Chapter 1177: 1050: Indirect Reminder

Liu Yi agreed with his brother’s statement, but some matters are not that simple."The reasoning is correct.

But how she educates her own son, that’s Cheng Family’s domestic affair.

What can Grandpa say?

As soon as he opens his mouth, it may sound belittling or instigating. If it goes further, their family might throw that brat into ours, who has the energy to nurture an outsider?"

Liu Yi looked askew at him again, "If you’re bored out of your mind, I could tell Great Grandma that you’re willing to take care of those two little troublemakers."

May 1st was startled and quickly shook his head in denial. He knew that his second brother might definitely want him to taste what it’s like to speak without backing.

"Second, you’re really ruthless. Just pretend I didn’t say anything, okay? Didn’t I mention that Grandpa might remind them when there’s an opportunity?"

Liu Yi proudly snorted, turning his head as if metaphorically flipping the page.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaozheng’s sharply defined, calm face, which had been observing, softened miraculously, his dark eyes revealing a hint of amusement.

Like a dragon with nine sons, each one is different.

The three grandsons indeed grew physically more alike as they matured, but when it comes to detached demeanor deep down, Liu Yi was the most like Jiao Jiao and himself.

The eldest, Ping’an, seems gentle and elegant but is indeed resourceful. Over the years, his tactics are no less effective than his father’s, making him the grandson Zhou trusted the most.

As for May 1st, this child learned cunning all by himself from a young age, adept at showing one thing on the surface and another behind the scenes. He appears to smile sweetly at everyone and mingle well, but if outsiders annoy him, he’s ruthless behind their backs.

Regarding this, Zhou wasn’t too worried about the child suffering losses in the future. With Little Grandson’s intelligence and EQ, it’s considerate enough that he doesn’t trick others.

However, Liu Yi, on the surface, maintains an equal attitude towards everyone. But inside, besides family members, anyone else stays outside his heart’s door.

A child like this, naturally strong-minded, is not easily influenced, but also has a fatal flaw. How, when joining the military in the future, could he entrust his back to his comrades?

So much like his young self!

Apparently, Zhou would need to invest more energy in this child, starting by teaching this silly boy how to win people’s hearts and minds...

The lights in the study remained on until late at night, and now the roles had changed to Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao facing Zhou Xiaozheng.

What were they discussing specifically?

Besides Miao Lishan, with the hearing ability of the three brothers, naturally, there was no problem listening to all the content discussed by the elders downstairs.

Even though the elders unanimously approved their acquisition plan, not a hint of delight appeared on the three brothers’ faces. Instead, they tossed and turned all night.

Zhou Xiaozheng’s comments, as well as Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao’s concerns towards the three brothers surreptitiously listening, was no less than a disguised reminder to them:

"Want to become stronger!"

—Regardless of whether it’s Ping’an or even the twins, they need to rethink past actions, improve, and that’s their respective goal to persistently strive towards.

Early the next morning, before heading to work, Zhou Jiao assigned the three brothers a family homework — ten essays on topics she would propose, to be completed within five days.

She noticed the kids were brimming with excess energy and their minds geared towards making money. Especially Ping’an, doesn’t he realize many are tense, studying day and night?

Did they truly believe the talent bestowed upon them by heaven allowed them to play through life? Previously, she felt sorry her three sons had to suffer in the military camps during holidays, but now she sees the need to strike a gong!

"Mom, my little brother and I next year..." May 1st started saying and, seeing Zhou Jiao’s face darken, immediately swallowed any sentences of refusal left, changing to, "Next year we plan to take the college entrance exam, so we indeed need to work hard."

Zhou Jiao grinned knowingly, looking at him.

May 1st noticed, swiftly snatched the satchel his dad was holding, and while flattering, he asked, "Mom, laboring you again. Need your son to take you to the office?"

Zhang Guoqing speechlessly tapped him on the head, "Stop fooling around! I’ll take good care of my wife. Don’t forget today to go to school with your little brother. And stop thinking, money, money, money — we’re not short of that trickle at home."

May 1st rubbed his forehead and quickly complained, "Mom, your man bullied your son again."

"Behave! Remember, finish the essays before doing anything else."

Watching the parents leave arm-in-arm, May 1st instantly nudged Liu Yi next to him with an elbow, "Second, did you notice?"

Liu Yi was flipping a couple of papers given by his mom and casually asked without looking up, "What?"

"You don’t seriously plan to bury yourself in hard work like Big Brother, do you?"

Ping’an raised his head, watching him, "Hmm?"

May 1st blinked, "Didn’t you notice something?"

"Keep withholding, and watch me report."

"Big Brother, this is no way you would do things." May 1st saw Ping’an start smirking coldly and immediately cut to the chase, "Didn’t Dad just say the family isn’t short of that trickle?"

Liu Yi frowned, "What are you planning now?"

"Nothing, I’m thinking maybe we could afford to adopt a few more dogs. Not necessarily retired military dogs, any big wolf dogs or native dogs will do."

After saying this, seeing both his brothers were looking down at papers again, his sly eyes twinkled, "Do you think Mom might like to keep a lion cat?"

Ping’an and Liu Yi immediately looked up and exchanged glances, "She wouldn’t like it. Do you remember visiting Mr. Ji this summer, she said she’d rather keep flowers."

Liu Yi recalled and agreed, "If Mom actually likes them, Dad would have arranged it long ago. Those new patches of bamboo and flowers at the courtyard are obviously Dad’s special preparation for Mom."

Thinking of the dad who pampers his wife excessively, May 1st also felt helpless. Luckily it was his biological mom, if it were a stepmom, would the three brothers even live?

"Then let’s brainstorm what could please Mom? What do you think would make a good gift?"

Ping’an glanced at him, "No matter how many you give, Mom will still make you finish the essays."

"Bro, is that what I meant? Haven’t we earned a little money, right? Isn’t it time to buy Mom a gift?"

"We’ll talk after finishing these assignments."

Liu Yi grinned upon seeing his younger brother’s despairing face, quickly folded the papers and patted his shoulder, "Time to head to school."

In the end, Ping’an felt for the younger brother he had watched grow up, "Alright, I’ll take some time today to arrange personnel to start gathering the things. Once these assignments are done, it’ll be nearly time to collect them."

"Big Brother’s the best."

"Okay, hurry outside, those little partners of yours are probably already waiting."

After sending off the two brothers, Ping’an put away the papers, changed clothes, and left. Since the final exams approached, Grandpa also let him end his lessons at various departments, freeing quite a bit of time for him.

This time his mom exploited a topic, besides penalizing the three brothers, not without reason to truly assess their capabilities.

College entrance exams, huh?

Apparently, his mother was worried for him, too.