Chapter 85 1/2

Roughly, having experienced the pain of watching Cen Lang write compositions, Jiang Li gets sick every time he writes. He plans to be a clever child who loves to eat fish.

Cen Lang feels that every fish tail is a mockery thrown in his face.

Jiang Wanlan tears off a tender piece of fish, stuffs it into Jiang Li’s mouth, saying, “Baby, you’re only two years old, already very smart.”

Jiang Li’s oily mouth nods. “Dad, got it.”

But that doesn’t stop him from wanting to be even smarter.

After finishing eating, Jiang Li opens his mouth, wanting more.

Imitating, Cen Lang tears off a bit of fish and feeds it.

Jiang Li nibbles on the fish, making sure there are no bones, then chews and swallows.

Cen Lang feels wounded by Jiang Li’s slightly delayed actions.

Dealing with a seven-year-old is really annoying; he doesn’t even have the trust of a two-year-old.

He wants to grow up quickly, just like Uncle Lu.

“Big brother, you should eat too.” Jiang Li pulls off the fish tail and hands it to Cen Lang. Since Dad always eats here first, Cen Lang thinks that if he wants to be like Dad, he must also love to eat it.

Jiang Wanlan watches his son’s hospitality and angrily steps on Lu Jing’s instep, whispering, “See, I didn’t let you eat fish heads and tails, but the baby learned it. Next time, let me eat fish meat.”

Lu Jing remains silent; he’s used to it.

Hastily, Jiang Wanlan picks out the tenderest meat from the fish belly for Cen Lang, helping his son.

…

Jiang Li starts kindergarten at the age of three, attending the military family kindergarten. His elementary, middle, and high schools are all on the same campus.

Lu Jing worries about him being bullied in kindergarten, returning from interstellar missions to educate his son: “If someone hits you, hit back.”

Jiang Li smiles and says, “Okay, Dad.”

His old father worries all night, afraid that his sweet son will be bullied in kindergarten. He sends holographic videos overnight, teaching combat skills, including but not limited to kicking in sensitive areas.

Jiang Wanlan holds his son’s hands and feet, demonstrating, “Baby, if it doesn’t work, just cry loudly.”

Lu Jing says, “When I come home on my next break, I’ll teach him some strength training.”

Cen Lang also fears that Jiang Li might be bullied in school and protects his brother through lunchtime patrols and random checks during class.

“Jiang Li, your brother is so fierce,” a new friend, Yang Xiaoli, remarks, watching the older brother vigilantly outside the window.

“It’s not that bad,” Jiang Li, eating kindergarten breakfast, waves his hand, “Not fierce at all.”

He takes the small cake the teacher gave him, rushes out, and hands it to Cen Lang. “Brother, this is for you.”

Seeing Jiang Li eat the fastest, while other kids are still counting rice grains slowly, Cen Lang lifts him up, “Let me show you around.”

From kindergarten to the elementary school Jiang Li attends, they have to cross a tree-lined road. Cen Lang is in the third grade, Class 1.

“If something happens, call me. If the phone is broken, stand at the back door, and I’ll see you.” Cen Lang is tall, sitting at the back.

Jiang Li nods.

Cen Lang carries him back.

After lunch, the kids all nap together.

Jiang Li lies on his bed, closes his eyes, peeks open, and finds a child not asleep, fidgeting.

The teacher picks up the restless child, patting his back. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

Saying..

Cen Lang once said that in the future, they could use his hand for experiments with needles.

Jiang Li quietly follows and sees the child standing by the wall. The teacher holds a needle and pricks his finger.

“A child who doesn’t sleep well must be punished.”

The child covers his mouth, afraid to cry out.

“You can’t do that.” Jiang Li pokes his head out from the doorway, suppressing his sleepiness. “Teacher, you can’t use one needle on many kids; it might spread diseases.”

The teacher startles, turns around, sees Jiang Li, puts away the needle, and smiles, “I-I disinfected it. Jiang Li is so good; the teacher won’t punish you.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Li nods, goes over, and takes the child’s hand. “Come back with me and sleep.”

The teacher awkwardly gives up the spot, contemplating whether Jiang Li’s concern is about the cleanliness of the needle or the punishment of the child.

Jiang Li lies down, seemingly unaware, closes his eyes, and falls asleep.

The teacher, named Yu Yangdi, looks at him sleeping carefreely, sighs in relief, glances contemptuously at another child sleeping under the blanket.

Kids who don’t sleep well are really annoying. These kids all have backgrounds, and the kindergarten doesn’t allow teachers to say anything harsh. They have to coddle each other to avoid complaints when they go home.

Yu Yangdi doesn’t like this job, but with his harmless appearance and excellent education, he landed a prestigious job at the military kindergarten.

However, not all children have backgrounds.

The military kindergarten also accepts children whose parents had positions but died in battle or where one parent died in battle, and the other gave up custody to start a new family.

These children have no one to complain to.

Yu Yangdi uses more “effective” methods to manage them.

Jiang Li slips his hand under the blanket, wearing a children’s watch. The first speed dial is Jiang Wanlan, the second is Cen Lang, and the third is Lu Jing. After all, blood is thicker than water.

Jiang Li hangs up after three seconds.

Five minutes later, Cen Lang comes with bodyguards.