Chapter 258: Chapter 258

Looking at Gong Ruini sleeping quietly on the bed, Cai Meina was filled with reluctance.

"Rui Wen, why is your sister so tired?" Wasn’t she just learning to swim? Why does it seem more exhausting than her first time running?

How could she not be tired? Gong Ruwen thought of his sister’s experience in the river today, unsure of how to explain it. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Zhao Xuran kept praising Ni Zi’s swimming, while Zhao Guangran kept mocking how bad Ni Zi was.

Gong Ruini softly recounted how her sister learned to swim today. Now that her sister was sleeping, she couldn’t defend herself, but once she wakes up, wouldn’t she speak up?

Gong Ruwen didn’t want to see his mother scolded, so he quickly explained today’s training session.

Cai Meina was stunned, "No way, did Xuran teach your sister to swim like that?"

Letting the daughter struggle in the river like that, even if it was a shallow area, isn’t this a bit too much for someone learning to swim?

Gong Ruwen was also quite surprised. When he learned to swim, his father was right there supporting him, but when it came to his sister, she got such a strict coach. His sister must have cried.

"Actually, my sister did quite well today. Though her form was a bit off, at least she managed to swim." It seemed harsh, but if Zhao Xuran hadn’t pushed, who knew when she would learn to swim.

For someone afraid to enter the shallow water, she wasn’t likely eager to get in. Gong Ruwen didn’t understand why his sister feared water so much. Did their grandmother scare her at the river?

Gong Ruwen decided to thought with Cai Meina.

Ah, really? His sister was scared of the water? What a huge problem this could be.

Cai Meina felt her heart break, "Hmph, it’s definitely something your grandmother would do..."

For someone she disliked, Cai Meina knew she’d find all kinds of ways to bring them down. Imagining her daughter standing by the river, hearing Zhang Lan’s threats to throw her in, made Cai Meina’s head ache.

"We can’t coddle your sister about this; she has to learn to swim." She’d always felt protective, thinking her daughter too young to suffer so much.

Cai Meina considered talking to Zhao Xuran to be less strict on Gong Ruini, considering her health wasn’t great and everyone could sympathize with that.

But learning of Zhang Lan’s threats, she knew this weakness had to be addressed. "You know your grandfather hasn’t given up yet, right? He might still try to bring you back for schooling."

"Ah, I don’t want to go back." Gong Ruwen was firm on not going back, thinking last time’s letter from his parents would make their grandfather give up.

They wrote back thanking Gong Dajiang for his intention and clearly stating it’s impossible, but was Gong Dajiang one to change his mind easily?

For Gong Dajiang to change his mind, unless Gong Xiaoyu suddenly became more successful and driven.

But would this kid become ambitious? Cai Meina held no affection for the family’s hope, considering him lacking talent and spoiled by his mother and grandmother.

This kid wouldn’t improve but would likely try to drive away anyone threatening his future, much like his father, Gong Qiang.

From Cai Meina’s helpless gaze, Gong Ruwen understood his grandfather wasn’t a good person.

"I get it. I’ll make sure Brother Xu Ran is strict with Ni Zi."

"Mom, Ni Zi actually learned quite a bit; I think she’s just not used to the intense exercise," Gong Ruwen reassured.

Though his sister seemed tired today, it was truly due to her lack of usual exercise and overthinking. If she relaxed, she wouldn’t be so exhausted.

I wonder how Ni Zi will deal with Zhao Guangran after learning to swim.

Today, Zhao Guangran was suicidal, constantly provoking and mocking Gong Ruini.

If Gong Ruini hadn’t improved, his mockery might be justified, but instead, she made significant progress, almost mastering dog paddle in one afternoon.

Though her form wasn’t perfect, it didn’t matter. The key was she could swim.

Gong Ruini was so tired, wanting only a good sleep to recover, yet even in sleep, she was dreaming.

Dreaming would be fine if it weren’t for constantly swimming, which scared Gong Ruini.

Especially when the dream scenes became terrifying, causing Gong Ruini to sit bolt upright.

Seeing her sitting up startled Cai Meina and her son An Jing, who sat reading nearby.

"Ni Zi, you’re awake." Cai Meina, seeing her daughter awake, prepared to bring her some water.

Oh, it was just a dream. Gong Ruini, relieved to see her brother and mother nearby, was grateful not to be swimming away from a crocodile.

Gong Ruini wanted to cry; others learning to swim surely weren’t so tragic, "Mom, I want Dad or Brother to teach me to swim."

Sigh, maybe it’s better to switch to her brother as coach. Even if he’s not as good, at least he wouldn’t provoke her like the Zhao brothers.

Especially Zhao Xuran, who, knowing Zhao Guangran’s mockery, never bothered to stop it; such a coach was truly unqualified.

Hmph, if this were a paid service, she would’ve complained enough to get him fired.

"No." Cai Meina directly rejected Gong Ruini’s suggestion, "You should stick with Xuran."

"I talked to your brother; Xuran is doing well. You managed to swim in an afternoon, didn’t you?"

"Ni Zi, such a good teacher shouldn’t be missed, and your dad is quite busy lately." Many people were calling him and Zhao Gang to fix machines and inquire if the elementary school could take kids from their village.

In short, her man is busy, and though Zhao Gang said Gong Tao could rest, if he did, Zhao Gang would have too much on his plate. He’s also been very busy.

Especially in the heat, kids get more restless, as evidenced by Zhao Gang’s dark circles from the workload.

Oh no, how did her brother tell Cai Meina about this, making her think Zhao Xuran was an excellent coach?

Gong Ruini admitted Zhao Xuran was skilled at teaching swimming, but this was too much praise.

He was setting up his sister for a fall. Gong Ruini kept signaling Gong Ruwen with her eyes to speak up.

Gong Ruwen wouldn’t step in, especially after his mother had described the situation so alarmingly. He wouldn’t leave any weaknesses for his sister.

Oh wow, her brother wouldn’t help, which puzzled Gong Ruini. What was going on?