"Why?"
Little Jiang Jiu declared, "Because I've already sworn brotherhood with Big Brother and Second Brother. Dad says this is called the 'Oath of the Peach Garden'."
Aunt Jiang: "..."
Big Brother and Second Brother already? And this is their first meeting.
He hasn't even met the other one yet.
How can anyone be so casual about this?
Aunt Jiang massaged her temples.
Si Nian pulled her silly son over. "By the way, this is my son, Zhou Zehan. Xiao Han, say hello to Grandma Jiang."
Zhou Zehan looked at his new sworn brother with moved, starry eyes. He couldn't believe he was so charming, making a new friend right after arriving, and one who even wanted to be his little brother.
It seemed he really had a natural talent for being a boss, aside from his age.
He puffed out his little chest. Since Jiang Jiu was his brother, then Jiang Jiu's grandma was his grandma too. He called out, "Hello, Grandma Jiang!"
Zhou Zehan looked about the same age as her own grandson, and Grandma Jiang loved children at this age. She smiled warmly, "Xiao Han, you're such a cute-looking boy."
Little Jiang Jiu immediately chimed in, "Second Brother's mom is also really pretty, like a fairy."
Zhou Zehan's eyes lit up.
Mom was pretty, and he was cute. He immediately drew a conclusion. "Right, I take after my mom."
Si Nian: "..."
Zhou Zedong, seeing no one had come inside for a long time, walked out the door.
Just in time to hear his younger brother's confident declaration.
He paused mid-step, his lips twitching.
No matter how you rounded it up or down, there was no way he could look like Mom, could he?
His brother really was a big dummy!
...
He walked over and glanced at the woman and child standing opposite.
He was momentarily taken aback.
It was the neighbor from next door that his brother had pointed out to him earlier.
Seeing him arrive, Si Nian patted his head. "This is my eldest son, Zhou Zedong. Xiao Dong, this is Aunt Jiang and her grandson, Jiang Jiu."
Zhou Zedong and Zhou Zehan were like two completely different styles. He wasn't much taller than Zhou Zehan, but he gave off a mature vibe.
He gave a slight, indifferent nod, not saying much.
Zhou Zedong seemed to have never had any desire to make friends.
During all those years in Xingfu Village, no one had ever gotten close to him.
It wasn't just because of his personality; his eyes were too cold and aloof, keeping other kids his age at a distance.
Little Jiang Jiu's eyes instantly sparkled with admiration. What a manly, cool Big Brother!
He scampered over and called out crisply, "Big Brother! I'm your Third Brother."
Zhou Zedong: "..."
Had his brother been randomly claiming relatives for him again?
Aunt Jiang observed this child, slightly surprised.
His calm demeanor was truly worlds apart from the other child she'd just met.
Were they really brothers?
Aunt Jiang turned to Si Nian. "Comrade Si, since you've just moved here, are you planning to find a school for the children in this area?"
Si Nian nodded. "Yes, that's right. It's already been arranged."
Hearing this, Aunt Jiang felt a pang of regret. "I was just about to say I could introduce you to one. It just so happens my grandson is in second grade too. The children could keep each other company. Which school did you choose? If it's not too far, I might see about transferring my grandson there as well."
Si Nian said, "At City Center Foreign Language Elementary School."
Aunt Jiang was momentarily stunned. Everyone in the city knew about this school.
After all, it was the only foreign language school in their city, and it had a long history. But correspondingly, the tuition was also quite high.
It seemed this young couple's family circumstances were rather extraordinary too.
She smiled. "Well, that's not far. I'll make a call and have my grandson transferred there as well. Then they can have company."
Si Nian raised an eyebrow.
Make a call?
This was the most difficult school to get into in the city center.
Indeed, the Jiang family was not ordinary either.
After chatting for a while longer, Aunt Jiang took her grandson and left.
Although Little Jiang Jiu really didn't want to go and wished he could stay for dinner, one doesn't just show up for a meal on the very first day of meeting someone.
...
Si Nian went inside. The crabs were steamed and ready.
She washed and minced some garlic and began stir-frying garlic butter for the crayfish.
Once it was fragrant, she poured in the pre-fried crayfish and stirred to coat them evenly with the flavor.
Soon, a large plate of garlic butter crayfish was done.
Si Nian then sliced the fish, added white tofu, and let it simmer.
Before long, the fish meat turned white, and the soup bubbled vigorously.
Zhou Yueshen arrived home carrying bags large and small, just as Si Nian finished preparing dinner.
"Dad, you bought so many things."
"Dad, is this for me?"
Little Second Brother excitedly pulled a goose-yellow dress from one of the bags.
Zhou Yueshen: "..."
Hearing he was back, and then Little Second Brother's exclamation, Si Nian walked over with a smile. "Did you go shopping for clothes?"
The next second, she saw the dress in Little Second Brother's hands.
Si Nian: "..."
Zhou Yueshen poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and gave a slight nod. "I did."
Si Nian blinked hard.
Had she conveyed the wrong idea?
Why had Zhou Yueshen bought so many clothes... for her?
Little Second Brother struggled to carry several bags over. "Mom, Mom, look, look! Dad bought all these new clothes for you!"
Si Nian looked down. Besides clothes, the bags also contained shoes and other items.
She massaged her temples and quickly looked up at Zhou Yueshen. "Why did you suddenly buy me so many clothes?"
Zhou Yueshen glanced at the clothes Si Nian was wearing and said, "Your clothes are getting old. You should have some new ones. The shopkeeper said these are all the latest styles."
Si Nian looked down at her own clothes. Honestly, she had bought this outfit just a month ago. How was it old?
Then she looked at what the man was wearing. His inner shirt looked like an antique from who-knows-what year.
Si Nian shook her head helplessly. "Well, didn't you buy anything for yourself?"
Zhou Yueshen took another sip of tea. "I don't need to buy anything."
"My clothes are still fine. I don't need to change them often."
Perhaps worried Si Nian might misunderstand that he didn't like the clothes she had bought him before, he added, "I haven't even worn much of what you bought me before."
Remembering Yu Dong's comment about him dressing tackily, Zhou Yueshen looked down at his own attire.
He explained, "I just find these clothes convenient for work. I don't usually prefer to dress like this."
Si Nian shook her head with a slight headache.
Oh well.
Maybe men were different from women, having no particular demands when it came to clothing.
Besides, Zhou Yueshen was busy at the factory all day. It really wasn't suitable for him to dress too nicely for work.
It would easily get dirty, and it wouldn't be convenient for manual labor either.
"Alright then. We can buy some for you when the weather's better. Let's eat first."
"Oh, by the way, didn't Yu Dong come back with you for dinner?"
Considering Yu Dong had helped them move so many things today, Si Nian thought he would probably come over for a meal.
She had made plenty.
Zhou Yueshen set down his cup. "He had other things to attend to, so he didn't come."
Meanwhile, Yu Dong, who had originally wanted to drop by for a meal but was instead sent off to work at the factory, sneezed twice fiercely.
He rubbed his nose. Which beauty was thinking of him this time?
Si Nian didn't dwell on it.
The family sat down at the table.
Today's dinner was a seafood feast, incredibly sumptuous.
It was the first time eating these things, and even before Little Second sat down at the table, his mouth had already started watering.
Si Nian gave each of them a crab. He took his, frowning as he looked it over left and right, unsure how to start.
"Mom, Mom, why is this crab still tied up? It's already dead."
"Can you even eat this rope?"
He asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
Si Nian immediately laughed. "Of course not."
"Then how are we supposed to eat it?"
Si Nian pulled out a small hammer.
She thought of something and looked at Zhou Yueshen. "By the way, Xiao Han said he wants to raise fish. I saw there's an unused pond in our yard. How about we clean it out for Xiao Han to keep fish?"
Zhou Yueshen reached out and took the small hammer from her hand. He methodically cracked open the crab claws for the children and handed them over before saying, "Alright, I'll clean it up tomorrow."
Si Nian continued, "Xiao Dong also doesn't have a proper desk for homework. They've been doing it at the living room table all the time. It's not good for their necks and they might become nearsighted if it goes on long-term. There's a study on the third floor; we could have a desk made for the two of them to use for their homework."
Zhou Yueshen nodded in agreement. "Good idea."
Si Nian: "There's also a children's room on the second floor. Yao Yao is getting older too; she can't always sleep with us and her brothers. We should get her a small bed while we're at it."
Zhou Yueshen listened carefully, realizing that on just their first day after moving in, Si Nian had already thought of everything.
He, as the father, really wasn't doing his part, letting her worry about everything.
He glanced apologetically at the three happily eating children, then looked back at Si Nian and said, "Alright."
The family happily enjoyed their dinner. Meanwhile, back at the Si household, Liu Dongdong, who had just returned, noticed there were guests.
"Dongdong's back, hurry up and start cooking! Make it a bit more lavish today, we have guests," Si's Father said with a jovial laugh.
Liu Dongdong immediately lowered her head meekly in acknowledgment and went into the kitchen.
The couple sitting next to him asked curiously, "Big Brother, who's that?"
Si's Father said, "That's our family's nanny. Si Si introduced her before. She cooks quite well, so we kept her. Speaking of which, Second Brother, what brings you here today?"
Hearing this, the man asked, "Big Brother, I heard your Si Nian is going to become a teacher at the city's Foreign Language Primary School, is that true?"
Si's Father looked at him puzzled. "How did you know about this?"
"Mom told me. She said your mother told you. Big Brother, you're not being fair, keeping such good news from us?"
Si's Father frowned. He had only mentioned it casually to his mother.
He'd even told her not to spread it around.
How could she turn around and tell Second Brother's family?
He wasn't even a real second brother, why would he tell him?
Still, it wouldn't do to be rude. He smiled and said, "I only just heard about it myself not long ago, I'm not even sure if it's true yet."
The other man lit a cigarette for him and said ingratiatingly, "If it's your Si Nian, it's probably almost certain. She was always smart as a child."
Hearing this, Si's Father was quite pleased.
He lifted his chin slightly. "Yes, Si Nian has always been a good student since she was little."
"Even though she's not your biological daughter, you raised her for eighteen years. It's practically the same as your own, right?"
Si's Father looked at him. "That's about right. But why are you suddenly asking about her today?"
The other man smiled obsequiously. "Big Brother, it's just that we were thinking... our child also wants to get into that school. We were hoping you could help by talking to Si Nian, maybe get us a spot?"
"We haven't seen Si Nian in a long time; she probably wouldn't give us the time of day. But you're her adoptive father, she's always respected you since she was little. If you spoke up, surely she'd agree to such a small request?"
This school wasn't just expensive; there were also many people trying to get in.
The spots they released each year were impossible to get.
But if you had an inside connection, it was definitely doable.
Si's Father was Si Nian's adoptive father. Even if not by blood, if he spoke, it should be no problem.
So he flattered him endlessly.
Si's Father snorted. "If I speak, it definitely won't be a problem. But Second Brother, I'm very busy with work these days, where would I find the time to handle this sort of thing for you?"
He gave the two a sidelong glance.
The other man immediately caught on, pulling something from his pocket and pressing it into his hand. "Of course, Big Brother, we couldn't possibly ask you to help for free. This little thing is for you, a token of our respect. If this matter is settled, we'll definitely come personally to thank you."
Si's Father felt the object in his hand. It was a fine piece of jade.
He had always loved such things. He immediately smiled. "Alright, don't worry. When she comes, I'll get it done for you."
...
Liu Dongdong finished preparing the meal. Watching the family chatting and laughing, she announced she was leaving and went out with a lunchbox.
The guests glanced at her a few more times and asked, "Big Brother, who is your nanny delivering food to?"
Si's Father: "Of course it's for my son-in-law's place. Since Si Si had that incident, I thought no one was taking care of him, so I have Dongdong usually make a bit extra and send it over. Consider it a gesture of goodwill from us."
Hearing this, the other man's eyes flickered. He lowered his voice and said, "Big Brother, no offense, but that girl is quite pretty. Delivering food to a man every day, aren't you worried..."
Si's Father was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Nonsense! She's Si Si's good friend."
Hearing this, the couple exchanged a look.
Even so, the man in question was Fu Yang.
They say there wasn't a single girl in the entire military compound who didn't like him.
This girl wasn't bad-looking and seemed very meek and submissive.
Men liked that type.
But never mind, it had nothing to do with them anyway.
As long as the Si family helped them get a school spot.
What happened in the Si household was none of their business.
Si's Father was in a very good mood today.
Ever since Lin Sisi's incident, people had been subtly keeping their distance.
It had been a long time since anyone came to visit him.
And on top of that, they came asking for a favor, bringing gifts and acting so humble. It made him feel like he was back in his glorious days.
He didn't give any other issues a second thought.
...
Liu Dongdong took the food to the Fu residence, only to be told that Fu Yang hadn't returned yet.
This situation had actually happened many times before, but today she felt unusually restless and anxious.
She didn't know why.
Maybe it was because Si Nian's return gave her a sense of crisis.
She took a deep breath, gave the Fu family's luxurious house a long look, clenched her fists, and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, on the other side, an army-green SUV drove into Old East Street.
The driver, a guard, looked at the man resting in the back seat and said, "Regiment Commander, this seems to be where the former Division Commander lives. Should we pay a visit?"
Fu Yang slowly opened his eyes.
