Chapter 358: Chapter 358

Gong Ruini originally thought that Zhan Banxia and the others accepted the surname Zhan without much doubt, and didn’t think much of it either.

But unexpectedly, as soon as the adults left, leaving the six children behind, Zhan Banxia started asking questions.

"Sister, why do we have to be surnamed Zhan?"

"Is it because people think we might study medicine, so we have to be surnamed Zhan?"

"Our brothers aren’t surnamed Zhan. Is it because they won’t study medicine, so they follow dad’s surname?"

"Will dad and our brothers still like us in the future?"

These questions are so profound. Yes, they’re fairly easy to answer, but how should Gong Ruini respond to stop the two kids from continuing to ask more?

Oh, having two smart younger brothers can be quite a headache.

"Because Uncle Zhao, who is your father, has great respect for your maternal grandfather and wants your mother to feel at ease, he let you take your mother’s surname."

"Regardless of whether you will actually study medicine, you’ll all be surnamed Zhan."

"Oh, I see." It took a while before Zhan Banxia responded, "So even if our brothers study medicine, they’ll still be surnamed Zhao?"

Zhan Banxia continued questioning Gong Ruini.

You see, addressing one question only brings up new ones. Actually, if Zhao Xuran or Zhao Guangran really pursued medicine, perhaps Zhan Jing would consider this issue.

As for whether Zhao Gang would agree, is that really an issue? It’s said Zhao Gang received quite a bit of help from the Zhan Family; having one son surnamed Zhan shouldn’t be a big problem.

"Yes, they’ll all be surnamed Zhao." By now, Gong Ruini’s little face looked troubled, clearly a result of her vexing little brothers.

"Whether you’re surnamed Zhao or Zhan, you’re both our brothers and also the sons of mom and dad, and grandsons of your grandmother." Zhao Xuran understood why his little brothers were feeling so uneasy.

They were worried that once they took a different surname, everyone’s attitude towards them might change.

Zhan Banxia and Zhan Zisu relaxed once Zhao Xuran gave them such reassurance.

Previously, all their anxiety stemmed from the worry that their big brother might not like them anymore.

"Really?" Zhan Banxia nervously pressed on.

"Yes, you’re my brothers." Zhao Xuran extended his finger, "We can pinky swear."

What a childish game, thought Gong Ruini, sincerely unable to reconcile this with the mature impression Zhao Xuran gave off, never imagining he would engage in such a juvenile act.

But he really did it, completely beyond their expectations.

"I want to pinky swear too." Zhao Guangran popped up, indicating he was also Banxia’s real brother and wanted to pinky swear.

"Alright then." After considering for a moment, Zhan Banxia agreed.

Why did Gong Ruini feel that Zhan Banxia seemed a tad disdainful of Zhao Guangran, absolutely mortifying?

Gong Ruini deeply felt that Zhao Guangran should be more like an elder brother, stop competing for affection with the little ones, and predictably, Zhan Banxia and Zhan Zisu would grow fonder of such a brother.

"Sister Ni, Brother Ruiwen, let’s pinky swear too." Zhan Banxia called for Gong Ruini and the others to join in.

Uh, do they even need to pinky swear? Gong Ruini was dumbfounded; after all, their surname was Gong.

Why did their real brother ask himself to initiate a pinky swear while Gong Ruini and the others were called by Banxia? Completely unreasonable.

Zhao Guangran expressed that he was deeply hurt and dissatisfied.

"Second Brother, aren’t you going to pinky swear?" After everyone gathered, Zhan Banxia started the pinky swear but noticed Zhao Guangran hadn’t extended his hand and scrunched up his nose disapprovingly.

"Sure, but why include Sister Ni?" Zhao Guangran voiced his dissatisfaction.

"Because she is my sister."

"Brother Ruiwen is also my brother." Zhan Banxia didn’t understand why Second Brother had to question this.

For such a trivial thing, their Second Brother got upset, making Zhan Banxia again profoundly feel that their Second Brother was still very much a child.

Could this matter really be spoken of? Zhao Xuran truly wanted to pull Zhao Guangran aside for a thorough lecture.

Although not biologically siblings with Gong Ruini and the others, having lived and learned together for these two years had cemented strong feelings. Bringing this up suddenly seemed estranged.

It was like a deliberate instigation. Zhao Xuran gave Zhao Guangran a fierce glare.

"Is there an issue? Aren’t Ni and the others our siblings too?" Zhao Xuran stated, saying even if feeling jealous, it should have a limit.

Before envying others, think about your own contributions. Otherwise, constantly eyeing what others have would only cause more imbalance.

Zhao Guangran didn’t really consider it before; in his heart, he viewed Gong Ruini and the others as siblings, or he wouldn’t have stood up for Gong Ruini when others bullied her.

He also worried about Gong Ruini getting bullied at the Gong Family, "Sorry about that."

Zhao Guangran realized his earlier words were indeed infuriating, obediently apologizing, "I just thought that Banxia wasn’t actively calling on me."

Does this need to be distinguished so clearly? Zhao Xuran signaled to go ahead with the pinky swear, finally having soothed the little ones, certainly not wishing for any more disturbances.

Whether Zhao Guangran would figure things out was his problem. Zhao Xuran truly didn’t have the time to deal with a brother who seemed even younger than the twins.

Oh my, could it be that they’re ignoring him? Zhao Xuran was very surprised and a bit like, "Aren’t you going to comfort me?"

"Do you need comforting?" Zhao Xuran was slightly impatient; there should only be three brothers, and this big brother on the side could almost be considered a girl.

With too many thoughts, previously always viewed as the object of familial care, even when Gong Ruini arrived, Zhao Guangran was no longer the youngest, yet because of Gong Ruini’s understanding nature, Zhao Guangran was allowed to continue acting cute.

After Banxia and Zisu were born, finding himself having to suddenly upgrade to the big brother role, he needed some time to adjust. Now that the twins were three years old, Zhao Guangran still hadn’t fully adapted. Chapters fırst released on novel⸺fire.net

Why does he never need comforting? Are only the little ones entitled to consolation?

"When you didn’t achieve good results, wasn’t it you who didn’t need any consolation?" Zhao Xuran retorted.

Ahhhh, does Big Brother really dislike him now? Otherwise, why would he stab right into his heart like that?

"Did I say anything wrong?" Zhao Xuran insisted on not spoiling this kid anymore. If Banxia and Zisu were to follow in the footsteps of their Second Brother, having one Zhao Guangran was already a headache, let alone imagining having three brothers .

"No." Zhao Xuran’s firmness left Zhao Guangran feeling utterly helpless.

Since Big Brother refused to budge, he could only relent. Poor him, indeed.

Seeing Zhao Guangran thwarted was quite amusing for everyone, as this kid constantly courted disaster. If not occasionally knocked down a peg, one wouldn’t know how high he’d leap—probably as high as the sky itself.