While Tingting was still half asleep in the morning, she felt someone crawl into her bed. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the three rascals had all come over, covered her with the blankets, and then fell asleep again.

When Jianjun woke up, he had just finished sweeping the yard and was dressed. Tingting had prepared the food, including soy milk and steamed buns, and then she started serving them.

“When did my wife and the others arrive? The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was our son in bed.”

“I came over early this morning, just as dawn was breaking. I’ll tidy up the potty in the children’s room in a bit. Our Zhuzi takes such good care of his two younger brothers.”

Zhu Zi smiled shyly when he heard his mother praising him like that, which made Tingting happy.

"I'm going to work in a bit. These three kids need to start studying today. When they get a little older, it will be around the time for them to take the college entrance exam. I can't let their studies fall behind."

"Okay, I understand. You can teach me English, I can't do it."

"Okay, learning is something that's built up little by little, and good habits need to be cultivated. The elementary school textbooks have all that information; let them study hard and not just play."

"Alright, honey, all four of us know, so don't worry. The class time will be one hour per session, and then we can rest a bit."

"I'm leaving now, Dad's going to work. Study hard and don't upset your mother at home, understand? Or you'll get a spanking."

"We understand, Dad. We won't upset Mom," Zhu Zi nodded earnestly.

There were quite a few people from the town going to the countryside this time, but only four people were assigned to the villages: two boys and two girls. They didn't even know that they had already been targeted before they even arrived.

With more people, the work gets done faster. They built front and back yards. The female educated youth's yard was in the back, surrounded by a wall, which made it relatively safe and prevented outsiders from getting in.

The male educated youth's houses were in the front yard, partly out of concern for safety, and to protect the female educated youth, since anything could happen in the future.

"Honey, we're having barbecue today. I'm really craving it. I've become lazier and lazier since I got pregnant."

"Okay, let's eat this today, whatever you say. When the autumn harvest comes, our Zhuzi will be older, so he can do some work with the village kids and find some friends to play with."

"Dad, I have to stay home and look after my little brother. I'm not going; it's too sunny."

“You’re small, but you talk a lot. You have to go. The kids in the front yard who are this age are already going up the mountain to pick wild vegetables. Your younger brothers have to go next fall too. They’re all grown up now. They need to get some experience, you hear me?”

“Zhu Zi, your dad is right. Go find some friends to play with. But I have to tell you, don’t tell anyone else that we bought books for you to study. Don’t tell anyone.”

"Mother, I understand. If I tell you, I won't be able to see Father, Mother, and my brothers again."

"Then tell me what I can't say, and what about you two, Tiedan and Shitou? What have I told you all along?"

“Mom, I told you not to tell anyone or show off what we eat at home. Even if Grandma and Grandpa ask, it’s just vegetable dumplings, sweet potatoes, and potatoes,” Zhu Zi said.

"Don't talk about our family's studies, not even Grandma. If anyone asks, just say we play in the mud all day and don't do anything else. Also, don't go into the water, and don't go down to play by the river. Am I right, Mom?"

Tie Dan and Shi Tou looked like they wanted praise.

"That's right. You're not allowed to go too far away to play. You have to come home on time and don't run around like crazy."

"Yes, yes, they said in unison."

"Zhu Zi, if you're playing with the village kids, keep an eye on your younger brothers. They're small and a bit slow, so keep an eye on them."

"I understand, I will definitely do what Mother said."