CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 489: PLAN THE WAY OUT IF THINGS DON’T WORK OUT

No matter what thoughts or plans everyone might have, they were genuinely looking forward to visiting Master Zhuge. However, Zhan Banxia and Zhan Zisu seemed quite anxious, or even resistant to going to Grandpa Zhuge’s place.

"Do we really have to go today?" Zhan Banxia looked at his parents carrying things in their hands, which made it clear that they had to go out today, something he wasn’t very happy about.

"Yes, let’s go and see where Banxia will study in the future," Zhao Xuran patted Zhan Banxia’s head, understanding their reluctance, but knowing that mom had already discussed things with the other side.

Besides, Grandpa Zhuge had already sent someone to clean the house. If he didn’t value Zhan Banxia, why would he have someone tidy up?

Zhan Banxia noticed his mom’s expectant gaze, "I’ll talk to Grandpa, if his skills are good, I’ll learn with him."

"If not, I definitely won’t learn from him." Zhan Banxia expressed his desire to learn from a master; if it’s just an ordinary teacher, he might as well learn with mom.

"Right, right, what brother says is correct." Zhan Zisu agreed, supporting his big brother’s view.

Seeing the two brothers’ smug looks, Gong Ruini couldn’t help but laugh, wondering where these kids learned to think they needed to test the teacher first.

Gong Ruini was quite eager to see how Zhan Banxia and his brother would test the teacher, curious as to whether Master Zhuge would find them conceited.

Perhaps Master Zhuge would be really intrigued; after all, it might have been a while since he’d met someone daring enough to challenge him, especially when those challengers were children.

Zhan Banxia’s words gave Zhan Jing quite a shock, "How can you say that."

Zhan Jing herself never dared think about testing Uncle Zhuge, knowing he could discuss things with her father, who was somewhat beyond her level; she could only say she would research with him together.

She never imagined her two sons would have such ideas; Zhan Jing really wondered where these thoughts came from.

Thankfully, Zhan Jing was relieved they discussed this at home, and not during the visit; otherwise, it would be like setting off a bomb.

"Banxia, Grandpa Zhuge is far more capable than mom." Zhan Jing realized acting as a strict parent would only make these two boys rebel.

At that moment, Zhan Jing slightly regretted choosing to discuss things with her kids as equals, instead of educating them like other parents do.

"He’s more capable than mom because you want us to learn from Grandpa Zhuge." Zhan Banxia was skeptical about Zhan Jing’s reasoning, aware of their parents’ intentions.

"Moreover, mom, why are you so anxious? If Grandpa Zhuge is really skilled, shouldn’t you be confident in us seeking his guidance?"

The more Zhan Jing tried to hinder their examination of Grandpa Zhuge, the more they questioned his abilities, wondering why there would be so much resistance otherwise.

"Seeking guidance is one thing, but when you say you want to see if he’s qualified to be your teacher, isn’t that too much?" Zhan Jing felt exasperated; despite not living with Zhuge yet, just a few visits revealed how many sought out Uncle Zhuge.

From Ge Yunkui’s words, Zhan Jing knew many people wanted to become Zhuge’s students, but Uncle Zhuge declined, making Zhan Jing even less willing to see her kids miss out on such an opportunity.

"You haven’t attended his class, how do you know Grandpa Zhuge isn’t good?" Zhan Jing realized her attitude might’ve been too harsh and attempted to negotiate with Zhan Banxia.

"Does that mean if we find Grandpa Zhuge’s class lacking, we don’t have to go?" Zhan Banxia knew that if they insisted on testing him, it would definitely upset mom.

Look at this, at such a young age, already knowing how to negotiate with parents, using tactics like advancing with retreat as they grew.

Gong Ruini was truly astonished; if not for having raised these two children, she might even suspect they were reincarnated or traveled through time, otherwise how could they know so much?

Gong Ruini couldn’t help but sigh, "They’re so much smarter than Guang Ran."

Zhao Guangran was not pleased; being used by Gong Ruini as a step, and now beneath these two boys, it was too much to handle.

"How am I less intelligent than them, huh? It’s just I can’t sweet-talk people, right?" Zhao Guangran proclaimed that aside from not being able to charm adults, he didn’t feel inferior at all.

"If you believe you’re smart, then you’re smart." Gong Ruini refused to dispute such topics with Zhao Guangran, aware of the household’s chaos due to Zhan Banxia. If Zhao Guangran caused further trouble, it wouldn’t be amusing.

Ah, how his words weren’t reassuring at all, Zhao Guangran felt they were slyly congratulating him while actually mocking him, "Don’t think I’m foolish, I know."

Really, they all consider themselves smart, so they can ridicule him?

"I’m not as smart as Banxia." It’s just advancing with retreat, a tactic he’s mastered too, "After all, I’m the elder brother, I must learn to give way."

Learning to yield, those words still sounded sour, "Mm, you’ll become a good brother slowly, by the way, today you should..."

Zhao Xuran pulled Zhao Guangran over to discuss his thoughts, "How’s that?"

Zhao Guangran was taken aback; had he known his big brother would involve him this way, he wouldn’t have provoked the twins merely for face.

"Can I regret it?" Zhao Guangran hopelessly looked at Zhao Xuran.

Though knowing chances were slim, he felt he should at least try.

Regret? "Do you think that’s possible?" Zhao Xuran retorted.

"I understand." Alas, poor him wanted a good cry out; his brother was quick to seize opportunities to make him leap, and the twins were just his little burdens.

"Ah, wait, why do I have to handle this?" Zhao Guangran truly didn’t grasp why his big brother needed him, "Shouldn’t mom be the one, or even the twins at the very least."

Come on, he’s not familiar with them, even calling them grandpa is merely courteous.

Zhao Guangran was genuinely worried; failing this task might earn him a metaphorical axe from his elder brother.

Imagining the dire consequences if he couldn’t manage it, Zhao Guangran decided he couldn’t bear this blame.

"You haven’t even started working and already contemplating retreat," Zhao Xuran glared at Zhao Guangran, frustrated, "You’re even less capable than the twins."

Facing problems, he shirked responsibility; meanwhile, look at Zhan Banxia. Though kids, once entrusted with a task, they strive to accomplish it.

"I..." Though he had entrusted Zhan Banxia, Zhao Guangran gave Zhao Xuran a discontent glance, thinking if his brother proposed this earlier, he would’ve accepted immediately, with no complaints.

"You," Zhao Xuran knew his brother regretted, but some things can’t be erased merely by regretting.

Hmph, it seems time to strictly educate his brother; can’t let him foster a habit of avoiding responsibility.