CHAPTER 360: 360. SIX-YEAR AGREEMENT

"Mom, this..." Lian En hesitated, looking rather unwillingly at Jianjun’s gallant figure.

Avoiding problems is never the solution, but going back alone at this critical moment, won’t that just be walking into a trap?

After all, although Second Uncle is undeniably a 24K pure sister protector, he also respects and cares for his wife very much.

But when he plays the role of a father, he’s a staunch supporter of strict discipline.

Even though I’ve never seen him just hit someone for no reason, I’ve heard Jiandang, Jianguo, and their brothers complain about his heavy-handedness plenty growing up.

"What do you mean, ’this’? What if the young man gets a beating? That’s perfectly fine, it’ll just let him know that dreams aren’t easy to achieve.

Later on, when he faces difficulties and wants to give up, he might remember the beating he endured today for sticking to this path and will push through until he makes it big!

The film industry is tough, and that boy Jianjun isn’t exactly steadfast.

He really needs to toughen up. He can’t even rely on himself yet. Life’s a long journey ahead, and who can be his crutch all the way?" Shuzhen patted her sleepy youngest son in her arms and said nonchalantly.

Her father always said when he was alive, "Father has, mother has, but it’s better if you have it yourself. Even if your partner has it, you’d still have to rely on yourself!"

The most important thing is to be strong and independent.

Always thinking about shortcuts is not a good sign.

It’s even worse to ignore preparation and expect divine intervention at the last moment.

Now that her third nephew wants to use her as a talisman for protection, this aunt won’t mind using his father to teach him a lesson as a return favor.

Of course, this particular intention — looking at her eldest son’s full admiration — Shuzhen decided not to spoil her towering image in his mind.

Just as Lian En thought, Jianjun did get a beating from his father as soon as he returned home.

The seventeen or eighteen-year-old got chased, holding his head, by his father wielding a rolling pin with a murderous look.

Thinking about his reputation being utterly tarnished, Jianjun couldn’t stop grumbling with a sour face!

He complained about his strict father, his heartless mother who didn’t intervene, and his aunt who gave terrible advice.

Seeing him get beaten so badly, initially, Lian En was quite tolerant, forcing himself to be a garbage dump for his cousin’s emotions.

But when this guy started complaining about his own mom, how could Lian En hold back anymore!

Everyone around knows Lian En is most devoted to filial piety, right?

Badmouthing his parents right in front of him is practically a declaration of war!

Cousin or not, there is no immunity.

Pitiful?

So what if it’s pitiful?

The blisters on his feet came from his own journey, not mom’s fault. There’s no reason why mom has to lift a finger just because he’s having a hard time, right?

No sense whatsoever!

After experiencing the charm of a change of face up close and personally, Jianjun, bruised all over from his father’s beating, finally learned from his cold-faced cousin about his aunt’s kind intentions.

Almost in tears, he thanked his aunt profusely for her thoughtful intentions before dragging his aching body home.

He didn’t even notice his aunt’s indescribable expression when he thanked her deeply.

No one knows how he frankly conversed with his father, but the next day, before it even got dark, he was calling in high spirits.

He said he finally overcame all odds and gained his parents’ support and would soon go to Beijing for an interview.

If all goes well, a new star in the domestic director scene is about to rise.

As the greatest hero in helping him overcome all obstacles, Shuzhen received more than a basketful of thanks.

Even though she didn’t think those casual, even slightly provocative words of hers really had that much effect.

Yet if the nephew becomes a famous director, it wouldn’t be bad either.

After all, in the future, with the protection and support from Jiandang, Jianguo, and all the brothers and cousins, the waters he navigates couldn’t help but remain clear, right?

Ultimately, it doesn’t hurt that he’s the close cousin of the future helmsman of the Wu family, Wu Liu.

With siblings like Lian En, who is already slightly famed, and Jiandang and Jianguo, who are destined for great futures, backing him up!

Not lacking in connections or money, whether he makes a name for himself is up to his abilities, but Shuzhen is truly not worried about him facing any discrimination, bullying, or so-called unspoken rules.

Now, what piques her interest is how the boy convinced her rather conservative and violent second brother.

"Humph, even after two beatings, he’s not changing his mind one bit. Tearfully, he dragged me into a conversation about life and ideals, saying he’s always envied those actors on TV when he was watching at your place as a kid.

Always wanted to become them, playing roles that are either glorious or full of twists and turns.

Every time he plays a role, it feels like he’s living another life, which is incredibly thrilling.

Growing up, he felt he looked decent, but too dark-skinned.

Compared to those fair and tender actors, he didn’t have much competitive edge, and aside from being directed as an actor, he found he actually preferred to be the one directing actors." Remembering this rascal’s life-long obsession with just one thing — trying it out almost to the point of lifelong regret and despair — Liu Shouyi couldn’t suppress his pent-up anger.

Dad’s not well-read, doesn’t know what utter despair is.

But I can go all out, to show you what it means to live worse than death!

After a good beating, feeling somewhat at ease, Liu Shouyi coldly huffed and said very seriously, "If it’s lifelong regret without trying? Fine, I’ll give you six years to experience it. If within six years, you can make something of yourself, then go ahead and be whatever actor or director you want.

But if six years later, you’re still all enthusiasm with no accomplishments, you better hurry back and work at Good Taste for me!"

Truth be told, disregarding the four years of university, the so-called six years is actually just two short years.

A fresh graduate from the directing department, making a name in two years is certainly an exceedingly harsh condition.

But looking at his father’s indifferent ’do it or don’t, doesn’t matter to me’ face, what else could Jianjun do but agree?

"Is that it?" Shuzhen and Lian En asked in unison, ’overcoming all odds,’ really?

Facing her second brother’s puzzled expression, Shuzhen lightly coughed, "Nothing much, just thinking that a verbal agreement doesn’t seem to have much binding force! Among family men, if the brat really backs out, wouldn’t you just give him a beating and call it a day, Second Brother?"

"Little sister, you’re the only one who thinks about your second brother, unlike your second sister-in-law, who protects her child to the point of not even knowing whose side she’s on anymore!" Liu Shouyi said with relief and a smile, "Rest assured, I’ve guarded against this move. A formal contract has been drafted, reviewed, and notarized by the lawyers hired by the factory."