Wen Ci quietly observed Wen Yaozu. After holding his breath for a while, he finally couldn’t hold it any longer and lowered his head in resignation, admitting, “Alright, I’ve gained weight again.”
After a long pause, Wen Ci spoke unhurriedly, “I heard you’ve been causing trouble at school?”
“Slander, absolute slander!”
The few lackeys on the wall had never seen Boss Wen in such a state. Just as they were about to jump back inside, a sharp voice erupted, “Su San, Wang Wuyi, Li Yun, it’s you guys again! Where’s Wen Yaozu?”
The school wall was made of red bricks, with a small gap in the middle. The dean peered through the gap and caught sight of Wen Yaozu.
“Wen Yaozu, call your parents. This time, even if the principal protects you, I will severely criticize you in front of the entire school and your parents.”
Listening to the dean’s tone, filled with disappointment and frustration, Wen Ci was extremely satisfied.
It showed that the teachers at the county middle school hadn’t completely given up on him.
Suddenly, the dean noticed the girl beside Wen Yaozu and tentatively asked, “And who is this female student?”
“I’m Wen Yaozu’s sister.”
The dean had been transferred from the provincial capital this year and had heard about Wen Yaozu’s sister—a top student whose parents wouldn’t let her continue her education.
Every time the topic of the troublesome Wen Yaozu came up, the old teachers couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of regret. But with the parents unwilling to support her, there was nothing they could do. The county was far from the village.
Even if they waived Wen Ci’s tuition fees, they couldn’t help with her living expenses.
The dean’s voice softened considerably, “Sister Yaozu, do you have some time? I’d like to talk to you about Wen Yaozu.”
“I do.”
Wen Ci was invited into the school office. Wen Yaozu stood behind her, head bowed, his mind racing on how to apologize.
“Sister Yaozu, can you manage him?”
This was the first time the dean had seen Wen Yaozu so subdued. Even in front of his parents, he had always been arrogant.
But in front of his sister, he was completely cowed.
“I can manage him,” Wen Ci replied.
“Then I hope you can pay more attention to Wen Yaozu. He’s clever, but he doesn’t use his intelligence for the right things. If he put half the effort into his studies, he could easily get into high school!”
The dean spoke earnestly.
Hearing this, Wen Yaozu felt a secret thrill.
As long as he wasn’t being scolded relentlessly, there would still be a chance to explain himself to his sister later. He glanced up at the dean, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
Wen Ci nodded and explained, “I came to the school this time to request a long leave for him. After the summer break, he’ll be starting the third year of middle school. I want him to stay with me for a while to correct his bad habits.”
“That’s great, I support that.”
“But,” Wen Ci drew out the word, looking into the dean’s eyes, she explained helplessly, “If my parents find out, they won’t let him suffer even a little. So, I hope the teachers can help keep this a secret.”
The dean fell into deep thought.
She had met Wen Yaozu’s parents, and the couple had left a very poor impression on her. It could be said that Wen Yaozu had become the unruly child he was today entirely due to his parents’ indulgence.
After a long pause, the dean slapped the table and made up her mind, “I agree. I hope that after the summer break, we’ll see a different Wen Yaozu!”
“Don’t worry.”
·
That day, Wen Yaozu returned to his dormitory to pack his belongings and went through the withdrawal procedures.
Hearing that he didn’t have to go to school, Wen Yaozu was overjoyed. He followed closely behind his sister, and after boarding the bus, he blinked and asked, “Sis, aren’t we going home?”
“No.”
“Then where are we going?”
Wen Ci’s bright eyes fixed on him. Wen Yaozu had gained some weight, but his features were inherited from his mother, fair and delicate.
“Do you think not going to school means you’ll be happy?”
Wen Yaozu tilted his head, “Isn’t it?”
A faint smile played on Wen Ci’s lips.
Although Wen Yaozu acted like a tyrant at school, at heart, he was still a teenager, naive and inexperienced due to his parents’ doting.
He didn’t understand the harsh realities of the world.
“From today on, you’re coming to live with me in Beijing.”
“Really?” Wen Yaozu met Wen Ci’s gaze, his eyes sparkling with excitement, “Sis, aren’t you going to the northwest anymore?”
“Not for now.”
“Then where will we live?”
“Guess.”
By the time they arrived in Beijing by bus, it was already dark. Wen Yaozu was completely drained, whining pitifully,
“Sis, I’m hungry…”
Wen Ci thought for a moment, “Then let’s go to the state-run restaurant?”
This meal might be Wen Yaozu’s last hearty one for a while. Not only did she need to improve his grades, but she also had to help him lose some weight.
A teenage boy who’s too overweight might have trouble finding a wife.
“Really?!”
The mention of the ‘state-run restaurant’ was like a cure, instantly reviving him. He beamed, “I knew my sister wouldn’t let me down.”
By then, the state-run restaurant had already closed for the day.
Wen Ci paid to have the chef prepare a few meat dishes specially. Sitting in a private room on the second floor, Wen Yaozu swallowed hard, “Sis, now that you’re married, you’ve become so rich!”
Although he was spoiled at home,
this was his first time eating at a state-run restaurant.
As the dishes were served, Wen Ci said calmly, “Yaozu, this is your last meal. Starting tomorrow, you’ll wake up when the military bugle sounds.”
“Military?” Wen Yaozu frowned, not quite understanding, and asked curiously, “Are we staying in the military barracks tonight? Can we even get in?”
“Your brother-in-law is a soldier.”
“But isn’t he stationed in the northwest?”
He had never seen his brother-in-law, but he had heard from his parents that after his sister got married, she would be moving to the northwest with the army, and they would rarely see each other again.
“But your brother-in-law’s grandfather lives in Beijing.”
“Oh.”
As the aroma of the dishes filled the air, Wen Yaozu swallowed his saliva, deciding not to overthink it and just enjoy a good meal for now.
Wen Ci was also feeling hungry.
·
At nine o’clock in the evening, Wen Ci and Wen Yaozu walked along the path in the residential compound, listening to the evening drills from the nearby military barracks. Wen Ci couldn’t help but smile.
The Beijing military district had electricity, so they had evening drills.
“You’ll have to train not only in the morning but also in the evening.”
“Got it.”
After eating and drinking his fill, Wen Yaozu just wanted to sleep. Carrying a backpack filled with heavy clothes, he looked at Wen Ci pleadingly, “Sis…”
“What is it?”
“Can you help me carry the backpack? I’ve been carrying it the whole way.”
“No,” Wen Ci refused without hesitation, “You do your own work. If you can’t handle this little hardship, I’ll send you home tomorrow.”
“I can do it!”
Wen Yaozu immediately straightened up, as if the heavy backpack no longer existed, and blinked, “Sis, don’t send me away. I can handle it.”
There was a hint of a whine in his voice.
“We’ll see how you perform.”
Wen Ci, exhausted from the long bus ride, tidied up the guest room downstairs for Wen Yaozu and reminded him, “You’d better go to bed early.”
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