Chapter 182: The Liberation of the Yan Family

Yan Jiecheng's apprenticeship brought the He family and the Yan family even closer. Although Yan Jiecheng was not a disciple raised from childhood, he had kowtowed to become an apprentice, so He Daqing could be considered half a father to him; he was expected to give gifts during holidays and festivals.

However, Yan Bugui was happy with this arrangement. The He family had three employees, and He Daqing's connections were stronger than his own, while in his own family, only he and Jiecheng had jobs. Clearly, the He family would be of greater help to them in the future.

Yet, compared to being a Chef, Yan Bugui preferred for his own children to get into university or technical secondary school, so that they would be Cadres as soon as they graduated.

"I hope Jiefang and Jiekuang can have a bright future."

Yan Bugui sighed inwardly. Based on Yan Jiefang's current grades, it wouldn't be difficult to get into junior high school next summer, but he feared he would end up just as hopeless as the eldest, Yan Jiecheng; the third son, Yan Jiekuang, wouldn't even start school until next year.

Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong were two extremes when it came to educating their children. Yan Bugui focused on preaching, emphasizing winning people over with virtue.

Liu Haizhong was the exact opposite; if he could use his hands, he wouldn't waste time arguing, sticking to the principle that a strict rod produces a filial son.

Yan Bugui reflected on this, and when he thought about the gap in grades between his own children and the three Liu brothers, the look he gave Yan Jiefang gradually turned dangerous.

"Dad, don't look at me like that, it's a bit creepy."

"Jiefang, if you don't do well on your final exams this winter break, I will let you know what 'a father's love is as heavy as a mountain' feels like," Yan Bugui said, then left the room.

"No, Big Brother, why do I feel like if I don't do well on my exams, Dad is going to beat me?"

"Hmm, your feeling is probably right."

"..."

"No, why? Big Brother, this is all your fault."

"Huh??" Yan Jiecheng had a confused look on his face.

"If you had done well, would I be in this mess? You are 'Jiefang' (liberated), but I haven't been liberated yet."

"..."

"I'll treat you to a big meal after I get my wages."

"Good."

"Still blaming Big Brother?"

"How could I blame Big Brother? It's all because Dad doesn't stick to his own educational philosophy."

*Just get through this meal first, and I'll deal with it when Dad asks, * Yan Jiefang thought to himself, unaware that Yan Bugui had heard every word clearly from outside the door.

"Fine, fine, fine. I hope your final grades can save your backside from a few lashes," Yan Bugui gritted his teeth in secret.

"Big Brother, we want to go too."

"Fine, fine, fine, you all can go. Jiefang, if you don't do well on your exams later and Dad beats you, don't you dare dump the blame on me again. I won't take it."

"That won't happen. If I have to blame anyone, I'll blame myself for not working hard enough."

"Alright, then let's make it the next day off."

"Great!" Today was only Tuesday, and Yan Jiefang kept counting the days, but the more he counted, the slower they passed. It was so hard to wait.

Time flew by, and it was soon the day off. Yan Jiecheng took his younger brother and sister, who were beaming with joy, to go out for a meal.

"Jiecheng, where are you all going?"

"Big Brother is taking us to eat roast duck, woo woo woo!" Even though Yan Jiefang was quick-witted, he wasn't faster than Yan Jiedi's mouth.

"Alright, you all go ahead."

"Dad, you and Mom should come too."

"No, no. I need to prepare my lessons at home. Don't forget to bring the duck carcass back to stew with cabbage."

Among his four children, Jiecheng had finally started to act like an older brother, and as a father, he didn't want to disrupt their sibling bond. Of course, he silently added another mark against Yan Jiefang in his heart.

"Two roast ducks. One duck carcass for soup, and pack the other one to go."

Ever since Yan Jiecheng became an apprentice to He Daqing and had tagged along for a few meals, his horizons had broadened, and he had become more generous in his actions.

"Coming right up, please wait a moment."

After waiting for more than half an hour, the two sliced roast ducks were served on the table.

"Like this, take a pancake, wrap the meat, and dip it. Little Sister, come here, say 'ah'."

"Ah, so yummy," Yan Jiedi said with her mouth full.

"Everyone eat, don't just sit there."

"Got it."

Yan Jiefang and Jiekuang both learned how to do it properly, and once they got the hang of it, they started wolfing down the food.

"Burp~ This roast duck is really delicious."

"Yeah, Big Brother, can we come here often?"

"What are you thinking? Your Big Brother doesn't have any extra meat coupons. Let me save up, and this time next year, if you want to eat, we'll come again."

"Okay."

"Slurp, this soup is also good."

The four of them were full and satisfied. They took the packed duck carcass and strolled home. That evening, Yan Bugui and his wife also got to eat the duck carcass stewed with cabbage.

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year. Yan Jiefang's grades came out, and as expected, they were very mediocre, even worse than Liu Guangfu's in the fifth grade.

"Ah ah ah, Dad, I was wrong!"

"Still blaming your brother? Blaming me for not sticking to my educational philosophy?"

"Huh?" Yan Jiefang was stunned by the beating and didn't react for a moment.

"Huh? I'll give you a 'huh'!" *Whack, whack, whack! * A few more sticks landed on his backside.

"Dad, stop hitting him. I think Jiefang knows he was wrong, right Jiefang?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Dad, I was wrong. I will definitely do well next time and definitely get into junior high school."

"That's right, Lao Yan, the child knows he was wrong."

"Yes, it's almost the New Year, don't hit him anymore."

"Hmph, what do you know? Lao Yan, doing this is the right way. You have to beat them. Look at my family; after being beaten, they've started using their brains, and now their grades have improved."

"......" Everyone was speechless.

"Lao Yan, if you had beaten him sooner, perhaps your Jiecheng..."

"Ahem, Dad, Mom is calling you home to eat."

"......"

"Teacher Yan, that's enough. We've all watched Jiefang grow up since he was a child. Look at Jiecheng; isn't he doing quite well now?"

"Yes, indeed."

"I've let everyone see a joke. Jiecheng, help your brother into the room."

"Jiecheng, take this and apply it to your brother." Zhang Ping'an handed over the same medicinal ointment he had used for Liu Guangtian.

"Alright, thank you, Zhang Shu."

Yan Bugui had been quite ruthless this time, just like an honest man pushed to his limits, striking without any sense of restraint.

"Hiss~"

"Jiefang, didn't I tell you to study hard? How did you end up with such a score?"

"Hiss, it was useless. I don't know either; I felt like I did quite well. Big Brother, then why didn't you do well on your high school entrance exam back then?"

"Slap!" Yan Jiecheng's face turned black instantly.

"Ow, ow, fatty."

"Hehe, Second Brother, Big Brother has already left. Let me help you apply it."

"Be gentle."

Back Courtyard, Liu Family.

"This Lao Yan has finally woken up." Liu Haizhong felt as if he had found a kindred spirit, having a sense that his own path was not a lonely one.

"......"

Middle Courtyard, Jia Family.

"It seems this Lao Yan was truly infuriated."

"Yes, otherwise, with his temperament, he wouldn't have laid a hand on his child. But his children's grades are truly... hard to describe."

"Hmm, you can't blame Lao Yan entirely. He is a teacher; if his children's grades are nothing to show off, he really loses face."

"Hmm."

Yi Family.

"Brother Jiefang studies very hard too, so why did Uncle Yan hit him?" Jiabei asked in confusion.

"Uh, your Brother Jiefang wasn't obedient, that's why your Uncle Yan hit him. Our Jiabei is very sensible and studies well."

"Hmm, and Brother too."

"Yes, that's right."

Indeed, Yan Jiefang was at the bottom of the courtyard this time. Although they were in different grades, his grades were truly inferior to the others; otherwise, Yan Bugui wouldn't have been so angry.

At Zhang Ping'an's home, Wang Xiaoling acted as if she had just heard some juicy gossip. One had to know that when Yan Bugui taught them, he was famous for his good temper.

"Brother Ping'an, Teacher Yan has a temper too? I always thought he was a 'goody-two-shoes'."

"Hehehe, I reckon Teacher Yan is the only one in his family whose studies are passable right now. How could his temper not explode?"