CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 448 LET GO

If the twins just fussed a bit, it would be fine, but they just wouldn’t cry. Their tears lingered, making one feel a pang of sadness.

Hua Miaozhu kept throwing glances at Zhan Jing, hinting at how she, as a mother, could be so heartless.

Zhan Jing felt so wronged. If she could, she definitely wouldn’t want her children to start living as boarders so early. But since Uncle Zhuge said so, what could she do as the younger generation asking for a favor?

Could she negotiate with Uncle Zhuge? Zhan Jing really didn’t have the guts. Uncle Zhuge’s aura is even more imposing than before, making it impossible for a housewife from the Northeastern rural area like her to muster up the courage.

"I’ll talk to Uncle Zhuge about it later." Feeling uncomfortable under her mother’s gaze, all Zhan Jing could do was promise to try her best.

As soon as Zhan Jing finished speaking, the tears that had been circling around the twins’ eyes quickly disappeared, leaving her stunned.

Zhan Jing really couldn’t understand how her own children had become so composed, reminding her of no one else but Zhao Guangran, the only one in the family with such tricks.

Zhan Jing was furious; he really was a good brother, not teaching the twins anything good but instead passing on these sneaky tricks.

Seeing Zhan Jing’s displeased expression, Gong Ruini knew Zhao Guangran was in trouble, but no one would sympathize with this boy. After all, he often taught the twins some bad things that they inevitably picked up.

Zhao Xuran didn’t say much about it, so Gong Ruini, being an outsider, couldn’t either. But discovering it now wasn’t too late; as long as Zhan Banxia and the others realized what Zhao Guangran taught them was not good.

Zhao Guangran observed the performance of Zhan Banxia and his companions and gave them a score of fifty percent. They didn’t perform well at all, not understanding how the two of them could act so poorly when he had clearly shared his insights with the twins, yet they still performed so poorly.

Zhao Guangran decided that if anyone ever praised the twins’ acting skills again, he’d slap them hard. If Ban Xia were really smart kids, they wouldn’t have performed like this.

Sigh, Zhao Guangran reflected on the mistakes in the twins’ previous performance, planning to have a good talk with them so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes in the future.

"Zhao Guangran," Zhan Jing called out her second son’s name in displeasure.

"Here," Zhao Guangran was snapped out of his reflection as soon as he heard Zhan Jing calling his name, jumping to his feet.

At this moment, Zhao Guangran realized his mother’s expression wasn’t good, leaving him puzzled as to why she was angry with him. He hadn’t said anything particularly annoying today, had he?

"I just think Ban Xia and the others are too young. There’s no need for them to live at someone else’s house." Zhao Guangran, naively thinking he hadn’t expressed his opinion earlier, assumed his mother thought he lacked brotherly love.

This problem was easy to solve. Zhao Guangran swiftly suggested that Ban Xia and the others shouldn’t stay at someone else’s place. With two more twins at home, the family’s attention would be more on Ban Xia, making things easier for him too.

Humph, this brat is clearly lost in his thoughts. Zhan Jing gestured to Zhao Gang beside her to properly discipline Zhao Guangran. She was too tired and didn’t have the time to lecture Zhao Guangran.

After all, it was previously agreed that the education of their sons was Zhao Guangran’s responsibility, while she was in charge of educating their daughter.

Zhao Gang hadn’t expected the ball to be kicked to him, leaving him at a loss as to how to address Zhao Guangran. Although, in Zhao Gang’s opinion, there was nothing wrong with what his youngest son said; after all, in this day and age, those who can act have more prospects than those who are honest.

But since his wife disapproved of Zhao Guangran’s attitude, Zhao Gang had no choice but to have a heart-to-heart talk with Zhao Guangran.

Left in the room, Zhan Jing anxiously pulled the twins aside to discuss why Zhao Guangran’s actions were wrong.

"Mom, but we were really sad. We genuinely don’t want to stay at that grandpa’s house." Zhan Banxia never imagined their dramatic switch would get Zhao Guangran into so much trouble.

"I know, but your acting was too obvious. You have to know that when you’re young, no one will care how you act. But when you grow up, acting like this will make you unlikable." Zhan Jing solemnly educated the twins.

Gong Ruini breathed a sigh of relief—finally, someone was stepping in; otherwise, she really would be overwhelmed with worry.

"Don’t worry," Zhao Xuran whispered in Gong Ruini’s ear, "In such matters, it’s best for parents to step in."

Ah, Zhao Xuran had indeed anticipated this. Gong Ruini knew with Zhao Xuran’s temper, he wouldn’t just ignore it, ready to step in if needed.

But would Zhao Xuran’s or Zhao Gang’s guidance make a difference to Zhao Guangran? Gong Ruini didn’t understand.

Seeing the confused look in Gong Ruini’s eyes, Zhao Xuran was delighted. If Gong Ruini knew everything, he’d feel embarrassed, as he wouldn’t have any sense of accomplishment or a way to mentor Gong Ruini.

"If I stepped in, Guangran would just accuse me of favoring the twins."

"And it lets Guangran know that not everyone behaves like him."

"Guangran will likely become someone who can manage social interactions in the future. He just occasionally misses the mark with his thinking." Zhao Xuran appreciated Zhao Guangran’s ability to interact with people.

Perhaps his brother had been a bit arrogant initially and hadn’t considered many things. But after suffering such a setback without being too upset and making significant progress, Zhao Xuran decided to let go a bit.

Networking? Zhao Guangran is indeed good at interactions, but Gong Ruini didn’t think Zhao Xuran couldn’t manage.

Keep in mind that although Zhao Xuran didn’t go out often when he did, he could easily engage with many people in the village. Meanwhile, Zhao Guangran still had a certain naivety in his speech—it’s not an age issue.

Gong Ruini remembered when she first came to the Northeast, Zhao Xuran wasn’t much older than Zhao Guangran is now, yet he was already very mature. It seemed Zhao Guangran was overly spoiled by Uncle Zhao and them.

Listening to Zhao Xuran, Gong Ruini said, "You’re not planning to let Zhao Guangran venture out on his own, are you?"

Gong Ruini realized that ever since Zhao Guangran expressed he didn’t want to go to Beijing, there weren’t numerous lectures directed at him. It was just after a conversation between the brothers that Zhao Guangran was left to his own devices.

Is it really okay to let him go like this? Gong Ruini was seriously worried. Rural kids are simpler, but is it really that easy to fool city kids?

Furthermore, Zhao Guangran can be slightly temperamental, and Gong Ruini was genuinely concerned about him getting into trouble. Even though their household registration would be transferred to Beijing, it couldn’t hide their complete unfamiliarity with the city.

"If he doesn’t venture out, Guangran won’t grow quickly." Zhao Xuran had been hesitant to let go before out of concern that his brother might suffer a significant setback. But after seeing him endure one and actually learn from it, Zhao Xuran finally made this decision.

That’s very true; without spreading one’s wings, how can they know how vast the world is? Since Zhao Xuran, the big brother, is willing to take the leap, Gong Ruini is even more willing.