"Don’t worry about this matter, I’ll definitely persuade him to obediently join the military with a big red flower. But one thing is, in the coming time, he might go through some hardships. The transformation is going to be tough, and about our mom—"

"I’ll handle the ideological work. I refuse to believe I can’t deal with this little rascal."

"You don’t need to worry about the academic part either. At Dalong’s age, he can still continue his studies after joining. Even if he doesn’t pass the exam the first year, as long as he performs well, he can retake it. Once he develops the self-awareness, his studies will surely improve—he’s not stupid, just doesn’t focus on school."

Yu Minglang saw it very clearly.

Dalong isn’t dumb nor stupid, he even has a bit of cleverness. But he resists studying; whether taught by Qian or Fugui, he always listens with one ear and out the other. However, once he sets his mind to it, he’ll definitely do better than now.

"The exams there are as difficult as our doctoral exams, with so few spots available. Plus, there are additional training and academic assessments, harder than the college entrance exam... With his skills..."

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The key is what he experiences this year—whether something impacts him, drives him, provokes his growth. Although academic admission considering physical assessments might be tougher, looking on the bright side, the exam scores are lower than those of the college entrance exam. With effort and ambition, there’s hope. Even if he doesn’t pass, the effort itself is a form of growth."

As for Dalong’s future career choices, neither Qian nor Yu Minglang are worried. Even if he doesn’t get into military school, spending two years in such a positive environment with uplifing guidance will ensure he won’t turn out bad. Whatever he does in the future won’t be worse than now.

"In enlistment, is there an option for locations?" Qian isn’t very familiar with these things.

"The kid’s lucky. I checked, and the area where his household is registered happens to suit him." Not seeking the best, but seeking the hardest.

Because only through hardships, one gets stronger.

"You won’t pull strings for this matter, right? Don’t do that." Qian doesn’t want him to break his principles.

"No need to pull strings. Generally, those in the know avoid sending their kids there. It’s too tough. Participation alone is enough."

"Let him endure; it’ll grind away all his indulgent thoughts."

The principle is not to let the kid have a single comfortable day in the first three months.

Dalong has been living too comfortably.

Even from a divorced family, Qian’s mom and Qian gave him plenty of care, and Qian focused on guiding and disciplining his inner self. With Qian’s mom remarrying, there aren’t many conflicts. Dalong didn’t rebel like other kids from divorced families. Yet living too comfortably can make one lose ambition.

Now Xiaoqiang and Qian plan to shatter this comfort, pushing Dalong into a situation without retreat, forcing him to climb up himself. In such a place, there’s no regret, no retreat.

Upon hearing Xiaoqiang’s words, the blockage in Qian’s heart instantly cleared, and she smiled at him.

"Comrade Xiaoqiang, I’ll leave this matter to you. Confident in completing the task?"

"Yes! I guarantee task completion!" Yu Minglang replied earnestly.

"No, you have to stand at attention for me. I’ve heard you looked so handsome back then. Let me witness that air of seriousness." Chatting with him relieved her worries quite a bit, and she’s in the mood for jokes.

Qian really likes seeing his serious look, feeling an overwhelming burst of male hormones.

"Yes, task guarantee!" He stood at attention per her request, and Qian looked at him with starry eyes.

Upstairs, Chen Zilong watched the scene, his heart full of hope.

His brother-in-law listens to his sister the most. His future will surely be great!

In the evening, Qian finally met Zhuzi and his wife before dinner. Zhuzi looked around 25 or 26, wearing a white shirt and black pants, appeared quite genteel, with gold-rimmed glasses. His wife seemed a year or two older, not very talkative.

Seeing Qian and Yu Minglang, Zhuzi appeared very enthusiastic, shook hands with Yu Minglang.

"Brother-in-law, you’ve returned!"

Yu Minglang gave him a lukewarm handshake with no words, Qian didn’t speak either.

"Hey, my son-in-law is just not much of a talker, don’t mind him, just sit down for dinner!" Qian’s mom, not knowing why her usually attentive son-in-law was cold today, tried to mediate.

"It’s fine, it’s fine, a bit of personality in young people is nice." Zhuzi was very good with words.

"Come, sit and eat. Zhuzi, why did you buy so much stuff today? We can’t finish it all." Qian’s mom said enthusiastically.

"It’s nothing, just some common items. Not worth much, but we’re going to bother Qian in a while."

Qian saw the gifts they brought—exquisite gift boxes.

Estimating the cost of these items, the total was at least over a thousand.

Glancing at Xiaoqiang, who nodded at her knowingly.

Dalong really resembles Qian’s mom. He’d believe anything people say; so does Qian’s mom. Zhuzi mentioned hospital expenses, preferring Qian, and Qian’s mom trusted him.

Seeing this pile of gifts, they’re enough for several sessions with a psychological counselor.

Isn’t this just trying to get closer?

Admittedly, this Zhuzi truly understands social interactions; he knows Qian’s mom remarried into the Liao Family, a family not ordinary, aiming to establish connections. Holding gifts directly would surely fail, he maneuvered by saying it’s for health; Qian’s mom indeed was sympathetic, now they’re in talks, naturally inching closer.

However, this behavior had already annoyed Qian.

Later, Xiaoqiang plans to appraise the gifts and return equivalent money; this gap must not be opened.

Throughout the meal, Zhuzi’s smoothness was inadvertently revealed; he continuously flattered Mr. Liao, who couldn’t embarrass him too much for Qian’s mom’s sake, causing Qian discomfort.

Dalong, naive, even took Zhuzi as a dear older brother, chatting away. Xiaoqiang followed Qian’s tempo, responding coolly. Zhuzi, understanding the hint, dared not often try placating cold attitudes, eventually not daring to bother Qian and Yu Minglang, conversing sporadically with Dalong.

After the meal, Zhuzi wanted to chat with Mr. Liao. Seeing Qian’s glance, Xiaoqiang spoke.

"Uncle Liao, I want to select some legal reference materials. Could you accompany me to the bookstore?"

"There are still guests here. Let’s go tomorrow." Qian’s mom hadn’t noticed Xiaoqiang’s intentional approach.