Chapter 1179: 1052: Sudden Turn

The setting sun fell, dyeing half the sky red. In the courtyard, the transplanted wintersweet stood proudly, and it was believed that by the next lunar month, some of the budding flowers would be waiting for the right moment to blossom.

When winter arrives, with the backdrop of Nantian Bamboo, the red fruit, yellow flowers, and green leaves will complement each other, truly reflecting their value.

Zhang Guoqing stared for a long time, his thoughts surging, and finally, he sighed lightly, hesitantly clasping his hands behind his back and pacing around the courtyard.

Should he tell the sons?

This had unexpectedly become the most difficult decision in his two lifetimes.

Every man has a military dream, just like many women have a princess dream.

Especially since the children in his family had never given up training in the military camp all these years. It wasn’t hard to imagine how upset Ping’an and the others would be when they found out.

From a sense of duty or for the children’s future, participating in this exam would undoubtedly have a significant impact on his three sons’ lives.

This was an exam held by the nation to cultivate a batch of high-quality officers, aimed at training a group of high-caliber commanders.

And those who could take the exam were high-quality soldiers who had been filtered through layers, waiting to see who could finally pass the exam and enter the military academy for further studies. If they could pass this exam and enter a formal military academy for further education, their future prospects were obvious, with many opportunities to be gained.

And the fact that Ping’an had been recommended, with even Liu Yi and May 1st being nominated, was due to their years of exemplary performance in the military barracks and training.

Ever since getting the news from the old chief, Zhang Guoqing was both proud and heartbroken.

Not just him?

Even the usually decisive Zhou Xiaozheng started to waver.

Just as he entered the gate, not far in, Zhou Xiaozheng asked to stop the car. He wanted to walk back home slowly, there were still some things he needed to think through carefully along the way.

All three grandsons had inherited their parents’ intelligence and talent, plus his own guidance. Actually, whether they participated in this exam or not didn’t matter; gold will always shine.

But if the opportunity for the children to be recognized by their own abilities was blocked by him as their grandfather, he couldn’t help but feel a bit reluctant and guilty for keeping it from them.

Having raised them himself, how could he not know their ideals and pursuits?

But no one understood better than him the tough road of a military career. What is cultivating command talents? It’s a completely different concept than his son-in-law’s logistics.

"Dad?"

"You know?" Zhou Xiaozheng just entered the doorway and saw his son-in-law, nodding secretly. He’s making progress, not showing it on his face.

Zhang Guoqing was lucky enough not to hear this comment, otherwise, he would have been quite upset. "Yeah, the former minister called me over. He thinks it’s a pity for the three kids not to go to the military academy, especially Ping’an. Liu Yi and May 1st are still young, so there’s no urgent rush."

"What do you think?"

"Wait for Jiao Jiao to come back."

After speaking, Zhang Guoqing sighed, "But, I think even if she can’t bear it, she’ll still tell the kids and let them choose for themselves."

What could Zhou Xiaozheng say? He had to comfort this foolish child.

"We know our kids’ capabilities. Even if it’s not Ping’an, with Liu Yi and May 1st’s skills now, their safety on the battlefield would be higher than others."

These words weren’t just to comfort his son-in-law; Zhou Xiaozheng also wanted to console himself.

"Forget about May 1st, Dad, please don’t say that." Zhang Guoqing was scared and quickly shook his hand. At least leave one by his wife’s side.

Zhou Xiaozheng gave his son-in-law a disdainful sideways glance, "Of course, May 1st won’t." Moreover, the foolish grandson had secretly gone to the registration office to sign up. But he wouldn’t say a word about that!

What can you do?

"That’s good, but how are you so sure, aren’t you busy with meetings recently?"

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at him speechlessly.

No matter how busy he was, could he neglect his grandson? He even knew that May 1st not only applied for the college entrance exam but also boldly signed up for the postgraduate exam.

Probably because the child was being pressured by his mother, he just wanted to finish the exams early and relax. If, by any chance, like Liu Yi, the military academy entrance exam was next year, he wouldn’t have to endure another year of preparation.

"Let him do what he wants, the child’s smart and won’t suffer losses."

Zhang Guoqing nodded knowingly. As long as his youngest son didn’t join the military, whatever career he pursued in the future would be up to him. Even if he became a carefree playboy, he’d happily accept it!

Thinking of this, Zhang Guoqing sighed, "Kids growing up really isn’t easy."

"It depends on how you look at it. They want to explore, and we’ll support them from behind. No matter what happens, there will always be a solution."

With these words, Zhang Guoqing smiled, and his father-in-law’s words stirred something in him, quickly rising to a sense of inspiration, life’s worth fighting for a few times.

If his sons truly didn’t want to live an ordinary life and wanted a glorious future, then as their father, he’d fully support them.

Indeed, Zhou Jiao was just as Zhang Guoqing expected.

Under the lamp, her brows furrowed tightly, and after a brief contemplation, she decisively decided: "Tell the children and let them choose for themselves."

Zhang Guoqing gripped her hand tightly, staring into her eyes: "I will do my utmost to protect our children."

Isn’t that obvious? Zhou Jiao didn’t have the heart to retort, knowing the pressure and worries this man bore were no less than her own.

Zhou Xiaozheng, taking the tea his wife handed over, rolled his eyes twice at Zhang Guoqing. These words sounded as if he, as the father-in-law, was useless!

"Really let the kids join the military, wouldn’t a civilian post suit them better? Just like Xiao Wu."

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao glanced at Miao Lishan’s furrowed brows and secretly sighed. Children grow up and refuse their parents’ control. She didn’t want to make her soaring geese into caged birds.

When that day truly comes, she would be right by her son’s side at the nearest distance!

When Ping’an pushed open the study door, he noticed the heavy atmosphere inside, looked around in surprise, and then quickly stepped in, asking before sitting down, "Did something happen?"

Right behind him, Liu Yi furrowed his brows, his gaze shifting to Miao Lishan. If anything had really happened, his grandmother would have been the source.

"Who? Who’s causing trouble for our family? I’ll teach them a lesson! Grandma, did someone bully you? Don’t worry, just tell me, who is it? If I don’t make them regret it, I’ll write my surname backwards!"

Going to call his son, Zhang Guoqing, who followed in, heard his youngest son’s clamor, instantly reached out to pat his head, "Quiet down!"

"Dad, being good makes you a target!"

"No one’s bullying us."

May 1st was momentarily stunned hearing this, blinking his wide eyes at him.

No, why did his dad look worriedly at the opposite, then at him?

May 1st suddenly had a flash of insight, could it be that something he had done secretly was found out, and his mother was angry?

Feeling guilty, he rubbed his nose and quickly squatted by Zhou Jiao, holding her knees and grinning ingratiatingly.

The youngest one’s actions caused Zhou Jiao to have a sudden realization.

No need to look; she could guess that this mischievous kid must have done something big behind her back again.