CHAPTER 372: 372. IDEAL PAINTING

"Why are you crying when you didn’t do terribly?" Chenchen frowned, not expecting a heroine like Xinzhi to actually burst into tears of joy.

Reflecting on the promises made in the heat of the moment, he regretted his words for the thousandth time.

Backtrack?

Haha, save face.

Besides, being mocked by Xinzhi was already bad enough; he didn’t want to be lectured and ridiculed by his parents, older brother, uncle and aunt, uncle and aunt, as well as a whole bunch of cousins.

It’s rare to have sibling love, but the cost was too high.

Upon returning home, Chenchen’s mood wasn’t exactly sunny.

He half-expected the sly Xinzhi to replicate his predicament onto their parents, older brother, Grandpa Yang, and others.

But as soon as Chenchen parked the car, she eagerly threw herself into the arms of their mom, Shuzhen, excitedly saying, "Mom, Dad, Grandpa Yang, Uncle Feng, big brother, Xinyue, Lian Xi, Xinqing, and little brother, I got accepted! Last year, Qing University’s score was six hundred and ten; I scored six hundred and five. Our teacher said even if this year’s score rises a bit, I’m definitely in!

Chenchen scored one point five higher than me, mom and dad, are you happy to have two kids going to Qing University? Are you excited?"

"Happy, happy, how could we not be?" Shuzhen hugged her eldest daughter, so delighted she was wiping away tears.

In her previous fragile life, her eldest daughter had left early. Now she was healthy, smart, and lively.

She got into one of the nation’s top universities, and her life was destined to be increasingly successful and brilliant.

Shuzhen was truly, totally and utterly thrilled.

"Wife, don’t cry, it’s a good thing our kids are so successful. We should be happy and bubbly as we plan how to celebrate grandly for the two kids."

"Yes, grandly! Let those gossipy folks who said my second son wasn’t doing anything good see. My son is amazing, he’s capable, and even when multitasking, he’s more composed than those fools who cram their brains to death!" Shuzhen nodded, defiantly.

What mom doesn’t fiercely protect their children?

Envy and jealousy, those who have a chip on their shoulder and make things up about her and Lianshan, Shuzhen could laugh off without taking it to heart, confidently thinking it’s just because of an old saying: ’Not being envied is mediocre.’

But talking behind her son’s back, a mother wouldn’t stand for it!

Before the college entrance exams, nobody knew what the real situation was.

She managed to hold back, but now the scores are out, why should she keep quiet?

She wished the acceptance letters would come immediately, so she and her husband could throw a big feast and let those who talk nonsense feel what a slap in the face is like.

"Not just that, mom. Our family’s good news this summer is more than just these two things. There’s also my things opening up, followed by big brother’s personal art exhibition, and the creation of his art school. Wow, one, two, three, four, five, it’s not just double good news, it’s like five blessings coming together!" In preparation for this triumphant moment, he had been preparing for a year.

Finally, the achievements were complete; he had to thoroughly savor the moment by suddenly and figuratively giving a few firm slaps, not only swelling those boring folks’ faces but also making their hearts tremble.

When nearly equal in strength, one feels the mood to be envious and jealous.

But when the difference is as vast as between the clouds and mud, only submission and admiration remain.

Chenchen grinned; the three of them working hard enough to be admired wasn’t enough. They needed to motivate the four below to ensure all seven children were filial, successful, and made their parents’ lives easier.

By then, anyone talking about mom and dad would have to raise a thumb in admiration: such life winners, aren’t they? They’ve achieved career success, developed many excellent varieties of crops, and made significant contributions to the country and the people.

The main thing is how high their achievements are in educating their children!

Seven children, all successful and notably filial.

A normal family having one good kid would be a blessing from their ancestors, yet they ended up with seven talented children, grandsons, and granddaughters all radiating intelligence and charm.

Though it sounds too idealistic, almost unreal, Chenchen just felt his parents deserved such a happy life.

And this ideal picture, hadn’t it already been half achieved?

Half excitement, half worry, fearing that after having a pair of soon-to-be Qing University pride as siblings, he, the only underachiever among the family’s academic stars, would also be pressed to work harder. Lian Xi only felt a chill all over, as if being watched by some beast, making his spine shiver.

Yet days later, when big brother, second brother, and big sister all knocked on his door, voluntarily wanting to tutor him.

Not speaking of B University or Qing University, just wanting him to appear on a top-tier list, Lian Xi nearly cried out loud.

Who would want to be overlooked as a partial learner and constantly subjected to suspicious looks from teachers, asking in exasperation, ’Are you really the sibling of Lian En, Lian Chen, and Lian Xinzhi, Lian Xinyue, and Lian Xinqing?’?

Full marks in math, but anything related to humanities is either a red lantern or hovering around the red lanterns, and it indeed frustrated him!

He spent most of his memorization time on them.

Even during math classes, he often read language books, yet math remained perfect while language scores continued to disappoint.

What could he do, it truly puzzled him!

The three siblings were amused by his pitiful look, and Xinzhi boldly patted his shoulder, "You learn because you lack; rest assured, with us three brothers here. Even if you aren’t a total underachiever, we’ll churn you, fortify you, guarantee the mud will stick to the wall and rotted wood will carve out flowers!"

But...

Mom and dad said, as long as he’s happy, as long as he tried and worked hard, not learning isn’t a big deal!

Everyone is born with talent; not being good at humanities doesn’t mean lacking in sciences.

If he’s good at neither, there’s always business, farming.

Worst case, he could use his gift for mental arithmetic and math to be an accountant!

With so many paths, Lian Xi had already given up persistently battling study.

His parents didn’t strictly demand him, just to do his best.

Why then, did the elder siblings insist on wrestling with his studies?

Lian Xi wanted to say: ’Big brother, second brother, big sister, actually even the corner has its charm. I feel pretty good here, could you let me be? Don’t strain yourselves dragging me up the wall!’

However, considering second brother and big sister’s temper and his own small stature, Lian Xi ultimately did not dare speak up, and begrudgingly picked up his language textbook.