Chapter 38: Summer Vacation

His gaze was sincere and earnest. Zhou Chengdong knew all too well how important knowledge was in this era.

But given their family’s circumstances, no matter how well he studied, Chen Liyang could hardly be expected to pay for their schooling out of his own pocket.

The nine years of free compulsory education provided by the state was already an enormous blessing for them.

Even if high school tuition was waived, they’d still have to cover living expenses and miscellaneous fees themselves.

He’d never dared to hope Chen Liyang would foot that bill, so he’d never imagined he could go to high school.

That was why he’d never put any real effort into his studies.

But now, Chen Liyang had promised that as long as they were willing to study, he’d smash the pots and sell the scrap iron^[1] to support them. He had to admit his heart was wavering.

Under Chen Liyang’s gaze, Zhou Chengdong nodded firmly. He’d trust him one more time.

Seeing Zhou Chengdong agree, Chen Liyang was overjoyed. “Good kid. Go get some sleep and rest up for tomorrow’s exam.”

Back in his room, Zhou Chengdong picked up his Chinese textbook and started reading for the first time ever.

Zhou Chengnan acted like the sun had risen from the west. “What got into you? Actually studying on your own?”

“The exam’s tomorrow. Isn’t it normal for me to study?” Zhou Chengdong replied while flipping through the pages.

“That’s the spirit. Do your best, big bro. I know you’ll get into high school!” Zhou Chengnan encouraged.

He hadn’t asked what Chen Liyang had said to him, but he could guess.

The current Chen Liyang really did seem like a responsible, devoted father.

He hoped this peace at home would last forever.

The next day, Chen Liyang went out of his way to buy fried dough sticks and eggs.

Back when he took exams, his mother would give him fried dough sticks and eggs, saying they’d guarantee a perfect score.

He’d never actually scored a hundred, but it was a nice bit of self-comfort.

“Don’t put pressure on yourself, big guy. Just show your normal level. As long as we do our best, that’s enough.” Chen Liyang said softly to the boy eating his fried dough sticks.

Zhou Chengdong gave a soft “Mm” in response.

Today was the high school entrance exam, which required many classrooms, so the elementary school students and the first- and second-year middle schoolers didn’t have to come to class.

The third and fourth brothers cheered him on from the side. Seeing his younger brothers’ concern, Zhou Chengdong felt, for the first time, a real desire to study hard.

After breakfast, Zhou Chengdong headed to school with scratch paper and pens. Chen Liyang had bought several extra pens the day before, worried he might run out of ink mid-exam.

After watching the eldest leave, Chen Liyang turned to the other four. “Big bro’s off to his exam. How about we head to the market in a bit, pick up some fresh vegetables and meat, and cook him something delicious when he gets back?”

“Yeah!” Zhou Chengbei was the first to clap in agreement.

The eldest took his exam over two days, followed by the second, third, and fourth brothers.

On June 28th, all schools let out for summer vacation.

Chen Liyang’s injuries had mostly healed by now. During this period, Aunt Zhao’s attitude toward him had improved considerably.

To thank Aunt Zhao’s family for their help, Chen Liyang invited them over for a meal.

Perhaps seeing that Chen Liyang had finally stopped causing trouble, Liu Puping’s attitude toward him had gradually softened as well.

Even Liu Ziheng came by regularly to play with the eldest. But plenty of people still loved to gossip, refusing to believe Chen Liyang had truly turned over a new leaf. They were all just waiting for him to show his true colors!

Chen Liyang didn’t care what outsiders thought of him. His injuries had mostly healed, and his face, which had been so bruised and swollen that his features were unrecognizable, had returned to normal.

Only now did Chen Liyang learn what the original owner of this body looked like.

The novel hadn’t spent any words describing the original owner’s appearance.

But since he’d been chosen by the mother of five villain bosses, he clearly couldn’t be too ugly.

Who would have thought? He wasn’t just “not too ugly,” he was absolutely breathtaking.

Compared to his real-world self, the difference was like clouds and mud, heaven and earth apart.

To put it in an overly narcissistic way, he was even better-looking than many of today’s popular young stars.

His handsomeness wasn’t the fair, boyish charm of a “little puppy” type. With wheat-toned skin, sharp brows, bright eyes, and a high-bridged nose, he looked like he could debut as an idol on the spot.

But he wasn’t without flaws. Handsome as he was, he had no presence. Despite being a full 1.8 meters tall, his hunched shoulders and stooped posture made his aura feel shorter than 1.7 meters.

What a waste of a good shell. If his real-world self had possessed such looks and height, how could he have been bullied so badly?

But even the best shell would age one day. What he needed most now was to change this body’s bearing and presence.

He didn’t want to live out his life as a nobody, an NPC. He wanted to become rich step by step, and if he wanted people to look up to him, presence was a plus.

As for the boys at home, after half a month of his feeding, they’d put on some weight. But they still lacked energy and spirit, no trace of the future big shots they were supposed to become.

So he decided that starting tomorrow morning, he’d take them on morning runs. It would build their bodies and improve their posture and presence.

Upon learning he’d have to get up early to run every day, Zhou Chengbei’s face fell. “Do I have to?”

He hated exercise more than anything. Even during school aerobics, he’d slack off whenever he could.

But Chen Liyang refused firmly. “No. Everyone has to run.”

“Does little sister have to run too?” Zhou Chengdong asked.

Running wasn’t a big deal for him, but his little sister was so young. He worried she couldn’t handle running every day.

But if she didn’t run, someone would have to stay behind to look after her in the morning.

Chen Liyang had already thought about this. Running was also a way to help people relax.

Besides, the whole family running together would strengthen their bond. For someone like Wanning, running could only do her good, never harm.

So he nodded without hesitation. “Right, Wanning runs with us too. We’ll start with a slow jog to get used to it, then gradually adjust the pace.”

“We’re so young and you’re already forcing us to run every morning. I can tell you just want to exhaust us to death.” Zhou Chengxi’s displeased voice drifted over.

Chen Liyang wasn’t angered by his deliberate provocation. The kid always twisted his meaning, whether on purpose or not, and probably still held a grudge against him.

He hadn’t expected them to fully accept him and let go of the past so quickly.

So he replied with a smile, “Since you think I’m trying to exhaust you, then you should run even harder and keep exercising, and don’t let me have my way.”

“Who said I was going to run? I’m not running!” Zhou Chengxi said, leaving the dining table for his room.

Chen Liyang let out a helpless sigh at the stubborn kid.

No matter how tough Zhou Chengxi talked, Chen Liyang still woke him up early the next morning.