"Come, Steven, repeat after me … The round ones are O, the sharp ones are A …"
In the nursery, the nanny Jenna brought Wu Ming's younger siblings with toys to entertain them, while Madam Sterling officially started teaching Wu Ming how to pronounce and read.
The language system of this world was similar to the Western alphabet, only slightly different and more complicated. Wu Ming had long since memorized the language, and as for these letters, he only needed to put in some effort to memorize them.
However, he did not want to be seen as a monster, so he still had to deal with Madam Sterling.
Even so, the talent he displayed was enough to be called a genius.
"Very good. You already know how to pronounce the 35 letters …"
Madam Sterling said proudly to Jenna, "Did you see that? My little Steven is a genius! "
"This child is indeed very smart, Madam!"
As a nanny, Jenna was not a servant, so she did not have to call Wu Ming young master. This showed a certain degree of equality, which was also a sign of progress in society.
Of course, it was also possible that Wu Ming was ignorant and ill-informed. With the wealth and status of the Sterling family, they couldn't afford a real maid. After all, to establish a personal attachment and continue loyalty, this kind of accumulation, no matter where it was, would require several generations of education and brainwashing. Otherwise, it would feel like a nouveau riche.
In the blink of an eye, Wu Ming's body was already three years old. While running as if he was flying, he also showed the strong curiosity that all boys at this stage should have. Under the cover of an infant, he explored the entire house, and was especially interested in the tall bookcase in James's study.
"'A Hundred Marketing Techniques', 'The Choice of a Successful Man', 'An Expert Debater', 'He Became a Millionaire from a Newspaper Boy: The Autobiography of Franklin' …"
Wu Ming stepped on a stool and pulled a few books down. Looking at the cover, he was speechless, "They're all about marketing and eloquence. Is Jamu a salesman? No wonder he's so busy every day … "
He was slightly disappointed that he could not find any books on geography or history.
"Oh, Steven! Steven, what are you doing? "
Madam Sterling finally noticed Wu Ming's actions. She screamed and ran over to pick him up. "Be careful, Jenna! Don't fall! Come and change Steven's clothes! "
"Are you reading?"
She glanced at the sales brochure that Wu Ming had flipped open and laughed again. "Don't mess up your dad's things. He'll be angry … It's a rare day off for him. Our whole family is going on a spring outing to enjoy a leisurely time in the riverside park. Afternoon tea, cherry cake, and honey milk tea … Little Steven, don't eat too much. Be careful of your teeth …"
Jenna stepped forward and helped Wu Ming change into a sky blue plaid shirt, gray suspenders, and a pair of small black leather shoes.
If he wore a gray cap, he would look exactly like the Americans in the 80s and 90s in his previous life.
Wu Ming looked in the mirror and cursed in his heart.
"Alright, let's get ready to go!"
Madam Sterling, however, was very satisfied with his attire. She produced a lace parasol and pushed the pram out of the room with Jenna.
Pa pa!
On the road in front of the garden, the small black car was quietly parked at the side. James pressed the horn of the airbag, making a piercing sound. He seemed very pleased with himself.
To be able to own a steam engine car was undoubtedly proof of one's wealth. At least, Wu Ming could see that Jenna's eyes were filled with envy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the good times are about to begin!"
James announced with a smile. He quickly got off the car and opened the door for Madam Sterling. "My dear, be careful of the roof. Don't touch it …"
Whoosh whoosh!
The sound of the boiler rang out, and a large amount of white steam spurted out from the back of the car. The small car slowly moved forward, speeding along the road at the speed of a horse.
The scenery on both sides quickly passed by.
Condominiums and complexes made of steel and concrete, pine and birch trees, more steam engines, and all sorts of ordinary people …
The warm sunlight shone on his body, making him feel warm and comfortable.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a little girl holding a red umbrella and dressed like a princess flashed through the window. Although he couldn't see her face clearly, her sweet smile made Wu Ming's heart skip a beat.
If he had been living in a set of old western photos from the 70s and 80s, then now, the black and white of the photos had faded away, and the whole world had become lively.
"It's great to be able to travel through time and space, experience the differences of thousands of worlds, and appreciate the vastness and beauty of the universe …"
In Wu Ming's heart, he was suddenly touched.
… …
After driving for about half an hour, James's car entered the gates of a park and stopped on a grassy field beside a river.
There were a few cars parked sporadically on the roadside, and there were a few huge umbrellas by the river. A few people were fishing below. On the grassland, a few adults and children were playing a game similar to baseball. There were also people walking their dogs and having a picnic … All kinds of people occupied a space on the grassland. They were leisurely and cheerful, forming a sharp contrast with the big factories not far away.
"Jenna, come and help!"
James moved a few baskets, a parasol, and a large tablecloth from the car. Together with Jenna, they spread it out and spread it on the grass. They also took out many snacks from the baskets and placed them on the tablecloth.
"Want!" "Want!"
Brandon and Angelina stretched out their hands, their eyes fixed on the cherries on the cake, full of anticipation.
"Hehe … You two greedy kittens, you can only eat a little cream. Steven, you too, can't eat too much!"
Madam Sterling chuckled.
Wu Ming stood on the soft grass. It was rare for him to get some fresh air, so he was in a good mood. He looked at the azure sky, the pure white clouds, and the lush green grass.
If not for the large number of chimneys in the distance, and the black smoke that blotted out the sky, he might have been in a better mood.
James seemed to be very tired. After eating and drinking to his heart's content, he lay down on the recliner and quickly dozed off.
Madam Sterling wisely did not wake her husband up. She only leisurely basked in the sun and teased Wu Ming's younger siblings.
"Jenna, does your family often come out to play?"
Wu Ming looked at Jenna, who was a little absent-minded, and suddenly asked in a childish voice.
His current mental state was similar to that of a seven or eight-year-old child, and his words were logical. This was the benefit of being a genius for a long time, and the Sterlings happily accepted it.
"No!"
Jenna's eyes were a little misty, "Our family is very busy. My parents have to work every day, from morning to night, without rest. I have two older brothers and an older sister who have to wake up before daybreak to deliver newspapers and milk to the streets. Sometimes, when we're hungry, we have to go through the rubbish …"
"Hehe … Why am I telling you all this? You won't understand!"
Jenna turned her head, a little dispirited, and there seemed to be a few tears at the corner of her eyes.
Perhaps, to her, the life of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling and their family was like a paradise in her dreams, right?
However, as she turned her head, her figure suddenly froze.
"Hmm?"
Wu Ming also raised his head, and immediately saw a few small black dots in the sky in the distance, growing larger and larger.
"Mum, what's that?"
He tugged at Madam Sterling's sleeve, and then pointed at the sky.
"Airships!"
Madam Sterling looked up, "Perhaps it's a transport ship from an airline. But how did it get here? There aren't any routes, could it be that it's lost? Or did it encounter a storm? "
Floating in the air was a huge, olive-shaped airship.
Moreover, as the other party continued to approach, Wu Ming gradually saw the overall appearance of these airships.
They looked ferocious, and their bodies were painted black with a metallic luster. The top was painted with a layer of sharp, snow-white teeth, like the jaws of a shark. Wu Ming immediately thought of the Kirov airships in a game from his previous life.
"No, that's not a transport ship. It's an armoured airship! There are too many of them! "
Madam Sterling's expression changed, and she hurriedly shook her husband awake, "Darling, wake up!"
"What's wrong?"
James, who had worked overtime for a night, rubbed his bloodshot eyes. But when he saw the fleet of armored airships in the sky, he immediately jumped up. "Those are armed airships. Why are they here? Wait … Look at the flag, that's not our kingdom's fleet, it's the Bauhinia Federation's army! "
He shrieked, his expression unprecedentedly solemn. He suddenly picked up Wu Ming, and had Madam Sterling bring the two children back to the car, not even bothering with the rest of the things.
"Damn it, why is the Bauhinia Federation's armoured fleet here? I have a bad feeling about this!"
James's face was pale. Looking at his wife and three children, he forced a smile, "Don't worry, our kingdom's Royal Navy is very powerful, they can definitely protect us! Yes! "
He seemed to be hypnotizing himself, "Let's return to the city first. There are anti-aircraft cannons there, and the protection of the army and police!"
The sedan started up quickly, leaving behind a violent flaming tail as it rushed back to its original apartment as if it was running for its life.
It was only then that more and more people saw the menacing airships, and without a doubt, it caused a huge commotion.
There were screams, and there were all kinds of people. As they fought for the road, it caused a series of car accidents …
Fortunately, because they were discovered early, the Sterling family was not involved in the chaos, and they successfully returned to the apartment villa.
Soon after, waves of police and army appeared on the streets, and a loudspeaker announced martial law. In the middle of the night, the gas was cut off. James split open the door and lit a fire. The family gathered around the fire and spent an unforgettable night.
The next day, James went out and brought back a piece of news with a pale face. War was coming!
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