CHAPTER 284: 284. AS WISHED, RECEIVED THE AWARD

After having a cheerful meal at the restaurant, Lian En was still waiting for when his two cousins would come asking for his help with things.

But in just a few days, he unexpectedly got news about his second uncle inviting them over for dinner.

"You mean second uncle has already agreed to let you go to the frontier?" Lian En widened his eyes, where was all the supposed objections and complications!

Jiandang, instantly realizing the subtext, scratched his head awkwardly: "Hehe, I didn’t expect it to be so smooth. However, we have to wait until we graduate from high school. Grandpa Wu said that even in the military, they now value knowledge and modernization, and having a higher starting point means greater achievements in the future. If possible, he even suggested we apply to a professional university.

But I’m already in senior year, and my grades have always been so-so. No matter how hard I try in the sprint, it’s probably not hopeful for me to get into a professional university. Your brother Jianguo, on the other hand, is just in sophomore year and has three years to prepare. If he studies hard, there’s still some hope.

But having this outcome, we’re already very satisfied. We really have to thank you, Lian En, for your reminder. Otherwise, your brother and I would have gotten everything backwards, almost ruining a good thing."

"Yeah, without your reminder, we wouldn’t have had it so easy. Think of something you want, you’re the great contributor, and we’ll reward you!" Jianguo laughed as he put his arm around Lian En’s shoulder, indicating he could empty his savings for sincerity.

"No, no, no, didn’t you say? We’re family, no need for such pretentiousness!" Lian En’s handsome face flushed a bit as he hurriedly pushed away. It was just a casual remark, how could it be credited as a major contribution!

While the brothers were chatting excitedly, the phone started ringing.

As soon as Lian En picked it up, Feng Ju’s excited voice came through from the other end: "Oh, my good apprentice, you’ve really made it big, you know! Remember that sunrise painting you did when we went to Mountain Tai? I sent it to the National Youth Painting and Calligraphy Competition. It won first prize and got a three thousand yuan prize.

And it caught the eye of a quite famous overseas Chinese collector with high standards, who bought it for fifty thousand on the spot!

And that’s considering you’re just starting out, skilled but not yet famous.

Otherwise, whatever multiple of ten or a hundred would be yours to name, right?

So, my good apprentice, such an elegant, interesting, and promising career path, don’t you want to set aside university plans and focus on learning to paint with your mentor?"

Towards the end, Feng Ju’s voice was full of temptation.

There was no other way, despite being a renowned painter, he didn’t want to constantly talk about money and prospects.

But his only apprentice, with great talent yet unwilling to focus on painting, insisted on enrolling in university to make his parents proud.

The mentor’s earnest persuasion failed, leaving him to use awards, prize money, and a decent price to show that becoming a painter is indeed a reputable career with fame and fortune!

Before Lian En could digest what he heard, the anxious Jiandang and Jianguo were already rushing out with a shout.

Even before Feng Ju could finish rambling on the phone, the excited Lianshan, Shuzhen, and the five little ones rushed over.

"Well done, my son, you’ve made us so proud! Look at this, after just two years of learning to paint, you’ve achieved such great success. Wow, no doubt you’re my son, Lianshan’s boy, must have inherited the talent and understanding from me and your mom!" After the praise, Lianshan self-flatteringly added.

Alright then, Jianguo and Jianjun exchanged a glance: Finally found the reason why Chenchen, Xinzhi, and the five little ones are so conceited, definitely inherited from their uncle!

Listen to their praises, "Big brother is so amazing, no surprise given he’s our Chenchen/Xinzhi/Xinyue/Lian Xi/Xinqing’s big brother!"

Different wording, same message, just like their uncle’s rhetoric, don’t you think?

Surrounded by his parents and siblings, seeing their full pride and sense of honor as if he accomplished some earth-shattering feat.

Lian En couldn’t help but smile knowingly, more convinced that becoming an internationally renowned artist as his mentor suggested is not a bad path.

Hanging up the phone, Feng Ju rushed over, planning to seize the moment to persuade his stubborn apprentice once more.

There are many ways to succeed, each path leading to Rome.

We all have our own unique ways of crossing the river, there’s really no need to waste time squeezing with the masses on the narrow bridge...

With a pile of persuasion ready, even before he got the chance to speak, the stubborn apprentice already changed his mind from aspiring to a prestigious university and a political or business career to make his parents proud?

He now plans to become an art-specialized student in the upcoming junior year and apply for the Central Academy of Fine Arts in the future!

Oh dear, this happiness came too suddenly, Feng Ju felt he needed a breather.

Although it wasn’t because of his persuasion, this pie fell into his lap, who cares why or because of whom!

The truth might hurt if overthought, but Feng Ju never troubled himself over such matters.

To prevent any changes, Feng Ju moved back to the Liu family village, preparing to keep his small disciple from regretting. He took over Old Yang’s room and became neighbors with Lianshan and Shuzhen.

After Lian En submitted his college application, and received the admission notice, Feng Ju then arranged to become a teacher at the art institution.

Just to ensure he could always educate his little disciple, in class and out.

This dedication moved Lianshan and Shuzhen greatly, and they often reminded Lian En.

Emphasizing repeatedly that Feng Ju cares for him no less than parents do, urging him to respect and be good to him.

Lian En, though muttering that even in ancient times it was heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teacher, with the teacher ranked after parents.

In reality, he respected Feng Ju this teacher more than a little bit, caring for his daily needs, gifting snacks and small presents from time to time.

Touched deeply, the once eminent Feng Ju, now rather adrift in later years, practically treats this direct disciple like a son, exchanging sincere affection, the mentor-student relationship advancing leaps and bounds.

Made Lianshan a bit wary, treating Lian En with extra care, fearing his precious son might get swayed away by the troublesome teacher!

Of course, that’s still far in the future, right now Lianshan and Shuzhen are full of gratitude for Feng Ju, who rushed over to see their son, fearing he might become complacent with some success.

Lianshan cooked a full table of Feng Ju’s favorite dishes. He also invited two elder brothers-in-law to accompany them, extremely courteous.

Completely forgetting how, just before Lian En returned, he had harshly scolded Feng Ju for being unreliable and taking away his filial son.