Chapter 249: Chapter 249

Zhao Gang felt that his good friend had been off lately, especially since even Gong Ruini didn’t pay him any attention, which was very unusual.

His friend adored Gong Ruini in every way, and the girl was also on great terms with her father, but there hadn’t been any father-daughter interactions for a long time.

This situation was very strange, and also Cai Meina was keeping a bit of distance from Gong Tao, what was going on?

Zhan Jing had noticed Cai Meina’s odd behavior for a while and took the opportunity to ask about it when the kids were resting.

Cai Meina was fuming inside but couldn’t say certain things in front of the kids. Even though they were sensible and would look at things from her perspective, she didn’t want them to think poorly of Gong Tao.

As for telling Cai Ming about it, Cai Meina dismissed the idea, knowing her younger brother would surely stir things up and make the situation even more unmanageable.

Zhan Jing hadn’t expected that the letter from the Gong Family a few days ago would be about this matter.

"You have to stand firm and not send Ni Zi and the others back. There are plenty of people to teach them here, but if you send them back, what then?"

Zhan Jing admitted the education quality back home was better than in the Northeast, but did they have as good a teacher as her mother there?

"Also, didn’t you say your elder brother has a petty nature? Seeing your father-in-law being good to Ni Zi and the others, wouldn’t he get jealous? You and your husband are in the Northeast, you can’t possibly take care of them, what if something happens?"

"Your father-in-law is even more unreliable. If Ni Zi and the others could bring him benefits, he would be nice to them, but without benefits..."

Dealing with family always involves considering various interests. Such family members, Zhan Jing didn’t bother with their thoughts. Following their line of thinking would only mean that Gong Tao and the others would suffer losses.

"Exactly, I know he’s unreliable. You see, his private plotting has already spread all over the Gong Family." He can’t even handle such a small matter; how can anything big be entrusted to him? There’s no point in having even the slightest expectation.

After hearing the whole story from Gong Tao, Zhao Gang couldn’t stop laughing, "You shouldn’t feel wronged about this. Your hesitation is what made Cai Meina and the others feel you’d give up on Ni Zi and the others."

"Moreover, there’s no complicated issue with how to reply to this letter. You’re overthinking it; not being decisive enough in rejecting it only gives them the illusion that there’s room for negotiation."

"You could also mention in the letter that you’ve already heard about it from your brothers."

Refusing directly was something Gong Tao could do, but would it be too much to betray his brothers? Gong Tao looked at Zhao Gang with difficulty.

This guy is always thinking of others, not considering whether his so-called relatives ever think of him. "Let them make a fuss. Let’s see how they’ll dare to calculate against you in the future."

Alright, even though Zhao Gang’s suggestion was a bit mean, it suited his current situation. Only when they made a fuss over there could he quietly nestle in the Northeast and live his leisurely life.

As for if the old man insisted on taking Ni Zi and the others back, once they grow older, they should refuse the idea themselves.

When Zhao Guangran heard Gong Ruini say that her grandfather wrote a letter wanting them to return, he thought this was good news for him. Having those who always overshadowed him leave was better news than anything.

But just thinking about Gong Ruini and the others going back like that made him unwilling.

Although his elder brother wasn’t the type to often amuse him, his brother was sometimes really dull. Only when Gong Ruini and the others came did Zhao Guangran feel that even if he stayed at home, he wouldn’t have to worry about boredom.

He had someone to play with when he wanted fun, and someone for banter when he wanted to argue. He wouldn’t feel bored at all.

Especially after his younger brothers were born, his elder brother often cared for them more, which made Zhao Guangran feel even more neglected. Without Gong Ruiwen and the others accompanying him, Zhao Guangran didn’t know if he could figure things out on his own.

"You’re really not leaving?" Zhao Guangran asked Gong Ruini and the others, looking pitiful.

Ah, this kid didn’t even say that things would be better if they left. You know, Zhao Guangran once thought many times about how easy and comfortable life would be if Gong Ruini and the others weren’t around.

Now knowing that the people he disliked might leave, and he didn’t say that.

"Do you not want us to leave, or do you not want my brother to leave?" Gong Ruini didn’t think Zhao Guangran would want her to stay.

Instinctively, she felt it should be her older brother that he didn’t want to face leaving.

"No, you can’t leave either. You and Brother Rui Wen can’t leave." Zhao Guangran twisted his fingers shyly.

"You need to stay here, so I have a goal to chase. Hmph, don’t think you can crush me and then walk away just like that."

"Hmph, you can’t leave until I’ve caught up with you and surpassed you."

Probably feeling his words weren’t strong enough, Zhao Guangran didn’t forget to raise his fist to indicate his combat power.

What a contrary fellow, but Gong Ruini couldn’t bear to leave Zhao Guangran either. With him always chasing behind, it motivated Gong Ruini to stay alert, lest he catch up.

"Of course I won’t leave. I have to stay and show you some real skills, or else compared to the kids in the neighboring village, you’d get arrogant."

"I don’t want to see you all conceited. I was born to suppress you, to teach you there’s always someone better out there." Gong Ruini arrogantly stated that even if Gong Dajiang came in person, she wouldn’t go.

"There’s meat to eat here and money to earn. Why should I leave?" Only someone out of their mind would leave. But since she’s not out of her mind, there’s no chance of that happening.

"Exactly, exactly." Zhao Guangran agreed that his friends couldn’t be foolish.

"Aren’t we still going up the mountain in summer to pick fruits and dry them? That can make money."

Compared to the adults who talked about making fruit wine from the harvest, Zhao Guangran preferred drying them. Whether to sell or eat himself, it was all good.

"And we haven’t even found any ginseng yet, how could we leave?" Zhao Guangran boasted, living in the Northeast for so many years and living by the mountains, he just had to find a ginseng.

Anyway, Zhao Guangran claimed he was still young, but as he grew older, he’d definitely venture deep into the mountains to find ginseng.

The kid’s ambitions were exceptionally high. Just ask the village residents here, how many of them have found ginseng in their entire life? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI[F]ire.net

If ginseng were that easy to obtain, they wouldn’t call it one of the three treasures of the Northeast, nor would so many people go crazy over it, and its price wouldn’t keep rising.

Gong Ruini just wanted to say that while the idea was beautiful, reality was a bit harsh. But as long as Zhao Guangran was willing, that was enough.