Lazy Stepmother of the 70s Island

Chapter 40: Makeup Lessons + Flying Kites

After thinking it over, Dawa realized that if he became good at Chinese, he could read storybooks on his own. He felt it was worth it, so he patiently said, "Alright, go ahead and tell me. I'll listen attentively."

Ning Tang taught him in a more interesting and memorable way, different from how the teacher taught. At first, Dawa was impatient, but as he listened, he discovered that Chinese wasn't as difficult as he thought. Gradually, he became engrossed in listening.

Seeing Dawa starting to focus on studying, Ning Tang felt relieved and shifted her attention to Erniu.

Ever since earlier, Erniu had been sitting obediently next to the desk, watching her teach Dawa.

Ning Tang asked her, "Erniu, do you also want to learn?"

Erniu hesitated, nodded slightly, and then shook her head.

In the past, when their biological mother was still alive and in good health, she would personally teach the eldest and Sanwa how to read and recognize characters. Erniu could only watch from the side, feeling envious.

Ning Tang took out a few sheets of paper and a pen from the box of stationery that Shen Lie had bought and handed them to her. She had expected Erniu to take them, but unexpectedly, Erniu hid her hands behind her back and hesitated. She said, "Aren't girls not supposed to read? My... my biological mother said that reading is useless for girls. Even if we read, we can't surpass boys. It's better not to read at all."

Ning Tang burst into laughter, unable to control her words. "Nonsense!"

Erniu was startled and anxiously picked at her fingernails. It was a habitual action she did when she was nervous.

Ning Tang noticed and softened her tone. "Who said girls can't surpass boys in reading? Look at Dawa. He only brought back a few points in his first-grade exam. Just learning a little will make you surpass him."

Dawa knocked on the table in dissatisfaction and exclaimed, "Mom!"

Ning Tang said, "Don't interrupt. Go study your Chinese."

Dawa got scared and obediently started studying.

Ning Tang continued to speak to Erniu, "If you don't believe me, let me teach you some simple first-grade knowledge and see how you do."

Erniu still hesitated a bit, and Ning Tang said, "Even if you don't study now, when first grade starts in September, you'll have to study anyway. Just give it a try. If you don't do well, no one will beat you, and Captain Shen won't punish his daughter."

Erniu chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Ning Tang took the paper, pen, and the first-grade textbook of Dawa, intending to teach Erniu the simplest task: writing the numbers from one to ten.

Because she was worried about not doing well, Erniu was particularly serious, carefully tracing each stroke to form the big characters.

Sanwa propped up his chin and watched his older siblings study. His little face puffed up, and he exclaimed, "Mom, I want to study too."

Ning Tang laughed and handed him a sheet of paper and a pen, saying, "Here you go."

Sanwa finally felt satisfied.

Being young, he didn't understand the concept of studying or taking makeup lessons. He simply wanted to learn because his older siblings were learning.

Children always like to imitate older children.

With the paper and pen in hand, he just scribbled on the paper aimlessly.

But at least it calmed down the little one.