Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Family
Gu Rui silently punched his third brother’s shoulder.
"You’re as cunning as ever."
Gu Zheng calmly said, "Since my two kids can’t make it, I have to give a red envelope on their behalf."
Tuanzi blinked, "Did the other cousins also not make it?"
Gu Zheng said apologetically, "Yes, the eldest is abroad for an academic exchange and can’t return. The second is out on a field trip, and we couldn’t even reach him by phone."
Though it was said to be a family gathering, it was actually just the three children of the eldest family, the second brother and his spouse with their eldest son, and the third brother with his spouse.
Tuanzi’s youngest uncle and aunt’s families had settled in other places and usually only came back to Jiang City during holidays and festivals.
Not being able to see the new cousins made Tuanzi a bit disappointed.
She noticed that both uncles were quite handsome, so their sons must also be quite handsome.
Alas, what a pity.
After just a few seconds of disappointment, two aunts came out carrying freshly cooked dishes.
"Miaomiao is here, right?"
The third aunt smiled cheerfully, "Come and try your auntie’s cooking."
The fragrance drew Tuanzi forward.
She happily ran to the dining table and was quickly fed a piece of sweet and sour pork.
"Delicious!"
She gave the third aunt a thumbs-up.
The third aunt curved her lips, looking very gentle.
Tuanzi found that this couple was like two extremes; the third uncle looked cold and serious, even more serious than her elder brother, while the third aunt was gentle as water.
Noticing another gaze, Tuanzi grinned, "Hello, second aunt."
The second aunt nodded slightly and pushed over a dish of caramel apples.
"This needs to be eaten while it’s hot."
Tuanzi picked up a piece, blew on it a few times, and cautiously took a bite, her eyes suddenly widening.
"Delicious, so delicious!"
The second aunt’s expression remained indifferent, but a hint of a smile rose in her eyes.
Tuanzi sneaked a few glances at her and found that she and the second uncle were also like two extremes.
The second uncle smiled fondly and looked amiable, while the second aunt was a cold beauty.
She wondered what her parents were like—were they also two extremes, but still very compatible?
Without rushing to start the meal, the two aunts simply fed Tuanzi first, each taking turns with a chopstick.
The adults simply went to the second-floor terrace to chat.
Gu Rui laughed, "I didn’t expect Cheng to agree to let Miaomiao go on the show."
Gu Cheng kept a straight face and said seriously, "Traveling helps in nurturing relationships."
He and Gu Che tacitly kept quiet about the time travel and the promotion of Ancient Martial Arts.
It wasn’t about not trusting the uncles, but some things are better known by fewer people.
Let those matters remain a family secret.
Gu Rui and Gu Zheng exchanged a glance, both a bit surprised.
This nephew had changed quite a bit.
The two uncles called everyone over, and aside from giving red envelopes upon meeting, the main purpose was to ask how Miaomiao came back and what the future plans were.
The brothers had already concocted a story.
The same version as before—their sister was saved by a hidden expert and taken as a disciple; unexpectedly, she learned about the car accident from years ago and came to do a DNA test.
Gu Cheng: "We’ve never met that expert. It seems he wants to live in seclusion in the mountains, and we shouldn’t disturb him."
The two uncles nodded.
"Then we shouldn’t disturb him. It’s good that Miaomiao can come back."
Gu Zheng said, "What are your plans next? She’s of age to go to kindergarten, right?"
The brothers were stunned; they seemed to have not thought about this at all.
Pei Hai roared with laughter.
"Did you both forget about this matter?"
"However," Pei Hai stroked his chin, "with both of you being so busy, even if you hire a nanny to look after her, sending her to and from kindergarten would still be too cruel. Now that you’ve reunited, she might as well run around with you."
Gu Rui said, "The reason your third uncle and I came to you was also to discuss this matter. If you’re busy and want to send her to kindergarten, why not let Miaomiao stay at our house? I’ve retired early, so I wouldn’t mind taking care of kids at home."
Gu Cheng slightly lowered his eyes, as if he didn’t want to face this issue.
Gu Che pursed his lips, his emotions quite evident.
The two uncles gave each other a confused look.
Pei Hai understood their feelings and quickly said, "You should go check on Miaomiao. Is anyone watching her? She might eat too much? Also, it’s best to ask Miaomiao about this; she’s quite opinionated."
After the brothers went downstairs, Pei Hai said, "After losing their sister and then regaining her, how can they bear to part? I think your suggestion isn’t very good."
Gu Rui glared at him, "Stop kidding around. You’re not getting any younger. Aren’t you considering marriage and having kids? I’ve already retired; I can help you take care of your child."
Pei Hai: "..."
He slipped away.
After lunch, the Gu Cheng brothers took their sister for a walk in the community while discussing the kindergarten issue.
"Do you want to go to kindergarten?" Gu Cheng’s tone was somewhat stiff.
"Kindergarten?"
Tuanzi warily raised her little head, having been introduced to the concept by the system, "Do you not want Miaomiao anymore? Are you going to send Miaomiao to kindergarten?"
She directly teared up, pouted, and said sorrowfully, "Miaomiao doesn’t want to go. Miaomiao wants to stay with her brothers. We finally reunited."
If the system hadn’t seized the opportunity, she wouldn’t have been able to travel back.
Now that she’s finally back, she doesn’t want to be separated.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she got, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Tuanzi lifted her little head, her eyes brimming with tears, "We shouldn’t separate."
Gu Che hurriedly squatted down.
"Don’t cry, we won’t separate, we won’t separate. We were just asking."
Gu Cheng was also at a loss.
"We were just asking, I..." he awkwardly admitted, "also don’t want to be apart."
After losing their sister for four years and finally finding her, he didn’t want to be apart.
It took a while to coax her before Tuanzi broke into a smile.
"Didn’t you forget that Miaomiao has to go on a show to promote Ancient Martial Arts."
She counted on her chubby little hands, "Training, promoting Ancient Martial Arts, spending time with my brothers, being a hero—Miaomiao is so busy, no time for kindergarten."
Plus, the things taught in kindergarten can also be taught by the system, and she can study whenever she finds time.
Once she finds her parents, it won’t be too late to talk about kindergarten again.
The brothers both let out a sigh of relief.
Gu Che said, "I’ll ask the manager to keep an eye out. If there are other live variety shows, I’ll take you along."
Tuanzi blew him a kiss from afar.
Gu Cheng pursed his lips.
After a few seconds, he said softly, "I’ll keep an eye out too."
"Miaomiao loves you too~" Tuanzi quickly made a heart shape.
After discussing it, the siblings together rejected the uncles’ suggestion.
Seeing Tuanzi’s slightly red eyes, Gu Rui said apologetically, "It’s your second uncle who didn’t think it through. Miaomiao, don’t blame your second uncle."
Tuanzi shook her head.
"Miaomiao knows that uncle and aunt are thinking of Miaomiao’s well-being, but Miaomiao is smart and can learn many things without going to kindergarten."
She held onto one brother with each hand, "More importantly, Miaomiao wants to spend time with her brothers. If Miaomiao isn’t around, maybe the brothers will cry."
Gu Cheng and Gu Che: "..." There’s no need to exaggerate so much.