Honey, it's just the two of us now, so you can relax a bit this time, right?
"Get lost, I need to rest for a while. I still have to go over there, otherwise I won't feel at ease."
"Then you should worry about me first."
"..."
Two hours later, Zhang Hongmei firmly insisted, and only then was he allowed to get out of bed.
After tidying himself up in the room, he went out to call Hu Aifen.
"Auntie, we'll be there by noon on the first day of the lunar new year. Could you please help me light a fire in my house? I'm worried that the elderly and children might get sick or catch a cold."
“Okay, I’ll have your uncle start the fire, and I’ll do the cleaning.”
After chatting with the old lady for a while, the three of them went to Zhou Shixiong's house.
Before they even came out of the study, Li Chang'en had already taken them in to make hot water and tea.
Zhang Hongmei was teaching Liu Qiang to recite the *Di Zi Gui* (Standards for Being a Good Student and Child) in the living room. The little guy was smart and memorized it quickly. Moreover, he could understand it after Zhang Hongmei explained the meaning to him only once.
"Liu Qiang, you must work hard. Your dad still wants you to go to university."
"Auntie, is university good?"
"Okay, after school starts, Auntie will take you to visit the Capital University."
It wasn't until dinner time that the six men were called out of the study. They all looked like they hadn't had enough.
"Mom, what Grandpa said is so true."
"Of course, your ancestor was a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations back then." After the family finished their meal, it was New Year's Eve, and they were going to stay up together to welcome the new year.
The living room had already been tidied up, with an empty space in the middle where the children ran and jumped around.
"Hongmei, I feel good with you all by my side."
"Uncle, we'll celebrate the New Year with you again next year."
"Okay, everyone come and keep me company."
How could six boys sit still? That would be like doing somersaults or acrobatics, but Zhou Shixiong liked it that way.
They even had Li Chang'en play a piano piece. There were also firecrackers, of course, but Zhang Hongmei wouldn't allow Liu Qiang to do it, and she repeatedly warned the other five to be careful.
Zhou Shixiong sighed, "Those four are lucky to have a mother like you."
"Hmph, they'll all find me annoying."
"No, they are all grateful children, they can't be wrong."
"Uncle, shall I take you outside to see the fireworks?"
"No, why don't you take the children to the city gate tower to watch? Isn't there a fireworks display planned for today?"
Zhang Hongmei shook her head, "It's the same as watching it at home, and I can keep you company." She helped Zhou Shixiong put on his coat, hat, and scarf, and covered his legs with a small blanket. The couple then pushed each other out of the living room.
Outside, Gu Chuanming and Zhang Xingguo looked after the children and directed the guards to set off fireworks.
Zhou Shixiong sighed, "This year I finally have the joy of celebrating the New Year. This is how the New Year should be celebrated. I never thought I'd actually get to experience it."
Half an hour later, the three of them came back into the living room.
"Uncle, why don't you go and rest?"
"No need, Shouyi. Let's play chess, I'm waiting to eat dumplings."
Lu Jing helped set up the chessboard, and Zhang Hongmei sat down next to Zhou Shixiong.
The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the skill. Zhou Shixiong's chess skills are truly remarkable; the two are evenly matched.
The game lasted an hour, and Zhang Shouyi lost by one move.
"Shouyi, you're still the same."
"It's the Lunar New Year, so let's just have some fun. Why take it so seriously?"
"Yes, why bother? You two are both here, and Zhenye will definitely inherit the business in the future. Don't speak, let me finish."
As for Zhenye's upbringing, he will have to be separated from them after he turns ten.
"Boss, I'd like them to learn together."
"Shouyi, you're confused. Don't test people's nature. Let the four of them be brothers for life."
If you're reluctant to let them go, then you could train all four of them in specific areas and see what their strengths are.
"Okay, I understand. I will observe and consider it carefully."
"Uncle, I thought you liked the third brother so much that you wanted him to come?"
"No, the third brother is too impulsive; he can't stay calm."
"But should we decide their future now?"
"You can tell what a person will be like at three years old, that's very true. Also, Hongmei, did you have any goals when you were a child?"
Zhang Hongmei shook her head.
"That's how it is. Back then, you knew what your goal was, but your elders had already planned the route for you without you even realizing it. Don't you think that's how it is?"
Zhang Hongmei recalled her past life, where she didn't have a clear goal of attending a prestigious university until junior high school, but at that time she didn't think about what to study.
When I was little, my mother always nagged me to study hard and make something of myself.
Thinking about it more deeply, it really is true. It was all because my mother drew a path for me, and I had to walk it myself.
"Uncle, I've figured it out."
"Good, it would be best if you could figure it out. Shouyi, you should hurry up and determine the future for the other three children; the sooner the better."
"Okay. I understand, I'll be careful."
"In fact, Yaozu will definitely inherit the Gu family business in the future, and he will be involved in the military."
Actually, the second son is also suitable for this role. It would be good if both of them had military power. They are brothers, and even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. They would definitely be Zhenye's right and left arms.
As for Weiyu, it depends on his own interests. I think he's very quick-witted; he might even have a talent for economics. Shouyi, keep an eye on him.
Zhang Shouyi felt extremely conflicted. Zhou Shixiong's thoughts were exactly the same as his own. Experience truly does reveal its wisdom.
The children were called in; their faces were red from the cold, but their bright eyes showed their excitement.
"Mom, the fireworks are so beautiful."
"Weiyu, fireworks are beautiful, but how long do they last? Think about it, flowers are beautiful too. But because they have roots, even a night-blooming cereus lasts longer than fireworks. Don't you agree?"
So, children, don't be blinded by momentary brilliance, and don't just be someone who amazes people for a short time. Stand there for a long, long time, leaving everyone in awe and admiration.
The four children lowered their heads, pondering what their mother had just said. They analyzed the meaning behind her words.
They really did look up at the same time. "Mom, we understand."
"You may only understand the basics now, but you should keep it in mind and think about it slowly in the future."
Zhou Shixiong was inwardly shocked. He had assumed the four were trained by Zhang Shouyi, but judging from their demeanor today, they were clearly from the Red Plum Cult. He never expected a young girl to have such insight.
At midnight, the New Year's bells rang. The children had already gone outside to set off firecrackers, and the cooks in the kitchen began to boil dumplings. The children didn't usually eat at night, but today was the first day of the Lunar New Year, so they had to eat.
After the family left, there were still sporadic firecracker sounds outside.
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