Si Nian wanted to laugh.
Actually, hearing Zhou Tingting say that, she really had some thoughts. After all, education in the city was always much better than in the village. Otherwise, everyone wouldn't be scrambling to move to the city.
Rural elementary schools basically didn't teach English, which led to children falling behind when they went to study in town for middle school.
This was also a reason why some children were severely unbalanced in their subjects.
No matter how smart you are, you still need guidance.
The two children were smart. For example, Zhou Yuedong could always maintain excellent grades even in this environment.
But relatively speaking, the effort he put in was many times that of others.
With the right conditions plus a smart mind, that would be an unbeatable combination.
But Si Nian also had to admit that capable people excel in any environment.
After all, the strong never complain about their circumstances.
Of course, she was just thinking about it. After all, the two children were still young. If she rashly sent them to an unfamiliar environment, it might backfire.
Si Nian planned to find a better school for the two children when they entered middle school.
Actually, apart from foreign language elementary schools, ordinary schools only taught some basics in elementary English.
Teaching them herself would be enough for the two children to keep up.
She walked out. The two children were practicing their handwriting at the table.
Neither child had their own desk or chair; they did their homework leaning over the living room table every day.
Zhou Yuedong was fine; even at a young age, he paid attention to posture.
He sat bolt upright even on a small stool.
Second Child, however, would lean, kneel, exhausting every possible posture.
Worried he might become nearsighted at such a young age, Si Nian walked over.
Zhou Tingting was busy in the kitchen, sweating profusely. She hadn't lit a wood fire in a long time and was struggling even to get it started.
Thinking she couldn't possibly do everything alone, she ran out to find Si Nian: "Sister-in-law, could you come light the fire for me?"
However, Si Nian acted as if she didn't hear, instructing the children instead.
"Little Han, go get a stool and sit properly. One should stand with good posture and sit with good posture. The way you're doing it is bad for your eyes and can cause nearsightedness."
"Xiao Dong, you've been practicing for too long. Proper rest is good for both body and mind."
"Look at Yaoyao. She plays when it's time to play and learns when it's time to learn. This drawing isn't bad! To have such talent at such a young age, she'll surely become a great painter in the future."
Yaoyao, who was scribbling on paper with a pencil, blushed at her mother's praise. Her little chest puffed out involuntarily as she held up her drawing for Si Nian to see.
Yaoyao had grown up and would soon be a three-year-old.
She could understand everything she should. Although her speech was halting, it would soon become fluent.
Despite her young age, she knew that her eldest brother was good at studying, her second brother was good at making everyone laugh, and even Shitou was likable. Only she couldn't do anything, not even speak properly.
Now, her drawing was pretty good, and Mama praised her~
Yaoyao was very happy and became even more enthusiastic about drawing.
Yaoyao raised her drawing, her big round eyes looking at Si Nian as she said, "Mama, for mama~~"
Si Nian glanced at it and said, "Yaoyao is amazing!"
Yaoyao immediately smiled, revealing a mouthful of little white teeth.
Zhou Yueshen came downstairs, his gaze gentle as he watched this scene.
Zhou Tingting stood there for a long time, with no one paying her any attention.
Her words seemed to have been treated as air.
Zhou Tingting was so angry she felt faint, wishing she could flip the table.
However, seeing Zhou Yueshen come down and thinking of her goal, she held back. She looked at Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian and said loudly, "Big brother, sister-in-law, Little Yang is your own nephew. This year is almost over. When it's time to send him to the foreign language elementary school, since you have money, you should help out a bit, get him into the school. When Little Yang grows up, he'll be filial to you."
Si Nian didn't expect her to still be so persistent and said bluntly, "Auntie, you won't help send our Xiao Dong and Little Han to school in the city, yet you want us to pay for your son to go to a foreign language school? Where in the world is there such a good deal?"
Zhou Tingting's face darkened. Gnashing her teeth, she said, "If I had the money, wouldn't I send him?"
"Then if you don't have money, why are you putting on airs? If he can't learn in the city, will he learn in another school? Sometimes, being slow isn't the environment's fault, Auntie. Look at our Xiao Dong and Little Han, aren't they studying just fine in the countryside?"
The two little ones at the table, hearing their mother's praise, immediately spoke up.
"Mom, I will study hard. We are good children who love to learn."
"That's right, when I grow up, I'll earn money for Mom to spend, and for Dad too."
Si Nian was very satisfied, feeling a sense of pride. "So good, both such good children. Worthy of being taught by me."
The two children laughed happily. Even Zhou Zedong's usually calm face shone with a rare brilliance as he vied with his brother to speak.
"Mom, when I grow up, I'll be a boss like Dad and hire a nanny for you."
Zhou Zedong said very seriously.
Second Child immediately said, "I want to be a soldier and fight in wars. If anyone dares to bully Mom, I'll shoot them."
Second Child finished by waving his little fist.
Yaoyao couldn't quite keep up with her brothers' train of thought, but seeing them so excited, she also got excited, clenching her little fists and babbling.
Then, seeing everyone look at her, she ran over in her little slippers, tap-tap-tap, and held up her drawing for Si Nian to see.
Looking every bit like she was determined to learn drawing seriously.
Si Nian thought to herself, this girl would have a quiet personality in the future and could study art later.
Whether it was singing or painting, as long as she was interested, Si Nian would let her learn.
Alright, she had thought about the cultivation paths for the three children.
One: Guide the gloomy eldest child onto the bright path, to Tsinghua or Peking University, to become a scientist who thinks for the people.
Two: Cultivate Second Child's athletic talent, so he can take the sports path or become a soldier later, bringing glory to the country.
Three: Teach Yaoyao to learn art and painting, to become an elegant and graceful child.
Thinking of this, Si Nian said with a smile, "In the future, our Yaoyao will definitely be a great painter!"
Second Child, hearing Si Nian praise his sister again today, immediately walked over and said anxiously, "Mom, I want to be a great painter too! I'll draw pictures for Mom and give them to you!"
Si Nian was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness.
"Then you won't be a soldier?"
Second Child hesitated, then said, "I will. I'll hold a gun with one hand and paint with the other. I can manage."
Si Nian giggled.
Zhou Tingting watched as these people started talking among themselves and ignored her again. No one paid her any attention. She felt like she was about to die from anger.
She now felt even more that it was a good thing she had married into the city back then and hadn't listened to her big brother to stay in this countryside.
Otherwise, staying here a couple more days would have killed her from anger!
Zhou Tingting stamped her foot hard, but unfortunately, still no one noticed.
However, she didn't dare offend the two of them now, afraid of being kicked out.
She could only swallow her anger and turn back into the kitchen, banging pots and pans loudly.
Ultimately, with the intention to please, Zhou Tingting, covered in dust and grime, made a big table full of dishes.
And to be fair, her cooking skills were quite good.
At the very least, Zhou Tingting was quite proud, convinced that her elder brother and her nephews and niece had certainly never eaten such a lavish meal.
This was because she had learned to make all these dishes after getting married, specifically to please her husband and mother-in-law.
Her elder brother and his family had surely never even seen such exquisite food before.
She lifted her chin, waiting for the family's astonished expressions.
However, when the children came over and saw that the food wasn't made by Si Nian, their faces immediately fell.
They wanted to eat their mother's cooking.
Their mother's food was incredibly delicious.
