Chapter 1180: 1053: You or Me?

Zhou Jiao looked at May 1st with a half-smile, "Do you want to say it, or should I?""Mom, hehe, you found out?"

"What do you think?"

"I just wanted to surprise you."

Oh dear, the only thing you surprise me with is shock, never delight!

Zhou Jiao silently thought to herself, looking at May 1st with pursed lips. If he didn’t explain well now, she’d really use a whip on him!

The look in her eyes was too scary! May 1st, sneaking a peek at her expression, quickly scooted to her side and leaned against the sofa armrest, wrapping his arm around Zhou Jiao’s shoulder.

"Mom, I never intended to keep it from you, really, just worried you’d be too anxious."

"Get to the point!"

May 1st rolled his eyes, "Wasn’t there an announcement in the paper about detailed ways to recruit graduate students? I found out that graduate students get a stipend of thirty-something a month.

How could I miss out on such a good opportunity, right? My brothers and I discussed it, and Big Brother told me to give it a try first, since next year we won’t be at the same school anyway."

Zhou Jiao, speechless, turned to look at her youngest son, leaving his big brother to take the blame again. "Not bad, aiming high, looking down even on college."

Is she still upset?

May 1st secretly felt relieved that he had left a way out.

He happily announced, "Mom, who am I? Your son wouldn’t burn bridges. I went ahead and signed up for the college entrance exam too. Just in time to go in with Big Brother."

Zhou Jiao felt even more worried hearing him say this, feeling like he’d left out his second brother and was playing on his own. She immediately looked at June 1st.

June 1st smiled back at her gaze, "Mom, don’t worry about me. I’m definitely going to military school. For May 1st, it doesn’t matter whether he takes it early or late, since we won’t be in the same school."

Compared to May 1st, Zhou Jiao trusted June 1st more.

This child has always been very purposeful since he was little, with a determined attitude, unlike his free-spirited younger brother.

Ping’an, whose topic with his brothers concluded, put an arm around Zhang Guoqing, "Dad, don’t feel like we aren’t considerate. We never meant to hide it from you. We just planned to announce it two days before the exam, really didn’t want to make you worry."

June 1st leaned his head against Zhang Guoqing’s shoulder, nuzzling, "Dad, from now on, let us protect you and Mom."

At this moment, Zhang Guoqing was speechless, feeling his nose tingle, patting his son, "Dad, it’s better if you announce it."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly, "The military school will resume national admissions next year. But before that, to train a batch of high-quality officers, they’ll also participate in the college entrance exam on the same day..."

Before he could finish, the Ping An Brothers immediately sat up straight, eyes bright and focused on Zhou Xiaozheng.

"... And your performances over the years have been recognized, and you’ve been nominated. That’s how it is, so think it over."

With Zhou Jiao’s consent, June 1st immediately raised his hand, "Grandpa, I don’t want to waste another year. I’m already 16 by nominal age."

Miao Lishan immediately countered, "14 years old, even if you add it, it’s only 15."

Zhou Xiaozheng gently shook his head at her. The key point now wasn’t the age but that this child was truly determined, and it’s better to seize the opportunity to enter a regular military school for further studies.

May 1st, waiting for June 1st to express his stance, immediately turned to Ping’an.

Ping’an looked at him and smiled, "Luckily you’re clever, Big Brother wishes you instant success, becoming our family’s first graduate student."

"Big Brother, aren’t you changing your mind? You know, I and Big Brother have good luck."

Ping’an decisively shook his head, "You’re different. You’ve loved freedom from the start, while I and Little Brother still prefer the military camp life."

"But didn’t you love making money the most?"

Ping’an chuckled, rolling his eyes at him, "We’ll stick to the agreement, each heading in our own direction."

Zhou Jiao suppressed the disappointment in her heart, inwardly advising herself, knowing the outcome ahead of time, what’s the point of getting tangled?

"So you’ve already decided? Need to reconsider?"

Hearing Zhou Xiaozheng’s question, Ping’an looked at Zhou Jiao with expectation. His biggest concern was his mom. Even if her demeanor was calm, he knew she must feel uneasy inside.

But this family, he couldn’t let June, who was six years younger, shoulder the heavy burden. If there ever came a day to go to battle, he hoped it would be him, at worst, the two brothers fighting back to back.

Zhou Jiao slowly smiled, "Go ahead!"

"Mom, you must have faith in your sons. We’ve been practicing martial arts and learning medicine since childhood, and for the past years, we’ve been going to military training every vacation, ensuring safety is not an issue."

Zhou Jiao nodded, "I have faith in my son."

June 1st looked worriedly at his parents, then changed the subject, "Mom, how about we publish the revision materials you gave us?"

May 1st chimed in cleverly, "Mom, Wen Yu also said that the study content is very effective. Let’s apply for an ISBN from a publisher, how about it? It’s a good deed for the nation and the people."

Zhou Jiao perked up, smiling, "What kind of scheme are you up to again? Let’s hear it."

June 1st saw May 1st looking at him, smiled, "You present your plan." This younger brother always plays tricks, it’s time he experienced the taste.

May 1st didn’t delay upon June 1st’s instruction, but some things couldn’t be said so bluntly. If he said he didn’t want the world to forget that the Zhou Family was once an educated family, or didn’t want his great-grandfather’s name to vanish in the river of history, would his father feel okay?

And his big brother, though he took their father’s surname Zhang, he’s still his real brother. It’d be idiotic to mention these points and make things awkward.

And if he mentioned that this plan was somewhat about adding merit to his grandpa, his proud grandpa wouldn’t smack him!

May 1st, after mulling over his words, said, "It’s not just about these revision materials. If there’s a chance, other than the things you’ve specifically forbidden to be shared, I want to even publish the picture-based literacy books and fable stories you compiled for us. As for the proceeds, I’d like to donate them all to the country. But there’s a prerequisite, your signature can’t be omitted."

Zhou Jiao replied immediately as soon as he finished, "Remember, if you ever publish children’s picture books, my information should absolutely not appear."

"Mom, times are different now, no need to keep a low profile. It’s time to show your muscles and let people see, my mom isn’t just anybody."

Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes at her son speechlessly. You’re flattering me a bit excessively! Wouldn’t those who don’t know us be scared to death if they heard that?

The whole family laughed heartily at May 1st’s words.

Finally, Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled, "Forgot to remind you. Not just your mom, for safety, you’ll also need to use a pseudonym while studying."

"Why?" Blurted May 1st, regretting immediately as he slapped his mouth, remembering how things had changed with his grandpa.

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head with a smile, "Also, about publishing the review materials, you’re underestimating your mom too much. She’s planned to hand them over much earlier. Everything waits until after you three boys settle down."

May 1st heard this and understood, aggrievedly looking at Zhou Jiao, "Mom, you were fooling me."

Zhou Jiao smiled, patting his arm, "Didn’t I tell you before to focus all your thoughts on revision?"

"..." May 1st opened his mouth and closed it again, finding himself lost for words!