embarrassing our parents or causing them concern, right?
Lian En thought as he walked, and before he knew it, he had reached his uncle’s house.
Originally, when they heard they were going to eat at the Number One Scholar Village restaurant again, Liu Shouren and Liu Shouyi were quite resistant.
After all, dining out was common, and every single time ended up patronizing the village-run enterprise.
Compared to the signature dishes they’ve grown tired of at the restaurant, they preferred to whip up some homemade dishes at home.
Even though the presentation wasn’t as exquisite as the restaurant’s, and the cooking method not as complex, it won in terms of homey warmth, didn’t it?
But when they heard that the younger sister and brother-in-law were planning a celebration for their nephew’s high scores and admission to the Number One Scholar Village High School, gathering everyone to celebrate.
The brothers were filled with joy and relief, showing not a hint of resistance.
After praising Lian En profusely, they immediately dialed the Lian family’s number. They asked Chenchen, who answered the phone, to bring the younger ones to the Number One Scholar Village restaurant. Then, they called Old Yang’s office, asking him to leave early and head to the restaurant.
With these two calls, Lian En was spared from making two extra trips.
Of course, the thoughtfulness of the uncle wasn’t appreciated by Lian En, as the uncle couldn’t help criticizing Jianguo and Jiandang about the grades.
As a comparison, Lian En, the child from another family, couldn’t help feeling the awkwardness from the cold stares of his two cousins.
Alas, despite their hard work, the grades didn’t improve, and Lian En felt that his cousins were quite helpless too.
What’s worse was that their uncle wasn’t as kind and easygoing as their own dad, who valued his children’s wishes. Their uncle was always thinking of turning his sons into dragons, dreaming of all five sons succeeding academically.
So when it was time to depart, the uncle, full of regret, could only say that they would gather another time because he had a big order he needed to personally inspect. Not only did the two cousins breathe a sigh of relief, but Lian En was also overjoyed.
He was really worried that the dragon-desiring uncle would encounter their bragging dad, become unbalanced, and come back to force his cousins to study intensively.
"Hey, after traveling so much and seeing the world, I’ve thought of a lot more than before. But little cousin, do you underestimate your brothers?" Jiandang was amused by Lian En’s relieved look and couldn’t help nudging him with his elbow.
Seeing the little cousin looking confused, Jiandang shrugged: "Your excellence is the result of your own hard work. As for us dummies, we’re simply not good at or interested in studies. It’s entirely our own issue, nothing to do with you.
Your uncle likes to compare us with those more excellent in studies, attempting to use setbacks and motivation to educate us.
Even Lian Xi, a primary school student, has been used as a comparison for us. We’re used to it.
You, don’t mind it either."
"We don’t feel inferior to you, no jealousy. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed either. We, being academically challenged, don’t blush. Why should someone as excellent as you feel anxious? Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, right?" Jianguo chimed in, giving Lian En a firm pat on the shoulder, full of sincerity.
"Both brothers are right; it’s my mistake. In our family, we’re only happy for each other’s excellence, there’s no jealousy involved.
I was just worried the brothers would feel embarrassed, wouldn’t know how to handle it..." Lian En chuckled awkwardly, quickly explaining.
"Well said, well said. Cousins, generations of closeness, even breaking bones still connected by tendons. We’re genuine family members!" Jiandang laughed heartily, giving Lian En an enthusiastic pat on the shoulder.
"Us being one family should not speak as if we’re two. Dear brother, can you help us convince your stubborn uncle to agree for us to go to the frontier?" Jianguo, eyes full of anticipation, asked Lian En.
"The frontier?" Lian En was startled, not expecting the idea his older cousins had.
"Yes, instead of looking at those textbooks that make us want to nod off, we’d rather put on that sacred olive green, defending our country." Jiandang nodded, fascinated by that olive green ever since he was young, dreaming of becoming an honorable people’s guardian.
"Holding a steel gun, galloping on the battlefield, becoming warriors unafraid of sacrifice for a strong country is our ideal profession!" Jianguo chimed in, full of anticipation and longing: "Unfortunately, my mom, your aunt, keeps saying nonsense like ’good iron doesn’t make nails, good men don’t become soldiers.’ It’s clear she thinks we brothers could do anything except join the army. She’s afraid one of us might end up like Grand Uncle or Third Uncle, forever resting on the battlefield, never to return.
And my dad, your uncle, wants us to go to college, study management and accounting or something, and come back to join him in running Good Taste. He wants to expand it big and strong, ideally everywhere nationwide and worldwide.
The opposition is too strong, so we can only rally all the support we can!"
After a long sigh, the two brothers earnestly and sincerely entrusted Lian En to help persuade, starting with winning the support of their aunt, Lian En’s mom, Shuzhen.
Once they succeeded, they could team up to gain their father’s consent.
Finally, they would have their aunts and uncles come together, uniting as one to persuade their stubborn parents.
Lian En frowned, feeling their plan was somewhat backward: "As it concerns your futures, I think you should sincerely and honestly talk with your uncle and aunt first. Don’t end up in a situation where ’the whole world knows their sons want to go to the frontier and are trying to persuade us to agree, while we don’t even know, let alone oppose it,’ making a laughingstock of themselves.
At that time, if they get upset, consenting wouldn’t be the same as not consenting!"
After changing his clothes, taking his wife, and gathering a few little ones, Liu Shouren was about to call his nephews and nieces when he heard Lian En’s remarks and couldn’t help but sigh, realizing the gap between people.
Although the two older nephews weren’t great in studies, they were pretty steady and organized in handling matters. Yet standing next to Lian En, the difference was apparent.
But going to the frontier?